THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009 VOL. 103, NO. 53 ● SINCE 1908

dailygamecock.com

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Thursday

Friday

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The men’s team is looking forward to a promising season and a strong 2010 recruiting class.

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Cheery umbrellas, NCIS and the Food Network are just three of the five things we’re obsessing about this week.

See page 6

State-issued tags should be made so versions are available that include all faith views.

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Basketball Preview

The Mix Tape

‘I Believe’ plates

Austin JacksonSecond-year political sciencestudent

Vol leybal l looks to ral ly f rom in ju r i es and f i nd cons is tency down the stretch as they head to Orangeburg Friday night.

USC prepares for S.C. State

Online @

Mix

www.DailyGamecock.com

By bringing a few cans to Greene Street today, you could be a part of breaking a Guinness World Record.

USC is seeking to break the record for the largest food drive for a non-charitable organization within a 24-hour period with its Beat Hunger campaign.

“We knew that many organizations around campus held food drives,” said Cynthia Steele, marketing manager for Carolina Dining. “We wanted to focus on what the University community can do together.”

The idea for the campaign came after hearing about Harvest Hope’s great need for food donations.

According to Denise Holland, CEO of Harvest Hope, there has been a 100 percent increase in the demand for food over the last year.

Carolina Dining holds a food drive every fall and spring, but after hearing about the great need, they decided to join forces with other organizations on campus.

“We started forming a spur-of-the-moment campaign,” Steele said.

Chi Psi f raternit y, the rest of the Greek community, RHA, Student Government and Carolina Productions all helped with the campaign.

“It made sense to consolidate this into one united effort,” said Kate Shelton, director of conference and event services with the Continuing Education department. “We wanted to unite dif ferent departments and student groups.”

As the group began to brainstorm different ways to create a large campaign, Nov. 12 was selected because of the date for the Guinness record. The committee also noted that this was near the Florida game and decided to host a “Beat Hunger! Beat Florida” pep rally.

Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. today, students can

drop off their cans to help “stuff the bus” in front of Russell House. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. there will be a carnival with games and prizes to encourage students to donate to Harvest Hope.

With fi ve cans or $5, students will receive tickets to play games such as ring toss, wheel of fortune and golf putt. Then students will be entered for prizes, which will include a special T-shirt for the Florida game.

Campaigns in residence halls and in the Greek Village have been taking place all week. All of the cans collected at locations around campus will be collected today and brought to the bus.

The idea to “stuff a bus” came from a collaboration with vehicle management and parking services. With large food drives, there is always the challenge of getting the donated food to the food bank. By placing all of the food on the bus, this solves the transportation problem.

The current Guinness record is 388,381 pounds of food. The University will need to collect approximately 600,000 cans to beat this record.

“We want the University as a whole to give back to the community where we live,” Steele said. “Our hope is that many more South Carolina families will have the comfort of knowing where their next meal is coming from.”

For more information, visit http://www.saeu.sc.edu/cec/beathunger/.

The f lier’s background is a full-page Confederate fl ag, and a swastika and a symbol often representing transgendered people fi nd their places in the top two corners.

The words emblazoned across t he front offer a challenging question: “Are Gamecocks Prejudiced?”

About 250 of the f liers will go up around campus in the next few days to promote a diversity forum spon sored by St udent Government next Thursday at 6 p.m. in Russell House, Room 302.

The forum, part of a larger Diversify Yourself initiative in SG, hopes to provide a robust d iscussion of d iversit y and discrimination on campus, said Sen. Kizer Crum, chairwoman of the Committee on Multicultural Affairs.

“In order to bring the majority of the population there, it had to be a f lier that would make people think about the issue,” said Crum, a second-year biology student. “We want to excite people to come and voice their opinions.”

The forum will bring different minority leaders on campus together for a roundtable discussion. Audience members will be asked for questions and solutions to problems, and Crum said she expects the event to be respectful.

It’s not the fi rst diversity forum sponsored by SG. The organization has sponsored other forums to promote diversity, said former committee chairman and current Student Body Treasurer Ebbie Yazdani.

Yazdani said in the past, the forums

attracted a lot of graduate students and facu lt y. A nd whi le t hose groups are important, organizers say they think the fl ier will attract more students from other groups.

