University of South Carolina Libraries
You can write us letters at: GCKVIEWS@SC.EDU It works. We promise. Remember to include your name and phone number i 11*? Sen ing the Carolina EfclTORL Jennifer Stanle Sara Ladenheim Rob Gioielli, 1 Kurt Johnson, Assu Kathleen McCorn Students welcome With Homecoming festivities kick- HHii ing off today, we The retur wonder how many for Hot alumni will return to their alma mater to remember their nvrrmr times here, or how HiiA many grandparents will watch Friday's parade with their grandchildren, re- comr membering when they were on those chicken-wire floats. Based on the numerous letters and phone calls The Gamecock has received since the beginning of football season, not many alumni are proud. In fact, we bet many feel ashamed, sad and even angry The alumni who have supported USC both verbally and financially should be disgusted with the number of times they've watched Generation X pass out during games and throw up on their friends and swear at innocent families for a laugh during halftime. The USC father who watched a student kick his daughter, who is also a USC student, in the back during the Parents' Weekend game probably won't be back either. The disgraceful ways students are representing the university extends beyond the football games. Universitv at fault for After half a se- [BS^^*7 mester of work, all the mainframe con- Th& dela nection problems upstuc have been solved. campus And, contrary to ^ popular belief all the blame for this delay Studet did not fall in the lap ronicto** of Computer Services. They filled all our pa the requests they re- Jor "* ceived before the Ju ly 31 deadline. The large delay was caused by the flood of requests that came after the deadline. Computer Services did the best job they could with the resources they have. Student computer use has increased dramatically over the past couple of years, especially since the campus network is now in place. We need to realize that, like any rapidly expanding service, there are going to be grow ing pains. Nothing is going to run like clockwork the first time around, especially something as complex as the campus mainframe. ~ Serving the Carolina C< The Gamecock is the student newspaper of The I hivers Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Five times durin |ienods. ()pinkms expressed in The Gamecock are those < if tlx-1 The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the the newspaper's parent organi/aikm. The Gamecock Jennifer Stanley Editor in Chief Jackie Posti Sara Ladenheim Managing lUlitor Todd Mone Rob Glolelll Vienpnnls Editor Rosalind H Josh Lonon Netes Editors Erin Reed Kurt Johns Kristin Freestate Eeatnres Editor Brad Walte: Bryan Johnston Editorial Assistant Kenley Yoi Nathan Brown Sfxirts Ethtor Ruth Nettle Nlkki Thorpe I'holo Editors Deneshla G Sean Rayford Kelly Mage Brian Rish Ordme Editor Matt Ryan Rob Llndsey Copy Editors Kathleen M Jessica Barfleld Student Media Ellen Parsons Director of Student Media Carolyn Gr Lee Phlpps Arhvrtising Manager Erik Collin Sherry F. Holmes (./ossified Jeff Stensia : i tamccock Community since 1908 \L BOARD y, Editor in Chief i, Managing Editor Viewpoints Editor rtant Viewpoints Editor lick, Editorial Writer need to : alumni =jj==~| Students litter, use mUUSHHII vulgarity in inapn of Alumni propriate places, necoming sleep during classikend es' ^arass e^" derly and are just generally apathetic about those serverespect - ? und them, r We re not saying ^ of our that aH stu/ent* nunity. are like the few our readers have written about. But a few bad apples are ruining the whole bunch. For one weekend, we ask students to help the alumni see the school that they remember. We ask students to care about the university as much as the alumni who made USC what it is. And maybe these actions will become a habit. Perhaps Generation X will stop being known as the apathetic, lazy, rude, do-nothing-go-nowhere generation. If we as a group can rVioncro nni" ronnfafirm Kir rlmnrr VliUll^V VU1 X v|y UVlAVlVil KJ J UVlllg something positive for society, we might one day read letters to the editor praising, not criticizing, our generation. Homecoming is a time to welcome all USC students, whether they are graduated or still enrolled, to celebrate academics, spirit, service and sports. Let's welcome everyone, especially the alumni, and not scare them away. not solely problems Students need to be patient with V in booking new services such ients to the as these and to remainframe. member that service is a two-way street. Just beits, by not cause we've Paid ng on time, the f 50 technolay responsible ^Com^ )e delay. Services is at our beck and call. That was one of the reasons they set a deadline for students requesting mainframe access. They knew they only had a certain amount of resources, and they gave a deadline so they would know if they needed any more. If someone requested mainframe access after the deadline, it's their own fault if there was a delay in their connection. Students need to start taking responsibility for their own lives and stop expecting people to do things for them. In the "real world," if you miss a deadline, you don't get anything. ,iry of South Carolina and is published Monday. Wednesday and K the summer with the exception of university holidays and exam jditors or autlmr and n? those of Hie I niversity of South (iaroiina publisher of Hie Ciameerx-k. Ttie Department of Student Media is All area codes are 803 on y ' Editor 777-3911 arvey hiUk Rekumns xcketl@sc er/ti IHnxtor Viewpoints 777-7726 on .3.0/ Vieuptiinls lUlilnr ftclau.ii'sOsc.nlu rs /Us/ Alrf/s F/lltorS y.ws 777-772/3 ing xclnitifs@sc is In s l:nctirv lulilor iraham Usl lisiittrn l/litur l tl -3913 , _ , , islu lire Us/ s/??rts hlUnr /l.cs/ On line fiililor S|iorts 777-7182 , _ , , ... , f>cksl>rts@sc islu IcCormick hlunnal VirUis (inline 777-2833 a wii' nanuxtKk.sc islu Advertising 777-3888 Manaycr Iffln Htisiiu.ru Maiuiffcr classified 777-1183 s l-'aculty Adeisnr l ax 777-MH2 nd hreuliuile Assistant (Jffice 777-3888 VlEWI l n :-;,v ,.