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E-MAIL! Remember, we have an email address, so don't hesitate to write us. It's GCKVIEWS@SC.EDU. Write one, write all! Friday, March 19, 1999 tfc(5amcaicl! Serving the Carolina Community since 1908 EDITORIAL BOARD Sara Ladenheim, Editor in Chief Rob Gioielli, Vieupoints Editor Kevin Langston, Assistant Viewpoints Editor Emily Streyer, Assistant Vieupoints Editor Jennifer Stanley, Special Projects Coordinator Discretion needed with Master Plan USC's vision to university planners "better centralize can be held acthe academic tunc- The university's Master countable for these tions of the uni- Plan. goals. The imversity to the cam- provements on this pus core" and to campus should "create a better liv- sPe^ out t? the stuing and learning Elm thoush Ws an dents that this uni environment ior . ~ . versity is trying mj the students and important project, USC better itself interfaculty" has been needs to proceed with nally and exterfche No. lgoalof cure and patience. nally. the Department of This editorial Facilities Management since 1993. board merely hopes the intentions USC's Master Plan calls for of the Master Plan are just. We do many revamping projects and oth- not want this campus to take on ers that will have added com- a new face simply to make it more pletely new facilities to campus, salable to prospective students. If you are in touch with cam- In addition, we hope this unipus news and current events, you versity can back its plans with cannot be oblivious to the impor- wise choices and compensations, tance and presence of the Master The creation of more green space Plan. on campus calls for the destrucTbis is one of the most, im- tion of manv interior narkine portant steps USC will take to at- spaces, tain the appearance of a serious The university should proceed academic institute. The Master with caution, assuring students Plan is an integral part of USC and faculty that adequate parkPresident John Palms'goal to get ing will be made available tc USC into the American Associa- suffice for the missing spaces, tion of Universities. We do not need to create more We commend the university problems before we have solved for its improvements. It is reas- all the lingering ones, suring for students to know that Service standards needed for airlines Air travelers having reasonable might have new expectations for air rights, if Congress Legislation that would travel, passes a new bill af- further regulate Expecting to fly ter hearing testi- Mine sewice from Denver to Demony from a num- troit in the midber of disgruntled die of winter with passengers. A, , . no delays is unThe bill would Abuses by airlines reasonable, and it require, among oth- point out a need for would be silly to er things, that air- bighei' industry hold airlines aclines define proce- standards. countable for dures for getting ? things like the nasseneers on the weather, or even X o ground in the event of delays and for "sick-outs" by airline employincrease reparations for holdovers, ees. When you buy a ticket, you bumped flights and lost luggage, know what you're getting into to Critics of new airline regula- some extent ? you risk being tions feel that consumer issues served bad food, getting bumped should be an area for consumer and dealing with delayed flights watchdog groups or plain market and lost luggage, forces ? there are enough airlines But some incidents, like the around, after all. In other words, seven-hour on-board delay, are unif Delta doesn't show its love for acceptable, and airlines should be flying enough, buy a ticket on US- expected to provide basic needs Air next time. like food and facilities for the enHowever, some who testified tire time passengers use their serrecalled waiting seven hours for vices. a gate to open. In the meantime, It's not just about good con they were still on the plane with- sumer relations, it's about keepout food or a usable bathroom, ing the standards of travel in Ordinarily, we would support the United States above those of consumers using the market to developing countries. Somecorrect unacceptable behavior and thing good from Congress is long overdue. ?jSfe 10it (Bamecock ? VJ3" Sendng the Carolina Community since I90H The Gamecock Ls ihe student newspaper of Hie University of South Carolina and is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters and live times during the summer with the exception of university holidays and exam perkxis. Opinions expressed in Tlie Gamecock are those ol lire editors or author and rex those of The University of South Carolina The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher ol Hie Gamecock.'The Department ol Student Media is Ihe newspapers parent organi/alirxr The Gamecock A|| area codes are H03 Sara Ladenhelm Editor in Chief Emily Streyer Asst. Vieupoinls Rob Gloielll Vieupoinls Editor Kevin Langston Minus ' iv/fts'i/n Kenley Young Neus Editor Rachel Helwig Ace News Editors Brad Walters News Editor Clayton Kale Viewpoints 26 Brock Vergakis S/xnts Editor Michael Strickland Ast. Sports Editors Charlie Wallace S,x,ns Editor Jafed Kelowltz Xcws Erin Reed tea,ores Editor Evans M ,.Mlirs *>Um **' Rob Undsey I'ealttres Editor .. Etc, 777- AO IA Scan Rayford fhotn Editor Deneshia Graham gctxdcdsc edt, Matt Ryan Online Editor Ashtonjune Asst fhoto Editors Kristin Freestate Copy Desk Chief Ann Marie Miani Sports , ,7- 1B2 Todd Money Ot/rr Editor Jennifer Stanley SfmidlEntjecls ge ' ^"eer Rebecca Cronican Coin Editor Coordinator 'Inline Student Media Ellen Parsons Director of Jason Curry Creatine Sendees Advertising 777- CASS Student Media Kathy VanNostrandc .reatine Sendees Lee Pliipps Adeenusing