“I’m confident the attendance this year will be better than last year,” Yazdani, a third-year history and economics student, said.

But the question asked by some in SG is whether or not a poster with a swastika and Confederate flag is the right way to boost attendance.

Student Body President Meredith Ross, a fourth-year political science student, said the intent of the poster was to “inspire thought and potential debate in a construct ive forum.” Ross also said she wasn’t given the authority to approve the fl ier before it was published and circulated, and she didn’t know if she would have approved the fl ier.

Ross said she’s working on changing the policy so posters will have to be approved before being published.

“It certainly is of fensive,” Sen. Ben Bullock, a fi rst-year graduate student said. “But it catches people’s eyes. If we can get more people involved by catching their eyes, I think that’s a good thing.”

Sen. Mark James said he wouldn’t have used the symbols to promote the event.

“It’s going to start more debate on what the Confederate fl ag stands for and whether it should be f lown,” said James, a third-year political science student. “I’ve seen a lot of people fly a Confederate flag that aren’t racist, but I don’t know anyone with a swastika tattoo that isn’t racist.”

James said he plans to attend the forum, but he “hopes that it isn’t people pointing fi ngers at white guys.”

Krum said it won’t be.“We want the white conservative male to

attend,” Krum said.

Hannah Carroll / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Student Government fl ier promotes diversity forum through use of controversial symbols.

EVENT FLIER FEATURES CONTROVERSIAL IMAGES

CRUM

SG advertisements not required to be approved before posting

Josh DawseyASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

College Democrats host superintendent

Comments on this story? E-mail sagcknew@mailbox.sc.edu

Campus-wide hunger drive strives for world recordMultiple departments to work

together on organizing service event

Sarah PetermanSTAFF WRITER

On Wednesday evening, gubernatorial candidate J i m R e x s p ok e t o t he College Democrats about the upcoming Democratic primary and his platform.

A b o u t 2 0 s t u d e n t s gathered to hear what Rex had to say.

“T he se event s a l low people to get to know who is running for public offi ce,” said Heather Singleton, a fourth-year political science student. “People can make informed decisions based on facts instead of propaganda.”

R e x i s f o c u s i n g h i s campaign on changing the public educat ion system in South Carolina. He is currently the Superintendent for Education and is the only statewide elected Democrat.

“I’ve seen firsthand the power of education and how it can be a great equalizer,” Rex said. “It gives everyone the opportunity to live out the American dream.”

Rex grew up with little mone y a nd worked i n con s t r uc t ion a nd i n a factory before deciding to go to college. He then was an Engl ish teacher and football coach. Rex went on to be the Vice President for University Advancement at USC, the Dean of Education at Winthrop University and Coastal Carolina University a n d t h e P r e s i d e n t o f Columbia College.

Rex promotes a choice-driven innovative school system. This model includes schools with single-gender classrooms, Montessor i programs, magnet schools and public charter schools.

Despite many setbacks in the public education system, Rex said we are “a state on the move.” South Carolina has been ranked No. 1 in high school graduation rate and SAT improvement.

Rex connected education rates with the workforce in the state.

“You cannot have a 21st century public school system in a state stuck in the 19th or 20th century,” Rex said.

“The economic battlefi eld of the future is going to be won by the nation who does the best job of educating their human capital.”

R e x a l s o n o t e s t h e importance of protecting South Carolina’s natural e n v i r o n m e n t . H e i s concerned with coal plants and air and river quality in the state.

Rex a l so s a id t hat a professionally developed marketing plan is needed to act as damage control for many of South Carolina’s recent blunders, such as Sanford’s trip to Argentina and Joe Wilson’s outburst.

The candidate also notes that running as a Democrat in a Southern, Republican state is not an easy task, but maintaining diversity in the state government is more important than ever.

“I have passed a number of unanimous votes in the House and the Senate,” Rex sa id. “My elec t ion will require the votes of independents and moderate Republicans as well.”

Rex knows that, if elected, he will have to satisfy not only those who voted for him, but others as well.

“ I bel ieve t hat when a person is elected to a public off ice they have a responsibility to the people who voted for them, those who didn’t and those who didn’t vote at all,” Rex said.

