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You can write us letters at: GCKVIEWS@SC.EDU It works. We promise. Remember to include your name and phone number; Ut(5o EDITORIAL Jennifer Stanley, Sara Ladenheim, i Rob Gioielli, Vie Kurt Johnson, Assista Kathleen McCormic Hate crime national oo The recent, tragic death of gay stu- HHBHJLii dent Matthew Hate crime Shepard in beingp, Laramie, Wy., has to be pc sparked debate over hate crime legisla- WTTrnfFP tion. Rweisi Mfume of the National As- ^ crime is a sedation for theAdvancement of Colored People, for motiva instance, has taken advantage of this case to encourage Congress to pass the Hate Crime Prevention Act. This legislation would, in theory, help protect people targeted for violent crimes based on such things as roro nr eovnal nrianfafinn Kir oof _ &UVV VI VVAUU1 Vi IVXXVUViVllj VJ WW ting penalties for such actions. It's difficult to put the issue of hate crime legislation in proper perspective after such an egregious act. It is an incredibly emotional issue. But we must try to remain rational, or we will take unwise steps on our way to making our country safer for everyone. Of course, people should be punished for committing a violent act against someone because the victim is gay (or black, or any number of other characteristics.) The thing is, they should also be punished if they commit a crime towards someone for any other reason. Not only that, but ? and this fact gets lost in debates over hate crimes ? they already are punished for such acts. A murder victim is no less dead because she wasn't a member of a protected group. A stabbing is no less heinous because it was Blatt should aerobics scl The aerobics classes offered at Blatt P.E. Center AerobicsXI benefit the USC are not cc community im- enoughfi? mensely. For only ^ $10 a semester, students and staff are A new ti able to participate in should be ii an activity that not s0 only sculpts our bod- peop ies but makes us between healthier and stronger. It would be nice, then, if the classes could be offered at more convenient times. A new schedule began last week, but they are offered at times that are at odds with our regular class schedules. For instance, the "Step & Kick" class on Tuesdays and Thursdays is offered from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.. This precludes the attendance of ?ic?ii -^i ^erring wv v.unniriu The Gamecock is the student newspaper of lite I niversity Friday during the fall and spring semesters and live times during ti periods. Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of die edi The Board of Student Publications and Communications is die pul the newspaper's parent organization The Gamecock Jennifer Stanley Editor in Chief - Jackie Poston Sara Ladenhelm Managing Editor Todd Money Rob Glolelll Viewpoints Editor Rosalind Har Josh Lonon News Editors Erin Reed Kurt Johnsor Kristin Freestate Features Editor Brad Walters Bryan Johnston Editorial Assistant Kenley Younj Nathan Brown S/xirts Editor Ruth Nettles Nlkkl Thorpe Photo Editors Deneshla Grs Sean Rayford Kelly Magulr Brian Rlsh Online Editor Matt Ryan Rob Llndscy Ofy Editors Kathleen Met Jessica Barfleld Student Media Ellen Parsons Director of Student Media Carolyn Grill Lee Phlpps Advertising Manager Erik Collins Sherry F. Holmes Classified Jeff Stenslant 1 > imecoch nmunity since 1908 BOARD Editor in Chief Managing Editor 'wpoints Editor nt Viewpoints Editor k, Editorial Writer sparks ntroversy ppmh] committed only SHIHil to rob the victim, legislation and not to express ushed hatred. ksqcI If it is true that people are not bepjTrfjrwn ing punished severely enough for rrimj? no hate crimes, then bat the it is also true that people are not be*lon% ing punished enough for the same crime with any other motivation. If this is the case, we need to make stiffer penalties for crimes against any human being. Even so, legislators will be tempted to address hate crimes, as the issue is hot right now. We hope they will be prudent, and consider the mess such legislation could produce. The main problem is that it re quires mind reading. If a homosexual person is killed, was the assailant even aware of the victim's homosexuality? And how, then, did the criminal feel about homosexuals? And even if it can be proven he had anti-gay sentiments, were those the motivating factors behind his actions? Or was the crime, in reality, committed for an unrelated reason? Such a case would require conjecture on the parts of all but the defendant, who likely won't admit to it anyway. It is much easier to determine actions than thoughts. And thoughts don't hurt anyone until they are manifested in actions. Laws, then, should address only actions, not thoughts, and therefore not motivations. 1 change tiedule JTMBhI a student with a class starting at ledule times either 8 or 9:30 mvenient a.m. r everyone. If that step class was changed to, say, 8 a.m., or me chart even 8:15 a.m., nplemented someone with a 9;30 class could ? make both more ' c^asses- easily. They might not smell great, but they'd be able to get their exercise in between classes. The same applies to classes offered in other time slots. So, Campus Recreation: thanks for the classes; we think you're doing a great job. But it would be great for time-pressed students if you could put your classes on schedule with the university's class tuiico. mccodt imbi inanity since I 'JON HBHMHIiMMBBBMjt of Soutli Carolina and is published Monday. Wednesday and lie summer with the exception of university holidays and exam tors or author and not those of The t 'nivetsity of Stxitli Carolina. \ Wisher of The Gamecock. Hie Department of Student Media is All