University of South Carolina Libraries
Wednesday, September 27,1995 n&atcock Serving USC Since 1908 Wendy Hudson, Editor in Chief Matt Pruitt, Viewpoints Editor Editorial Board Lucy Arnold, Jamie Clark, Gregory Perez, Stephanie Sonnenfeld, Allison Williams, Larry Williams, Ryan Wilson, Chris Winston Keep marijuana use under watchful eye A recent survey of the Carolina Community reveals that the use of marijuana is up nearly 10 percent. Initially, one is inclined to ask why the increase has occurred. Could it be the increasing social acceptability of marijuana? Maybe the lack of focus on this common recreational drug due to campaigns focused largely on alcohol and the harder drugs, such as cocaine and crack? The reasons for the increase could be many, but perhaps its implications are more important. For years, alcohol has been a socially acceptable drug, legal for consumption when one reaches the age of 21. Social drinking is widely practiced and prevalent. Unfortunately, alcohol has also been known to act as a gateway drug, meaning that its use often opens doors to experimentation with other, potentially more dangerous drugs. The increasing acceptance and use of marijuana could indicate that it may soon take the place of alcohol as the social gateway drug. One small problem with this is that marijuana is still illegal in the United States, hence its growing acceptance creates a conflict. Another problem is that marijuana is far more detrimental to one's health than is alcohol. What we must be wary of, then, is that marijuana does not reach the status that alcohol has. Many people forget that alcohol is even a drug largely ignore its abuse. If the social and legal stigmas on marijuana are dropped (and the possibility exists), the same lack of recognition could apply. The solution is obviously education. This does not mean simply saying "Don't, don't, don't," but also educating the general public about the nature and effects of the drug, as well as the gateway effect. Face social problems, give 'Kids' a chance After you've been on this earth for a little while, you find that cer- MATT PRUITT tain subjects are always good fodder ? -? for debate: politics and government, Viewpoints Editor morality and religion, and, in our time, a controversial film. The most recent impetus for debate springs Clark brings to our attention the from the hands of director Larry Clark fact that many teenagers still don't in the form of the movie "Kids." use condoms, possess social values, Of course, in the conservative or think any further than a few hours boundaries of the South, Clark's film iato the future. He does it not with is generally discredited as porno- impersonal statistics listing the numgraphic and devoid of any notable ber of teenage pregnancies or deaths content. Indeed, in any geographic due to alcohol each year, but with region it is very easy to view the work graphic, heart-stopping depictions of on a surface level and dismiss what children deeply entrenched in very lies behind the shocking and unfil- adult activities. Even more frighttered cinematography. ening for the average viewer is the The reason for the lack of serious total lack of consideration for the conanalysis of the film among the gen- sequences of their hedonism, eral public seems apparent: the ma- Probably the most disturbing asjority of the the movie-viewing pop- pect of the film is the complete omisulation attends movies for escapist si?n of a resolution. No hope seems purposes, hoping to leave reality and apparent, as the film ends in a scene visit the world of drama for a while, that the term "orgy" would not aptRarely are viewers confronted with ty describe. Teenagers, unconscious serious social problems, and when from the previous evening of alcothey are, the dilemma is usually or- holic bliss, lie sprawled on the floor namented and madp to fit into a neat 311 apartment, many half-naked, cinematic package, complete with Some of the deviants' younger brothtidy resolution and moral edification. ers> somewhere between the ages of "Kids" does not meet any of these 8 and 10, are likewise passed out afpopular criteria. Clark continually tor taking in amounts of marijuana bombards the viewer with images of St for a frequent adult user, teenage debauchery, allowing for no Most movie-goers are not confiltering or mitigation. Hie audience fronted with situations such as these watches 16- and 17-year-old adoles- on a daily basis. Some don't even cents consume incredible amounts know that they exist. When individof marijuana and alcohol, engage in uals are not accustomed to confronting hedonistic acts of sex, and commit such problems, they are apprehenbrutal acts of violence, all without sive in resolving the problem and the slightest hint of remorse. Couple would much rather dismiss it, gen this with the verbal rawness ol the erauy under the pretense that it is New York streets, and you certainly n?t relevant to their situation. In the have a shocker. case of "Kids," viewers annul the film's From this arises another criticism meaning by pointing to it's "senseof the film. Many contend that Clark less" use of profanity and nudity, had only the shock value in mind in Granted, the teenagers portrayed his direction. Of course, most would m "Kids" do not represent the norm, recognize this as another convenient If they did, the demise of our nation out, providing another method of would be just a generation away, turning away from an inconvenient However, they do represent a social social problem. Those facts are that dilemma which must be confronted, the events portrayed in this film are