Merrill Walker, a third-year political science and women’s studies student and upcoming president for the College Democrats, said, “We hope through these events that people become more aware of what the issues are and what the candidates’ platforms are.”

Walker hopes that Rex’s visit will help build interest in the election process.

“A lot of people don’t understand the importance of local and state elections, but we’re trying to get more people involved in local politics,” Walker said.

The statewide primaries w i l l b e he ld i n Ju ne , determining the Republican and Democrat candidates for the election in November.

Jim Rex labels S.C. image, education

as platform issues

Sarah PetermanSTAFF WRITER

Comments on this story? E-mail sagcknew@mailbox.sc.edu

Hannah Carroll / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Several campus groups combine efforts in hunger drive, hoping to collect 600,000 cans to beat record.

Comments on this story? E-mail sagcknew@mailbox.sc.edu

Jeremy Aaron / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Two female students wear exciting rainboots to combat the wet weather this week at USC. The rain is a result of tropical storm Ida and is expected to end by Friday.

PIC OF THE DAY

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009 TWOLOCAL & WORLD NEWSCALENDAR

First Lady gives her support

Obama honors past veterans

Measures seek to stop H1N1

LOCAL

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

— Th e Associated Press

TODAY IN HISTORY

What: Ronald McDon-ald House McHappy Day 2009When: 9 a.m.Where: Russell House Lobby

What: Students per-forming scenes from ShakespeareWhen: 9 a.m.Where: RH Theater

What: Cans Across America Food Drive meetingWhen: 11 a.m.Where: Greene Street Stage

What: Lions Club at USC Candy SaleWhen: 11 a.m.Where: Greene Street

What: Student Alumni Association’s Fall FestWhen: NoonWhere: Davis Field

What: Jim Guth’s “Religious Infl uence on Foreign Policy Attitudes of American Citizens”When: 3:30 p.m.Where: Law School, Room 135

What: Study Abroad: See the World IIWhen: 3:30 p.m.Where: RH, Room 302

What: Net Impact meetingWhen: 5 p.m.Where: BA, Room 351

What: VOX meetingWhen: 7 p.m.Where: RH, Room 309

1799:Andrew Ellicott Douglass, an early American astronomer born in Vermont, witnesses the fi rst meteor shower on record from a ship off the

Florida Keys.

1864:Union General William T.

Sherman orders the business district of Atlanta destroyed before he embarks on his famous March to the Sea.

1929:

Actress Grace Kelly is born in Philadelphia.

1948:An international war

crimes tribunal in Tokyo passes death sentences on seven Japanese military and government offi cials, includ-ing General Hideki Tojo, who served as premier of Japan

from 1941 to 1944.

1954:On this day in 1954, Ellis

Island, the gateway to America, shuts it doors after processing more than 12 mil-lion immigrants since opening

in 1892.

1979:On this day in 1979, Presi-

dent Jimmy Carter responds

to a potential threat to national security by stopping the importation of petroleum

from Iran.

1980:More than three years after

its launch, the U.S. planetary probe Voyager 1 edges within

77,000 miles of Saturn, the second-largest planet in the

solar system.

1982:Following the death of long-time Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev two days earlier,

Yuri Andropov is selected as the new general secretary of the Communist Party in the

Soviet Union.

GENEVA — Countries can choose from stronger measures like school closures that may slow the spread of swine fl u in the beginning, but the disease will continue to spread anyway, a World Health Organization spokesman said Wednesday.

Spokesman Gregory Hartl noted that the disease is already very widespread, with about 200 countries and territories already having cases of the H1N1 virus.

Hartl stressed that the steps should be justifi ed on public health grounds and respect human rights.

Disgraced South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford might not have much political capital these days, but his wife is using hers.

Jilted fi rst lady Jenny Sanford endorsed Republican state Rep. Nikki Haley in a letter made public Wednesday to succeed her term-limited husband in 2011.

Jenny Sanford’s letter supporting Haley could help a campaign that fi nished the third quarter with $273,061 in cash on hand — the least in a fi ve-way GOP primary in June.

