The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 20, 1996, Page 3, Image 3
Tuesday, February 20,1996
*\5aif
Serving U,
Wendy Hudson, Editor in Chiel
Tina Morgan, Brent Se
Editor
Chris Dixon, Martha Hotop, Karen Layne
Ryan Sims, Stephanie Sonnenfeld, Cece v
Students loi
forward to 5
You have put more |K7TC
time in at the library this
past week than all of last Spring
semester. You, my friend, is cor
are in midterm hell. boy,
We at The Gamecock ri
feel that in the middle of panm
midterms we should take
part in relaxing the Hang
student body by talking spring
about something too clc
wonderful and great - au
spring break.
For those of you who
haven't taken your nose out of a book
in a week, spring break is March
3-10. This time is often spent at the
beach or at home, far, for away from
SG elections, bad food and loud
roommates. You can go home to take
baths (perish the thought!) and
lounge.. Or some of you can go back
to work for a week to earn some extra
spending cash.
If you haven't made up your mind
as to what you want to do, why not
join the do some service over spring
break or volunteer here in Columbia
for the week at a homeless shelter.
OK, it is not quite exciting as going
to the beach, getting so drunk you
don't know where your room is and
winding up beside someone who
remains nameless to you. But, next
year or in a few years youH be facing
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Tradition not
of all Southern
I am writing in response to Erin
Dunning's letter in the Feb. 14 issue of
The Gamecock. I am a black Southern
male. I was bom and raised in the South,
and my heritage is strongly influenced
by black Southern ways of life. I can
understand Erin's frustration because
I would also be offended if someone went
against something very important to me.
However, some of the things she said
trouble me.
I realize that McGriff made some strong
statements that probably offended many
white Southerners who are proud of the
Confederate flag. Ms. Erin Dunning said,
"Being Southern is a culture, a way of
life that includes honoring the Confederate
army and the rebel flag, not for slavery
but to remember our freedom." This is
not true for all Southerners, especially
black Southerners. One of the reasons
the Civil War was fought was because
of slavery. Of course, white Southerners
fought fin- their freedom, but what about
black Southerners' freedom?
If we studied history, we all know that
the Confederates were for slavery. In
turn, the Confederate flag represents
any ideas associated to than, this includes
slavery. Being a proud Southerner has
nothing to do with honoring the
Confederate flag. If the Confederate flag
is in your heritage, then honor it. I can
respect that. You cannot force your flag
upon people who do not wish to honor
it. The three flags flown over the state
capital are the U.S. flag, the state and
the Confederate flag. The U.S. and the
state flag represent all South Carolinians
as a whole. The Confederate flag
represents all South Carolinians as a
"tMfeock &
Student Media Russell House-USC* C
Wendy Hudson Robbie Meek
Editor in Chief Matt Pruitt
Ryan Wilson Sports Editors
Managing Editor Allison
Tina Morgan Williams
Brent Seeliger Special Projects
Viewpoints Editors Ethan Myerson
Martha Hotop Graphics Editor
Cece von Kolnitz Karen Layne
News Editors Deanna
Chris Dixon McLendon
Stephanie Copy Desk
Sonnenfeld Ryan Sims
Features Editor Online Editorr
The Gamecock is the student newspaper of the
University of South Carolina and is published Tuesday
through Friday during the fall and spring semesters, with
the exception of university holidays and exam periods.
Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of the
editors or author and not those of the University of
South Carolina.
The Board of Student Publications and Communications
is the publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of
Student Media is its parent organization.
1
track
SC Since 1908
F Ryan Wilson, Managing Editor,
eliger, Viewpoints Editors
ial Board
, Robbie Meek, Tyson Pettigrew, Matt Pruitt
on Kolnitz, Robert Walton, Allison Williams
N I O N
iking
Spring Break
nnrv something everyone has
to face as they march into
break '96 the real world - there
ning and will be no spring break.
are we Yes, USC, there
>ady! is no spring break in the
mhmh real world. Having said
IiIUh that, you may be
on, USC. thinking, "If this is all I
- break is get, I am going to take
>se to lose it to the max!" Well,
hope. that's OK for the time
' being, but if you've got
a whole week off why not
accomplish some of that stuff you've
been meaning to. Do some resume
boosters. Meet some people. And for
God's sake, get off your butt.
It's only nine work-week days
until spring break. That's four
Tuesday/Thursday classes and five
Mnn/lQxrAA/Q^r?oo/lQTr/CVirlQv nlooona
iUUUUUJff fT VUiiUTUajffX 11UUJ W1U4JUVO.
It's only one SG election away. It's
coming, we promise.
