The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, March 27, 2002, Page 5, Image 5
THE GAMECOCK ♦ Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5
SOUND OFF ONLINE POLL
Create message boards at Do you understand Value
www.dailygamecock.com or Centered Management?
send letters to the editor to www.dailygamecock.com.
gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com - Results published on Fridays.
IN OUR OPINION
Lottery misuses
Nearly four months after the South Carolina
Education Lottery began and nearly a year and half
after voters approved it, state legislators are still
debating a spending plan.
Voters were clear in the 2000 lottery referendum:
Money should go toward higher education. But when
legislators can’t even agree on a way to do it, nothing
gets accomplished. And time is running out.
If a bill isn’t passed soon by both the S.C. House
and Senate, students won’t see any of the promised
funds in the fall semester. Gov. Jim Hodges has the
right idea; he’s pressing for a plan now.
The state has a huge revenue
source to improve our state’s
education. It’s obvious that
something needs to be done;
South Carolina schools are
suffering, and statewide budget
cuts aren’t helping.
State universities must be able to offer competitive
scholarships to entice prospective students. They
also need to provide funds for needs-based grants and
financial assistance. This is a sticking point for the
legislation, but it really shouldn’t be. Scholarships
must be distributed fairly so that the average high
school student has the opportunity to go to college
that a higher-achieving student might have already
taken for granted.
The lottery wasn’t meant to fund existing programs
and add money where it’s already concentrated. It’s
money to take a chance on, to try new things with.
The revenue should be used for new projects to reach
out to different types of students. It must be used to
make the difference it was intended for.
Lottery money
should be used
to make the
difference it
was intended
to make.
Winners and Sinners
HALLE BERRY Makes Oscar history. More
importantly, makes case for Maybelline mascara.
BASKETBALL JESUS Seen flag-waving and
stomping at Duke game. All hail the Sideline Savior.
EAST PENN AND CITRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS
Pennsylvania and Florida schools sending home
“your kid is fat” letters. Bumper stickers in the
works.
BILLY GRAHAM Lied about anti-Semetic remarks
made to Nixon. Sigh. You and Public Enemy’s
! Professor Griff have more in common than we
' thought.
VIOXX Kills severe pain and also people. At least
Viagra only produces “la petite morte.”
GAMECOCK CORRECTIONS
In Monday’s paper, statements attributed to Housing
Administration Director Gretchen Koehler should have been
attributed to Residence Hall Association President Brad Dawgert.
Honors students took 264 out of350 Horseshoe housing spaces, or
75.4 percent, Koehler said. The Gamecock regrets the errors.
If you see an error in today’s paper, we want to know. E-mail us
at gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com.
ABOUT THE GAMECOCK
Mary Hartney
Editor in Chief
Ginny Thornton
News Editor
Kevin Fellner
Asst. News Editor
Mackenzie Clements
Viewpoints Editor
Carrie Phillips
The Mix Editor
Justin Bajan
Asst. The Mix Editor
Chris Foy
Sports Editor
J. Keith Allen
Asst. Sports Editor
Brandon Larrabee
Special Projects
Adarfc Beam
Contributing Editor
Martha Wright
Design Editor
Page Designers
Crystal Dukes, Sarah
McLaulin, Katie Smith.
David Stagg
Kyle Almond
Copy Desk Chief
Copy Editors
Crystal Boyles, Andrew
Festa, Jason Harmon,
Jill Martin, Paul Rhine
Mark Hartney
Online Editor
Corey Davis
Photo Assignments
Photo Editors
Robert Gruen, Candi
A Hauglum
Kelly Petruska
Community Affairs
CONTACT INFORMATION
Offices on third floor of the Russell House.
Editor in Chief: gamecockeditor@hotmail.com
University Desk: gamecockudesk@hotmail.com
Viewpoints: gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com
The Mix: gamecockmb(editor@hotmail.com
Sports: gamecocksports@hotmail.com
Online: www.dailygamecock.com
Newsroom: 777-7726
EDITORIAL BOARD
Kyle Almond,
Mackenzie Clements,
Chris Foy, Jason
Harmon, Mary Hartney,
Brandon Larrabee,
Carrie Phillips, Ginny
Thornton. Martha
Wright
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
Derek Goode, Todd
Hooks, Earl Jones,
Jennie Moore,
Melanie Roberts,
Beju Shah
Advertising Staff
Betsy Baugh,
Amanda Ingram.
Denise Levereaux,
^ Jackie Rice, Gloria
Simpson, Stacey
Todd
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.
TO PUCE AN AO
The Gamecock
1400 Greene Street
Columbia, S.C. 29208
Advertising: 777-3888
Classified: 777-1184
Fax: 777-6482
#§tfep;
([LL\
LOOK FoR 1
l LOOP- I
V HOLeS! J
/ GoTtttA- \
/ AND I'LL \
/ FiLETHe \
COURT
V challenge. . I
o . ^<oc,o°C
CARTOON COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS
IN YOUR OPINION
Think again about
SEC commissioner
Wanted: One sports writer
who knows what the hell he’s
talking about. In a recent
column, Chris Foy said Roy
Kramer’s retirement as SEC
commissioner was a blessing.
