Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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f) Look for those wild-andcrazy gals, Kiki and Emily, as they broaden our horizor Friday, March 20,1998 *1 Hit? Serving the Carolina < EDITORI Adam Snydei Amy Shannon, Kurt Inhncnn A cci H\A = ! ] BUiSMiyi e SG embai to self, C < Embarrassing. This whole election, a resignation re- Actions of quest firing and emban impeachment proceedings have been embarrassing to all those involved with HMKUL Student Govern- SG needs ment andUSC. and rest, How will we be able , to live down the imPra events that have _____ transpired over the past few weeks? To recap some of the exciting events is like a bad acid trip. The second annual protest at election a . time divided black and white stu^ dents even more. Accusations were made hv hnth sides and feelings were hurt. The election debacle even gained coverage by the local media. But this year, it didn't stop there. The anger and hurt that has been building up year after year through the SG elections went a step further. The Elections Commission felt that it was improper and impeded on the elections process for SG Pres^ I ident Jamel Franklin to speak at the rally. They submitted a letter requesting his resignation. Franklin responded with a letter of his own calling into question the appropriateness of the commission asking for his resignation. He said it was improper because he believed the commission to be part of his cabinet, jd* Over Spring Break, Franklin dismissed the commission on the basis of this insubordination. These actions had already hurt SG's reputation, but the filing for impeachment of Franklin destroyed SG's chances of ending the year in a positive way. Whew. That was exhausting to have to recap this series of events. This whole process has been em" r barrassing from beginning to end, which included the nearly four hours of impeachment deliberation Wednesday evening. The senate meetings were especially embarrassing. Franklin called it a "lynch mob," but we would have to say it was a kangaroo court. The Senate could not understand the difference between impeachment as a process, not as a conviction. The 0 | senate has the power to impeach, but has very few other rules in their codes to say how to impeach. Plus there was chaos and uncertainty among the senate members about their duty and authority. This of course coming on their final senate meeting of the term when, by this point, they should know how to do their iobs. Within all of this was laughter and a lack of seriousness. This im9 | peachment proceeding was the most critical event that has ever happened to SG. But many senators, instead of making a ruling one way or another, wanted to adjourn to avoid voting on whether or not to accept the recommendation of the impeachment court. That's what they got. SG, Franklin and the student body needed a resolution to this is" Wi Hie? ? o Sen intf the Carolina Co The Gamecock is the student newspaper of The Universi Friday during the fall and spring semesters and five times during periods. Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of theei The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the is the newspaper's parent organization. The Gamecock Adam Snyder Editor in Chief Rosalind Hai Amy Shannon Viewpoints Editor Sara Ladenhelm hurt Johnaor | | Cara Pellatt News Editors Carrie McCu. . u.. C#<MIUw Poaturac FHitrsr r jmmmiwt nrwun rrovi Achlm Hunt Nathan Broh Sryan Johnston Sports Editors Sean Rayfort Susan Meyers Photo Editor ^ Brian frith Online Editor ?rfn Chris Dixon Copy Desk Chief Connlo Karic Student Media Julia Baker Sherry F. Ho Susan Barrett Alicia Dlckaon Carolyn Grift Judaon Drennan Creative Services _ . . . Jim Green Ellen Persona Director of Student Media Mlchele Dan | | Lee Phlppa Advertising Manager Colllna ? jmecodt Community since 1908 AL BOARD Editor in Chief Viewpoints Editor ctnnt Vicnirtsnintc K/Jitr\r rassment irolina sue. They needed a iUUflHIi message sent to fupast weeks ture administrations r/ivritja that this is allowed or ?' a violation of the constitution. Instead, Franklin kept his job JUJUHH for one more week by to regroup default. Once again, uctureto instead ?f doing its rTf, _ 10b, SG found a way out. Now after all of this, everyone goes back to where they were. Franklin is president. The Elections Commission will be able to perform their final duty of inauguration. The finance bill was passed over Franklin's veto. What was accomplished here? If everything is the same after weeks (and we would contend years) oi embarrassment, what is the point of SG or their codes and proceedings? Students obviously don't care. Each year, despite rallies and controversy, voter turnout is nil. A few involved members of the student body keep track of the goings-on in SG, but otherwise the average student could care less. And frankly, so could we. We are tired of being in the middle of personal squabbles between stubborn SG members making power plays. We are tired of the political games, backbiting and lack of commitment to the students. There is no one in SG that can escape the embarrassment and the blame for these events. For every accusation one side makes about the other, the accused side can easily turn it around and become the accuser. This infighting, disrespect, self-promotion and otherwise lack of understanding of the public service SG members are supposed to provide for students will no longer be tolerated by this newspaper or this university. SG is broken. We issue a challenge to the incoming SG members to do their utmost to fix it. Obviously, the constitution and the SG codes need to be reworked or thrown out completely to try again. Students should be taught how to communicate, instead of instigate. SG needs to take responsibility for its actions. It needs to realize the games it plays not only