Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Lazy? Shiftless? We have an e-mail address just for you: GCKVIEWS@SC.EDU Just include your name and phone number. fhe(Bainecock Serving the Carolina Community since 1908 The Gamet e By the time you read this, South Carolina will have chosen the two men who will lead us into the millennium. To us at The Gamecock, none of the four candidates has distinguished themselves as a leader who deserves a rousing endorsement. So we've decided to give a description of what we decided our ideal candidate would be like. This is obviously a bit of a fantasy, but without ideals to shoot for, we spend our lives flailing in the muck of reactionism. We would like someone who looks at all the issues. A candidate who realizes that, as a governor or senator, they are leaders of the entire state of South Carolina, its problems and successes, good points and bad points. Often during election times, candidates tend to focus on one or two key issues. In this election, they seem to be acting like their offices only deal with these key issues. : :_ii? x 1.1 irns is especially true in me governors race. All we have heard about is the lotWZ warn w Ttwi 11 flis mm focus on l aj f^Wmscsm! JP" "I think it's good for the state of in polit South Carolina, for public morale. I'm Little N not sure as his actual acting as gover- Republi nor. It seemed like he based his whole campaign on the lottery." - Brad ?jca Martin, Chemistry Junior 0f ^ ^ "I voted for Hodges; I know him personally. He had a great campaign, and r ' I think he's got a big job ahead of him. ^ I think he's going to put South Caroli- 311 na where they need to be." - David BakUT> er, Media Arts Junior 1 m time as ?T'~. c T> .1 it J?>x x in liuiii .reiuisyivaiiia, euiu 1 uuu i aiuiukij understand politics down here. You're of bitter backwards down here. It's illegal to sky thii have a lottery, but you have video pok- conspin er. People act like the lottery will be Lexingt this miracle cure." - Alicia Conjoure, Criminal Justice Freshman ?j>m "He's as wishy-washy as a washing machine." - John Willie Summer, 66, . .. v< of Little Mountain, on Republican Gov. 1 "jlJure David Beasley. Summer still voted ? cost for him. Wllleve tor at L "I used to be very much into politics, but with this issue about Clin- TheAssi ton, I just don't have any trust anymore article. Hie(5mco ~ ^^5" Serving lire Carolina Community since The Gamecock is the student newspaper of The I niversity of South Carol Friday during the fall and spring semesters and five times during tlte summer wit! periods. (fpinions expressed in Tie Gamecock are those of the editors or author a The Board of Student Publications and Communications is tlte pultlisher of Tlte ( the newspaper's parent organization. The Gamecock Jennifer Stanley EilUor in Chief Jackie Poston Sara Ladenhelm Managing lulilor Todd Money Rob Glolelli Vieupnints /-alitor Rosalind Harvey ISil. Josh Lonon A'cms tuitions Erin Reed Kurt Johnson Asst Viet/pa Kristin Freestate features /alitor Brad Walters Asst , Bryan Johnston lulitnrial Assistant Kenley Young Nathan Brown Sfrorts lulilor Ruth Nettles line Nikkl Thorpe I'hotu Kdilors Deneshla Graham tol fn Sean Rayford Kelly Magulre Asst Matt Ryan Online Ialitor Kathleen McCormlck tali Rob Lindsey Copy Dlilors Kevin Langston stvior Jessica Barfleki Student Media Ellen Parsons Director of Student Media Carolyn Griffin theories ^ee Phipps Adtvrtising Mareiger Erik Collins luicid. Sherry F. Holmes Clas'jied Jeff Stensland (In. \ialt Vn Sara Ladenheim, Managing Editor Rob < tck creates ou tery. Better candidates would understand that, as governor, they are the heads of our government, and more importantly the symbolic leaders of our state. South Carolina is a wonderful place, but we are not without problems. Education is one of those problems, but there are many others. Race relations, rur i 1 1.1 i cu puveriy, aiiu many oiner issues need jusi as much attention as education. Besides, one of the reasons education has received so much attention in this election is that South Carolina has received some not-sofriendly national press about the issue. The fact that we are at the bottom of the barrel in the category has made us look infe- f rior to the rest of the country. c And, not only have these candidates 1 done us a disservice by only focusing on ed- 1 ucation, but their ideas on how to ad- v dress this problem are deplorable. We need a candidate who realizes there 8 is no quick fix to the education problems F in