| ? >. - imj > Laws shou In my last column, I not-exactly-jokingly said we should legislate morality more than we already do. I should 1 have clarified, since I KIKI MCCORMICK a^^east columnist loosely tied to religion, which imposes a code of behavior and thought on an individual. In this definition, that person is the only one affected by his decision. When I say we need to legislate morality, I mean we should curb behavior that either affects others negatively or is so incredibly stupid that anyone who would attempt it is just begging for guidance anyway. I realize this is abstract, so let's apply these ideas to some of the issues: Candidates | columnist | Where is Richard Pryor when we really need him? South Carolina could sure use Charles Montgomery Brewster right. now, blowing countless "Brewster's Millions" on a campaign that urges citizens to vote "None of the Above" in the state gubernatorial election Nov. 3. Such a candidacy would certainly be a refreshing alternative to the two current choices: Republican incumbent David Beasley and Democratic challenger Jim Hodges. With the future of their state hanging in the balance, South Carolinians must now decide which of these two double-talkers they want to lead the Palmetto State into the new millennium. In this, the most integrity-impoverished of elections, which of these two candidates has sacrificed his principles the least? In a race that has ignored all calls for the slightest semblance of truthfulness and consistency, which candidate has even the most remote hint of credibility left? In what has been a callously vindictive, cheap-jack campaign devoid of any measure of acFan asks for students' support Dear Editor: This is to address my feelings on the state of the season for the Gamecock football team. As the year has progressed, our boys have suffered through enough name calling, taunting and heartbreak to fill an entire season. To make matters worse, most fans (you know who you are) have deserted them now, justifying your actions with such empty ex >OINT ?_______??????? ' ' " <>V - V'.' ,! \ : . ' ? < 1 MtP4.*XT *i*c* ^ t f *vu. >k- /l^*f ~ ^ ^ Idn'ttryto 1) Gay marriage. According to mj rule, there is no reason for gay marriage to be illegal, ft certainly doesn'1 hurt anyone, despite the weak argument it will make the institution of marriage mean less. In fact ? and this should be a test when any laws are changed ? it is in society's interest tc allow gays to marry. Anyone who complains that gays are too promiscuous should want to en courage monogamy by formally recog nizing their committed relationships The fact that gay marriage is cur rently illegal attests to the fact that we do legislate morality, even in the tra ditional sense. If we really feel we can'1 dictate thoughts or behavior that onlj affects consenting adults, we must le galize it no matter how much it irritates certain people. 2) Hate crimes. I hate to write this just after that young gay man ir Wyoming was killed, but classifying certain acts as "hate crimes" would be legislating morality in the traditional sense, and therefore should not occur We can't have laws that tell us whal not to think, and we don't need then because we have laws that tell us what not to do. There should be punishmenl ?leave vote countability, which candidate can we count on to fairly and responsibly exe cute the business of this state's high est office? The answer? "None of the Above.' Choosing between Beasley anc Hodges has become a choice in name only. It's like my doctor asking me if] want my prostate checked now or al the end of the exam. Talk about youi negative utility maximization. Can ] have a second to think about that one' Still, a decision must be made. While voting in this election may indeed arouse all the appeal of selecting a proctolo gist, not voting in it could be ar equally disastrous mistake. We have ? responsibility, however unpalatable ii may be, to weigh the shortcomings anc decide which candidate is likely to dc the least amount of damage to the state of South Carolina. David Beasleys announcement last week that he is dropping his opposition to a statewide referendum on the lottery was most disheartening indeed It's bad enough we have a publi< opinion president, but having a publie opinion governor would clearly mean more immediate negative repercussions in our daily lives. We shouldn't live in The IZjIJIIfJ. year and maj dude cuses as "looks like the same ol' sorry loser team" and the like. But to anyone who listens or watched this last week's game against Mississippi, they would have experienced a Gamecock team that hasn't given up hope and played to their fullest ability in a close game. This letter of gratitude goes out to A _ 1-1 TIT ! _1_ A. I 1.1 A.1 ?C nuuiuuy vv rigm anu uie enure unease for shaking things up and keeping the Rebels defense guessing for most of the afternoon en route to a four (should have been five) touchdown performance. And I also want to thank the defense for playing tough, especially stick "Wh s Gan C ~~ Exet P| LiSftSWE J TX* CtQuL ^ I* ! fllljHj 'will! ^ ;'?v control oui r "The fact that gay mar gal attests to the fact tl s morality, even in the t } sufficient enough for crimes of any mo5 tivation. 