Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

4 THE GAMECOCK ♦ Monday, November 19, 2001 ---- -■ . — THE LEADER Missed photo opportunity This week, The Gamecock was shown another example of just where the student body ranks in importance, this time by the Athletics Department. With a daily readership of more than 14,000, we strive to bring you coverage of the most important events at USC. In the case of football games, this means photos and stories that tell the tale of our victories and defeats. This week, while many news outlets covered the sidelines with more photographers than usual, The Gamecock was granted only one pass, instead of its normal allotment of two. A hand-delivered letter to USC’s sports information director stating the many reasons we needed another pass went without acknowledgment. Being the student newspaper and receiving less access than other newspapers is bad enough. Being tlat-out ignored by the person whose job it is to deal with media is despicable. Could this be a punishment for our columns and editorials regarding the student ticket distribution system? We hope this is not the case; for that . would send a horrible message regarding the value of free speech at this university. So what does this mean to our readers? Quite simply, when we’re cut out of the picture, you’re cut out of the picture. The Athletics Department relies on you to be present in the stands to cheer on the team. But when it comes to reading about or seeing photos of the game, they’d prefer you be required to turn somewhere other than your own newspaper. The Gamecock acts as both an advocate for students and as a forum through which the student body can express their opinions on anything from parking to budget cuts to, yes, even USC’s ticket distribution process. If gaining access to press passes means currying favors with the Athletics Department and closing down the one outlet of expression for USC students, then we’ll continue to get by with what we have. One thing is for certain: We’re student media. When we — and the student body—are getting cheated, we won’t be silent. H . . Cutting photo press passes for The Gamecock shows a disdain for students in general. GAMECOCK CORRECTIONS The photograph at the bottom left of the Habitat for Humanity package should have been attributed to Candi Hauglum. The Gamecock regrets the error. If you see an error in today’s paper, we want to know. Write us at gamecockviewpoints@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 Baientine Asst. City Editor Brandon Larrabee Viewpoints Editor Rene Moffatt Political Cartoonist/ illustrator Candi Hauglum Graphic Artist Page Designers Mackenzie Clements, Crystal Dukes, Katie Smith, David Stagg Copy Editors Crystal Boyles, Jason Harmon, Jill Martin, Carolyn Rowe TO PLACE 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, Amanda Ingram, Denise Levereaux, Jackie Rice, Stacey Todd Gamecock Community Affairs Karen Yip 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 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 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. BEELERS •fce&jfe um„gims~? A 'c cantya ousrcAu AAA? . Is*I COURTESY COLLEGE PRESS EXCHANGE Thefive easiest classes at USC CHARLES PRASHAW CPRASHAW@YAHOO.COM A list of classes that will help any slacker breeze to a high GPA. It’s that time of the semester again, the online registration time of year. Or as most students like to call it, “the time of year when you find out that every class you need for next semester is full.” Don’t fret it, don’t even worry about it, Chuck is here for ya. Surprisingly, this time I’m going to stop being a butthole, as a few letter-to-the-editor authors have pointed out, and try to help my fellow students. Here is my grand advice, for all it’s worth: Take easy classes. I haven’t done much scientific research on the subject, but it has been pointed out to me that there is a direct correlation between an easy class load and a better GPA. Isn’t that why you came to college in the first place? For your lazy butt to skate by on easy classes and graduate with a good GPA with the least amount of effort. Then when you do graduate you will probably learn most of the stuff you really need to know on the job. Isn’t that how it really works? The diploma is just a rubber stamp. I probably won’t use in the real world 90 percent of the stuff that I learn in class. Anyway, for all the slackers out there I have comprised a list of the five easiest classes at USC that I’ve experienced and that a few other people have told me about. 1) UNIV 101. This is by far the easiest class at USC. Here is why: Basically you are supposed to learn where things are at USC, and how they operate here, something that the stupidest kid in college can figure out. The hardest thing you might have to do is write a paper for this class. Actually the class is pretty much useless, and I wish they would drop it irom me cumcuiura. uuwu sides: It doesn’t count toward your major, something no one tells you till later; the sex education movie you have to watch is gross; and you will probably leave the class with no new knowledge about anything. 2) JOUR 201. This is pretty much pointless, too. Here are some subjects covered in this class: What is a newspaper? Where do they come from? Why is mass communications important? All questions any old Joe could answer and particularly silly when they make journalism majors take it. This class is pretty much an insult to your intelligence. Other plus-sides are that anybody no matter the major can take it and you are pretty much assured an “A” for showing up. 3) STAT 110. Statistics without math — gotta love it. It’s a required basic course for a lot of majors; so most likely you have already taken it or will be taking it soon. The downside is • that the class is boring and the books cost way too much, probably because the Statistics Department is in bed with some statistics book company and feels the need to change the book every semester so students have to buy the new one. wusi liz. Most ot your Women’s Studies classes are 90 percent BS. So it’s pretty easy. Men, here is how you earn that “A” in a class full of women: In your Women’s Studies class, pretend everything can be boiled down to “men suck.” You don’t have to defend your sex in this class. Don’t worry about it, guys, we are in more of the majors that actually pay well (engineering, law and business are just a few examples). 