Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I I Quote, Unquote ‘Our employees talk as much as they want to, before or after work. Believe me, they talk.' Brad Masteller, food services operation director Whc (Bmcock Serving the Carolina Community since 1Q08 Editorial Board Kenley Young • Editor in Chief Brad Walters • Managing Editor Brock Vergakis • Viewpoints Editor Peter Johnson • Assistant Viewpoints Editor Emily Streyer • Editorial Contributor Gamecock baseball team deserves more support John McHenry’s three-run, eighth-inning home run Sunday night led the Gamecock baseball team to its third consecutive come from-behind victory against the third-ranked Auburn Tigers. The Gamecocks are the only undefeated team in the country right now, with 19 wins. They were ranked ninth in the polls as of Sunday. By winning 19 consecutive games this season, the Gamecocks have established a school record and tied the Southeastern Conference record. Despite their continuing success, the Gamecocks haven’t been re ceiving the attention they deserve from the Carolina community. Most schools would be buzzing with excitement if they had a baseball team in the position USC is in:-Our best attendance figures all too of ten come from our worst-performing teams. Games we actually win are much more fun to attend and, so far, the baseball team has refused to lose - giving students the perfect, and rare, opportunity to cheer loud and proud for a winning Gamecock squad. The attention of sports on the college level tends to focus too closely on football and basketball and not enough on other sports. The attendance figures show that USC’s teams that are consistently good, such as baseball, men’s soccer, and men’s and women’s track and field, are too frequently overlooked at the expense of more accessible sports. There are some regulars in attendance at the baseball games, like the esteemed third base hecklers club, but it is rare that new fans come out to see a game. Students really need to start showing more support for our undefeated Gamecocks. Our next game is at home Tuesday at Saige Frye Field against UNC-Asheville. A win will put our school in the record book for most consecutive wins in SEC histo ry. Come on out and support your Gamecocks. Gas prices not as bad as they might seem Gas prices have soared to their highest in years, but take heart — the end of the price increase might be closer than it seems. U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson told CNN that members of the Organizations of the Petroleum Exporting Coun tries will agree to increase oil production at their March 27 meet ing. What does this mean for drivers? Gas prices could stabilize by May and actually begin to decrease — a far cry from analysts’ pre vious gloomy predictions of $2 gas prices by the summer. Even if gas prices continue their steady rise, options are avail able that can save USC students a few bucks and might even curb our parking problem slightly. Instead of driving across campus to get to class, walk or take the Carolina Shuttle. Instead of going alone to the supermarket, wait for your roommates to go and ride with them. When visiting home, carpool with other students from the same area, if possible, and share the gas costs. If you can’t beat gas prices no matter what you do, consider this: Gas sells for an average of $2 a gallon in Mexico, $3.50 a gal lon in Japan, $4.50 a gallon in France and $5 a gallon in Britain. And we won’t be paying $5 a gallon for gas anytime soon. So comparatively, we’re still pretty lucky to have to pay only about $1.50 a gallon. And if the tide turns as some expect, we’ll see the lower prices we’re used to in a few short months. About Us The Gamecock is the student newspaper of The University erf South Carolina and is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters and nine times during the summer with the exception of university holidays and exam periods. Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of the editors or author and not those of The University of South Carolina. The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of Student Media is the newspaper's parent organization. The Gamecock is supported in part by student aefivities fees. The Gamecock The Gamecock roun* Amy Goulding iionfwLi Editor in Chief Travis Lynn Columbia, SC 29208 f™1 Wal"? Photo Cd'tors Managing Editor Will Gillaspy Offices on third floor of the Russell House. Brock gergakis Online Editor STUDENT Media Area code 803 Viewpoints Editor Peter Johnson Advertising 777-3888 CUyton Kal. Asst. Viewpoints Ed,tor Classified 777-1184 News Editor Kelly Haggerty pax 777-6482 Brandon Larrabee Patnck Rathbun 777-3888 Associate News Editor Asst. News Editors Rebecca Cronican MacKenzie Craven GAMECOCK Area code 803 Ann Marie Miani Asst. EtCetera Editor Editor gckeddsc.edu 777-3914 EtCetera Editors Elizabeth Rod News gcknewsdsc.edu 777-7726 David Cloninger Asst. Sports Editor Viewpoints gckviewsdsc.edu 777-7181 Shannon Rooke Rob Fleming Etc. gcketcdsc.edu 777-3913 Sports Editors Asst. Encore Edita Encore! gamecockencoredhotmail.com 777-3913 Kristin Frees tat e Charles Prashaw Sports gcksportsdsc.edu 777-7182 Copy Desk Chief Shawn Singleton Online www.gamecock.sc.edu 777-2833 Renee Oligny Charlie Wallace — _ Piuui CMitne Conisv U/rtforc Kevin Langston Emily Streyer Letters to the editor or guest columns are welcome Encore Edit„ Editorial Contributor from all members of the Carolina community. Letters Student Media should be 260-300 words. Guest columns should be an . * . . Ellen Parsons Business Manager opinion piece of about 600,700 words. OncfBr Sherry Holmes Both must include name, phone number, profes- gusan King Classified Manager sional title or year and major, if a student. Handwritten Creative Director Erik Collins submissions must be personally delivered to Russell Kris Black Faculty Adviser House room 333. E-mail submissions must include Ju,*« Burnett Jonathan Dunagin telephone number for confirmation. Todd Hock. toaduate Assistant _ _ . ...... ... . ... Betsy Martin Robyn Gom bar The Gamecock reserves the right to edit for libel, ten Nostrand Gina McKelvey style and space. Anonymous letters will not be pub- Creative Services Melissa Millen lished. Photos are required for gjoest columnists and Kenton Watt Brant'ey Roper can be provided by the submitter Advertising Manager Nicole Russell Call 777-7726 for more intormation. Carolyn Griffin Adver.ising Stan College Press Exchange Try to understand Ohio principal I write not to criticize, but to praise. Your March 1 editorial headline “Sus pension for Cocks hat intolerable,” caught my eye. Proud I was when you waxed wrath in a most eloquent manner, pillorying that Ohio principal who suspended an eighth grader for wearing a USC hat that had “Cocks” emblazoned thereon. Your edi torial stated “The hat... is ... a proud representation of the University of South Carolina. The student’s suspension is a blatant insult to USC, the state of South Carolina, and intelligent people every where who know the true meaning of a shortened word.” How true! Such a hat is unquestionably a symbol of our beloved Gamecocks, and by extension, out en tire University of South Carolina — indeed, as it appears from your editorial, our entire heritage. Yet, would it not be reasonable, yet charitable, to try and understand the prin cipal’s position? The hat is a symbol fraught with meaning. For us at USC, it floats ma jestically at the pinnacle of honor. But Ohio is a long way away from USC’s proud traditions. Could it be that most school district patrons there defined the word “Cocks” improperly and were thus offended? And can we not appreci ate that if this symbol offends a significant number of persons in that school district, it should not be displayed at an official school function? Perhaps a bit more em pathy from our laudably zealous editori al staff could help Ohioan and South Car olinian alike realize that we are all part of the human family and should treat each other with sensitivity and understanding. Though I call for charity, I stand com forted that in these trying times, the Game cock editorial staff does not squander its resources on matters of folly, but rather zeroes in on the important questions and so ably defends the Palmetto State’s hon or. Terry L Walker Fust Year Law Student Greek organizations aren’t all bad I am writing in response to the col umn written by Peter Johnson (Viewpoints Friday, March 3) and his disdain for the Greek system and membership in Greek organizations. I would like to point out a few things as a graduate of USC and chair woman of the local advisory board for Kappa Kappa Gamma. Mr. Johnson seems to have a very dis torted view of what membership in a fra ternity or sorority is all about. In his own words, he spent half of his under graduate years “drinking beer, playing Playstation, listening to CDs or looking at girls.” Does he really think these types of behavior are limited to members of Greek organizations? If students want to spend their undergraduate years unpro ductive^, then they don’t need to belong to an organization for that. I’ll