Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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■*' % Quote, Unquote The truck was too high or the cable was too low — we’re not sure.’ Rick Jordan, USC Director of Communications, in reference to the accident that knocked out the university’s Internet connections £ * Wednesday, September 20,2000 fflie (Bamcock Serving the Carolina Community since 1Q08 Editorial Board Brock Vergakis • Editor in Chief Kevin Langston • Viewpoints Editor Nathan White • Asst. Viewpoints Editor Patrick Rathbun • Editorial Contributor Brad Walters • Editorial Contributor Don't blame Hollywood for corrupting children The movie, music and video game industries have been cited as scapegoats for marketing sex and violence to children. A Federal Trade Commission report, which was released last week, found that entertainment companies market violently and sexually explicit material to persons too young to have the right to buy such products, and with regularity. Of course, the various entertainment industries realize the buy ing power of children and teenagers. Everyone wants a share of this market, and the entertainment industries will certainly get their charp Young people will immerse themselves in the culture of their choice, if only because it is their choice. The labeling or rating of entertainment, especially when risque or controversial, will only provoke more interest from the young community. me FTC findings can not be corroborated. Other sociological reports have been contradictory or inconsistent with the FTC re port. The commission can’t say with certainty that the exposure to ' violently or sexually explicit behavior actually triggers this type of behavior in individuals. Real violence, like the incidents seen rou tinely on the evening news, is much more dehumanizing than artifi cially conceived violent scenarios. The FTC report is just another chapter in the government’s search for a villain. Essentially, the suggestion that the entertainment industries need to closely monitor their violence or vulgarity is a form of cen sorship. Concerned parents looking for answers to explain their chil dren’s violent or otherwise inappropriate tendencies might do well in looking under their own roof, rather than under Hollywood’s. Charity forced upon university employees University employees might have found pledge sheets from the United Way stapled to their paychecks last week. The pledge sheet asked employees to give either a percentage of their salaries or an individual donation. Employees couldn’t open their checks without having to at least look at the pledge sheet. It would be both disgusting and immoral of us to say we don’t support the United Way’s cause. We identify with their cause and their goals in the Midlands, and we see their fight as one of nobility and importance. At the same time, we find it convenient that all the employees of the university were met with this “opportunity” to donate. Whether they liked it or not, they had to at least give the United Way a thought. If people want to donate they can seek out the United Way, and not have it seek them out. Donations are still voluntary, aren’t they? About Us The Gamecock is the student newspaper of The University of 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 npwsnanpr's r»rpnt nroani7atinn The Gampr.nrk is suooorted in Dart bv student activities fees. Adoress The Gamecock 1400 Greene Street Columbia. SC 29208 Offices on third floor of the Russell House. Stuoent Media Area code 803 Advertising 777-3888 Classified 777-1184 Fax • 777-6482 Office 777-3888 Gamecock Area code 803-777-7726 Editor in Chief gamecockeditordhotmail.com University Desk gamecocudesk@hotmail.com City/State Desk gamecockcitydesk@hotmail.com Viewpoints gamecockviewpoints@hotmail com Spot I ight game^oc kspotl ight@hot mai I .com Sports gamecocksports@hotmail.com Online www.gamecock.sc.edu Submission Policy Letters to the editor or guest columns are welcome from all members of the Carolina community. Letters should be 250-300 words. Guest columns should be an opinion piece of about 600 words. Both must include name, phone number, profes sional title or year and major, if a student. Handwritten submissions must be personally delivered to Russell House room 333. E-mail submissions must include telephone number for confirmation and should be sent to gamecockviewpoints@hotmail com. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit for libel, style and space. Anonymous letters will not be pub lished. Photos are required for guest columnist and can be provided by the submitter. Call 777-7726 for more information. The Gamecock fSMMHMHMMHMMI Brock Vergakis Amy Goulding Editor in Chief Sean Rayford _ , . . Photo Editors Brandon Larrabee University Editor Charles Prashaw Amanda Silva John Huiett Assf. University Editors City/State Editor John Bailey Kevin Langston Asst. City/State Editor Viewpoints Editor Nathan White Jared Kelowitz Assf. Viewpoints Editor Daytime Sports Editor . MacKenzie Craven Kyle Almond Meredith Davis Night Sports Editor Asst. Spotlight Editor Jason Harmon Miranda LaLonde Brad Walters Ann Marie Miani Martha Wright Jennie Moore Copy Editors Katie Smith , Design Editors Studott Media Erik Collins Robyn Gombar Faculty Adviser Melissa Millen Ellen Parsons Brantley Roper D,rector of Nicole Russe Student Med,a Advert,s,ng Staff Susan King Sean De Luna Creative Director Todd Hooks „ Melanie Hutto Carolyn Griffin Emilie Moca Bus,ness Manager Martin Sa|isbury Sherry F. Holmes Creative Services Classified Manager College Press Exchange THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT Election 2000 Voter apathy only hurts apathetic Nearing No vember, as the 2000 general election ap proaches, the pres idential race seem ingly will be determined by less than one million votes, which places a disproportionate amount of power to voters in key Midwestern states. States like Michigan, Illinois ~ and Ohio — an electoral pot of gold—could bring the decisive block to either Republi can candidate (' .onni'P W Rush nr A1 Gore. Yet, despite the possible influ ence of these states, voter apathy remains high. Ever since the activist decade of the 1960s, participation in elections — even presidential elections — has fallen signif icantly. Voter turnout constantly lies in the 50 percent range, hardly a sign of engaging democratic activity. This apathy, in turn, breeds and maintains the current state of politics: one punctuated by reelection am bition and a corrupt fund-raising system. Americans, presumably, no longer un derstand or recognize the importance of enfranchisement and, consequeptly, the sacrifice given for this right. Contrary to ———^ the inaugural American ideals, the gov ernment denied the vote to different groups of the population. Forcefully resisting injustice, and thus ending discrimination at the ballot booth, the Civil Rights Move ment apparently would have ended any chance of low voter turnout, and thus this movement ensured the vote to all, which thousands have died in order to protect. So, why has voter turnout drastically toppled since then? After the recession in the early 1990s receded, the dominant is sues — the preservation of Social Securi ty and Medicare — have stolen the limelight away from the issues that ef fect the middle-aged American, like economic recovery. True, some voters hold education as crucial — if not the cru cial— issue facing the nation, but edu cation doesn’t motivate most citizens enough to vote compared to how a deep recession would impel voters to turn out in large numbers. Another important issue can make the difference in an election: the current state of foreign affairs known as the “rally ‘round the flag” effect. No wide-scale crisis — one similar to a Cold War or an Iranian hostage crisis — exists currently. Likewise, take into account the role negative campaigning plays in discourag ing turnout. While seen as competent in characterizing the faults of a candidate, the constant bashing disheartens potential voters from surveying the races, therefore erasing any chance of these voters turn ing out on Election Day. Our generation owns the lowest turnout percentages of all the age groups. A dismal 32 percent of registered 18- to 24-year old voters participated in the 1996 presidential election. The last time a ma jority of young citizens actually voted was 1968. In addition to the fact that some in our generation failing to fulfill our civic duty, laige numbers of government offi cials ignore our concerns because of a lack of involvement, frankly leaving us un derrepresented. The issues, undoubtedly, do not lie; politicians concern themselves with the problems of older Americans by focusing on government programs crucial to their well-being like Social Security and Medicare. Justifiably, these programs should be sustained, yet this agenda overshadows the concerns of our generation. If this neglect is to stop, we simply must vote. As redundant as that sounds, change in the United States transpires in this man ner, not through war compared to other nations’ histories. Many groups on cam pus will be holding voter registration drives on Greene Street in the next two weeks, so if have failed to register, you will certainly have the opportunity. Thomas Jefferson said, “If a nation ex pects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” Jefferson believed the government be gan to abuse its power when the electorate failed to keep a check on the government. Yes, the daunting task of registering young voters and getting them to vote here at USC seems difficult, but if we are to change the focus of debate towards our generation, then it is certainly an endeav or worthy of attempt. Corey Ford is a junior political science major and writes every Wednesday. He can be reached at game cockvjew points@hotmaii. com. Democratic candidate Letters ‘Journalist’ should research gun laws To the editor, . Pete Johnson’s article in the Septem ber 15 issue of The Ganiecock shows the inherent danger of the media expressing an uniformed opinion under the guise of “journalism.” Mr. Johnson’s conclusions might be a little different if he had taken the time to actually look up the various laws ;md studies pertaining to concealed weapons. As a “senior journalism major,” it is appalling that he skipped this most funda mental process. Tire “legality of carrying concealed weapons within our fine state” is clearly addressed in the Constitution (2nd amend ment) and the South Carolina Code of Laws (Title 23, Chapter 31, Article 4) and allows any law-abiding and mentally com petent citizen to carry a concealed weapon only after passing federal, state and local background checks, successfully com pleting a training class and demonstrating a basic level of proficiency with the weapon. The scenarios Mr. Johnson’s overac tive imagination envisions as the result of carrying a concealed weapon (legally or not) are all covered in the Code of Laws as criminal activities. In addition to a long list of de-facto prohibited areas (church es, schools, government owned public buildings etc.), any private business own er or employer has the right to prohibit concealed weapons. Presenting a weapon is a felony, carrying without a CWP is a