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4 THE GAMECOCK ♦ Monday, November 26, 2001 IN OUR OPINION Cloning goes at right pace You have probably already heard, and you might have already panicked: A Massachusetts company called Advanced Cell Technology has developed a way to clone human embryos, making master cells that could be filled with a patient’s DNA to create identical organs or other parts of the human body. The scientists at ACT say this process could be used to make replacement cells and tissues, to treat Parkinson’s disease or to rebuild insulin-producing cells in a diabetic’s pancreas. And, they say, it is the first step in what could later become the cloning of a human being. Walking the thin line between blasphemy and hope, invoking images of Brave New World or The Walking the thin line between blasphemy and hope, invoking images of Brave New World or The Matrix, the possibility of iiuman cloning deserves a doubletake. Matrix, the possibility ot human cloning both frightens and enthralls. This technique and the touchy questions it sparks — Are embryos people? Where does life begin? — deserve a doubletake. So far, ACT scientists sound as though they are playing it safe. Their goal is not to clone embryos and warehouse them* putting their stem cells on layaway to one day use for spare parts. In fact, ACT has emphasized only the treatment aspect of the technology. It has created a blank egg that is dependent on DNA from a patient; the development of a human being isn’t being put on hold. To allay other fears about the slippery slope of this breakthrough, checks are in place. Food and Drug Administration rules would quickly shut down any U.S. lab’s attempt to clone a human being. And an all out ban on human cloning — even for medical use — has so far passed the House of Representatives. As we see it, cell cloning’s potential benefit to the medical community, especially as used by ACT, far outweighs the potential abuse of this technology by scientists in other countries. Human cloning is an eventuality. We are proud that U.S. scientists have grasped the first stage, and prouder that the urge to heal the sick, not to play God, is their motive. GAMECOCK CORRECTIONS 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 Balentine 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 Hai'mon, Jill Martin, Carolyn Rowe 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@hotrfiail.com The Mix: gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com Sports: gamecocksports@hotmail.com Online: www.dailygamecock.com Newsroom: 777-7726 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 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 *he 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. 11,11 W PiGS-lw-A.-'BLATJKe'T Courtesy krt Campus Columnist counts blessings DARRYL GREEN DRGREEN22@HOTMAIL.COM We students should be proud to be Americans and Gamecocks. War, disease, famine, irresponsible tuition increases! Man, it seems like there’s not much for our generation to be thankful for these days. In our lifetimes, we will be faced with many challenges. Global warming, pollution, depletion of fossil fuels and the baby boomer social security burden are just a few of the pitfalls that await our generation. But this Thanksgiving, we, the students of USC, had much to be thankful for. I’ve compiled a list of the 20 things I put in the “thankful” column: 1) My memories here at USC. Like the time my friend jokingly put a long piece of toilet tissue on my backside. I walked from the B.A. building to the Towers before I realized that all the laughter I kept hearing in the background as I walked was about me. 2) No more Taliban. 3) A winning USC football team. 4) A losing Clemson football team. 5) Tuition increases. If it were not for the increases, I would have spent the money on bad things like cheap booze and even cheaper women. No, wait, scratch that one off the list! 6) Cheap gas. 7) Helpful USC professors. 8) The memories. Like last year when I wrote a letter to the editor about a racial profiling experience I had at a local retail store. I received a string of anonymous threats from students. That’s when I realized the power of words. I learned that I had the power to spark change and inspire revolution. All with a 15-cent ink pen and a small avalanche of thought. 9) Tuna, Ramen noodles and other cheap foods that help us get through our poverty stricken college careers. 10) The Gamecock newspaper and its entire staff. 11) Readers who are not sensitive and who understand the meaning of the words “humor” and “sarcasm.” 12) The hard-working maintenance workers who should be paid more money but aren’t because school officials are being major #%$&! 13) The forgiveness from those I never meant to offend while writing for The Gamecock. 14) Like the USCPD. 15) The animosity from those I meant to offend while writing for The Gamecock. 16) Like Maurice Bessinger. 17) Breasts, legs and thighs (on the Thanksgiving turkey, though not exclusively). 18) The memories. Like the time I overslept and missed a very important exam. I almost had a nervous breakdown. Fortunately, I had a very understanding calculus professor. 19) The Shuttlecock 20) The memories. Gosh, I keep going back to the memories. I guess that’s because memories are all we have to hold on to in the end. We are all about to face the real world, with its many hurdles and challenges. But no matter what the obstacles, there is no challenge too great for us Gamecocks. USC has thoroughly prepared us. USC is a perfect microcosm of the real world. Its multicultural student body teaches us about diversity. Its brilliant professors and staff teach us the value of education. And its relaxed atmosphere makes learning all the more enjoyable. Every student should be as fortunate as we are. In this time of war and patriotism, we should all be proud to be Americans, and prouder still to be Gamecocks. Thanks for the memories, USC! Green is a fifth-year student in the Moore Schoool of Business. IN YOUR OPINION Dislike Maurice? Don’t listen to him When I opened The Gamecock to the Viewpoints page and saw that