this state. Being one of the worst in v Fear >m mom.,,. I WW p.m. T1 3 S8a^ ^ ^ ~ ^ I KEVIN LANGS " *"y^ columnist there I was, takii College Press EXCHANGE from The Gameco I knew the sta if Iwas going on i where I was heade ^ wjlen j arrived. icians." - Linda Mann, 47, of P'm" . .. j ni i j i 11 x\s x slooci in i] fountain. She voted a straight mt offby father u .can ticket. ^ arten(jance \y from The Gamecoc, me to the conclusion that none ors there was a 1 our are worth a damn, so the some that were w y to do it is vote for the incum- that probably vol nr n r\ 1 r* a j a *i r\ i i - w .l-. rercms, 04, at an Aixen uixiecrats wnen precinct about the governor's 8:30 p.m. late races. After an in-dep disc jockey, I lean voting for the democrats this servations. He, to a payback for the republicans y?ungest an o ig President Clinton. I'm sort ilTthrnucrh about the whole Monica Lewin- or lose> let-s j ig. I think the whole thing is a g.45 p m icy. ? Mike Ducksworth, 53, of As ground zerc on. flooded into the d voting for Beasley because he a lottery, and a lottery is de- TVfl 3 to a state. It preys on the poor; s families. Those kind of things J the state more than [a lottery] r bring in." -Todd Leach, pas- _ .exington Wesleyan Church. \\/Democra jr. , VV last nig xiated Press contributed to this ina and is published Monday. Wednesday and , ' 1 li the exception of university holidays and exam Pall ' 3 nd ntx these of 11ie I nivetsity of South Carolina. L "TjR jamecock The Department of Student Media is ^ . KENLEY YOUN editor 777-WII Columnist ikMatim ?tfav/?wr*/rr Director Viewpoints 777-7726 mis luiitur nchieusosc ttiu valuable democral \n,siuiu?rs New, 717'77? mine unattended fi m ktuwsQsc edit on* Mltor Ktc. 777 3913 ^er S^?P SOme n nunsniiutr Kdxit 9.vc cihi on my plate, and Snrirtv F/lilor S|Xirts 777-7182 . ... lorial Writer Kcks/x>rls@sc alu enOUgh time tO W netts writer online 777-2833 white-haired gentli Advertising 777- 3888 my chair away to i Manager Classified 777-1183 his fellow chair-ho v Mtmaner |.;lx 777 6j82 were gathered. !?? twice 777-3888 W jOUHiallSt soned or talented, v iWPO Hrwwmini EDITOR] Jennifer Stanli Sioielli, Viewpoints Editor Kurt r ideal car What our ideal South Carolina candidate would be like. We need someone who meets the needs of the entire state and looks toward the future. he nation in this department mear ir two great ideas will not improve 01 lation. The entire system needs to be ed and analyzed before we move foi vith any plan for improvement. And we need to entrust this an; ind eventual problem-solving to edu< >rofessionals, not businessmen wh< vith electronic video game machine and loat le smell of Swedish meatballs and a of elbows was in the air as I took n 2 dining area of Republican Head- C( z^?-\ quarters. h Beach music was flow- & k ing from the speakers, but ^ M no one was listening. ^ The talking heads were ^ f prepping for their live up- ^ dates, and their cameramen were holding "belch- 11 ing" contests. Amidst all this chaos is where I found ei a seat. tl It was common knowl- J1 edge that none of the can- P1 didates would arrive un- w til well after 10 p.m., but cc lg it all in with three of my peers tl ck. a1 ite fair left weeks ago, but I felt as a: an overpriced ride. I did not know P< d, and I was unsure if I would know bi me for complementary soda, I was hi me. I then took notice of the crowd g< ith the exception of the four of us si k, the talking heads and their belch- tt auge generation gap. There were d( ell under 18, and there were some ;ed for Strom Thurmond and the cs they pushed for the presidency, of a >th conversation with "T-Bone," the gt led that I was not alone in my obo, noticed a vast difference in the pi dest present. He was growing T1 : he was playing, and as I was look- w lventory, he said something like, cr have a party." Indeed. a^ ) neared, more of the talking heads ining area. To my rear, a camera m bi ng musica essed me most at the to stand up stra itic Party Celebration hours recording j ht, aside from the "ig pohtely, all t chicken fin- competent and n gers and the hne ? and I an fine assort- talented, i ment of alco- So, I figured I hoi I couldn't as the left-w I legally ap- the old man hea ft proach, was 'eave his prize v II the aston- my advantage ai |f& ishing lack of retrieve what ha seating at Anotherthii these so- me about event; called "hea(j- if only 2 percer quarters." have been talli Chairs, it crowd will spoi seems, are a raucous cheerin tic commodity. I left appear to