Please don't cower away from it in a not a far cry from reality, and if they den of safety, are sensationalized a bit, then that If y?u haven't seen it, give it a only serves to strengthen the bois- chance. Morally uplifting and heartterous wake-up call that Mr. Clark warming? No. Revealing, eye-openis sending. ing? Yes. ?TFSoiff^rnrb ^"s: 777-7726 E'h^Sion OdlllllUlK Advem^g: T77-4249 Ryan Sims r AX: 777-6482 Online Editor Student Media Russell House-USO Columbia, SC 29208 Chris Carroll Director of Student Media Wendy Hudson Lucie Arnold Martha Hotop Laura Day Editor in Chief Stephanie Tina Morgan Creative Director Matt Pruitt Sonnenfeld Asst. News ] Jeff A. Breaux Viewpoints Editor Features Editore Ben Pillow Art Director Chris Winston Larry Williams Chris Dixon Gregory Perez an-?Py ^Mrd Ryan Wilson Asst. Features Design Director Allicnn Wllhams X . - , . D.ll:. u t. Kim Cnlilan opons tailors rvwuuic ivietK ? News Editor Jamie Clark Asst SPorts Asst' Advcttisin? Manager Keith Boudreaux Pholo Editor Jason JefTers Erik Collins Circulation Manager I Cartoonist Faculty Advisor Letters Policy U*e.*ud?" of ^ "n,vf"y ?f The Gamecock will try to print all letters received. South Carolina and is published Monday, Wednesday and , . . ,, , ' r . . ...... Friday during the fall and spring semesters, with the exception U,ters should 1x1 20?-250 words and must lnclude hl11 of university holidays and exam periods. namc? professional title or year and major if a student. Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of the editors UttCTS must be personally delivered by the author to or author and not those of the University of South Carolina. The Gamecock newsroom in Russell House room 333. The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letters for publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of Student Media style> possible libel or space limitations. Names will not is its parent organization. ^ v^imheld under any circumstances. VIEWPOINT I ) QUOTE, UNQUOTE "First, there was the dull boom of the explosion and then the s we started puttin Associate Professor of E ? " ' Winner of Republican p: Howdy folks, I know you're thinking to yourself, "Ryan, why haven't I seen a RYAN WILSON weekly column of you razor sharp social commentary?" Well to be honest, writ- Sports Editor ing a column is a very time-consuming process. It's not that their haven't been by God, South Carolina is going to d issues that I could talk about, but IT1 let if s best to run Bill back to Little Rod someone else pick on The Spectacle. Well for the most part those righi Speaking of spectacles, I have tried minded people have a reason to be ej my best to stay away from any strictly cited, and shouldn't be surprised whe Dolitical tonics this vear. hut after read- PomiKli^ono ^ 4-v.ic. <oc n x X / 7 IVbJJUI/lltCUlO TTUl UllO OUUC X1JL %SVJ. lb YYUUI rng some of the political banter that has be more surprising if President Clinto been going on in this state, I felt I could gets 25 percent of the vote in this stab not resist any longer. This state is so predominantly Repul In the past few weeks there has been lican that if Barney Fife ran on the R< much discussion over the *96 presiden- publican ticket, he would win in a lsnf tial race, or more to the point, who will slide. (And if you look at some of the pos be the Republican front runner. The list sible Republican choices, Barney Fit is growing every week and it seems there might not be a bad alternative.) will be a sizable group to choose from. The Republican dominance in thi South Carolinians, in general, are state is obvious, but come election tim< looking forward to the race. The mood, there is another reality that the Re in this state, is that conservative right- publican supports in this state shoul minded citizens have had enough of Bill realize: On the electoral food chair Clinton and those nasty Democrats, and, South Carolina ranks somewhere belo\ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Column should focus < I enjoyed "More gender differences" all of are humorous stereotypes are fount because it was a bit humorous. Howev- ed in fundamental differences that, i er, Td like to see The Gamecock become we understood better, would mean bet a little more serious about educating ter relationships, and challenging its readers. We should Thanks for your time and space De discussing real dillerences between men and women? differences that know- Gena E. Wallin ing would be beneficial to relationships. Psychology Senic For example, why is it that women rnjoy gettinglettere and love P? 6 Editor defends controversia their men' Because they are verbally- . . stimulated Shakespeare and other great writers spent a lot of print on love poems. Why is it that men like posters re- ^ Gamecock has recently print? vealing a woman's body? Men are visu- a number of fetters extraordinarily mis ally-stimulated. How can this knowl- representative of my newspaper, Th edge help us in our relationships. Carolina Spectator, and of my charac Men: Take more time writing to your ter- Although most appear to be product women. Memorize a couple of poems, of sheer ignorance, several are outrigh Sincerely consider your words; they are falsehoods and seem to be motivated b; imnortant malice. I shall refute the prevarication Women: Your appearance is impor- of my detractors in short order and explaii tant. We want our men to accept us the wby ^ am ^ the right for penning th< way we are, and they do. But a man re- rather controversial article an Dr. Madder ally loves having a woman on his arm. Gr. Avrram s missive in the Sept. 1! That is