area codes are 803 Editor 777-3913 vey Publk gelations gckedOsc ctlti Dimlor viewpoints 777-7726 I Assl Vieupoints alitor gcln ien s@sc is hi Ail /Vrt/s Uliton v.ws 777-7726 8 gcknen s@sc edit Encore Editor iham Asst Evatuns Editor "-3913 e Asa sports alitor gckelcOscxvlu Asst On-line alitor Sports 777-7182 ;ormlck Mitoml Writer gcksfirtsttsccdu Online 777-2833 wuni'gamecock sc etlu Advertising 777-3888 Manager In Business Manager Classified 777-1183 faculty Adnsor Fax 777-6382 I Graduate Assistant otticc 777-3888 V V JLc Wr ire (Iran see ill Single guy t Single and proud!" said my female c classmate, a smart, good-looking, j long-legged girl, in answer to my 1 question of j RMAN ABEAV a*d satis* 1 faction. columnist No specif- ( ic research ( on the ratio of single students to 1 those in relationships at USC has been t performed yet, but I'm sure I won't be s wrong to state that a huge number of undergraduate, let alone graduate stu- s dents, are already involved in a rela- ! tionship which typically started back t in high school and has been dragging on since. Are most of those happy li- i aisons and are they truly justified? i Pressed by friends and raging mass 1 media images of dating and happy cou- 1 pies, youngsters, especially females, : feel like they have to be in a relation- \ ship to be socially approved and ac- 1 Grad studei guest columnist A iron o onvMni* ofnmrict rrro/4no_ Aic juu a ociiiui otairng giauuation right in the face? A little unsure about what you're going to : do next? If you haven't thought about it by now, someone else has thought about it for you probably your parents. Maybe youll win the lottery, if you're willing to relocate. If you're a comput- ' er gee...I mean whiz, you can write your own ticket and go work for that strange 1 uncle we all have in Seattle. Maybe you're thinking you need to get a foot in the door first. In a mere matter of months, the lowly intern position has been infused with a shot of publicity that would make a Madison Avenue exec blush. And while it's not a job for the weak-kneed, I'm told that dry-cleaning bills are relatively cheap. TTie way I see it though, in either case Billy will be calling the shots. If you half-enjoyed school, and you'd like to maintain a modicum of independence, why not consider graduate work? Just like swamp-legend John Fogerty, I used to work for the man every night and day. I gave it up to return to graduate school. Now I work for myself every night and day. Leadership in recycling program poor To the editor, Leadership is a privilege, and with privilege comes responsibility. The Board of Trustees of The University of South Carolina should adhere to this principle. However, the school's leadership has turned their back on the recycling program. Instead of placing the recycling program on hold, the univer 'PINT >ny L 0) noun usiraiion examines 1 :epted. At some point, if you say tha mu don't have a boyfriend or a girl riend, a number of people are likely b udge you on the spot. Even notorious underachieving MT\ :artoon Butt-Head says, "Girls won' sleep with you unless you already hav i girlfriend." And if you are single, yoi ire not worthwhile. Has being single become a way t neasure a person's worth? I am afrai< t may be so. And the youth are receivinj his message ? they rush into early ind usually immature and hopeless elationships. On the other hand, there some oth ;r socially accepted reasons to be tie* lown. I asked a freshman girl how sh vas managing her 3- year-old rela ionship, which sparked up back in hig] school. She said it could be difficult at times since the relationship did distract he rom hitting the books but stressed tha here are very positive things about il Guess what was positive about relationship for that young woman? Be ing in love or living life with a soul mate? None of that sentimental garbag For this material girl! The first thin she mentioned was, "He has a car an takes me everywhere I want to go, an tie pays for me when we go out." A set it offers O] No difference, you're thinking. Nc quite. I wouldn't say I've never lost minute of sleep worrying about the wa things might have been. As a grad student, there's alway spmnrLcrnpssincr TTsnallv it's flhniit Vim much money you could be making i industry. However, for those who ei joy their freedom, academia is still n< a bad place to be. Public attacks on ace demic sacred cows such as tenure an the ever-expanding corporate present on campus have somewhat harnesse academic freedom, or at least our r< mantic notions of it. Still, what most real-world type will gain in monetary terms ove their ivory tower brethren, they wi lose in terms of both spiritual and phys ical freedom. Let's start with the base first. In ii dustry, even as a middle manager, pretty much had to tell someone if I we going to take a leak, eat lunch, come i at 10 tomorrow morning. That stuff ca wear on you after a while. T> A * A . ii 1 _ 1_ _ out, more importantly, now aooi the essence of what you do? Most of tl jobs we're being programmed for as un versity grads are too restrictive. Tht seem to follow a grand formula, firn ly entrenched and rarely questions As a grad student, and ideally as a pr TheC Zj|JII|j. year and n chide i sity should revive the policy to preser the earth's resources. Currently, the university places tl materials in a storage shed. Most of tl materials will probably be thrown awi because of the neglect to recyc them. Despite this waste, every residen hall contains recycling bins giving co scientious students the impression th are aiding the environment. Many reasons abound as to why tl university does, nothing with the m ST "I did S sz\ /T2 relationship j t ond later, she hastily added, "But, of course, I love him! And we will get mar0 ried eventually." Of course. Good luck. OK, finally, here's the sex part. Deal1 ing with the birds and the bees seems t to be a major challenge for many young e people. Kim Sheffield, assistant coorj dinator of Sexual Health & Sexual Assault Services, says, "American culture 0 sends a huge number of confusing mes1 sages about human sexuality. While sf parents and teachers discourage r, teenagers from early sexual activity, i, TV shows, magazines and advertising are full of rather explicit statements r promoting it. A little is done to promote d safe sex or help teenagers to undere stand and deal with their sexuality." American and European culture alti so makes people believe that a single female having sex is wrong, while a sex n__ _ _!