hurt SG and the student body, but it hurts Carolina. But most importantly, SG needs to remember its duty is to the students first. Until the time SG corrects these problems, we see no point in continuing coverage of the biggest embarrassment of USC. The Gamecock will do its duty to cover SG events and meetings, but we see no use in wasting our precious time and space on SG's petty fights and lack of accomplishments. There are many other important issues on campus that students care more about. We hope the new members of SG are up to the challenge. We will be checking in from time to time to see, but otherwise we are going to concentrate on our jobs. We suggest SG does the same. imccoctf RBI immunity since 1908 ty of South Carolina and is published Monday, Wednesday and ; the summer with the exception of university holidays and exam itors or author and not those of The University of South Caolina. publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of Student Media All numbers area code 803 The Gamecock vey Public Relations Coordinator Editor 777-3914 i Asst.Viewpoints Editor Viewpoints 777-7726 Hough Asst. News Editor tate Asst. Features Editor News 777-7726 n Asst. Sports Editor 1 Asst. Photo Editor Etc. 777-3913 Asst. Online Editor Sports 777-7182 khotf Copy Editors Online 777-2833 fmea Classified Ad Student Media Manager In Business Manager Advertising 777-1184 Creative Director Classifieds 777-1184 ie? Creative Services c Graduate Asst Fax 7776482 Faculty Advisor office 7773888 /ewi The Gam Long di I bob EVATT Guest Columnist All I did this spring break was go home. For most of vou. this is A '* probably the most boring option available to you, the last refuge of the broke. Then again, home in my case is in Arkansas. I hadn't seen my hometown since Christmas break, since the 15-hour trip each way keeps me from just hopping over there and having my parents do my laundry. For most USC students, going home is about as easy as going to the mall. For me, going home involves about the same amount of preparation the U.S. needs to invade Iraq. You can't go back for your forgotten toothbrush when you suddenly remember it while you're 75 miles outside of Memphis. I take this lengthy journey in one day. It's really not too bad, aside from the fact that I have to get going at five in the morning, when I'm still halfasleep. coffee is a necessity. Otherwise, you can cause a lot of havoc with two Spring I I traveled to South Florida for spring break last week. I visited Lion Country Safari, saw an Orioles spring training game and spent a few days in Key West. The Sunshine state has a lot of problems down there. The Everglades for instance are dry ?? ^ ^ ing a j1MiS' fred LEACH _ manatee is Columnist on the brink of extinction. Many people join causes in order to conserve the natural beauty of Florida and elsewhere. I would like to create my own cause in order to ensure that the East Coast's beaches remain in a beautiful state for all to enjoy. The first step in my conservation plan is the implementation of a set of laws that I will call the Bikini Ordi USC transportation needs improvement To the editor: Transportation issues at USC are in dire straits. I can no longer sit idly by on the sidelines while a very apathetic USC community lets the last vestiges of student involvement and community spirit disappear. The main reason USC lacks a sense of community is because the physical layout of the campus is not conducive to pedestrian traffic. This means that students depend too heavily on their cars. Greene Street is a prime example at both the Longstreet Theater intersec 'OINT acock ives a c tons of Detroit steel hurtling forwa at seventy miles per hour. For instance, when I went hoi over Christmas break, I hadn't ev gotten out of downtown Columt before I ran over something. Don't a me what a Christmas tree was doi in the middle of the road. The ridit lous part about that was that I s: the thing from blocks away, and I h plenty of room to avoid it. But t thought processes in my sleep-fogg mind were moving a little slow. I thi my exact thoughts were "Huh! Christmas tree in the middle of t road! You sure don't see that eve day!" By the time I began to reali that perhaps it would be a good id not to run over it, I ran over it. May I shouldn't have done that, I thoug not slowing down a bit. So I take plenty of loud music w me to keep me entertained while I d ve. It keeps me awake during the boring stretches, plus because peo] can't really look at you, you can't e barrass yourself when you start e thusiastically singing along to "I Sharona" off-key while dancing in t X 1 5reak n< nance. I can't count the number times I have been on the beach gazi at all the lovely ladies in bikinis, wh out of nowhere comes some 45-ye; old woman sauntering down the bea with all the grace and elegance oi bovine. Rolls of fat hang over her thor and her butt shakes like a bowl of ji lo when she walks. At one time, si may have had a body like Niki Ta tor's, but that time has passed. My pi posal simply is to outlaw the weari] of bikinis by any woman over the a of 35. This would do obvious wonde in maintaining the natural beauty all beaches. An exception would 1 made in rare cases like Racquel Welc or Diane Parkinson, the lady who us to be on The Price is Right. If any 35 + lady thinks she has body suitable enough to fit into a bil ni, then she can appear before the Bil ni Control Board, headed by me. If si is bikini material, then she would given a bikini license, which would Is for one year, after which she wou have to appear before the board on more. Any woman who violates tt ordinance by appearing on a beai without a license would be forced watch Wayne Newton sii ? "1 11 ill] a stude eluded | held for tion and the South Bull Street int< section. The street should be clos permanently. It could easily be cc blestone, and an