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ONLINE POLL Who do you think will win Page 6 the Super Bowl? Let us know at ' Monday, January 31, 2005 www.dailygamecock.com. 3 Results posted Friday. AMECOCK EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR ASST. VIEWPOINTS EDITOR Michael LaForgia Patrick Augustine NEWS EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR Jon Turner Jonathan Hillyard VIEWPOINTS EDITOR DESIGN DIRECTOR Wes Wolfe Chas McCarthy THE MIX EDITOR COPY DESK CHIEF Jennifer Freeman Steven Van Haren IN OUR OPINION Iraq election violence did not stop democracy The Bush administration's gamble to replace Saddam Hussein's dictatorial regime with a stable democracy got a boost yesterday when Iraqis turned out in large numbers all over the country for that nation's first free election in more than 20 years. Despite 36 deaths in attacks on polling places, the fear of election-day violence did not dissuade high turnout nationwide, which is good news as Iraq moves toward the devel opment of a constitution. While the actual results of the polling will not be known for at least a week and a half, the worry that Sunni Muslims would boycott the elections were allayed when extra ballots had to be rushed to villages in the 'Sunni Triangle.' The Sunnis' failure to vote would have cast doubts on the vote's legitimacy and would have complicated the efforts to write a constitution that protected the needs of the Shiite majority and the rights of both Kurds and Sunnis, but if Iraq's ethnic minorities feel that they had their say in the process, it will lend legitimacy to the building of a functional and free multiethnic society in the Middle East. Indications are that the turnout might even rival that in the United States during the recent presidential election, a sobering revelation for Americans that get a day off work to vote and still manage' to avoid their civic duty while not having to worry about their life while doing so. The focus within Arab regional media on the successes of the voting process instead of the con tinuing violence is also a telling sign that many people in the region are clamoring for a similar opportunity that their govern ments continue to deny them. Opponents of the war in Iraq can find comfort in that even though our reasons for invading the nation were tenuous at the time, free elections are the first step to undermining the reasons everyday Iraqis have for supporting the anti-American insurgen cy, and to ending our military involvement in the region. The fear of election-day violence did not dissuade high voter turnout nationwide. T\no /\^esrev tzlaano lawy£^ jqkes f VW Yoo HeAS ^ ( 1He 0V& Trie j WW^/ pip yoo neahr^e ] ONeA&osJi r«\e J POWCef^A^ WHO;./ f v You ue/\£ rwe ( ove A0ouj rue J^o&e WH£« ''Usr^b — rL -—-*■—-—-—:—-i -- ^pio you ueAe. we ^ A6out we Pfci 5ove& ujho 6ft... NJ£V£f2- ^ CARTOON COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS Uncertainty lines road to perfection ■ Sometimes the wrong choices made today put you on the right path I had a conversation at dinner recently that went like this: Me: I have no idea what I’m doing with my life. Friends: Ha. Join the club. So what? Maybe I’m a friend to exceptionally aimless wanderers. Or, maybe that brief interlude speaks to a more universal uncertainty among people our age. Personally, I was that taboo U-word, “undeclared," until the end of my sophomore year, and since then I’ve added and changed and dropped majors so much, my academic career looks like the final season of “90210” — a lot has evolved since the beginning, but it doesn’t look quite as right as it did. So it’s no surprise that I’m a victim of the JJncertainty Principle. My roommate, on the other hand, has been a pre-med biology student since we were freshmen. I know that someday she will be a fabulous doctor. People like that — the ones who know exactly where they’re going — intimidate me. Well, they used to. That is, until my roommate confessed that she too has questions and doubts. The same thing goes for my best friend. She’s been dating and madly in love with the same guy for years. And it’s not the kind of puppy love you get sick of being around. It’s the kind of perfect fit that reminds you what you’re holding out for. But, to my immense relief, even the most enviable romance isn’t immune to uncertainties, and I’m still called upon when those questions come up, however infrequently, to ASHLEY ”* KOLAYA „ «„ P,„„ obvious that this THIRD-YEAR INTERNATIONAL Uncertainty STUDIES Principle is by no STUDENT ic means reserved tor the truly confused in the worlds of dating and academics. It’s more like an epidemic, plaguing every decision we make. Am I wearing the right outfit for this occasion, or am I going to wish I’d worn those other shoes? Do I really want to be a physical therapist, or am I going to realize 20 years down the road that my real passion is marine science, and I never should have dropped that lab? I’m a terrible romantic and an extreme idealist, so I don’t see anything wrong with wanting the Perfect Fit. The perfect-fitting jeans, the perfect-fitting job, the perfect-fitting relationship. But, I also think that everything happens for a reason. Maybe it’s naive, but isn’t life more fulfilling if the things in it mean something? Statistically speaking, if