3) Blue laws. Blue laws are obviously examples of traditional morality | intruding where it doesn't belong. ; Unless ? and this is a long shot ? it can be shown that having a day off from t alcohol is significantly beneficial to soi ciety. (Personally, I wish everything would shut down once a week to give us a rest trom consumerism, but that s an even longer shot.) 4) Video poker. In case you were wondering where my "so incredibly stu| pid" clause came in ... the moron ma^ chines should be illegal because people blow their paychecks on them instead of buying food for their kids. t Maybe, if it was harming only the ; individuals who chose to do it, it would t be okay, but a) that just isn't the case, are with few "It's bad enough we hi president, but having ; f i nor would clearly mea [ negative repercussion? t r [ a mobocracy. Elected officials who rec' ognize those occasions when the will of 5 me masses runs euunter tu me eunee> tive good are essential to our survival. - Remember, we pledge allegiance to the i Republic, not the mob. i "The governor has not flip-flopped," t contends Beasley's campaign manag1 er, Eric Cavanaugh. "He is still very ) much opposed to the idea of a lottery ; in this state. All he has said is that he will no longer speak out against the t public's right to vote on this issue. Let's i face it, if the people of South Carolina want a lottery, they're going to get it. The real story here is how video poker ; has spent millions trying to buy this j election and sully the governor's good i name." s Sadly, he is right. While Beasley's i change of heart may be disappointing, it isn't downright despicable, which necock will try to print all letters. Letters should be 250-300 words ar ior If a student. Hand written letters must be personally delivered by hor's telephone number. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all ing it to the Rebs on the goal line three straight times in one particular series. Also to the coaching staff for open liig tilings up anu annust puinng mis one out. Special Note to Zola Davis: Keep right on thanking God every time you make a great play It's too bad some refs always seem to have it out for us in almost every game. You did nothing wrong, Zola, as I'm sure your coach and teammates will tell you. But back to what matters the most, the fans. Can any of you "fair weather" fans expect to ever have a football team capable of winning against all the odds en an outstanding white profesor leaves the university, The lecock doesn't write about that." Bobby Gist :utive Assistant to the President for Equal Opportunity Programs tEmmatESmtSBEim g? 1 Q 8 ?v to 2 2 s E m yilHill! sill I IP ^ ft r morality riage is currently ille[iat we do legislate raditional sense." and b) some people just have to be protected from themselves. 5) Abortion. In reality, abortion has little to do with traditional morality. Unfortunately, anti-abortion activists use arguments that cause people to think otherwise. They dwell on essentially moral questions like abstinence. Pro-abortion activists, then, are al lowed to pretend that abortion is just about legislating morality, which it isn't; it is not a personal choice that affects only one person. It is one which affects a child violently and irrevocably. Therefore, it is in society's interest to outlaw or severely restrict abortion. Comments welcome at The Gamecock or kawarth@vm.sc.edu. r choices ive a public opinion a public opinion goverm more immediate > in our daily lives." is all that can be said of his opponent's vacillations. Democratic nominee Jim Hodges' acceptance of video poker confriKiifinnc fn Vkia nomnoirm uiuuuuu^ w iuo V/CUiipaigii uiiuvuwwuly constitutes one of the most sordid escapades in the history of South Carolina politics. Until this election, Hodges had been a staunch opponent of video poker, voting against it several times in the state legislature. But with little money in his coffers, Hodges took more than $300,000 from a variety of dubious sources, including a sizable handful from a convicted felon. Put simply, this isn't the kind of race South Carolinians need or deserve. With so much at stake, we should have a real alternative, a real choice. Unfortunately, in lieu of Monty Brewster magically descending on the Palmetto State, we're not going to get one. id must Include full name, phone number, professional title or the author to the Russell House room 333. E-mail letters must Inletter for style, libel or space. Names will never be withheld. when you leave after the first quarter? Would you want to perform for rows of empty bleachers? In the coming^ weeks, and especially for the last two Knmo era moo rraf nff unnr aeeec fa no 11U111V gMAJLlVUj gvil V/11 J yj U1 UUWVWj AVIAAU, and support your team. They may just reward you with an upset victory you will miss if you don't show up. Remember the Tennessee game a few years ago? Thank You and good luck to the football team for the rest of the year. Corey Dukes graphic design senior