Manager Sherry Holmes Classified Manager Classified 777-1IK1 Susan King Creati e Director Carolyn Griffin littsiness Manager Susan Barrett Creatine Sendees Erik Collins Ideally Adt isor ' ;lx 777-MH2 Daniel Brown Creatine Sendees Jeff Stensland Cradttate Assistant ... ? ()lllt'c 777-.vwl "m ." View The & RJI Candidal Over the past few weeks, certain Republicans have announced their candidacy for the presi dentialrace, ? this presiROB GIOIELLI dent out of columnist office; then i everyone realizes he's got to leave soon anyway. , And looking at some of the candidates, I have to wonder if it's all part of a Republican conspiracy to waste our time. The past year, one that could have been spent reforming welfare, saving social security or dealing with the other real problems that face this country, was completely wasted. Seems like the GOP has just been biding time till we started gearing up for the election, diverting our attention from the fact' it has no clue how to fix this country. The impeachment is over, so now we're supposed to focus on this group of eager old presidential hopefiils. What Court ruli Girls, if you travel in Italy (where the men, generally speaking, have earned the tarnish on their i 1 reputations), r iiMfliir i Bst^' columnist woman wearing jeans because it's "common knowledge that it's nearly impossible to even partially remove jeans from a person without their cooperation." I wonder if gunpoint counts as duress or cooperation. Nothing else is really to be said about this bit of news, except to advise travel in countries other than Italy. The one good thing about the Italian court ruling is that it has people talking ? or at least it should. Not so much about the ruling itself ? there is nothing to say, really ? but about sexual assault. Student defends SAIA's funding To the Editor: This is in response to Heath Hoppes' letter to the editor in which he questioned the intentions of the Finance Committee as well as the true diversity of some organizations. I would like to invite him and anyone who feels the same way to the Students Associated for Latin America. It poini amecock bushingI^ es just wa is really bothersome about this ridiculously early start to a presidential campaign is some of the candidates who think they have a chance. First out of the blocks was the poster boy for the public relations faux pas, r??+1,^ u<x 11 v^ua^c. wn tiic wiiuic, v^uajic seems to be a decent individual. But wouldn't his time, and ours, be better spent working to improve America or a level where he actually has a chance at achieving something? Fd love to be president, too, but we all know that just ain't going to happen. Quayle seems to still be upset that since Bush lost to Clinton, he got cheated out of the automatic party nomination, Next we have Lamar Alexander, another candidate who's running because he got shortchanged in the past. You misunderstood his red plaid shirt, America, so he's back, and he's wearing a suit. But no matter how hard Alexander tries, no one will Forget the shirt. In an interview with Tom Brokaw on the 'Today" show last week, he tried to stress nis plans tor education reiorm. But even Brokaw kept asking about the plaid. But at least Quayle and Alexander have real political experience. Another ghost haunting us from four years ago is Steve Forbes. Just like four years ago, it's the "I've got a lot of money, so I can be president" campaign. Perot piing raises; Perhaps I invite criticism again (confusion regarding my intentions resulted the last time I discussed sexual assault in this space), but this is an important subject, and I won't rest until I have made my point clear: Victimization, even when it is wrapped in compassion and good intentions, hurts women. it o an isouc tiiat aucitd an ui u&, but women, by far, have the most at stake. We can't rely on men to change. The best thing we can do is help women protect themselves ? but advocating the empowerment of women to prevent sexual assault does not mean holding them responsible when it does occur. No, it is not fair that women, not men, may have to change their behavior to decrease the frequency of sexual assault. But it is, unfortunately, reality. It's a very fine point here: It's not fair, it is not right, but it is reality. And prevention, certainly, is not possible in every case. There are no questions of fault when sexual assault has occurred. The blame is on the assailant alone. The survivor needs support. It is too late for prevention. But up until an assault has occurred ? that is, while it may still be prevented ? women need to be encouraged to protect themselves as best they can. i- 1 J-1 I iictvutg cunuui uuven nuiu uiem uy vicLetters to the editor or guest columns a 5 columns should Ix- an opinion piece of if a student. Handwritten submissions m number for confirmation. The Gamecoc required for guest columnist and can be is obvious that Mr. Hoppes is sadly misinformed. For your information, out of SALA's paid members, 45 percent are Latinos and the other 55 percent of the members are non-Latinos, that include African Americans, Caucasians, Asian Americans and much, much more. As for Mr. Hoppes' asking how many Hispanic Americans the last NAACP meeting had? Well, I am Hispanic American, and as a matter of fact, I went. Perhaps Mr. Hoppes needs to venture QUO "Is ts ^ c r FIRST MMQ& BOOK,THEN r QEPWWQWUUK ^ BOOK,, \AIM&T / next? ^BILITRECTEDUS^ UKEANIW^LS" EV SOCKS AND J BUDDY. juL^? isting time "Quayle seems to be Bush lost to Clinton, of the automatic par oneered this in 1392, but he had some L legitimacy because he earned his bilt lions. Forbes just inherited his from i Daddy. The two candidates who actually