It “gives her some credibility when Jenny Sanford says ‘I’m supporting her,’” said Danielle Vinson, a Furman University political scientist.

ARLINGTON, Va. — On Veterans Day, President Barack Obama walked slowly through the white, stone markers at the section of Arlington National Cemetery reserved for troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the two wars he oversees as commander in chief.

Obama led the nation Wednesday in observing Veterans Day with a tradit ional wreath-lay ing ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington before an unannounced visit to the section reserved for those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We gather here mindful that the generation serving today already deserves a place alongside previous generations for the courage they have shown and the sacrifi ces that they have made,” Obama said. USC’s Athletics Department wants

to remind fans to be cautious when purchasing tickets from scalpers, via the Internet or outside of Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Athletics Department has received several incident reports this year of people purchasing football game tickets that have already gone through the scanning process at the entry gates, rendering the tickets useless.

The University Of Florida sent a

message to USC this week:“The Gator Athletic Ticket Offi ce

wants to remind fans that large numbers of stolen and counterfeit tickets are sold to UF’s Southeastern Conference contests and other high-profi le games every year.

These tickets are sold over the Internet and by ticket sellers around the stadium on game day.

Unfortunately, hundreds of Gator fans have been defrauded.”

FOOTBALL TICKET FRAUD

• After debating the nomination process for SG executive cabinet members last week, a set of changes were approved during Wednesday’s meeting.

• Nominees will still go to committees for hearings, but should a committee fi nd a nominee unqualifi ed, the committee will bring a detailed report of their issues to the full Senate. If two-thirds of the Senate votes for the entire body to take up the nomination, the Senate will vote. If not, the committee’s disapproval will stand.

• Also, a majority of committee members must be present for any vote, and nomi-nees now must be approved one-by-one instead of in a slate vote.

• Student Body President Meredith Ross used her veto power for the fi rst time in her presidential term to block a bill that would force the Student Body President to nominate every cabinet position within three weeks of the inauguration. Sen. Matt Ungar, a third-year public relations student, will bring the bill back up for debate next week. Two-thirds of the Senate must support the bill for the veto to be overriden.

— Compiled by Assistant News Editor Josh Dawsey

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Few of us know that there’s a small piece of neglected serenit y at the corner of Blossom and Pickens Streets behind Patterson Hall and South Tower.

Brian Wolfe, a member of t he St udent Senate’s E n v i r o n me nt a l A f f a i r s Committee, wants to preserve and fix up this park, known as the A.C. Moore Garden, and is look ing for fel low Gamecocks to help.

“We’re trying to open up this park and let a bunch of light come in,” Wolfe said. “We’re going in to make it safe and manageable for landscaping.”

The third-year business management and real estate

student said he’s wanted to start this project since he was a freshman, when he noticed the park’s bad condition.

“I go to the Horseshoe and I see all the people sitting around having a good time. When I walk through this garden, I see the potential for it to be used a lot and be a benefit for students here,” Wolfe said. “It’s not used as

much as it could be.”Wolfe considers the garden’s

current state — overgrown bushes and all — to be a safety hazard for the women living in these dorms.

“We just want to make it more safe t han it has been before ,” sa id K ate A l l ison, the chairwoman for the commit tee and a third-year political science and environmental studies student.

U S C L a n d s c a p i n g employees will also assist with the project, whose help Wolfe said has been extremely instrumental.

“By cleaning up the park, it’s a great way to give back to your campus a little bit,” Allison said. “It can be a great way to create another area for students to go away from the bustle of campus.”

Students will work to clean up the garden — rain or shine — on Nov. 18-20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers can sign up for one-hour increments and will help with tasks like dragging wood to the chipper, trimming hedges and trees, removing trees and cleaning around the pond area.

S i g n - u p s w i l l b e g i n tomor row , Monday a nd Tuesday at the front desk of the Student Life Center.

Brian Wolfe / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

The A.C. Moore Garden gates located behind South Tower.