go a step further and say that if students are not mo tivated for success and leadership, then don’t bother joining any campus organi zation. What he fails to see are the very positive things Greek life has to offer. From personal experience [I spent two years on campus as a non-Greek and two years as a Greek], there is no better place to de velop leadership skills, leam to get along with others, be part of a self-governing or ganization, and develop skills that prepare you for life after college. I became more active in non-Greek campus organizations after I joined the Greek system. Greeks do not buy friends as he sug gests, but pay dues for membership in the national organization [which is for life], chapter operating expenses, membership recruitment and social functions. I cannot speak for all Greek organizations, how ever it’s important to note that Kappa Kappa Gamma prohibits use of chapter funds to purchase alcoholic beverages. Most Greek organizations actively work to discourage abuse of alcohol and require that federal, state and local laws are fol lowed. Again, I cannot speak for all groups, but I can tell you that most of the women in the chapter I advise work part time to pay for college or personal expenses, in cluding dues, and don’t necessarily have rich families. Incidentally Mr. Johnson, anything real and lasting in this world, in cluding friendship and sisterhood/broth erhood, cannot be purchased. As for success after college, Mr. John son correctly states that “the choice is yours.” If undergraduate life consists of nothing but partying and overall goofing off, it won’t matter which organization you did or didn’t belong to. It’s important for every individual to cultivate leader ship, scholarship and overall life skills to be successful after college. Greek life of fers many such opportunities. Some interesting facts to consider: around 80% of top executives of Fortune 500 companies are fraternity men/women; 40 percent of Supreme Court Justices since 1910 have been fraternity men/women; 75 percent of the current U.S. Senators and Representatives are Greek; and all but two presidents since 1825 have been fraternity men. So Mr. Johnson, please don’t worry about us “superficial” Greeks and our “lofty aspirations” that have “no bearing on any of our lives.” We’re too busy lead ing the United States and the rest of the world. Martha Gerrick Kappa Kappa Gamma Class of 1990 Not all Greeks are lazy After reading Pete Johnson’s column “Greeks Need to Get a Hobby,” I think he needs to get a hobby. If he is going to be ignorant enough to generalize people and organizations then that is his problem. Not all who are affiliated with a sorority or fraternity drink, and they are not all lazy. Most who get awards for involvement and academic achievement at USC are affiliated with the greek system. And, not all who are in them are rich. You should meet and get to know these people instead of just assuming things based on appearances. Natasha Nichols Public Relations Junior Columnist gives Greeks a bad name Pete Johnson, who the hell do you think you are? People like you are what give Greeks a bad name. I have never done the walk of shame, my dad isn’t rich, I sure as hell have never said y’all, and I really think YOU are the one who was a dork in high school. You’re probably just mad that you did n’t get accepted into a frat! And before you go writing a column, aren’t you suppose to get the facts? Cause sororities have nothing to do with hook ing up or anything else you mentioned. Next time you write a column, actually find out what is discussed at meetings and at functions. I assure you it is strictly communi ty service and business issues. How dare you generalize, and I’d also like to tell you that if you keep up this crappy way of writing you will never be a journalist — besides for The National Enquirer. Get a life and find another “hobby” because you aren’t doing very well with this one. Maggie Skarich HRTA Sophomore An explanation of what you see on the Viewpoints page An editorial represents the opinion of TDht ©amttodt and is written by one of five members of the Editorial Board. The board meets daily to discuss issues and formulate opinions on those issues. You’ll always find our editorials, along with the names of the members of the Editorial Board, on the left side of the page. Anyone is encouraged to write a letter to the editor discussing something we’ve run in the newspaper or anything else that’s on your mind. Letters always appear in the lower half of the center of the page. All letters