Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE GAMECOCK ♦ Wednesday, November 7, 2001 IN OUR OPINION ‘Town-gown’ went too far Finally. It took the university and the city far too long to fix the newest chapter in Columbia’s “town-gown conflict,” as the clash between a university and its city is often called, but it finally looks to be winding toward a resolution. Last week, USC signed an agreement that will allow the city to move on with some crucial downtown projects, including a convention center and the Three Rivers Greenway. And, Monday, the city finally agreed to turn over $2.5 million needed for construction on the Vista Arena to go forward. City council had been holding the money hostage in an attempt to drag a lease agreement out of the seemingly stalled negotiations between the university and the Columbia Inferno. Now, the burden falls to USC and the Inferno. The two still have an obligation to work out their differences. Their most recent idea—to have the minor league hockey team play in the Carolina Coliseum — is a reasonable idea accepted by both sides. But problems remain. For one thing, the university was planning on using some of the Inferno’s funds to pay for the Arena. It’s not clear if that will fall through now that the team will be playing elsewhere. All of that must be worked out in any final lease agreement. The university and the team must figure out the details of that agreement, and they must do so quickly. And USC and Columbia must learn that, in order for either to succeed, they must work together on every issue and never let it become as acrimonious —and as dangerous to key projects — as the Vista showdown became. The “town-gown conflict” is going to occur from time to time, and that’s acceptable. Petty squabbles that endanger projects that are good for the city, good for the university and good for Midlands residents are not. USC and Columbia finally resolve the Vista showdown, but USC and the Inferno still have to work out a lease agreement. GAMECOCK CORRECTIONS If you see an error in today’s paper, we want to know. Write us at gamecockviewpoints(a>hotmail.com. ABOUT THE GAMECOCK Martha Wright Editor in Chief Mary Hartney University Editor Ginny Thornton Asst. Univ. Editor Victoria Bennett The Mix Editor Justin Bajan Asst. The Mix Editor Chris Foy Sports Editor Preston Baines Asst. Sports Editor Elizabeth Swartz Online Editor Aaron Hark Photo Editor Andrew Rogers Asst. Photo Editor Greg Hambrick City Editor Alicia Balentine Asst. City Editor Brandon Larrabee Viewpoints Editor Rene Moffatt Political Cartoonist/ illustrator Page Designers Mackenzie Clements, Crystal Dukes. Katie Smith, David Stagg, Sarah McLaulin Copy Editors Crystal Boyles, Jason Harmon, Jill Martin, Carolyn Rowe, Paul Rhine TO PUCE AN AD The Gamecock 1400 Greene Street Columbia, S.C. 29208 Advertising: 777-3888 Classified: 777-1184 Fax: 777-6482 STUDENT MEDIA Erik Collins Faculty Adviser Ellen Parsons Director of Student Media Susan King Creative Director Carolyn Griffin Business Manager Sarah Scarborough Advertising Manager Sherry F. Holmes Classified Manager Creative Services Todd Hooks, Jennie Moore, Martin Salisbury, Beju Shah, Advertising Staff Betsy Baugh, Caryn Barowsky, Denise Levereaux, Jackie Rice, Stacey Todd Gamecock Community Affairs Karen Yip Candi Hauglum Graphic Artist CONTACT INFORMATION Offices on third floor of the Russell House. Editor in Chief: gamecockeditor@hotmail.com University Desk: gamecockudesk@hotmail.com City Desk: gamecockcitydesk@hotmail.com Viewpoints: gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com The Mix: gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com Sports: gamecocksports@hotmail.com Online: www.dailygamecock.com Newsroom: 777-7726 The GamecocK is me 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 4 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 activities fees. One free copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for one dollar each from the Department of Student Media. f OlVV'T Kvow 1 ' 'PATTov'wAf ON I 7<?H6H7--- T J fH/^ / ¥ rr'5 r«evev$. ^ r IT'S JI/5T AWTueR 1 SGV/XTofl MJHoSGoiHO I V> T&LC1H& Attni f f-io\k/To P'VP / \ha f%. y ^STAV5^ CARTOON COURTESY COLLEGE PRESS EXCHANGE Now, I need a cocaine habit P^IL WATSON WATSONPHIL@YAHOO.COM Now that I’m a public figure, I’ll have to change a few things. A lot of people have come up to me in the last week asking me about all the commotion caused by my last column. Due to ongoing circumstances involving that situation, I’m choosing not to publicly comment right now. Instead, I’m going to talk about something almost as exciting: Public figures and football tickets. i was taming to a journalism professor Monday and he told me that legally, I am a public figure. I was a little