Repairs, preservation needed for gardenCommittee member sees site as hazard

Kara ApelNEWS EDITOR

Comments on this story? E-mai l sagcknew@mai lbox.sc.edu

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the carolina fraternity & sorority council congratulates the following 66

students on their acceptance into Gamma Sigma Alpha for Fall 2009:

Maggie Brillhart, Alpha Chi Omega, Marine Science, SeniorSarah Crook, Alpha Chi Omega, Psychology, SeniorRebecca Farmer, Alpha Delta Pi, Broadcast Journalism, JuniorAngela Hindrix, Alpha Delta Pi, Business Economics, JuniorJulie Elizabeth McCool, Alpha Delta Pi, Management/Marketing, SeniorMargaret Stephens, Alpha Delta Pi, Real Estate, JuniorHaley Weatherford, Alpha Delta Pi, Public Relations, JuniorElizabeth Workman, Alpha Delta Pi, Accounting, JuniorDara Angelo, Chi Omega, Geography & Psychology, SeniorCaroline Brady, Delta Delta Delta, Business, SeniorEve Goodstein, Delta Delta Delta, Political Science, SeniorAlexandra Heaton, Delta Delta Delta, Broadcast Journalism, JuniorSamantha Lake, Delta Delta Delta, Exercise Science, JuniorBrittany Robinson, Delta Delta Delta, Elementary Education, JuniorAmanda Warstler, Delta Delta Delta, Prepharmacy, JuniorJulianne Weagley, Delta Delta Delta, Psychology, JuniorChristine Richards, Delta Sigma Theta, Elementary Education, SeniorRebecca Applegate, Delta Zeta, Elementary Education, SeniorNicole Barretta, Delta Zeta, Visual Communications, JuniorJennifer Bates, Delta Zeta, Media Arts, JuniorMaigreade Burrus, Delta Zeta, International Studies, JuniorRebekah Cauthen, Delta Zeta, Marketing, JuniorAbby Dornblaser, Delta Zeta, Economics, JuniorMonica Ehrsam, Delta Zeta, Early Childhood Education, JuniorErin Gallagher, Delta Zeta, Biology, JuniorEmily Harris, Delta Zeta, Psychology, JuniorElizabeth Hooker, Delta Zeta, Marketing, JuniorElizabeth Keniston, Delta Zeta, English Language and Lit., JuniorAmy Kramer, Delta Zeta, Elementary Education, JuniorVanessa Kunyz, Delta Zeta, Psychology, JuniorSarah-Frances Parker, Delta Zeta, Early Childhood Education, JuniorPerin Sanjana, Delta Zeta, Early Childhood Education, JuniorCara Schendzelos, Delta Zeta, Retail-Fashion Merchandising, JuniorCaroline Scrantom, Delta Zeta, Political Science, SeniorEmily Sutton, Delta Zeta, International Business, JuniorStephanie Thomas, Delta Zeta, Public Relations, JuniorKatelyn Tobalski, Delta Zeta, Biology, JuniorAnnelise Wilhite, Delta Zeta, Biology, JuniorKara Apel, Gamma Phi Beta, Print Journalism, JuniorJordan Bright, Gamma Phi Beta, Middle Level Education, JuniorJenna Derenzis, Gamman Phi Beta, Accounting, JuniorGillian Fishman, Gamma Phi Beta, International Business, JuniorHaley McClure, Gamma Phi Beta, International Business, JuniorJulia Rich, Gamma Phi Beta, Political Science, SeniorAnna Sekulich, Gamma Phi Beta, International Business, JuniorJulie Ann Shaw, Gamma Phi Beta, Elementary Education, SeniorSarah Smith, Gamma Phi Beta, Sport and Entertainment Management, JuniorMallory Sterba, Gamma Phi Beta, Exercise Science, JuniorElizabeth Watts, Gamma Phi Beta, HRTM, SeniorLindsay Westlake, Gamma Phi Beta, Elementary Education, SeniorLisa Ellmaurer, Gamma Phi Beta, International Business, SeniorEmily Deyhle, Kappa Delta, Retail Management, SeniorAnna Grimm, Kappa Delta, Sport and Entertainment Management, JuniorBrittany Halfarce, Kappa Delta, Early Childhood Education, JuniorLauren Hart, Kappa Delta, Sport and Entertainment Management, JuniorAlyssa Mangano, Kappa Delta, Early Childhood Education, JuniorCatherine Mark, Kappa Delta, Fashion Merchandising, JuniorCaroline McCarthy, Kappa Delta, Finance, JuniorWesley Mercer, Kappa Delta, Biology, JuniorCaroline Mullis, Kappa Delta, Political Science, JuniorAmy Ray, Kappa Delta, Marketing, JuniorSavannah Staton, Kappa Delta, Management/Finance, JuniorSarah Warth, Kappa Delta, Business, JuniorPatricia Weed, Kappa Delta, Exercise Science, JuniorRyan Lipella, Lambda Chi Alpha, Finance, SeniorAmy Painter, Zeta Tau Alpha, Finance, JuniorC