Perhaps the University could
finish some of the annoying
construction, give us back the Russell
House parking lot so pedestrians
don't keep getting mean looks hum
drivers. Maybe your eyes will uncross
after you're away from the libraiy
for a week.
Hang in there, USC. Our time
is coming.
representative
iers
whole. The Confederate flag only
represents one group of people and divides
us. If we fly flags representing every
group of people, there would be plenty
of flags over the Statehouse. I feel that
it is fine to display the flag if you choose
to do so. I know just because you are
proud of the Confederate flag that does
not make you a bad person. I can respect
that.
If the Confederate flag is in the heritage
of the Kappa Alpha fraternity tradition,
that is fine They have a right to be proud
of people standing up for their "freedom."
If you are saying that I should honor the
Confederate flag to be a proud Southerner,
I would have to say I am sony I cannot
It does not make me proud to honor
people who wanted to keep black people
in slavery.
Erin also said, "African Americans
should be proud to be Southern, just like
the rest of us." Is Erin saying that all
African Americans are not proud to be
from the South? Is she saying that true
Southerners are only white? If she is,
she is wrong. I am proud that my black
ancestors help build this country strong
with their free labor.
I understand Ms. McGriff was caught
by surprise, but we (Hack or white) should
not get boiling mad at everything that
we do not agree on. We should all stop
playing the race card. I am saying that
as a young, black male.
I would like to give much praise to Jim
Davis for explaining the purpose for the
KA tradition and helping us understand
it instead of adding wood to the fire.
Rodney 0. White
Psychology junior
/s: 777-7726
ertising: 777-4249
C: 777-6482 Chris Carroll
Columbia, SC 29208 Director of Studem Med,a
Laura Day
Tyson Pettigrew Creative Director
Robert Walton Jeff A. Breaux
Photo Editors Art Director
Adam Snyder Sue McDonald
Jennifer Stanley limSnet'lmon
Asst. News Graduate Assistants
Jennifer Hansen Marilyn Edwards
Dipka Bhambhani Taylor
Asst. Features Marketing Director
Achim Hunt Erik Collins
Asst. Sports Faculty Advisor
Keith Boudreaux Jason Jeffers
Circulation Editor Cartoonist
Letters Policy
The Gamecock will try to print all letters received.
Letters should be 200-250 words and must include full
name, professional title or year and major if a student.
Letters must be personally delivered by the author to
The Gamecock newsroom in Russell House room 321.
The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letters for
style, possible libel or space limitations. Names will not
be withheld under any circumstances.
I
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J^taery*' 2-76 ?/9?? TM? GA
"RAs are enforcers mai
want to be a helper and
Hors
I
Rush Limbaugh
He has defined an entire radio format
His talk show is the most listened to
radio talk show in America with nearly
25 million listeners weekly. His influence
is undeniable. His ability to entertain,
inform and persuade is unbelievable.
He is both the most loved and hated
A _ / i. r XT 1
man in America vexcepi ior newi
Gingrich). Who is he? Well, of course,
he is Rush Limbaugh.
Every day, Rush Limbaugh's radio
talk show can be heard on radio stations
coast to coast. His television show
finished second only to David Letterman
in a survey of most popular late-night
talk shows. Rush's books "The Way
Things Ought To Be" and "See I Told
You So" have sold millions of copies.
He has starred in a Pizza Hut
commercial and a Florida Orange Juice
commercial. He has even developed his
own line of ties that are carried in many
chains, including Dillard's.
Rush Limbaugh began his radio career
as a disc jockey for a Top 40 station in
Pittsburgh. He entered talk radio in
1984 and by 1988 he had launched his
national show from New York I began
listening to Rush during my sophomore
year here at USC. My interest was
perked during the 1992 presidential
election. I had always been interested
in politics, but Rush gave me the
inspiration to stand up for what I believe
in.
Also, I consider Rush to be my No. 1
role model when it comes to my career.
I have entered a career in radio as a
DJ for a local Top 40 station. Although
my career goals are to pursue the career
ladder in the Top 40 format (or a similar
U.S. president]
For some strange reason, it seems
that the presence of Ronald Reagan is
imminent as we approach yet another
campaign war between Democrats and
Republicans, and, more strangely, a
war between Republicans and
Republicans.
In Bill Clinton's State of the Union
Address last month, the legacy of Reagan
was hauntingly present, even in the
wording of Clinton's speech. Preaching,
"The era of big government is over," it
might as well have been Dana Carvey
doing his best impression of the former
president. In Clinton's first State of the
Union address four years ago, I faintly
remember him calling for "sacrifice"
amongst Americans (translation: you
folks with lots of hard-earned money,
cough it up).