5) BIOL 243, AKA ANATOMY 101. Pretty much what bones are in your arm, basically some stuff you should of learned way back in high school Biology. I haven’t taken it, but from what I hear it’s easy. Charles Prashaw is a third-year student in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. IN YOUR OPINION Levereaux is a parody of herself Has anyone noticed the striking similarities between Gamecock columnist Denise Levereaux and satirical newspaper The Onion’s Jean Teasdale? Granted, Ms. Teasdale is a fictional writer, but Ms. Levereaux’s columns have almost reached a level of unknowing self-parody on par with “A Room Of Jean’s Own.” Some of Jean’s recent columns include: “Hubby Rick And I Just Got Vanity Plates!” about earth-shaking developments in her marriage, “Look Out Computers - Here Comes Jean!” about her computer crashing and “You Won’t Believe The Day I Had!” about a bad day. Friday readers of The Gamecock find themselves bombarded by the words of Jean’s evil twin: “Drivers beware; Hondas abound” about earth-shaking developments in her relationship with her boyfriend, “Being true to my PC” about her computer crashing, and “Thank God it’s Friday” about a bad day. Denise displays a paucity of wit not seen in the paper since “The Royal We With Rob and Kevin,” but it may not be her fault. Jean writes in her column “Keep Smiling!”, “You know, being a columnist can be tough sometimes. After all, I think I’ve just about exhausted every last topic worth discussing. Beanie Babies, chocolate, karaoke, cats — you name it, I’ve talked about it! What more is there?” But remarkably, Denise finds more every week. This Friday’s edition took her faithful readers on a magical journey explaining why she drives to Atlanta to engage in a fifth year of smoochie-smoo-ness with her boyfriend. If she weren’t also driving my interest in “The Mix” into the ground, I might forgive. Maybe her beau, David, will, but he’s safe from “The Mix” in Georgia. What zany events from Thanksgiving dinner will Denise cover in next Friday’s column? I can’t hardly wait. MARK HARTNEY FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT, COLLEOE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS Submission Policy Letters to the editor or guest columns are welcome from the Carolina community. Letters should be 250-300 words. Guest columns should be about 600 words. Both must include name, phone number, professional title or year and major, if a student. Deliver handwritten submissions to Russell House room 333, or send e-mail to gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit for libel, style and space. Anonymous letters will not be published. Photos are required for guest columnists and can be provided by the submitter. Call 777-7726 for more information. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IN VIEWPOINTS DAILY gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com LET EVERYBODY KNOW THE SCORE. . J i Maurice is right: This is America DARRYL GREEN DRGREEN22@HOTMAIL.COM But diversity is as much an American value as the right to free speech. What happens when a record player plays a broken record? It gets stuck and plays the same song over and over and over again. Maurice Bessinger and his loyal supporters seem to be that broken record. Each time someone*openly criticizes Bessinger, he and his supporters roll out that old record player and play the same old tired song over and over and over again. What is that song? Well, I can’t recall the exact title, but the tune goes something like, “This is America, la-la-luh-la la.” So I guess “This Is America” must be the title. yne gets a healthy dose ot that tune when one speaks against him. “This is America,” his followers yell. “He can say whatever he wants to say. He is entitled to his free speech, same as everyone else. Freedom of speech is what sets America apart from other countries and is the heart of what it means to be an American.” Every time I hear that tune I just want to go, “Duh!” Of course Mr. Bessinger is entitled to his freedom of speech. Of course freedom of speech is at the core of what it means to be an American. Maurice Bessinger is free to say whatever he chooses. In fact, I would gladly defend him if anyone tried to rob him of that freedom. While I vehemently disagree with what he says, no one but no one has the right to stop him from saying it. The question is, has anyone ever stopped him from saying what he wants to say? NO. Maurice freely exercises his right to free speech. This is evidenced by some of his most recent comments to newspapers and other media outlets. In The State newspaper, Maurice is quoted as saying that the civil rights movement, the very movement that gave minorities the right to become full-fledged Americans, was an instrument of the “Antichrist.” Now, does that sound like anyone has blocked his right to free speech? Give me a break. Maurice’s song, “This is America,” is not likely to ever reach Billboard’s Top 100, but it is right on one major point. This is America, and America is much more than freedom of speech. America is also about diversity. It is about people from all ethnicities, cultures and religions living harmoniously together. It is about one culture learning from another, and getting stronger in the process. Unfortunately, “This is America” omits these lyrics. But these lyrics should never be excluded from the song. America towers above all other nations because it partakes of the contributions of its people. It roots in its European heritage. It dances to its rich African traditions. It boogies to its Latin American flare. It draws from its Native-American lessons. It basks in its Jewish-American light. It sings to its Asian appeal. It ascends to its Arab- American thought. And America is lessened when one part is removed from this equation. This is America! Upon reading this, I’m sure defenders of Maurice Bessinger will roll out the old record player to play that same old tune. “This is America!” they’ll say. “Yeah,” I’ll answer. “My point exactly.” Darryl Green is a fifth-year student in the Moore School of Business.