He claims that Kramer
doesn’t have the “testicular
fortitude” to admit when
there’s been a mistake in
officiating, but the only way
Foy can prove this is with two
isolated Carolina incidents.
His first claim was when
Lou Holtz was reprimanded
for speaking against the
officials who missed a call two
years ago. Coaches aren’t
supposed to reprimand
officials — that’s for the
conference to do. Kramer just
did his job.
Foy’s second claim is that
Kramer did nothing when a
small officiating blunder
occurred at this year’s SEC
Tournament in the
Gamecocks’ close loss to
Alabama. The SEC has
already admitted that the
officials were wrong. What
else can they ao.' Kepiay tne
game? USC might have been
screwed in that game, but
that’s life. No, Kramer didn’t
comment, but what Foy might
not know is that there is more
than one person that works
for the SEC.
Foy also claims that
Kramer wanted to make more
money the weekend after
Sept. 11. That was a difficult
time in everyone’s life, and
many people thought the best
way to heal was to move on
with our lives. Even President
Bush said so. I would have
fully supported playing sports
events that weekend had they
not been canceled.
Finally, Foy claims that
Kramer devised the
calculation formula for the
Bowl Championship Series.
Kramer was only a part of
devising it. Though it might
not be perfect, the BCS is
better than what was. Can we
make it better? Probably, but
things like that take time. I
applaud Kramer for 12 fine
years as SEC commissioner
and hope the SEC can find
another commissioner as
good as Kramer. I’m sorry,
Foy, you’re wrong.
PATRICK WALSH
FIRST-YEAR SPORTS MANAGEMENT
STUDENT
We should all set
positive examples
I would like to applaud
Edrin Williams for his
Monday column that
encouraged young blacks at
USC to seek excellence.
I’m a middle-aged white
male who grew up in the
South. We all have our vices,
but racial equality and
harmony are very important to
me and to the future of South
Carolina. Though each
generation seems to get better,
we unfortunately deal too often
with bigotry from all races.
Changing perceptions can be
done two ways, which both
require effort and education.
It’s always difficult to
persuade others to help people
who don’t want to help
themselves. Williams clearly
believes, as I do, that this
perception and
accomplishment can be
overcome by setting examples
for others who are grasping to
do what is right vs. what’s
easy. Taking that first step is
the most difficult, and asking
others to come along isn’t easy
for any of us.
I read often that
professional athletes and
others feel it’s unfair to be
required to “set examples” in
their personal life. It’s
everyone’s responsibility to
set examples in all we do. Yes,
we fail on occasion, but
recognizing that we’re all
influencing those around us
and maintaining that
awareness will make us a
better people. Thanks for
seeking the better good.
CHARLES HIOTT
CLASS OF 1979
Heincelman was
'more than words’
Spring break ended before it
began. Two weeks ago, I was in
a dreadful accident in Orlando,
Fla., where I lost one of my best
friends and the Carolina
community lost one of its most
brilliant and promising
students.
Traci Heincelman was the
best person I’ve ever met. She
was incredibly smart, caring
and always generous. She
helped me complete some of
my research before spring
break, knowing she would
receive only brief recognition
and a couple of beers from me.
Unfortunately, I was never
able to buy her those beers.
She didn’t care about the
recognition; she helped me
because that’s what she did.
She was unselfish to her core.
Yet, I am being selfish for
wanting her back so badly. No
matter what you believe in,
everyone and everything has
a purpose. Her purpose was to
brighten your day with her
beautiful smile and giggly
laugh. That is how I will
remember her. At her service
last Saturday, two of her
friends played an acoustic
version of “More than
Words.” It’s the perfect
description — she was more
than words could ever say.
I would like to thank
everyone, especially the
Student Affairs Department,
understanding professors and
the rest of the Carolina
community for their support
and good wishes through this
tough time. Anyone who was
touched, if just briefly, by Traci
knows how much she will be
missed and that her memory
will live within us forever.
FRANK HELIES
FOl!RTIi-YEAR MARINE SCIENCE,
STUDENT
Housing policy is
unfair to students
It seems lately every issue
of The Gamecock has included
viewpoints of the new housing
agreement. But many points
have been missed.
The new policy gives
*
Honors College sophomores
preference over non-honors
upperclassmen for Horseshoe
apartments. This, however, isn’t
supposed to have much effect on
housing choice. I’ve heard the
arguments that better housing
is available elsewhere, such as
the Quads, and honors students
deserve added perks:
I agree that honors students
deserve some perks as long as
they don’t interfere with other
students’ campus life. But the
Quads aren’t a good option for
many students.
I’m a rising senior in the
College of Liberal Arts, and I
have a Horseshoe apartment.