ON

GR

ATU

LATI

ON

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Office of Greek LifeBuilding the Premier Greek Community in North AmericaScholarship, Leadership, Service, Friendshipwww.sa.sc.edu/greeklifeFall 2009 New Member Initiation & Probate Deadline Nov. 14

Gamma S igma A lpha , National Greek Academic Honor Society, was founded to promote academic excellence as a core value of fraternities and sororities. The purpose of the Society is to promote the ADVANCEMENT of education among Greeks; to instill a greater spirit of cooperation among Greek students and o rgan i za t i o n s and t o encourage EXCELLENCE in scholarship. Students are eligible for membership based upon grade point average and active membership in a Greek fraternity or sorority recognized by their University. The society strives to uphold the high ideals of scholastic achievement, and therefore, o n l y s t u d e n t s w i t h a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above at the star t of their junior year and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to join.

This represents the top 2% of Greeks

academically at USC

What do a swastika and the Confederate fl ag have in common? Though these symbols conotate different levels of injustice, both represent the oppression of decades past. But there’s one more common thread than what meets the eye: these symbols are set to appear on fl iers throughout our campus.

Sen. K izer Crum and the Mult icultural A f fa irs Committee have decided that these fl iers will properly advertise next week’s Student Government diversity forum.

According to the committee, attendance at past forums has been low, something it hopes to improve.

While we understand why the committee wants to attract s t udent s w it h somet h ing fl ashy and controversial, there is a line between offensive and controversial, and these fl iers leap across it.

The committee hopes to promote intellectual discussion about diversity on our campus, but these f liers don’t promote this at all. The dialogue is going to turn into chaos — most likely a hodgepodge of rantings and ravings about the Confederate fl ag — exactly what the planners of the event don’t want.

What about the Carolinian Creed that tells us to respect the dignity of others and discourage bigotry? Aren’t the swastika and the Confederate fl ag one of the most visual representations of bigotry and disrespect of persons ever created? Surely, members of our own Student Government should be more aware of our student body’s code of ethics.

It seems strange that fl iers advertising SG events don’t have to be approved by some sort of governing body. Student Body President Meredith Ross said currently a system is not in place to evaluate this, and her hands are tied.

It’s not fair for the whole SG to have to be represented by these fl iers. In fact, it’s not fair that our whole campus has to be represented by these f liers. And what about people that are visiting USC? Our University only gets one fi rst impression by outsiders, and USC shouldn’t have to be represented by these offensive symbols.

Our recommendation? SG, don’t waste your t ime putting up these fl iers. Hopefully, people will have enough sense to have them taken down before they do too much damage.

We’ve all heard of Barack Obama, the superhero himself. But do we even know what our government is doing? How can we see the future of the country when we remain unaware?

On Nov. 5, 2009, 20,000-40,000 anti-health care protesters gathered in D.C. A mong t hem was A my Croce f rom Pennsylvania. Croce and her “kill the bill” colleagues were each given a page of the bill after the rally. They took the pages to members of Congress to ask what their segment meant.

Croce’s page included “a 10-year plan to provide sanitation facilities to serve existing Indian homes and Indian communities.” Is this health care? Croce spoke with congressman Joe Pitts, who explained that elected candidates pay back organizations after campaigning. Therefore, many aspects of the bill fail to address the actual health care predicament. Though corrupt, both Democrats and Republicans have been giving these shady favors for many years. Obama’s party is the worst Pitts has seen.