there’s only one perfect-fitting life (as the definition would seem to imply), we’ll all have to sift through lots of less-than perfect choices before we get to the right ones. Knowing how to find the reason or purpose behind the things in your life turns regrets and wrong choices into lessons about yourself and advice for the future. Then there’s ever-present change factor. Even if we’re lucky enough to find that perfect pair of jeans early on, who’s to say a new interest in jogging or the infamous “college ass” setting in won’t change that? - Maybe, then, we should learn to be a bit more shortsighted. If nothing else, our wrong choices can play a valuable role in the process of elimination that will, hopefully, lead to the right ones. So, if you’re lucky enough to be someone like my roommate or my best friend, someone who has the Perfect Fit in sight, then hold fist. To people like me, you’re extremely fortunate. If, on the other hand, you fall into the not-so lucky category, so what? Embrace the Uncertainty Principle. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know." I have no idea where my perfect relationship is. I have no idea what my perfect-fitting career is. I did get a new pair of jeans from the Gap that isn’t quite perfect, but they make my college ass look pretty damn good. As for the other choices I’ve made so fir, they might not have been the Perfect Fit, but they’ve made me, at best, genuinely happy, at worst, wiser than I was before I made them, and always optimistic — optimistic that some day, eventually, I will find the perfect-fitting life; or, maybe it’ll find me — in the meantime, at least my ass looks good. IT’S YOUR RIGHT Exercise your right to voice your opinion. Create message boards at www.dailygamecock.com or send letters to the editor to gamecockopinions@gwm.sc.edu GAMECOCK CORRECTIONS In Wednesday’s The Mix feature, the Web site www.dancingtheart.com was misidentified. The Gamecock regrets the error. If you see an error in today’s paper, we want to know. E-mail us at gamecockopinions@gwm.sc.edu. ABOUT THE GAMECOCK EDITOR Michael LaForgia CONTACT INFORMATION design director Offices on third floor of the Russell House. Chas McCarthy Editor in Chief: gamecockeditor@gwm.sc.edu News: gamecocknews@gwm.sc.edu copy desk chief Viewpoints: gamecockopinions@gwm.sc.edu Steven Van Haren The Mix: gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu news editor Sports: gamecocksports@gwm.sc.edu Jon Turner Public Affairs: gamecockPR@yahoo.com Online: www.dailygamecock.com ASST. NEWS EDITOR Newsroom: 777-7726 Kelly Cavanaugh Editor’s Office: 777-3914 VIEWPOINTS EDITOR _ Wes Wolfe THEMIXEDITOR STUDENT MEDIA The Gamecock is the Jennifer Freeman director editorially independent director student newspaper of ASST. THE MIX EDITOR Scott Lmdenberg the University of South arrie ivens faculty adviser Carolina. It is sports editor Erik Collins published Monday, Jonathan Hillyard Wednesday and Friday ASST, sports editor c" ™'Vki^RECT°R during the fall and Stephen Fastenau g spring semesters and SENIOR writer business manager nine times during the Kevin Fellner Carolyn Griffin summer, with the exception of university photo editor advertising manager holidays and exar* Jason Steelman Sarah Scarborough periods. Opinions sports photo editor classified manager expressed in The Katie Kirkland Sherry F. Holmes Gamecock are those of page designers the editors or author Jillian Garis, Staci production manager and not those of the Jordan, Jessica Ann Garen Cansler University of South Nielsen creative services Carolina. The Board of copy editors Burke Lauderdale, Student Publications Jessica Foster, Brindy Chelsea Felder, Laura anci Communications is McNair, Daniel Gough, Joseph the Publisher of The Regenscheit, Jason Dannelly Gamecock. The Reynolds, Katie Department of Student Thompson, Shana Till advertising staff Media is the online editor Robert Carli, Breanna newspaper's parent Ryan Simmons Evans' R*an Gorman, organization. The Caroline Love, Katie Gamecock is public affairs Stephens, McKenzie supported in part by Jane Fielden, Katie Miles Welsh student-activity fees. - One free copy per TO PLACE AN AD reader. Additional The Gamecock Advertising: 777-3888 copies may be 1400 Greene St. Classified: 777-1184 purchased for $1 each Columbia, S.C. 29208 Fax: 777-6482 from the Department of ______ Student Media. —i-1 IN YOUR OPINION Five Points racism not limited to blacks I thought it was just me ("Five Points puts out racist welcome mat," Wednesday). It seems that these bars are racist, but in fact they discriminate against whites also. I remember getting kicked out of Group Therapy for having on Adidas pants and a Michael Jordan jersey while hearing Mobb Deep playing in the background. That is equivalent to being kicked out of a country bar for wearing a cowboy hat and a belt buckle. It might just be me, but these “dress codes” are just another form of discrimination against having any type of diversity. I can’t be the only one that loves to see everyone in khakis and pink shirts and pay $5 for a Bud Light, can I? Certain Five Points bars should adopt Maurice’s BBQ’s rebel flag to let me know not to support such blatantly racist establishments. Jungle Jim’s is one of the few non racist establishments in the area, and go figure — the owner isn’t