The main reasons for my
housing choice were the
significant price difference and
the location. The Horseshoe is
the only apartment-style
housing available that’s
relatively close to the liberal
arts classrooms. Because of the
new policy next year, I won’t be
able to live on the Horseshoe.
I don’t agree that there
should be an honors community
on campus. Honors College
Dean Peter Sederberg might be
trying to create a family
aimospnere, out uiversny is an
important issue and shouldn’t
be overlooked. I really don’t see
how being around the same
people throughout college can
benefit overall growth.
The honors community will
consist of all of the apartment
style housing on the north side
of campus. A community could
be made just as well using only
the Horseshoe, and leaving
Thornwell and Woodrow for
students in the College of
Liberal Arts. That would leave
room for all students, instead of
giving the Honors College
almost all of the north side of
campus. Instead, many students
like myself will probably be
forced to move off campus then
junior and senior years. The
university should try and make
a honors community that
doesn’t come at the expense of
other students.
MATT NASON
THIRD-YEAR POLITICAL SCIENCE
STUDENT
Stop resentment
of Honors College
To those who have been
bashing honors students in
response to the new Horseshoe
housing policy: Your defense
mechanisms are showing.
I’m tired of reading these tri
weekly diatribes bent on putting
down honors students based on
a decision we didn’t make. We
didn’t do this, so enough with
the vehement letters to the
editor. You’re using this as an
excuse to vent your long-held
resentment of honors students,
but it’s useless. If you care
enough to waste words, calling
us talentless and snotty, then
direct your attention to the
university administration
instead of hailing fellow
students with hateful,
reactionary epithets.
The only reason honors
students have been defending
this decision is that we’re tired
of your abuse. I’ve spent four
years trying to hide my honors
status because if I didn’t, I’d he
♦ LETTERS, SEE PAGE 6
The truth
campaign
hits home
TAYLOR
MARSHALL-GREEN
GAMECOCKVIEWPOINTS@HOTMAIL.COM
My father, his pride and
his disease: The fact is
that smoking isn’t pretty.
Earlier this year, Lorillard
Tobacco Co. asked courts to the
“truth? advertising campaign
against youth smoking. The
company said in a statement,
“The message of the ‘truth’
campaign has consistently
strayed far afield from the facts
concerning tobacco products
and their effect on users.”
Well, here are some facts.
I used to sit in the back of my
father’s 1981 Toyota station
wagon and stare at his nostrils.
They were magical in the way
they turned the smoke gray.
What was even more incredible
was how his breath could always
be seen.
I used to brag to my friends
about how my father smoked
two packs of Pall Mall unfiltered.
“You know those small ones in
the little, red package? Yeah, he
sucks ’em down to his
fingernails, and then it’s only a
matter of a few twists and turns
from his writing calluses and
the three-inch cigarette turns to
a yellow sesame seed of paper.”
Dad still smokes about two
packs a day — has for the past 60
years.
He doesn t fly. He quit going
to Braves games. And he doesn’t
eat at Wendy’s. Why? Because of
cigarettes.
Dad loves baseball — has for
the past 60 years. But he’ll be
damned if he’ll stand in a
designated circle by vendors
just so he can hurry a smoke.
My dad doesn’t sound good.
He has emphysema; chokes and
snappy exhausts of phlegm now
interrupt his wise conversations
with me.
“That stamp really ...
HUUGH, HUUGH... belongs in
the... HOO-OCK, HOO... in the
Belize sect... HOCK, HOCK...
Belize section, not Belgium...
HUM, HUM." There are no pats
on the back, no rushing to the
kitchen for water, no “OK,
Dad?”
I couldn’t tell you what’s
more stubborn: my dad, his
pride or his disease. The facts
are that smoking has made my
father’s air sacs as elastic as a
frozen tire tread.
My dad could beat anyone
when it comes to eating slowly.
In the time he takes to add
pepper to his salad, I finish
mine. He indulges slowly.
Now, he eats in fear. His bites
are twice as slow because there
are times when his emphysema
causes him to puke out the
freshly cooked and peppered
porterhouse. It’s one of the
foulest sounds you can hear.
Imagine having one of those
scratchy hacking attacks that
any smoker gets in the morning.
Or those hacking coughs that
you get in class that annoy each
person in the class. Your body
temperature heats up when you
try to suppress them. It’s like a
hummingbird feather in the
back of your throat, and there is
no moisture to your hacking.
Now, imagine heaving all the
dry food stashed in your
esophagus.
Your trachea is begging for
room, but your throat is
stubborn. So both life tubes send
your rejected oxygen, dinner
roll and carbon monoxide out of
your mouth.
The fact is that I don’t know
what hurts me more: knowing
my father’s humiliation when
he returns to the table, or seeing
the small amount of energy he
puts into getting the stain off the
cuff of his plaid shirt.
-LS—
Marshall-Green is a fifth-yea r
broadcast journalism student.
—