In the Republican party, it seems
every candidate is calling himself the
next Reagan. In an era where it is "cool"
to be an outsider, Steve Forbes and
Lamar Alexander are trying to board
the on-ramp to the same back road
Reagan took to the White House in
1980.
Heck, even Washington insiders are
trying their best Reagan impersonations.
Candidate Pat Buchanan frequently
makes comparisons between himself
and the former president, and, in a
hilarious display that was indeed a sign
of the times, Senate Majority Leader
Bob Dole recently said to supporters,
Current events debate<
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provides inspii
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wouldn't mind | TOUCHBERRY
having my own
radio talk show
at all.
Liberals often attack Rush Limbaugl
and his audience. They say Rush is ai
extremist who spouts misinformatioi
and hate-speech. Liberals say Rusl
listeners are ignorant, uneducated anc
unable to think for themselves. Ii
addition, many liberals say Rush is jusi
a complainer who makes cheap attack
at President Clinton and othei
"honorable" liberals.
Of course, if you listen to Rush's shov
regularly, then you know these attack
are completely untrue. On Jan. 28, th<
Washington Post ran a story tha'
contradicted all of these lies put fortl
by liberals. The story focused on the
demographics, lifestyles and attitudes
of Rush's audience. The story was
featured along with a stoiy on America's
cynicism toward politics and its lack o
political involvement.
Hie story on America's cynicism founc
that a majority of Americans are verj
cynical about politics and government
They are also pessimistic about th?
economy. Finally, the article assertec
that America, as a whole, is verj
disinterested in the political process. A
majority admit to not keeping up with
current events by reading newspapers
or watching news and political programs
Also, the article found that manj
Americans are untrusting of not onlj
institutions, but individuals as well
The article on Rush's audience founc
very different results. The research
ial hopefuls ei
"I can be the I LARRY
next Ronald | WILLIAMS
Reagan, if you I
want me to."
That the Republican hopefuls are
constantly claiming themselves to be
carbon copies of a revered former leadei
might suggest that this group a) lacks
a solid identity b) doesn't have strong
convictions c) has a lot of money and
therefore is trying to "buy" their waj
into the White House or d) is prettj
damn weak. After strong consideration
I'll have to write in my vote, which is
e) all of the above.
On the campaign trail, our formei
president Ronald Reagan had one simple
yet critical Golden Rule he exercised
to perfection: Never attack a fellovs
Republican candidate. If these candidates
claim to be so much like Reagan, thej
obviously haven't looked into whai
made him so successful on the campaigr
trail.
What bonded Republicans togethei
during the Republican Revolution ir
Congress of 1994 is their downfall ir
1996. What was, and has traditionally
been a party of internal support has
turned into a party of extreme
divisiveness.
In a televised forum Thursday in New
Hampshire, the Republicans furthei
exhibited their ability to distance
themselves from the voters in a debate
that was characterized by persona
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iply to be enforcers. They
^conduct come with that."
Newman
ation, education
showed that Rush's audience was more
informed and involved in the political
process than the American population.
Rush's audience read newspapers and
news magazines and watched news
1 programs much more often than the
1 average American.
1 Compared to the entire American
i population, Rush's audience consisted
1 of a much higher percentage of college
i graduates. They were also much more
t trusting of other people. Additionally,
3 the research found that Rush's audience
r was more optimistic about the economy
and their personal lives than Americans
r as a whole.
3 What does all of this mean? Well, it
i means the conservative listeners of
t Rush Limbaugh's show are much more
i educated, better informed and have a
3 better overall disposition than the rest
3 of America. This totally flies in the face
3 of liberals who spout their "flush Rush"
3 propaganda. Again, liberals attack
f others because of their own insecurities.
In conclusion, I believe Rush Iimbaugh
1 is the best thing to ever happen to radio.
' Although I spend the majority of my
? time listening to Top 40 music, I really
; enjoy the hour each day I get to listen
I to Rush. He is both an inspiration and
1 a great motivator. His message of
1 optimism motivates me to be the best
1 I can be. Rush is the Ronald Reagan of
5 the '90s. And the most important thing
of all, Rush has given a voice in the
1 media to those of us with conservative
1 values. Liberals may still dominate the
mass media, but Rush has narrowed
' that gap significantly.
i
nulate Reagan
attacks and cheap shots.
At the onset of the debate, candidate
Lamar Alexander accused Bob Dole of
negative campaigning and attributing
; false claims. Next, Dole retaliated by
s saying something to the effect of, "Well,
you did it first." And these people want
? to lead the country?
