Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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S.C. legislators say they will fight in war on terrorism BY JIM DAVENPORT ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBIA, S.C. - Several South Carolina legislators say they’re ready to put on their mil itary uniforms and do whatever is needed to fight the war on ter rorism that President Bush has declared. Eight House and Senate mem bers could be called to active duty because they are in the National Guard or reserves, mostly as mil itary lawyers who would handle wills and other papers for people who would go into battle. The National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver and the National Guard do not keep statistics on state legislators serving in reserve or guard units around the nation. dui legisiaiui s aren i umei - ent from others who may be told to don the fatigues and leave, said Lt. Col. Pete Brooks, spokesman for South Carolina Adjutant General Stan Spears. “They have sworn the oath like all other soldiers and airmen.” “I am prepared to go,” Sen. Joe Wilson, R-West Columbia, said. The South Carolina Army National Guard colonel is the state’s staff judge advocate. He’s also six weeks away from a pri mary bid for the 2nd District U.S. House seat left open by the death of Floyd Spence last month. That campaign was on hold after last week’s attacks in New York and Washington. “We are doing our best to get organized,” Wilson said. Two other state senators are guard members: Ethics Com mittee Chairman Wes Hayes, R Rock Hill, and John Hawkins, R Spartanburg, who is seeking the GOP nomination for attorney general. Hawkins said he has written U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, R S.C., and asked to be assigned somewhere as soon as possible. “If I can help in the upcom ing war, I want to help,” said Hawkins, a captain and Army Guard lawyer. “I don’t feel like I could just sit here without at least trying to offer my service.” Hawkins’ military boss is Rep. James Klauber, R-Green wood, who is seeking the 3rd District seat that U.S. Rep. Lind sey Graham is giving up as he runs for Thurmond’s seat. “What happened last week has changed our country forever,” said Klauber, a major. Klauber asked to be put on active duty, de spite his congressional campaign. “This is a time when your per sonal political and career ambi tions have to be put on the side lines to go and do what’s right.” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison, a Co lumbia Republican, is an Army Reserve colonel. He works in a civil affairs division that deals with humanitarian aid and helps displaced civilians. Past military mobilizations kept him away from Columbia during campaigns. In 1996, he was in Bosnia, but defeated a primary opponent and won the November election. Campaign ing from abroad is possible. “You rely on family and friends a lot more than they normally would be asked to do,” he said. Rep. Jeff Young, R-Sumter, is the only Air Force reservist in the Legislature. He’s got 24 years of military service and could re tire from his job of making deals for bed and food for military per sonnel. But, he said, “I could never look my children in the eyes and know that I didn’t do the right thing and do what my country needed,” he said. Community Service - ONE SHOT Service Events of the week • Volunteer Fair September 19. 2.001 • 10 - 3 Greene Street ONE SHOT - Ronald McDonald House September 21,2001 2:1 5 - 5:30pm Meet in the Office of Community Service Programs, Russell House, West Wing, Lower Level. For more info, call 777-5780. I i »■. SSI We Have 4 positions open with our promotional team. We are looking for positive, self-motivate energetic individuals who have c desire to make $500 per week. We offer hire-on bonus and training pay. We Offer: • Sign on bonus • Health Ins. Benefits d- • 401K • Holiday and Vacation Pay 4 • Tuition Reimbursement • Contests for cash & prizes • Paid Training — HUGE ROOMMATE FLOORPLAN — — CONVENIENT TO USC — — LOCATED AT THE RIVER — —• AWESOME POOL •— — FITNESS CENTER —• — TENNIS COURTS — — W/D CONNECTIONS — WALK IN CLOSETS — — WE PAY FOR YOUR WATER — 2 Bedroom w/ Sun Room 2 Bedroom w/ Porch 1100 SF _ 4 . „ _ 1200 SF S599 _ CALL (803) 772-9409 J599 Kathy LaLima makes salad dressing in her apartment while her girlfriend, Angie Wilson, chops lettuce. Kathy and Angie have been a couple since last year, photo by michelle dosson Gay at USC Gay students face scrutiny, pressure CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 they have to walk. “You just have to be smart about it,” Glenn says. “You know there are places you should go and things you can do in those places, and if you choose to vio late that...” “That’s life,” Alan says. “It’s life,” Glenn agrees. “And it was far worse 10 years ago. And far worse than that 20 years ago. That’s a pretty quick change. And in 10 years, I expect it to be even better.” Alan and Glenn are open about their homosexuality. They laugh a lot, joke about it. Both have been out since high school and have supportive families. Behaving ‘dishonestly’ Students still feel pressure to be have dishonestly in public. Bryan talks about turned heads and stopped conversations as people turn to stare at him with his boyfriend. “Devil on your shoul der,” he says. “If you do something that you feel should be normal, then you know you’re going to be hit for it.” Sam empathizes. “If there’s a group of girls and there’s a lesbian around, they-just make fun of her and leave, but they’re not gonna go beat her up or leave hate mail. Guys do. Gay guys have such a real hard time. Maybe they’re sissies and everything, but they go through hell to be who they are. I guess we all do. But they get beat up a lot more than we do.” Kathy LaLima, a fourth-year art history major, describes walking across the street with her last girl friend. “Some vagrant — it wasn’t a student, he was really old and dirty—started yelling at us, ‘Girls holding hands, that ain’t natural.’ And then he kept mumbling, but we were walking away, and I didn’t feel like listening to his slurs. As long as I ignore the slurs, it’s fine.” A relationship Kathy is dating Angie Wilson, ^who was president of BGLA for '"two years. With six earrings in her left ear, three in her right, tattoos on her shoulder and close cropped, bleached hair, Angie de scribes herself as a “big tough woman.” Angie makes a salad while Kathy doctors a jar of spaghetti ♦ GAY AT USC, SEE PAGE 5 Bring your teaching degree to California In California you II have more choices for school locations, teaching environments, climate, sports, entertainment and places to live than in any other state. And you II be welcomed with open arms and minds eager to learn. We need you here. To learn how easy it is to get here, call toll-free 1-888-CalTeach or visit our website atwww.calteach.com. • Competitive starting salaries and benefits • Smaller class sizes in schools statewide I* Housing and cost of living incentives • Strong community support for teachers • Beautiful and diverse climate and scenery Left Coast. Right Joba .