all-weather pat restaurant or cafe could be placed the I am glad to see the parking lot t tween Longstreet Theater and Thorn Cooper Library is going to be conve ed to green space as part of USC's m; ter plan. A little walking never kill anyone. Parking garages litter the camp and make it too easy for students have their cars on campus. For o thing, USC freshmen should not be; lowed to have cars on campus. The s uation concerning the skywalk is r much better. Why was the skywa over Wheat Street not rebuilt after a "I do not li ge^' SG Treasi l L w\lM? you cm ? "awtlmi ijm\ with asia ggS*?? ANPASia> Kg) tHWiYoUC j||| vkwam col jhance to Lrd "For most USC students, ne as easy as going to the i sk home involves about tl ng :u~ preparation the U.S. ne< 1W ad he car the only way you can (namely, by by ed bouncing on your butt). sit nk Still, you have to be careful what pa A you listen to when you slow down. I co be drove my long-haired, trench-coat wear- m 'ry ine. stubble-sDortine self into a eas ize station one time while my stereo sys- SP iea tem was blasting out the Imperial be March from The Empire Strikes Back P* ht, (you know, Darth Vader's theme). A timid, middle-aged woman stared at ex ith me in fear for half a minute before she st Iri- quickly herded her small children in- ^ ?se to her van and drove the hell out of tr pie there. I tried to shout to her that I was m- listening to the Beatles a few minutes Pr ;n- before, but she didn't hear me. 'e Vly Other than that, the trip was ac- sfc he tually pretty relaxing. Long drives gl jeds bikini of "My proposal simply is t< lT' of bikinis by any womai ich a This would do obvious w ing the natural beaut he ; y"0 "Dankushane," wearing nothing but a ha ng French bathing suit. hi ge The next part of my proposal is to it: irs prohibit the wearing of any of those an of French bikini bottoms by men. If any de be one wants to see that much flesh, then ha h they could go to some Chippendales to show or something. If I go to the beach, ha I sure don't want to see some fat he , Yankee's white butt in a thong, pol- 0' ^ luting my view of all the beach bun- all ^ nies. ^ ni The men who wear these types of e bathing suits usually are from up north dv somewhere. Often, they are foreigners nc ^ (I have, noticed that in particular, it is co Id Canadians who are the prime culprits), pi ce i hey are usually middle-aged men who tic lis think that wearing one of these suits hs ch will make them younger. Coinciden- Sc to tally, they are often accompanied by ar i g one of the aforementioned women who ie Gamecock will try to print all letters received. Letters should be 250-300 words an nt. Hand written letters must be personally delivered by the author to The Gamecock te author's telephone number. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letter for si any circumstance. ir- struction of the new dorm? Instead, ed pedestrians have to rely on the flash- fle ?b- ing yellow light. By not rebuilding the a ;i? skywalk, the south end of campus is so re- isolated from the main campus. Try dc ,e" biking from Bates House or Cliff Apart- ^ 38 ments to the Thomas Cooper Library. It's not fun carrying your bike up ^ and down all those stairs. The transportation problems on ^ us this campus are endless. Removable to blockades should be put at the entrance to ne of the pedestrian walkway, and only gj. service or emergency vehicles should ev it- be able to remove them. ec iot So, how do we connect the campus ca ,1k and solve the problem of apathy and >n- lack of community spirit at USC? ike it when people try to Pf on technicalities." irer Susanne Newman Page 3 mil ser I ilA I lege press EXCHANGE reflect snino home is about nail. For me, going le same amount of eds to invade Iraq." yourself are great opportunities to ; back, relax, and ponder the eternal iradoxes that prevent us from fully mprehending the true nature of huanity. Okay, I admit that I actually ent most of my time trying to figure it who Cartman's dad is on South irk (I think it's Jimbo). Still, I think my drives are a good iperience. It's a nice change from udying and writing papers, and I get see some beautiful parts of the couny. Plus, my parents realize that Fm etty tired after my long drive, and t me sleep in for a day before they art interrogating me about every sine detail of my life. rules a outlaw the wearing i over the age of 35. onders in maintainor of all beaches." tve no business in a bikini. This probition has nothing to do with age; is across the board. The penalty for iy man who chooses to assert his inpendence and defy the ban would be irsh. First, he would have to listen every album that the Spice Girls ive ever put out 5 times each, then : would be forced to watch while Rosie Donnell sings the Barney song (with I its 25 verses) while wearing the teeest bikini available. Let's forget about saving the sand mes for a moment. Give beach re )unshment a rest, and let s instead ncentrate on the real problems that ague our beaches. People I have menmed visually pollute our beaches like iving a booger in the punch bowl, imeone has to address this problem, id it might as well be me. d must include full name, professional title or year and mqor if r newsroom in Russell House room 333. E mail letters must intyle, possible libel or space limitations. Names will not be withI offer some solutions. Buy a new set of buses for the Shuttlecock. Build tunnel underneath Sumter Street, freshman living in the Honeycombs i not have to risk their lives going to lomas Cooper. Lastly, they should ive to push bikes while on sidewalks, id riders should have to wear a helet. If you want community and stusnt involvement on campus, you have build an environment that is contrive to it. Students driving their cars erywhere only takes up much-needl space and isolates the person in the ir. Paul D. Roof Grad Student, Sociology