\ Mudslinging has taken on a whole
I now moanintr anrl if will lilrolv nnsf
r Republicans control of the White House.
r In what was symbolic of this ridiculous
, Republican internal strife, Buchanan
was interviewed in New Hampshire
Sunday by a panel of journalists on
" ABC.
, After Buchanan berated Dole's
I campaign as "hollow," ABC's Sam
' Donaldson asked Buchanan if it were
s a race between Dole and Clinton, who
t he would vote for. "Dole, of course,"
t Buchanan said. Oh, yeah, of course,
i Bill Clinton must be licking his chops
as crunch time approaches. Internal
" mudslinging in the Republican party
i has to look encouraging, and Clinton
i realizes they're playing right into is
r hands.
5 The campaign trail is Clinton's strong
- suit (I feel your pain"). If the Republican
storms continue, you can expect the
1 nominee to be chopped liver against a
r younger Democratic candidate who is
J well-versed in the defense of accusations
that might hurt his campaign.
Gamecock Viewpoints!
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1
3
> *
Fertilizer
V
reeks havoc
i
r _ _ i
ror coiumnisi
drew The midstewart
term is looking
us in the eye like
your mother
does when she is trying to figure out
whether you've been lying or not.
If s the time of year feared the most
by eveiy student at Carolina next to final <
exams and Parent's Weekend. It means !
you have to get off" the of couch and finally i
find time to study around all that beer- |
drinkin', women chaisin' and sleepin'. ;
There, thafs over with. It's not that
I had planned to write a column !
specifically about the midterm, but the
university wanted me to officially remind
you to study for your exams.
Now, on with this week's column.
Has anyone walked in front of the
Thomas Cooper Library lately? I did last
week.
I saw this brown, crusty stuff on the
ground. As soon as I inhaled, I smelled
* this scent so bad it would even make a
hog farmer gag.
At first, I thought the university was
trying to recruit students from Clemson.
It looked like they were putting this stuff
out to make the good ol' Tiger Town
coalition feel at home.
But then it occurred me. They're
still mourning the loss of the Gator Bowl
to a bunch of Yankees, so the two Clemson
students smart enough to spell Carolina
wouldn't be here.
Then I guessed Brad Scott was trying
to bring in the latest crop of recruits from
Rimini to town. But signing day had
passed, so that ruled out that option.
Was the Grand Marketplace cleaning
out the kitchen? No. Had a crazed maniac
released a flock of evil skunks to do his
bidding at the Carolina campus? Negative.
Had President Holderman made his
triumphant return? Nunh-uh.
The university was spreading fertilizer.
I don't know what that stuff was
made out of, but one can assume it was
dinner for a cow at one time.
While I was standing in front of the
library making my olfactory dissatisfaction
known to the public at large, a gentleman
informed me that using this putrid food
for plants was a way to ensure the wellbeing
for the environment.
I told him he was full of what this
stuff smells like. How could this stuff
help the environment? Something that
smells this bad couldn't be good for a
darn thing. Or could it?
Here are a few useS I came up with I
for the USC fertilizer other than fertilizing I
plants:
Tired of those traveling salesmen? I
Lay a few pounds of fertilizer on your I
porch. You won't even have trouble with I
neighbors. (Note: This tactic may not I
work in Myrtle Beach or Rimini orl
anywhere there is a Dallas Cowboy!
present.)
Suppose you're having trouble!
keeping burglars away from your brand!
new BMW. A little under the tires andl
they'll think the car isn't worth a darn!
And for the ladies, want to send!
your boyfriend a payback for the thonjl
bikini you got from him for Valentine's*
A load of this in his mailbox will makl
him think through his future gifts a lol
And for the gentlemen, remembel
that girl who dumped you two nightl
before the semiformal for that dope!
smoking freak? A few pounds in thl
trunk of her car will remind her to a!
least call the next time.
Tired of that nosy RA inspecting
your room for beer at 3 a.m. before a bi!
exam? A pile of fertilizer a day will kee!
the RA away (and you too, unless yo!
have your sinuses removed).
Hey legislators, tired of those protel
groups hanging around your offices al
day causing trouble? Hurl a couple I
pounds of this from the top of the Carolii!
And, last but not least, membe!
of the Civilian Militias, you too can kel
the FBI, CIA and KGB off of your bal
by placing the fertilizer around yol
maneuver sites.
Next week, Stewart's tips on savil
the environment.
You want a regulaM
voice on campus?!
Here's your
chance! Submit a I
500-600 word
column
to Viewpoints.
Drop it by Russell
House room 3331
with your name I
and telephone I
number.
Questions?
Call 777-7181. |