misdemeanor, and, of course, shooting someone because they cut you off on the interstate is covered by a whole array of laws. The point is that these are all criminal activities and criminals, for the most p;irt, show little interest in complying with the state’s concealed weapon laws. As private citizens, we are afforded the right to protect ourselves mid others from criminal assault. This does not make anyone a vigilante. By forcing criminals to play the odds of whether their next vic tim is legally armed and trained to exer cise lethal force makes life safer for all people (see “More Guns, Less Crime” by .John Lott). As long its we underfund and under staff the local police departments we can not expect them to be everywhere all the time in order to stop a crime in progress. The reality is that the police investi gate crime after the fact much more often than they actively prevent it. Personally, we are neither vigilantes nor victims — just law-abiding citizens that believe in ex ercising our second amendment rights as provided for by the laws of South Caroli na. Chris Elmore Information Resource Consultant I College of Liberal Arts Patrick D. Nolan, Ph.D Department of Sociology Column identifies the problems with home football games To the editor, Nathan White’s article in Monday’s Gamecock was profound. As my fellow friend — we’ll call him Rob — read me the article on improving the USC football games, I could hardly contain my laughter. Not only is it what we were talking about during the game, but the fact that White wrote an article emphasized the humor in the matter. I agree that those people need new jobs, or at least should lose microphone privileges. Of course it’s for extra effect, and they have so much spirit they can’t hold it in, but really, they must feel like idiots half the time. Some may say it takes big cajones to get up there, but why be up there and reveal your stupidity by open ing your mouth? I think Homecoming this week may offer a change, and that change should be trampolines. That is all. Tom Wissing College of Science and Mathematics Coming Of Age I want to remember my 21st birthday I might only be able to pass for 17 or 18. I might still get ID’d when buying tobacco products. When I get pulled over, I might even be asked whether I’m old enough to drive. I might feel like getting drunk for the first time couldn’t have been eight years ago. But I will be a 21-year-old in the Although I’m looking forward to the rites of passage that will be afforded me with the changing of the calendar page, I don't think much will change. I can remember my sister’s fateful re turn to the house the morning after her liq uid celebration. She was disoriented and di sheveled, and she’d suffered lacerations on her nose and forehead. She’d drunk a sundry, volatile mix of alcoholic gifts and ended up unconscious in the tavern’s bathroom, in side one of the stalls. She’d fallen on the linoleum floor of the restroom, which explained how the war marks came to be. She’d also spent the night at a stranger’s house, and ended up calling the stranger, attempting to elucidate the events of the previous night. But 1 think what she did has served me well. I’m intending to make my 21st birthday free of the misadventures my sis ter experienced. Her experiences have pro duced a fear inside of me. I won't be taking (or attempting to take) 21 shots. You won't find me on any tavern floor. You won’t find me scratched-up and sleeping in a stranger's bed. I don't want my birthday to be analo gous to drinking a bottle of ipecac. I’ve nev er heard anyway say, “I’m glad I had my stomach pumped.” I don’t want to be shocked by the events of the preceding night on the morning after. I don’t want someone to tell me that I was singing karaoke naked and unintelligibly. These events could transpire in the fu ture, but not on my 21st birthday. I’m just hoping to dodge tht aggressive alcohol-pur chasing of those close to me on the day of my birth. 1 don't want alcohol poisoning. I won't be following in the tradition of hedonistic Americans. If we didn't have such prudishness, then our 21st birthdays would n't he <cnrh a cause for eelehratinn Where else do young adults force their 21 -year-old friends into a sloppy stupor? Although it’s a unique occasion, I’m not going to act its if I’ve never gotten dnmk be fore (even though some friends might try to make it appear that way). I want to remember it. I'll be celebrating, but I’ll also be ris ing from the bed the next morning. Perhaps, if my birthday fell on a weekend day or if my sister didn't have the experience she had, then my outlook would be different. Maybe this determines how each individual should celebrate. I don't see my lifestyle being altered much, either. 1 might be called upon to go on more beer runs than I’m accustomed to now, but that's to be expected. I might or der more drinks than usual at a sit-down restaurant, but I won't be passing out onto the table and into my entrees, f might have more alcohol on reserve at the house than usual, and 1 might fancy myself the bartender, but I won't abuse my right to drink. I won’t be the unconscious person in Martin Luther King Park clutching a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.1 won't be driving drunk through Five Points anytime soon. Some might say there’ll also be a place to go and something to do when one turns 21, but I’d say there already is now, too. I'm still not sure whether my sister’s ex periences have been a blessing or a curse. i Patrick Rathbun is a junior journalism major and writes every Wednesday. He can be reached at gamecockview points@hotmail .com.