pleasing to the eye. That doesn't Gamecock was riddled with lies. I di< men we have to be super-models; we just n?t record Dr. Madden s morning class have been be well-kept. And remember* 1 intended to record his afternoon class that confidence is attractive. but he expressed his disapproval and One of my disagreements with the immediately ceased recording. I aske< article was the unclarified stereotypes ^or reading list from the library un that Mr. Stewart used about women's der no pretenses whatsoever. It i bathrooms and spending habits. So, I available to all libraiy patrons. Finally want to clarify that men are not exclu- 1M attend D1"- Madden s classes with sively-stimulated visually, nor are women being enrolled. I had no idea tha exclusively stimulated verbally (noted such an act was against the rules. It ii by many young women's responses to a a vei^ common practice on the first da] nice set of buns). ?f classes. Had I known better, I woulc Gender differences are veiy real, and not ^iave done ^ s 3 c /my ound of mq|or glass breaking. They came in shedding their shirts, and g cold towels on them." Jiological Science Dr. Gail Pruss rimary gets state approval krill but above algae. To put it another the one-on-one bout that will happen way, this state doesn't matter. this time next year, their dark histories With only eight electoral votes, South will come back to haunt them. Carolina does not factor into the grand Buchanan's main negative is that he scheme of any election. That's why we has been a Washington insider for over lo can't get the attention we need in some 20 years, and that leaves a bad taste in a. areas. We simply don't have the politi- most New Republicans' mouths. (For t- cal collateral to offer any candidate. Just those of you have forgotten, Buchanan c- watch the lip service we will get in the was Nixon's speech writer during that n upcoming election by the major candidates, illustrious administration. I am not talkd As for as any front runner goes, it is ing about Bubba Nixon, I'm talking n still a crap shoot. Pat Buchanan can ap- Richard M. Nixon, the Democrats' fa5. peal to the God-fearing, church-going vorite whipping boy.) y. Christians, while Dole can give us back Dole's achilles heal is his age. He is x. a feel of the Reagan era. Phil Gramm already older than Reagan was when he I- has the feel of a new wave Republican, took office, and, at times during the past 3. and very closely resembles David Beasley. three years, he has come across as nothe (But you will see Beasley throw his sup- ing more than a latter old man, and that port to Dole, probably as some sort of could hurt him one on one with Clinton, s political debt he owes Bob.) Those, my friends, are the heavy hit The main fight for the Republican ters of the Republican party. The best j. nod should be between Dole and they have to offer. And one of them will d Buchanan. I like the fact that these are win this state with ease, t, the two that have the best shot at the In the end, I doubt it will be any conv nomination. They look good now, but in solation. >n serious gender issues 1- I did not "harass" Dr. Madden. I tate conduct of his class. It is certainly if wished to portray his side of the story, my right to make the facts known. I tr but he refused to talk to me and stymied would not stop him from teaching as he my efforts at every turn. I judged him wishes, even if I could. My one regret is i. by his words and actions in the class- including his phone number and address room. in my article. That was a juvenile and g Mr. Robertson's slurs against Mr. truly reprehensible act on my part I was >r Kris Wustrow in the Sept 20 issue were wrong on that point and I apologize for utterly unjustified. In point of fact, Mr. it. I Wustrow did not contribute to the Sep- Students cannot make reasonable tember Spectator. I did ask him to write choices if they have no alternatives to for me and I waited until the last pos- the liberal hegemony which The Gamesible moment to accept his submission, cock and the USC English Department ^ In anticipation of this, I included his represent. I have provided an alternaname in the masthead. Mr. Wustrow is tive. I stand behind my words and I in6 o rfAA/J /> ?<! ""11 ? ...1. ?1- ?? ^? -? ^?? u guuu aiiu i luiiui auig rnau OUU UC WU1 V1LC HUjrUUC WX1U WUJlltS UU eugitge 111 IUT" make a fine senator. I apologize sincerely ther discussion to do so with me and not s for the inconvenience this has caused about me. Thank you for your attention. * him. y I must make perfectly clear that The Vernon C. Davenport s Carolina Spectator is affiliated with nei- Economics Junior 1 ther The University of South Carolina e nor the Republican party at any level. L The views expressed in my newspaper ' are solely those of the contributors and MMI * do not reflect for better or for worse on J fj jjg mm ' either of these fine institutions. I a T' ?[myt R^der responses are welcome. 5 detractors has cast doubt on the content between 200 1 of my work. That would be impossible. AI\ sh?uld " 200 I did not make an explicit judgement of an WC^LS ^ elivered pers Dr. Madden's actions; I merely report- sonalIy to ^ Gamecock news'? ed the situation room in room 333 of the Russell I do not find fault with his style of House . Major and classification t pedagogy except for the fact that he ne- should also be included. The 3 gleets canonical works of British litera- Gamecock reserves the right to 1 ture for modern homosexual writings. edit all letters for length and * The course is certainly not advertised possible libel, in this manner. It is not my place to die