_ i_ i. r\fr a_ il _ >, uaiiy active single maie is urv. un tne r other hand, there are males who can .t get sexually active (something they are dying for) only if they agree to get ina volved in a relationship, s- I refuse to be hypocritical about sex, 1- even if it hurts someone's feelings. Peoe pie want it. The bad news about this is g sometimes both males and females feel d pressured, both by cultural and physd iological factors, and jump into painful and dysfunctional relationships just for ptions after ? >t a "If you half-enjoyed scl y maintain a modicrum c I not consider graduate ^ n l ^ fessor later on, you get to pursue ideas l" that motivate you, within reason, of course. Working for yourself is not so bad if you're pursuing your own constructs > or hypotheses, solving your own problems, then force-feeding your findings | down the throats of captive audiences jj at a conference; or in a classroom. , Though not perfect, the academic life seems to offer an opportunity for real progression. In academia, you may anj ticipate being in the same job for the lg rest of your life and not know for sure n what youll be doing in two years. jj And, of course, every one of life's paths should have its little perks. Beer it drinking is not frowned upon in grad ie school, it's an indispensable lubricant i- for the mind that sizzles with pas;y sion. Just don't adopt a John Blutarsky n- consumption pattern. Finally, if you d. play your cards right, you may be o- able to study in some fairly interesting amecock will try to print all letters. Letters should be 250-J00 words anc aajor if a student. Hand written letters must be personally delivered by tl luthor's telephone number. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all I ye terials. Officials state they simply cannot decide what to do with the matetie rials that is not cost effective. Apparrie ently, saving money is a higher priority ay than saving the environment, le Certainly, the Board of Trustees and the university need not be wastece ful in fiscal spending. However, frun gality at the environments expense is ey not acceptable. Is cost effectiveness more important than our planets future? be President Abraham Lincoln once a- stated, "You cannot escape the re n't care about a degree. I was at USC to play football." Sterling Sharpe, former USC football player ' 9 ?ES) | ^4%B> 1 I Jv m J w lb popularity the sake of it. Maybe having safe sex with someone you are not in a relationship with, or abstinence, is a better choice than the pain and frustration you are likely to experience in such a badly motivated bond. Just make sure that, if you are choosing to be involved in an obligation-free sexual activity, it will be safe both physically and emotionally for you and your partner. Otherwise, it can a pretty costly thing to do. The bottom line is that, generally speaking, a healthy relationship is great and probably one ot the most rewarding things in the world. But it is likely that before you get into one you will need a lot of space to do things for yourself, like school and meeting other people, and attain a certain level of experience so that you know what you want and your personal demands are satisfied. It is OK to be single and take time to learn about yourself and what your life goals are. Don't let yoursetfbecome a slave of cultural stereotypes and confusion about your own personality. The author has a medical degree from Peoples' Friendship University at Moscow, Russia. jraduation 100I, and you'd like to >f independence, why vork?" locales or attend schools with a cool-ass moniker, like this one. When I head back home at Christmas with all my Cock paraphernalia, you just know I'm going to be the best Santa any of my rowdy friends have ever seen. This could sound like a bit of plug for the university. It's not intended to be, but I'm willing to take a cut if more money rolls in from an increase in grad school applications. All facetiousness aside, its clear the graduate life is not for everyone. It's very rarely the right path for those who want to make money. It's not a great idea if you don't like to really push yourself every once in a while. But if you think you have a bit of the spirit of free enterprise ? but by no means fancy yourself a Turner or Trump ? then it's worth a second look. Think of it as an entrepreneurial endeavor for the mind. I must Include full name, phone number, professional title or te author to the Russell House room 333- E-mail letters must Inetter for style, libel or space. Names will never be withheld. sponsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." If human beings keep wasting what we have today, nothing will be left for our children. Our leadership should finally take a stand for environmental security instead of fiscal greed. Corey E. Ford Political science/history freshman 3 *