The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, July 18, 2001, Page 4, Image 4
• Quote, Unquote
A ‘The purpose of this project was for the class to
■ gain an understanding of how the different sectors
■ W ■ I of journalism work.’
Cal Harrison,
^ College of Journalism and Mass Communications professor
IDlC (BaHIECOCk Wednesday, July 18,2001
Hhe (Samecock
Serving the Carolina Community since 1908
Editorial Board
Mackenzie Clements, Editor in Chief
Ann Marie Miani, Viewpoints Editor
David Cloninger, Sports Editor
Cristy Infinger, News Editor
Rick Johnston, Asst. Sports Editor
USC football fans
need to grow up
here’s been a lot of scrutiny about the media’s coverage of foot
ball player Jeremiah Garrison’s arrest and consequent suspension.
Many Gamecock fans have expressed their disgust with how Gar
rison’s arrest and suspension were covered by such national outlets as
ESPN and CNN/Sports Illustrated.
The shock came because the coverage was so extensive, both on a
national and local level, of a reserve player.'Though Garrison wasn’t a
starter, he was a regular player. This coverage, coupled with the exten
sive coverage of incidents involving Derek Watson, has upset fans.
What fans need to realize is that along with the success that comes
from having a football program on the rise, coupled with having a high
profile coach such as Lou Holtz, is that all news, good and bad, will be
published.
Think about more high-profile programs, such as Florida State,
Michigan or Ohio State. Anytime a player from one these programs has
a lapse in judgment, it’s usually covered by the national media. Keep in
mind that Ohio State defensive back Derrick Ross was involved in a
traffic incident, and national media covered that. Former Florida State
wide receiver Peter Warrick received a suspension after incidents at Dil
lard’s department stores, and national media covered that.
Coincidentally, both of these programs have national prominence.
Also, similar incidents happened with Watson and Garrison.
Gamecock fans everywhere need to realize that USC players aren’t
perfect and will commit errors of judgment. However, their prominence
as football players in a program that’s gaining national prominence is
going to grab more headlines than before, and journalists have responsi
bilities to report all the news, good and bad, without bias.
Welcome to the big time, USC fans.
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tail and spring semesters and eight times during the summer with the exception of university holidays and exam periods. Opinions
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Life lessons: A letter to Austen Elisabeth
On Monday, July 9,1 witnessed
a miracle that made me re
evaluate the
■ things I write
about and
what’s really
important in life.
You might
be asking what
miracle would
Ann Marie Miani nave sue n a
is Viewpoints editor major influence
andcanbe on me. It was
reached at the miracle of
gamecockviewpoints j^e
©hotmail.com. ' _ ,
On that
day, one of my
best friends, my former roommate
and former editor in chief of this
newspaper gave birth to a baby girl,
Austen Elisabeth.
It’s been about 12 years since
I’ve been around a newborn. To say
I was in awe of little Austen would
be an understatement. I just kept
looking at her, thinking, “She's a
real little person. A tiny human being.
A pint-sized miracle.”
On Monday night after 1 left the
hospital and came to work on
Wednesday’s edition of the newspaper,
I had the idea to write Austen a letter.
Here are the words of wisdom I have
to offer.
Dear Austen,
I’m your Aunt Mimi — your
mother’s nickname for me — and
I’ve actually lived with you for about
eight months while she was pregnant
with you. I want you to know I’ll
do all the fun things with you that
my Aunt Debbie did with me.
When you get a little older, we’ll
stay up late to watch movies and eat
popcorn, go shopping and gossip
about boys. When you get a lot older,
we’ll do some things your mother
might not approve of (wink, wink).
And since I’m an only child and
probably won’t be getting married
anytime soon, you’re the closest
thing I’ll have to a niece, at least for
a while.
You nave quite an array oi aunts
and uncles — Aunties Julie. Becca,
Annie Lee and Mackenzie and
Uncles Kevin, Dave and Rick. We’re
an interesting bunch, but we’ll love
and protect you as much as any blood
relative. Even if we aren’t in the
same city, state or even country as
you after next May, we’ll always
just be a call away.
Since you came into my life a
little more than nine months ago, I
began to evaluate the things that are
really important in life. So here’s
your first life lessons from your Aunt
Mimi:
1. AH You Need Is Love — No
matter what anyone tells you, the
most important thing in life is love.
This doesn’t only mean romantic
love, but the love you feel for your
family, friends and your fellow man.
You will never be truly alone as long
as you have the love of your family
and friends to fill your world.
2. A Hard Day’s Night — If
you learn one thing from me, it’s to
stay out of the news business. I know
both your parents are journalists,
and it’s probably in your blood. You
were watching CNN when you were
just a few hours old. But Austen,
you’ll work terrible hours, make no
money and have bad eyes and wrists
by the time you’re 25.
3. Imagine — In the immortal
words of John Lennon, “Imagine all
the people, living for today.... You
may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not
the only one. I hope someday you’ll
join us, and the world will be as
one.” Those words were written 30
years ago, but they have as much
truth now as they did then. Always
live your life to the fullest as if each
day is your last. My generation hasn’t
seemed to figure out that the world
would be a happier place if we would
all stop fighting with one another.
These are the first lessons I’m
going to teach you. There will be
many more in the years to come, but
I think this is a good start.
Love,
Aunt Mimi
P.S. Watch out for those Canadians.
They can be vicous.