be in ar two minutes in or- matter to them lore honey mustard might be prema I returned in just The democra atch some elderly, the generally cc aman stealthily drag turns hadn't be< another table where maybe I was hop arding confederates Defeats Trumar cause I'm a repu , no matter how sea- Just because I ej 'ould be hard-pressed E "] INTS__ AL BOARD ey, Editor in Chief Johnson. Assistant Viewpoints Editor Kathleen Mcl tdidate for South I Our perfect candidate would also earn fice, high marks for how they deal with their goal constituents. When talking about the is- ^ sues, they would tell us all the facts, not we\ just those that represent their sides. like We know this is tough in modern pol-' the itics, where putting the right spin on the the issues is essential to a winning campaign. f?re, But wouldn't it be nice if someone would step up and tell us the truth, not just what 00111 we want to hear. ! Also, her platform would reflect what \n^ they want to do to improve our state, not ne^( adhering to a party line or some kind of j is one special-interest group. Their sole adher-.. j0Q^ lit sit- ence should be to South Carolina and the stud- United States of America. thm ward Furthermore, being elected to represent iess South Carolina should not be seen as a hav< alysis stepping stone to future office. It should be ? :ation understood that when a candidate is elect- ama ) deal ed) we are putting our trust into her know- citiz s- ing she's there to serve in that specific of- seer hing with Davi iptured the heightening commotion in the room. To a journali ly left, a reporter sat down with an elderly man to what, wh induct a cell phone interview. Upon the gentleman's hig heads ead was a straw hat a la 1920's. The young lady an(j s ave me genueman ner Dest un nun iook as ne spun ,, , , is yarn. ou^ ' I know this look because I have given it before. ao not 1(11 he acted as if the stranger was the most impor- Perha mt person the world. If this reporter were not pressed are going >r an interview, she would not have given this know whi tan a second look. have no s The media circus raises its tent higher and high- We all wi] r as the night wears on. If there is anything worse (h-aws ne. tan politics, it would be political journalism. This 10*30 ist seems to be the sleaziest slice of the journalism ie. We give immense coverage to these politicians As I e: ho only want to undercut their opponents while eration gi tmpeting, and we kiss their butts after they lose to imperson lem. With each political ad we show, we slip further I later he vay from reality and clarity. This experience only in the dii ssures me that I do not want to work in the field of m0ckery < Jlitical journalism. tance spe P'm* f "thful R The masses were drawn to* the televisions like ai u igs to the blue glow of bug zappers. Eveiyone watched ^8 ai i hopeful anticipation of their candidates closing the 11:11 ips. I took notice of the pro-republican stickers each In his lpporter was wearing. I could only ask myself if ing to givi iese people really knew what their candidates en- dom that jrsed. I doubt it. me for cu They crowd beneath the banner of the Republi- w^at ^ ^ m Party and stand steadfast. I wonder how many us are actually wavered by these party names. It's ?iU^? e shame we let our loyalty to a donkey or elephant A:o' a ;t in the way of true politics. I am If a candidate makes sense to you, vote for that cannot fir ;rson. Screw their party! (T-Bone plays Hootie and all was tie Blowfish and a crowd of young girls flock to him now than ith their requests. He kindly obliges them but in- gta^e now easingly ignores the suggestion I made half an hour ., , T jo. AIi, pohtics. You know I love it). 1 ea.S' r 9:30 p.m. ward spu I feel like an estranged Alice in Wonderland (but bernatori my case, it would be Al). As a liberal, I have no of two evil isiness being at conservative central. However, as else is nei 1 chairs with S.C. ight for four and a half I also was forced to endure j generic quotes and smil- mediocre "groove" band at the celebra while trying to appear tion. I should have known those hippi leet an impending dead- liberals would hire a "groove" band i neither seasoned nor Somehow, it's hard to envision Frit Hollings jiving in the aisles and flail 1, when in Liberalville, ing his arms to a souped-up renditioi ingers do. When I saw of "Brick House." d for the bathroom and I didn't really mind that the bam ulnerable, I recognized was mediocre. After all, I myself am i id was able to discreetly