The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 14, 1998, Page Page 4, Image 4
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