white. P.S. Don’t even mention to these people that the South lost the Civil War, because it seems they think the war is still going on. JEFF BOYCE Fourth-year chemical engineering student Submission Policy Letters to the editor should be less than 300 words and include name, phone number, professional title or year and major, if a student. E-mail letters to gamecockopinions@gwm.sc.edu. Letters will be edited. Anonymous letters will not be published. Call the newsroom at 777 7726 for more information. WORLD'S LARGEST S.UY NOW ON SALE... ■ """ ' ' ■' * _ " .» —AND ir COMeSwiTW A HUMfAeR Tp DRive UPTDDte PASSefe comPARTmeNTf / The Gdmecock is seeking an editorial cartoonist. If you're interested, please e-mail gamecockopinions@ gwm.sc.edu j CARTOON COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS COLLEGE QUOTE BOARD THE TIGER CLEMSON UNIVERSITY During the first approval process, no one claimed that Plan B jras unsafe. Opponents of the pill have called for it to be kept off the counters because they claim it will encourage risky sexual activity, especially among young women and teenage girls. A San Francisco study reported by CNN.com suggests otherwise, but still, opponents speak out against the pill. Unfortunately, the FDA seems to be giving in to this pressure by conservative groups and politicians instead of considering the scientific facts about Plan B. INDIANA DAILY STUDENT INDIANA UNIVERSITY Inexperienced teenage drivers are allowed to change the radio, talk to passengers and style their hair, but once a cell phone is added to the mix, their capacity for multi-tasking ends, say Virginia legislators. The Virginia Senate Transportation Committee recently approved a bill that would prohibit drivers under 18 years of age from talking on cell phones at the wheel. Apparently, the committee deems only those 18 and older as capable of operating a motor vehicle while discussing who’s going to pick up Billy from soccer practice on a mobile phone. s„ ' U-W1RE ensnare mankind ■ Lesser members of our flock survive the natural selection plan Look around you. Does everyone around you look, well, maybe not so bright? There’s a reason. I know, I know, you think it’s because you’re in a business class at USC. And yes, that’s part of the problem. But there is a much larger issue at hand as well, one that goes far beyond South GRAHAM Carol.na s CULBERTSON ^“mofhigh“ or education. FOURTH-YEAR I’m sure ENGLISH you’ve heard of Charles Darwin, either as a scientist or a devil worshiper, depending on how you were raised. In a nutshell, Darwin’s theory of evolution said that individuals in a species that weren’t fit to live would die out, and the genetic material from the stronger, better members of that species would move forward. Back in the day, this idea applied to all species, but nowadays, there are a few key exceptions for whom evolution has come to a halt: various endangered and protected species, College Republicans, cheerleaders and mankind in general. That’s right, the 20th century has seen the end of human evolution. Take a look around the classroom again. See that overweight, balding guy wheezing away in the corner, reading a Japanese comic book? Do you think he would have survived for a second during the Cretaceous period? Not a chance. Some Cro-Magnon man would have eaten him for breakfast. l Jldiiro iu dii ui uui iccimuiugicdi gadgets, gidgets and flying nuns, we don’t need to outfight Cro-Magnon men. But we routinely need to outthink the Russkies, household pets and Clemson students. The only problem is we're primed to get dumber. Think about it. Those of you with average or above-average intelligence plan to get married (if you can talk a girl away from the football team), get a good-paying job, have 1.4 children and therefore decrease the surplus population. That guy over there in the Cocks camo hat, hitting on the cheerleader? Yeah, they’re going to have 17 kids together and live off the welfare your taxes provide. And believe me, the babies in their future ain’t exactly going to grow up to be a bunch of little Norman Einsteins. Half of them are going to be named Cooter, but they’re all going to get into Clemson. Who’s going to compete with them? By now I think you’re beginning to understand the extent of our problem. There are a few solutions, including forcing cheerleaders to marry engineering nerds, slipping birth control into the water supplies of all the red states or simply imposing a birth limit that is directly proportional to IQ scores. (Oh let’s see, hmm, score of 95, sorry sir, no kids for you. You can either choose the complimentary hamster or enter the “Adopt One of Stephen Hawking’s 9 Million Test Tube Babies Contest". Yes sir, I think “Cooter” is a wonderful name for a hamster.) Of course, all those ideas are nothing but wishful thinking. The government would never intervene; in fact, a stupid U.S. population is probably the best possible situation for the powers that be. The only possible solution is for us to increase the number of smart babies out there, and fast. Ladies of the Honors College, I’m afraid we all have to take one for the team sooner or later. I’ll see you guys tonight at Maxcy College say, 6 o’clock? Oh, and if you have a cheerleader friend, you might as well bring her — sometimes they’re smarter than they look.