should be between 200 and 300 words long and must be signed in order to be printed. A column is a commentary written by one staff member and does not necessarily represent the opinion of tilt SamtCOCtt. Columns will always include the name of the writer, and usually a photo of the writer. The public may submit guest columns between 600 and 700 words long to be considered for publication. An article is a factual piece. No articles will ever be found on the Viewpoints page. The Quote, Unquote is a quote believed by the Viewpoints editor to be particularly interesting or meaningful that is taken from an article in the day’s Gamecock Editorial cartoons are illustra tions representing the opinion of the entire staff. Campus Issues Strom Thurmond's name not welcome As one of about 10 liberals raised in South Car olina, I can’t be lieve USC is go ing to name the new physical edu cation center on Assembly Street af ter U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond. Isn’t that just one big oxymoron: Strom Thurmond Fitness and Well ness Center. For Pete’s sake the man is older than the oak tree they cut down to make his wooden cane. Why don’t we name the new building after some famous USC sports star? Like, hold on I’m trying to think of one... like Anyway there are several other rea sons we shouldn’t name the new fitness and wellness center after Strom Thurmond. One these reasons is Clemson; Thurmond went to Clemson when it was a backwoods good -for-nothing farming university (oops, it’s still a...never mind). Have we gotten low enough to start stealing alumni from other schools? What next, the Michael Jordan Arena? But se riously, besides the feet that Thurmond went to Clemson, and the fact that Thurmond is 280 million years old, Thurmond most im portantly represents the old South Caroli na The South Carolina of segregation. That’s probably why I like making fim of him so much. Who keeps electing these old segrega tion-days Republicans to office? Those 300 people in South Carolina who vote need to start electing some young guys. I can’t believe Thurmond is still around in politics. Thurmond use to be Democratic (then the political climate in the South changed and so did Thurmond), then he was Independent; he also ran as a Segregation ist, then I guess he had sudden change of heart and he was an Integrationist, and is currently a Republican. He was governor of South Carolina for a time. He also ran for president in the ‘40s as a state’s lighter. And he holds the record for filibustering in Congress for 24 hours against civil rights legislation. Civil rights legislation, how could any moral man do that? I don’t care how someone was raised, or when it was. Simple logic says you don’t treat the people across town dif ferently than you would treat the people next door to you. And the only reason they have to live across town is because of the racial, social and economic policies he helped put in place. Mr. Thurmond, where was your heart during this time in your life? How could you be so against the fair treatment of peo ple of a different race than ypur own? We shouldn’t name anything after Strom Thurmond. He might be the oldest living congressman, and a famous statesman from South Carolina. But he took part in the one of the ugliest chapters in American his tory. I have a Republican friend who just loves Thurmond; every time I bring up the fact that Thurmond is just another George Wallace, he says I have it all wrong. Thur mond has changed; Thurmond is different. No, these Thurmond-like politicians are just old relics of the Southern past. They just keep their hoods in the closet these days. People like this shouldn’t represent South Carolina. No wonder everybody looks at South Carolina as a backwoods redneck state. South Carolina needs new people to represent it, people who didn’t take part in segregation. This is most important rea son I can’t believe USC is actually going though with this new name for the fitness and wellness center. What new names will USC think of? Here are ten more Southerners who if USC names buildings after I’m transferring: The Arthur Ravenel Center for Understanding, The George Willace Library, The Jim Crow Cafeteria, The Nathan Bedford Forrest His tory Building, The Charles Sumner Polit ical Debating Annex, The David Duke Gar dens, The John Wilkes Booth School of Drama, Jefferson Davis Housing Con< munity, The Jesse Helms Art Annex and The David Beasley College of Education. Charles Prashaw is a journalism freshman. He can be reached at gamecock viewpoints® hotmaif.com ■MHBH