proud member of a mediocre band, id been rightfully mine, wouldn't have cared much at all if the; lg that always amuses hadn't taken a break every three min s like this is that, even utes, and if they had chosen some bet it of the state returns ter covers. I don't know ? "Sweet Horn ied and reported, the Carolina" just doesn't do anything fo itaneously erupt into my mojo. g when the initial polls Between the interminable gaps dui their favor. It doesn't ing which the band wasn't actually play that their celebration ing, the awful m.c. kept spinning som iture. horrid remake of Stevie Wonder's "High its didn't even care that er Ground." inservative upstate re- I mean, this version was worse thai ;n reported yet. I guess the Red Hot Chili Peppers remake. I ling for another "Dewey almost sounded as if Puff Daddy, tha i" phenomenon, not be- perennial King of Interpolation, had fi bhcan or anything, but nally tapped into Stevie's stash of sam ijoy wild mood swings, pies. I, for one, think a strong biparti san effort coula be useful in securinj :t's time to make sure no child is left behind in academic achievement." Cindy Adams Lancaster resident, Jim Hodges supporter Cormick, Editorial Writer % Carolina , not to advance her future political s. ^s a further observation, going by what re seen the last two months, it seems there's a testosterone overload among present candidates, and this is one of reasons for such mudslinging. There, our ideal candidate would be a woman. \1\ of these qualities would be tough to e by in any candidate, anywhere, not in South Carolina. It's just that seesome of the worst has. led us to some dreaming about what this state truly is. essentially, that is a candidate who s to.the future, not the past. They un>tand the realities of 1998, and even ugh we might want to go back to a complicated, more halcyon time, we 3 problems unique to our time. >outh Carolina is a great state with izing potential for the future, and its :ens deserve better than what we've* i this fall. d Beasley st, I have an obligation to let you know y/ho, en, where, why and how. Amidst the talk;, the rubbing elbows, the music of T-Bone mell of drunken Republicans, I gather my That "ride" is tossing me around, and I still ow where I am headed, ps this is what our illustrious candidates through at this very moment. They do not 2re they will stand in two hours, and they sense of how they are going to get there. 11 know where we stand as the final minute ar. p.m. ntered the "war room," I saw that the genip had been filled. I also saw a Bill Clinton ator making his rounds through the room, ar that he was dancing to T-Bone's music ling area. While this gentleman made a if the evening, Jim Hodges gave his accepech at the Democratic Headquarters. The ^publicans still swarmed the room awaitTival of David Beasley. p.m. speech, Gov. David Beasley said, "I am goe [Jim Hodges] all the experience and wis1 can on how to be a good governor." Excuse tting off our ex-governor, but if he knew lg a gooa governor was, wouldn't ne still cted official? .m. searching for some closure, but I truly id it. Beasley gave a moving speech, but it for naught. I am no more a fan of politics I was before this evening. The future of our rests in the hands of Jim Hodges and his iow know where I am headed. This down al has me dizzy with apathy. In this gual race where we had to choose the lesser is, we come out losers regardless. But what v? democrats a an injunction against Mr. Sean "Puffy" Combs and the shameless, pedestrian e theft of other people's music. Local media personalities and z celebrities appeared at the headquarters in droves, including the ubiquitous i "Bubba" from Jim Hodges' infamous smear campaign. Maybe I was hallu1 cinating, but I thought I overheard a someone at my table talking about BubI ba's "star potential." Man, those dey mocrats sure can get giddy when they actually win a few offices. As I stood in the center of that e sweaty, clamoring pit of career-driven r journalists, I realized I was extremely hot under my thick woolen slacks. The rapidly melting ice carving that had served as the buffet centerpiece only e further reinforced that realization. The L- ice statue, which I suppose was meant to represent the Democratic Donkey, i now more closely resembled a jackrabt bit with big teeth, t For some reason, I don't think that bodes well for the democrats. I hope Fm i- wrong. I hope their promises hold up i- better than their ice carvings. I hope g their resolution doesn't melt.