Darryl Green had written yet another column about Maurice and the evils he wreaks upon the face of Columbia, I became somewhat irritated. After reading the piece, I found myself with no choice but to respond. The point Mr. Green makes about the old record player continually playing the same tune was particularly ironic. Darryl can’t seem to stop himself from harping on Maurice week after week, even though the rest of us have forgotten him. Who cares if Maurice save things you don’t agree with, or even claims that you have taken his free speech from him? Yet another great thing about America is that no one can make you listen. I know from personal experience that the average college student has perfected the art of failing to listen. Don’t listen to Maurice. No one else is. Let it go! And please stop subjecting us to further discussion of why Maurice is a bad, bad man. WALLY ALTMAN FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS J Fictional walk shows dangers It was a nice sunny day, and I was so happy to finally be able to get back to my room at south quad to eat lunch. My Caesar salad smelled great! It was about this time all hell broke loose. I had to suddenly catch myself when I slipped on the leaves on the stairs near the Russell House. I gathered myself and thought, “Damn, I’m lucky I didn’t get hurt.” The next thing I know, someone up in front of me tripped on the screws that used to hold the bench under the garage stairwell. I had just started pointing and laughing when all of a sudden I almost got hit by a huge Suburban driving on the sidewalk. As I lllMfIA/1 OUTn\T T foil tn thp ground when my foot got lodged in one of the huge holes left by what used to be barrier poles. My salad went flying, and I cut my leg. I picked my gimp ass up and started hobbling back to my room. I didn’t get far before I was swallowed by the scorching steam below my feet. I picked up my pace and headed across the bridge. I started down the middle of the stairs at the Blossom garage as I had done a thousand times. But my leg gave out, I reached for a rail— but, wait: it’s 10 feet away. I belly flopped and started my three-minute roll dowr^the 300 stairs. I finally made it to my room, bleeding profusely, mind you, and started to think, “Damn, it’s a wonder I’m alive on this death-trap campus.” So all those who start the easy going walk to class tomorrow, wear your combat boots, because it’s a jungle out there. LEE SIMS FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Movie positively portrays Italians I read your column about Italians in movies (“So I look like an Italian to you?” Nov. 14) and found it witty, but you should see Moonstruck, which is a wonderful view of life and love with positive characters. When the moon hits your eye like a big-a pizza pie, that’s amore! JERRY KANDIES ASSISTANT PROFESSOR UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA 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 gamecockview point s@hotmail.coni. 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. i When Strom passes BRANDON LARRABEE LAUGHIN98@HOTMAIL.COM We’ll all forget what his career was really about. While liberals dream and scientists debate whether it will ever happen, most of us have grown accustomed to the fact that Sen. Strom Thurmond will die —eventually. Those scientists who do think Thurmond will die tell us that his body will not change much physically. Thurmond will let out one final gasp, his body will become even stiller and his mind will join the body in everlasting peace. That, friends, is where the real fun will begin. First, don’t expect to do anything — and 1 mean anything — in South Carolina when Strom dies. The entire state will officially close for business. Roads will shut down, hospitals will run skeleton staffs, schools will close and the flags won’t be flown at half-staff, they’ll be taken down entirely. We will not be asked to wear black, as this would not befit Spn Thurmond’s distinguished political life; instead, we will be asked to wear only white. Maurice Bessinger will bring his white horse out of retirement and, in a show of gratitude for the great things Thurmond did for our fair state, ride the entirely unnecessary backwoods roads Strom built with federal money. * The legislature will enter special session to pass a resolution praising Thurmond for his service to South Carolina; it will mention his remarkable stature, his loooong and distinguished career and the feat of siring children when in his 70s. (Children who, amazingly, become competent enough to be the state’s head federal prosecutor at 28.) The resolution will promptly be signed by Gov. Jim Hodges, who will have declared “Strom Thurmond Day” while secretly planning to appoint USC President John Palms to take 01’ Strom’s place. Maybe, if the governor’s lucky, the day can fall near Confederate Memorial Day. When they return to their desks two weeks later, schoolchildren will learn of the great things Strom did, how he became the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, how he brought more money to South Carolina than anyone else, how he came to be loved by this state despite having no real legislative record and being physically and The number of buildings named after Thurmond will soar (if you live as long as he has, you don’t have to go through the formality of dying to have structures bear your name). The nation will get caught up in the frenzy, with CNN and MSNBC cranking out special newscasts that make brief mention of that “dark period” of 01’ Strom’s career without making a big deal. Who cares if he fought like hell for segregation? That was back in the day, right? FOX will make him out to be the second coming of Winston Churchill. And in the mourning and prayer and eloquence th&t comes to Washington only when honoring the dead, we will forget that Thurmond was a legislator who spent the majority of his life fighting integration, experienced a questionable repentance and endowed South Carolina with worthless roads, dozens of buildings that bear his name and a statue on the State House grounds yiat honors whatever it was he did to gain our affectioq.