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I IN OUR OPINION Questioning SG’s honesty It’s not that we expect Student Senate to do the right thing all of the time — or even most of the time —but it’s especially disappointing when they do the wrong thing for no real reason. That’s why we feel that we have to complain about Wednesday’s vote against full disclosure of campaign funding and are compelled to ask: What Openness should be a principle of democracy. So why did our SG senators vote against the full disclosure of campaign funds? are the senators afraid of? It’s not even like the bill was shot down in a fair way; it took opponents three votes before they could get the result they liked. Apparently, it takes parliamentary maneuvers like this to cast light on one of the many questionable aspects of Student Government. SG insiders know that the most successful candidates spend other candidates out of the race by dumping money into a campaign where most of the candidates have minimal personal budgets, much less extra money to spend running for a position that has little power. This bill—a chance to restore honesty and, just maybe, fairness into the electoral process—could have also encouraged students to turn out to vote in respectable numbers, something that’s not the case now. It’s a pity that Senate felt compelled to defeat this bill. Openness should be a principle of democracy and constituents should be encouraged to vote. But, then again, we’d expect nothing more. . Winners and Sinners FACULTY SENATE Thanks for recognizing m. that sexual orientation isn’t a reason to discriminate. Now it’s the trustees’ turn. PATCH ADAMS Packed Russell House Ballroom is a success for Search for Six. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS OK, maybe it’s a premature “Winner,” but we have to go to the Citrus bowl. We just have to. LANDSCAPERS ON SUMTER STREET Forget paradise. Students need parking lots. “FATHER JIM” Loudmouth jerk behind Russell House claims Delilah was the first Tri-Delt. Oh, please. TRAVIS ZACHERY AND AKIL SMITH Pot bust proves that Clemson’s IPTAY stands for “It’s Prison Time Again, Y’all.” m * GAMECOCK CORRECTIONS - If you see an error in today’s paper, we want to know. Write us at gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com. ■i.'-, * *« * „ •L**1-* • " ~ 1 ; ' — ' ■ ABOUT THE GAMECOCK Martha Wright Editor in Chief Mary Hartney University Editor Glnny 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 Greg Hambrick City Editor Alicia Balentine Asst. City Editor Brandon Larrabee Viewpoints Editor Rene Moffatt i political Cartoonist/ illustrator i Candi Hauglum Graphic Artist Page Designers Mackenzie Clements, Crystal Dukes, Katie Smith, David Stagg Copy Editors • Crystal Boyles, Jason Harmon, 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@hotmail.com The Mix: gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com Sports: gamecocksports@hotmail.com Online: www.dailygamecock.com Newsroom: 777-7726 The> namp.r.nc.k is 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 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. V [pgAPMNE fOf? 5Cl^6HNlN<b ALL CH£Cfc£P 0A6S fog frW0S \ahu g£ M£T Q 0 KAv/£ T*16 6A6-5 Tol^/ Tcc' IN YOUR OPINION Rid Viewpoints of stupidity infestation As the 200-year anniversary of this university is winding to a close, I’d like to propose, another Bicentennial program: No Bullshit. I’m calling for all the students, professors and faculty to end bullshit in their lives. As my first move in this exciting new program, I’d like to call for an end of bullshit on the Viewpoints page. For the past several months, I have been astounded by the bullshit written by Prashaw and Watson. I have read columns saying that I am not the sum of my parts, but in fact am only my breasts, which exist for Watson’s enjoyment. I have also read that I don’t have the right do certain things with my uouy, suwi as 10 aw in a semi sexual manner because it would go against the feminist movement. I’m sorry, Phil, but that’s bullshit. The feminist movement is about equal rights, and more importantly, NO BULLSHIT. While Prashaw wrote that WOST classes are “90 percent B.S.,” he failed to acknowledge that his columns are 100 percent B.S. And so, to conclude, I’m asking for an end of bullshit on the Viewpoints page. Let’s write about views other than that Watson likes breasts. And if the writers don’t have anything worthwhile to say, please spare us and don’t write another bullshit column. KATIE S. MCCLENDON THIRD-YEAR STUDENT COLLEGE OP PHARMACY WdlSUII crusseu line with