surprised. Who knew that writing a column once a week in a college newspaper made you a public figure? Then, the other morning, I saw something that proved I am indeed a public figure. I was walking out my front door to go to class and saw two people going through my garbage. It was obviously the paparazzi looking for incriminating information to put in the tabloids. Those tabloid reporters were smart, too. They • were dressed in dirty clothes, and were using an old shopping cart to put things from my trash in. They even asked me for money and aluminum cans. I guess they thought if they disguised themselves as homeless people, I wouldn’t suspect them. The first thing I decided to do, because I’m a public figure, is surround myself with large breasted blonds, like so many public figures do. I’m still working on that, but I’m sure it’ll happen soon. Second, I need an expensive and flashy car, like a Ferrari or a Hummer. I’m still working on that one, too. Third on my public figure to-do list, get bodyguards. As a famous celebrity, I’m wanted dead or alive by some. A couple of burly ex-Navy Seals would make a good entourage. Fourth, I need to start behaving like other famous public figures. Starting a cocaine habit or getting in a fight with a police officer might help elevate me to the status of a known and loved public figure, like Robert Downey Jr. or Hunter S. Thompson. Speaking of Hunter S. Thompson, maybe I should get my own fortified compound in the Rockies, like he does. Why not? I’m almost as famous as he is, right? I’ve always liked the idea of having a fortified compound. Maybe this public figure thing is just the kick I need to get me to act on it. Some may think a day in the life of a public figure is nothing but drinking martinis in a hot tub with Victoria’s Secret models. Although that is how I spend a good portion of an average day, there are tough times. For example, the other day I went to get my ticket for the Florida-USC game. I was shocked to find out that, as a public figure, I still have to wait in line like everyone else. For almost two hours I was in line. Insane for anyone, much less a public figure like myself. Waiting in line made me start thinking about other ways USC could distribute tickets to students. Maybe they could follow Clemson’s lead. I hear Clemson has vending machines on campus that students can swipe their ID cards through to get a ticket. Seems like a good idea to me. It would be cheaper for the school. They wouldn’t have to pay the crack security iorce mat waits outside tne door. The ladies who swipe your card could be laid off, too. But then, that’s just a Clemson thing. Besides, I heard last week that they inbreed up in them parts. That’s my two cents, as a public figure anyway. Change the way student football tickets are distributed- That suggestion is the least I can do to make the world a better place. Since I’m so famous now, it would almost be irresponsible not to use my fame for good. Phil Watson is a third-year student in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. IN YOUR OPINION John Palms has done much for USC While I must admit that I find The Gamecock to be a mildly amusing way of passing the time in class, I have to take exception to a recent column written by Charles Prashaw entitled “Palms and the Quest for Nothing.” As the title suggests, this column is a chance for Prashaw to vent about President John Palms, a man whom he perceives to be a subpar president. What I find truly offensive about the column is that Mr. Prashaw is simply ignoring facts. During his tenure at Carolina, the following is what Palms, with the help of dozens of dedicated university administrators and the board of trustees, has done: 1. Restored the university’s reputation after the debacle with ex-President Holderman; 2. Along with Dean Sederberg, worked to bring the Honors College to the position it now holds, that of a truly national reputation; 3. Initiated several campus improvements — two new parking garages; much more landscaping and green space to actually give the campus a universit>*feel (a tough challenge in an urban city such as Columbia); several fantastic new dorms; and a Greek village, not to mention the new arena and the Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness Center; 4. Signed off on the hiring of nationally known athletics coaches to revitalize what by the mid-1990s was an abysmal athletic institution. The problem is that you, Mr. Prashaw, are spoiled. While that sounds like an insult, it is actually not. I am glad that in just 10 years, this university has reached the level where a student’s biggest gripe is that the new law school has not been built. For anyone who visited USC in 1990, you know exactly what I am talking about — the epitome of a second-rate university, complete with low academics, an ugly campus and poor athletic teams. Under Palms’ leadership, this university, while not quite rising to the level of a great state institution of national caliber, is certainly much closer now than it was before Palms arrived. As for the budget cuts, every state institution and agency is feeling the squeeze and trying to maintain high standaVds with less money. Palms is not leaving us in a lurch. He has set the standard high, and realizes that fresh leadership is needed to move the university even higher. The university salutes you, John Palms. REID SHERARD FIRST-YEAR STUDENT IN SCHOOL OF LAW. ‘2000 GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Wear black to football games There is a growing movement on the campus of USC that I feel needs to be brought to the attention of Gamecock fans statewide. It is a well-known fact that many college stadiums have a presence that matches or exceeds that of their football team — the fans. Such influential teams as Nebraska, North Carolina and Tennessee consistently pack stadiums with a sea of fans dressed in red, blue or orange. It should stand to reason, then, that a team with one of the strongest fan bases in the nation should likewise have a uniform color to grace the stands of Williams-Brice. This movement is called “Blackout” What the student $ ♦ LETTERS, SEE PAGE 8 Attack of the land yachts ADAM CLARK GAMECOCKVIEWPOINTS@HOTMAIL.COM Too many people are driving too many SUVs. For the past five years, I have had a growing hatred for sport utility vehicles. I hate them for their wastefulness, their massive size, and how people use them. It wasn’t until just recently that my hatred climaxed when I was hit by one while walking across Main Street. To be more specific, it was a middle-aged woman peering over the dash of a dominating tan Ford Expedition. She was stopped, as she should be at a stop light, so I crossed the street, but she decided she should turn right, and she plowed right into my body. After doing a body check and realizing nothing had been seriously injured, I yelled at her and told her to get out of my sight; I was in shock, didn’t want the light to change and me get hit, yet again, by a mammoth land yacht. Why do people want to drive gargantuan trucks? Do they get lightheaded from being way up in the atmosphere while driving? I’ve had the experience of driving one before, and I don’t understand why they sell so well. They don’t ride well, they are harder to steer, harder to park, more expensive and they guzzle gas. The gas mileage they get is horrible, which contributes to the greenhouse effect and the inner-city heat island effect. Gas prices would probably be lower if there was less demand for gas: that’s plain economics. Why dump gallon upon gallon of gas into a wasteful engine that really can’t do anything in an urbanized area that a small engine can’t? Why be wasteful on something you can’t use? To actually use these station wagon-like trucks is one thing, like to go around a farm or construction site, but to use them to get groceries and go shopping with is plain wrong. More and more, I see women driving these trucks geared for Armageddon while putting on their make-up, talking on their cell phone (which is another story), going to work and the more I want to yell, “GO BUY A SATURN!” They don’t need the 300-horsepower, four-wheel drive and a cavern of - cabin space to either drop the kids off at school or to pick up some milk and Spam. It’s not just women that do this, either. Bill, Bob and Buddy at the office all have their Cherokees, Excursions and suburbans parked outside the office. Why would you need a two-ton truck to go to work at the bank? Men drive these vehicles because it gives them a since of power and manhood. Phooey! A real man knows what he needs and what he doesn’t, and a real man knows he doesn’t need a monstrous vehicle to prowl his butt to the office. Recent studies have shown that the towering top-heavy trucks are not safer than cars; however, they do make it more dangerous for cars. When you can only see the top of the monstrous jagged tire at your side window, you just have to sit there and hope to God that they see you. It’s virtually impossible to see around the big hunks of steel oh wheels in traffic, which complicates motoring for everyone. So, for all of you driving these polluting, land yachts please be more considerate of your smarter counterparts that drive cars and occasionally use their feet to cross the street. Do yourself, the economy, motorists and pedestrians everywhere a favor by trading in your SUV for either a car of equal or better value. Adam Clark is a fourth-year student in the College of Journalism and Mass , Communications.