have a chance, Elizabeth Dole and George W. Bush, have only announced the formation of "exploratory committees." Both these candidates have the advantage of established brand names, and they look like they could actually lead this country. And even though the nominating convention is 16 months away, talk is Bush will pick up the nomination and Dole will then step in as his running mate. This ticket would give the Republicans the best chance they have of beating Gore. Bush not only has the name and the state of Texas, but his "compassionate conservatism" seems sincere. And Dole will get a lot of the crossover votes because of the historical precedent. Of course, this will all probably change in a year and a half. But no matter who faces Gore, it will be a tough sexual assa tim-creating experts accomplishes nothing. Some so-called experts have definitions of assault so broad that the mere expression of sexual interest by a man equals "coercion," and "coercion," according to them, equals an attempted assault ? and a new victim. A woman should have the right to send all the signals she wants and change her mind at any time. But the exercise of this right can have horrific consequences. And knowing that you were right is not always much of a consolation. It's something akin to stopping for someone who runs a red light. There is no question that the other driver is wrong, that you should NOT have to stop. But sometimes you have to give up one right to protect another. And if you are unable to stop, if you are unable to prevent an accident, there is no question of blame. It is not your fault, even if you could have preventi ed it by looking up sooner or buying better brake pads. It is still not your fault. But if you have the opportunity to prevent it, you should ? it's common sense. It is not right, it is not fair, but it is reality. Defensive driving instructors do not encourage you to floor it because it is your right; they tell you to pay attention to what other drivers are doing to protect yourself. re welcome from all members of the Carolina comr about 600-700 words. Both must include name, phoi ust be personally delivered to Russell House room ; k reserves the right to edit for libel, style and spa provided by the submitter.Call 777-7726 for more in to some of these meetings and get to know some of the people involved. Perhaps he also needs to carefully reread the titles of these organizations. For example, the founders of SALA chose the word "for" instead of "of for its title not to be politically correct, but to be culturally inclusive. I hope that Mr. Hoppes is able to attend the next meeting because I think that he will come to a new conclusion. At the very least, he will learn something new. \ ' TE, UNQUOTE there any way we can put xclamation marks on this thing?" othy Clardy, student senator, mcerning the bill opposing adding minuses to grades Page 3 , money upset that since he got cheated out ty nomination." decision. Right now, I will seriously consider voting for Dole if she gets on the ticket. She may be a Republican, but in 223 years, the top two spots in this country have been filled by a bunch of white guys. And no matter his or her stand on the issues, the president will always have to make a lot of important decisions based on instincts. In that area, it could be time for a change. And voting against Gore may not be that hard. He has always seemed to be extremely intelligent for a politician, but delusions of grandeur might be setting in. Saying you invented the Internet would be like if I called my house a palatial estate. Everyone knows it's a fire trap. No matter who ends up leading us into the next millennium, this whole election is essentially a waste of large amounts of time and money. Yes, the country is doing rather well, but it's far from perfect. And the millions of dollars and hours that will be spent on the upcoming campaign could be spent really trying to solve our problems. nit kciipc V4JLV JUJVJ14VU Neither should the victimizers declare that men alone must change to prevent sexual assault. Equating pleasebaby-please with a physical attack or other threat does not help the survivors. It creates more victims. The victim mentality is nearly as dangerous as the Italian ruling. But I try to remind myself that, as misguided as some approaches are to this delicate, complicated, confusing issue, at least we are calling attention to it. Italian women, like women and men everywhere, are infuriated by the ruling, and infuriation sometimes is the only catalyst for change. I urge everyone to see the Clothesline Project Wednesday and Thursday when it is displayed in hunt of the Russell House on Greene Street. (For more information, you can contact Sexual Assault Services at 777-7619.) We need the Clothesline to remind us that arguing theory through dissertations and court rulings (and, ad mittedly, through columns) doesn't do immediate good. However the rights are defined, sexual assault and other crimes against women are realities for the people you go to class with, and they're happening right now. The very least each of us can do is pay attention. nunity. Letters should be 250-300 words. Guest ne number, professional title or year and major, 533- F.-mail submissions must include telephone ce. Names will never be withheld. Photos are formation. As for the intentions of the Finance Committee, I agree with Mr. Hoppes that it has a noble goal in promoting diversity. They and many other parties on campus certainly have the right frame of mind: open. I encourage Mr. Hoppes and others to take advantage of the resources here at USC and share in the diversity. Carolina Delello History Junior