University of South Carolina Libraries
■ DEBATES Continued from page 7 issues exist,” he said. “Issues don’t just exist in newspapers or on a video dip on Fox News, but they exist in a real life sense.” Shealy, who watched the first presidential debate separate from the Preston group, said the debates have sparked some animosity between friends about the upcoming election. “The debates have definitely caused some personal conflict among the residents in Preston,” he said. “People like to defend their political affiliation throughout the debates, and the people watching it with them get mad if they are talking while their candidate is debating.” Some students said the performance of the candidates could be a deciding factor for many swing voters. “Before the debates I thought I might be persuaded by another candidate’s views, but after watching the debates my decision is pretty much finalized,” Shealy said. Jonathan Eckstrom, a second-year political science student, said people who watch the debates already know who they are going to vote for. “They watch to stand behind their candidate and see how well he does.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatnres@gurm.sc. edu BECOME AN EGG DONOR! 843-856-1035 Egg Donation Program WE HEED YOUR HELP! We need young, healthy women between 21 - 31 years of age. Donors will be compensated $2500 for their time. Hurry in, this limited time offer valid October 3-16, 2004 only! TMs is &n online promotion only, and Internet access is required. Offer expires January 31, ZOOS. Void where prohibtted by law. This promotion Is being offered solely by ©Music and not by any third party. In-store promotion ends 10/16/04. So© fu* terms and conditions located at www.tevismp3music.com for complete details. Students use fall break to explore local sights By CARRIE GIVENS THE GAMECOCK Fall break starts tomorrow, and while many students use the four-day weekend to go home, some have decided to try other alternatives. Some students may decide to check out South Carolina’s selection of beaches. There is sand stretching from Isle of Palms, Folly Beach and Kiawah to Litchfield, Edisto and Myrtle Beach. First-year biology student Catherine Meekins had been planning to go to Litchfield, but she is now going to visit friends at Georgia Tech. She said Litchfield is a “nice, quiet beach with lots of people our age.” She discourages a visit to Myrtle Beach unless one plans to go clubbing, “It is just trashy.” South Carolina’s coast is home to the student-friendly hub of Charleston. With its bustling market, carriage rides and one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, Charleston has mass appeal. Meekins recommends Charleston for its “different type of culture.” Second-year business student Christina Jordan will be traveling to Orlando to visit family, but also suggests a visit to Charleston. She recommends visiting the nearby Cypress Gardens. The garden has canoe tours through the swamp where you can see the large cypress trees, a butterfly garden and even a few alligators. For the outdoorsy, Jordan suggests Santee State Park as a good place to go camping, fishing, biking or hiking. Jordan suggests stopping by Brookgreen Gardens, near Myrtle Beach, for a leisurely stroll through gardens of impressive Greek statues. She also proposes Orangeburg as a destination where students can enjoy a paddle down the black Edisto River. Newberry and Walhalla will hold Oktoberfest Festivals this weekend. The festivals will include vendors, performances, fireworks and even skydivers. If students want a total shopping experience the nearby town of Concord, N.C., is home to Concord Mills, an outlet mall complete with The Gap, Wet Seal and Bass Pro. Myrtle Beach, Charlotte and Atlanta are also home to large malls that happily welcome all shoppers. There is also much to do in Columbia. Students can visit the nearby Riverbanks Zoo or learn about local history at the South Carolina State Museum’s fourth floor exhibits. Another alternative is the Columbia Museum of Art when you can see the an of Nicholas Maes and Monet. And when a bit of fresh air is needed, Columbia’s Riverfront Park offers a paved trail along the river. If your fall break is still looking bleak, try turning your extended weekend into a tailored retreat for yourself. Rent some movies, laugh with friends, catch up on your sleep and best of all and enjoy a couple of days of no classes. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeattireMgtimt.se. edu ■ FOOD Continued from page 7 //I which also sells fried Twinkies and Snickers. Jeremy Orme is the man who decided to cover these sweet snacks in a funnel cake batter and serve them with a dusting of confectioner’s sugar. Orme heard about fried Oreos and began making them to compete with the fried Twinkie at the Indiana State Fair. His success inspired him to bring these warm delights to South Carolina for the second year in a row. Fried candy bars are becoming a fair staple, but the idea originated in the fish and chip shops of Scotland. With the variety of foods and number of vendors at the fair, it is entirely possible to go and never set foot on a ride or venture into the exhibits. Take the evening off, forget about the gym and indulge in a veritable feast of fair food. QoAfadl AN HISTORIC RESIDENCE Efficiency $525 One Bedroom $585 Two Bedroom $620 Rent includes all utilities and cable TV. All rates quoted are month to month. (Leases available, prices subject to change) Located across from the University Of South Carolina Horseshoe and the State Capital, Cornell Arms offers the premier location for downtown living. (803) 799-1442 1230 PENDLETON STREET COLUMBIA, SC 29201 Bake in the Mediterranean sun. Check out the whir) in London and Amsterdam. Or if you can't wait 'til spring, ride the Alps this winter. Just be sure to buy a Student Airfare now during StudentUniverse.com's Autumn Europe Sale. Because airfares to Europe just don't get any cheaper than this. Roundtrip Student Airfares from Charlotte to: $219 *259 LONDON PARIS, ROME FRANKFURT, MUNICH AMSTERDAM Visit StudentUniverse.com for cheap Student Airfares on Lufthansa, United and the world's major carriers to Europe, and to more than 1,000 destinations in the US and around the world. StudentUniverse.com Comments on this story ? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwmsc.edu ■ MEDIA Continued from page 7 Charles Bierbauer, dean of the School of Mass Communications and Information Studies and a former senior CNN Washington correspondent, said the Rather scandal is ua mark against journalism.” But he said that anytime an incident arises “in which the media’s sense of accuracy and fairness come into question, there will always be people who say... ‘I knew it all along.’” “These people are biased,” Bierbauer said. “People tend to confirm what they already believe.” Bierbauer said he did not believe the controversy would affect public opinion as a whole regarding mass media. Campbell disagreed, saying the CBS controversy would not help the public perception of media, in particular the credibility of mainstream news. “This isn’t about Dan Rather,” Campbell said. “This is about quality, creditable journalism as a whole and CBS as a news organization.” However, Campbell added, “I think the public still has some faith in mass media. CBS has been one of the most “The media is full of liars. It’s been going on since media started.” HEYWARD SIMS FIFTH-YEAR STUDIO ART STUDENT trusted new sources for decades. The public will take this into context.” Students especially expressed their continued faith, albeit a cautious faith, in mainstream news organizations. Second-year hotel restaurant and tourism management student Arthur Porter said all news has an element of bias. “With news in general, we don’t know if it’s true or not,” he said. “So it’s more or less being cautious about what you believe.” Porter said that when Jayson Blair falsified his stories in the New York Times, “It didn’t stop me from believing what I read in there.” Regarding any change in the mass media’s news processes following the CBS controversy, Bierbauer said, “It’s the nature of organizations that when there is a problem, they do something about it. The news organizations will continue to do what they set out to do — to report, inform and communicate.” He continued, “We’d like to think that everyone will do it impeccably, but it doesn’t always work out that way.” r Comments on this story? E-mail ga7necockfeatures@g1vm.sc. edu