columns My letter is in response to Mr. Watson’s WOST articles. There are jokes and there are offensive comments. I believe you crossed the line with your first article. I, myself, was offended and I am fairly laid-back. Obnoxious comments and blatant disrespect is uncalled for. I have been to dance clubs, and countless times strangers will “bump” me from behind. Catcalls and being complimented in slightly vulgar ways are all right with me. I dressed to impress and understand that some men will do this. I smile back at them, but they do not come over to grab me. That is crossing the line. These are my personal views, and not all women win agree with me. Mr. Watson’s second column defended his first column. In it, the words “boobies,” “broads” and “jugs” appeared. These are not words one would expect to find in a newspaper. The entire second article was an attack on “feminists” refuting his article. Most women who were offended were probably not the extreme feminists so commonly joked about. I am not a feminist, but do feel that writing a column about a class turned pornographic fantasy is too much. I’d like to see how many men would feel comfortable reading an article about women taking a class with men about impotency or prostate problems when a similar assignment was required. I don’t think any men would ask for extra help. I believe what people are asking from Mr. Watson is not to change his views but to admit he went too far in writing what he did with low-class tact. He could have approached the subject much more maturely and made a more competent defense than “people can’t take a joke.” ALEXIS POSPISCHIL THIRD-YEAR STUDENT MARINE SCIENCE Pretty campus won’t hide lack of parking God bless landscape architect Ben Coonrod. I can’t tell you how much better my life here at Carolina has become since this whole “green space” issue has been thrust to the forefront. Oh, the many seconds I spend walking across that mixture of dead grass and dirt they call “green space” next to Longstreet Theatre. And I have no problem giving up the chance to park near the Russell House so Ben Coonrod could throw some grass seed down and consider the campus more beautiful. Let’s be serious here — if you want to beautify the campus, blow up the Towers. All the grass in the world isn’t going to beautify anything as long as those eyesores are still standing. The lack of parking is a huge problem right now. And it’s only getting worse every year. Bigger and bigger freshman classes and fewer and fewer parking spots every year make for a simple mathematical outcome. So if vou are so hell bent on turning our campus into a golf course, I see only two options. First, build another garage, or second, don’t allow freshman to have cars on campus their first year. And if enrollment is supposed to continue to rise in the coming years, it seems option No. 2 is just going to piss more and more people off every year. Don’t get me wrong—I love trees and grass. But I came here for an education. While a pretty campus is great and all, I much prefer a functional campus, and as this green space silliness continues, our campus becomes far less functional. ANDREW GAVITT THIRD-YEAR STUDENT COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY, RETAIL AND SPORT MANAGEMENT Parking story biased against green space I thought Emma Ritch’s article (Dec. 3) about the removal of parking was extremely biased. I realize that USC has a parking problem. I think every other student does, too. Why couldn’t the new green space be reported in a positive light rather than just a removal of parking? I’m extremely happy that USC is taking steps to make our campus cleaner. I’ve had friends visit from other campuses, and they can’t believe there is a street through the middle of our campus. The Horseshoe is great, but it’s not enough. I’m glad they’re removing the parking on Sumter Street to make our campus more attractive. Maybe the real solution is to encourage students to walk, ride bikes or use the shuttles. There is no need for everyone to be able to park three steps from their front door because they’re too lazy to walk through a pretty campus. I congratulate the university for making the transition from parking to green space and not succumbing to pressure from students who are unwilling to walk a little further to their cars or to use shuttle transportation. DANIEL PERLMUTTER FOURTH-YEAR STpENT COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Maurice disclaimer hurts paper’s image I must admit, I thought Martha Wright’s column proposing a disclaimer on Maurice’s ad was just a sarcastic joke or, at worst, an intimidation to the Barbecue Baron. But when I actually saw the disclaimer, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed about our university paper. The rider may be well within the editor’s rights, but it is nonetheless shameful. Back in the days of Jim Crow, the white southern legislators attempted this same technique of overpowering freedom without destroying freedom. It was called a poll tax. All eligible voters had to pay a fee at the polls before they could cast a vote, but because most African-Americans were too poor to pay the fee, the black vote was almost nonexistent. In the tradition of Jim Crow, The Gamecock has found another crafty yet disgraceful way to “cure” an unwanted viewpoint. I urge you not to run the uiaudimei wmi ivmui a advertisement. The principle that it sets Is contrary to The Gamecock’s own desire for an assortment of ideas and values. Next time the Texas Roadhouse buys an ad that promotes their “Steak Special,” is The Gamecock going to add a disclaimer that reads “ The Gamecock does not condone the slaughtering of innocent cows”? I apologize to Charles Prashaw. I know he didn’t want more letters about Maurice, but ignoring an issue doesn’t make it go away. Nice try, though. DENNIS MING NICHOLS FIRST-YEAR STUDENT MEDIA ARTS ♦ MORE LETTERS ARE ONLINE AT WWW.DAILYGAMECOCK.COM 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. Breasts should be touched, and often TAYLOR MARSHALL GREEN TAYLORM_G@HOTMAIL.COM Women and men should be careful of cancer. Because there’s just so much • yippin’ and yappin’ about who’s touching their mammary glands (aka breasts), I thought I’d write about why women should touch their breasts often, and on top of that, why men should get down and dirty with their testes, penis and any doctor who’ll give them a radical retropubic prostatecomy (aka ripping of cancerous prostate). • r irsi on, lei me ten you aDOUt the horrific results that come - from women NOT touching their breasts. There are 40,200 women a year who aren’t around because of a dim breast cancer—an advanced DCIS cancer that has aggressive migratory tendencies, traveling not only from the fatty tissue of the breast to the nipple, but also through the ducts leading to a woman’s bladder. That’s right. The bosom variety of cancer visits more women than any other. Bottom line. Can you believe that? Hey, ladies, that means that not only should you put your hand to your chest often, butyou should also put your butt to your ashtray often. That means never picking up another one of those assassins. Cigarettes don’t only screw your lungs, but also your breasts, skin, lips, throat, blood, stomach, pancreas, kidney, et cetera. But, back to the private parts. Hey, ladies, go to your doctor to make mammograms as regular a habit as changing your smoke alarm battery. Call the Thomson Uno 1Pnntnx TVimr nnvi tell you whether your insurance covers a yearly mammogram. Most of the time, it does. I’m sure many of you guys have laughed recently about what you’ve read or written in the Viewpoints section of The Gamecock. What’s so funny? Are you lost because you don’t have departments like Men’s Studies (MEST), where there could be a professor who asks you to go home and feel your pitsack? Or penis? Or prostate? Well, if your MEST professors are as smart as the women that I had in WOST, they’d know that there’s not a chance in Lucifer’s caverns of any of you detecting lumps on that walnut-sized gland north of your rectum. Until you males can prepare a digital rectal examination in the privacy of your own shower, you better close your trap about women feeling their own breasts for a lump. Hey, don’t look to me for help. It only gets worse. You’ll be pleading with your MEST professor to give you a C because your grade is suffering from that slow, weak and bleeding urinary tract. Oh, if only you had confided in your nrnfoccnr oKnnt +V»o + hlnnHtt urine. They might have been able to warn you about those damned prostate cancer symptoms. Now, poor boy, you’re stuck up at Baptist Medical Center, waiting in line for your perennial radical prostatecomy. Hey, you showed them though, didn’t ’cha? You got your laughs in about the fantastic absurdity of women touching their breasts to find their killer. Now your killer is growing under those teal hospital clothes, and the doctor is stripping his scalpel from its plastic to find the lump between the skin of your anus and scrotum.-Know why? Because you can’t find it by “playing” with your balls. But that will make a sweet journal entry, won’t it?