Blue dogs are moderately conservative members of the Democratic Party. Their discontent lies in one vital part of the bill: abortion funding. Democrats claim abortions receive no funding from the bill, but they are lying. Unlike the “sanitation of Indian homes,” some funds are not as straightforward. In the bill, groups that f inance abortions receive government dollars, essentially paying a third party to

pay for abortions. This explains why 39 Democrats still voted “no.”

Pitts said the Obama administration was “not really constitutional.” Because the Supreme Court is drastically liberal, the checks and balances system is fl awed. The narcissistic government cares very little about the ideals of the Constitution. We are in an economic crisis, and Washington is walking all over us. China supports us by buying our debt as we continue printing money.

I s l a m ic ex t rem is t s s t i l l t h reaten Americans. The massacre at Fort Hood was an act of terrorism, whether Major Nidal Malik Hasan acted alone or not. Obama takes Commander-in-Chief responsibilities lightly. The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., said, “The extremists are sensing weakness and indecision in the U.S. government, which plays into their hands.” Our soldiers are in danger as they protect our freedoms overseas and on American soil. We’re in danger, too. Joe Pitts indicated that our Homeland Security is the weakest it’s been since 9/11. CIA members are resigning under the new administration and their radical implications, despite the knowledge that terrorists currently target three American cities.

So for those of you who are oblivious to current politics, the government is taking away your freedom, ruining your economy and jeopardizing your safety. There is still hope to fight against this government. Elections in 2010 will decide the future of this country. We need to vote for the best local representatives. The health care bill will not be implemented until 2013, so it is essential that you get involved and exercise your rights as U.S. citizen. Let’s make a “change.”

As I was entering the store where I work on Wednesday morning, I received the news that a federal judge had declared the proposed “I Believe” plates, endorsed by gubernatorial candidates Henry McMaster and André Bauer — the same plates that reached the order quota within days of the DMV f irst accepting them, the ones unconstitutional under the church-state separation principle derived from the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment.

T h i s w a s b o u n d t o happen ever s i n c e G o v . Mark Sanford a l lowe d t he bill to become l aw w it hout his signature in 2008.

I t ’ s n o t that the state a l lowe d t he

sale of a faith-based plate. Some can claim that the “In God We Trust” plates could be considered faith-based plates, but “In God We Trust” happens to be the nation’s offi cial motto. The “In God We Trust” plate doesn’t explicit ly make a direction to whose God the plate refers to — the plate is simply a testament to those pi l lars of t he A mer ican experience called patriotism and faith.

It’s not even the plates t h e m s e l v e s t h a t a r e unconst itut ional. It’s the fact that the Legislature f a i led to i nc lude ot her faiths (e.g. Jews, Muslims, Buddh is t s , at hei s t s not living in the Lowcountry) in the legislation that allowed this particular plate to be sold by the DMV.

We express zeal to give glory to God in all that we do — yes, even in driving — but we’ve forgotten that we shouldn’t really do it through the state.

R e m e m b e r t h a t o u r nation accepted a theoretical s e p a r a t io n o f r e l i g io n from the state because our Founders — especially the founder of the Democratic Party and the conservative m o v e m e n t , T h o m a s J e f f e r s o n — b e l i e v e d t h a t m i x i n g f a i t h a nd government would corrupt b ot h . T h i s i s why I ’m appalled that state offi cials here are required by law to “believe in the Supreme Being.” This is why I cringe when I hear Lee Atwater ment ioned. This is why I’m a little relieved that the wedding of our state to the church has been delayed just a little bit more.

The fi rst class I ever took in college was a history class during a summer semester.

Like most history classes, the professor stood at his podium and recounted the prominent events of the time period we were assigned to study.

Students heads gradually crept closer and closer to their desk space until fi nally collapsing in a pile of sleep amidst the various highlights of the 19th century in America.

Students falling asleep in class was something that I was used to, since I myself had drooled on a few textbooks in high school.

But I wasn’t prepared to witness what happened as the lecture dragged on.

One by one, and sometimes two by two, students

packed up and slunk out of the lecture hall. With thirty minutes remaining in the class.

I wasn’t prepared to see students blatantly walk out of a lecture while it was still obviously in session.

I’m certain that a lot of students understandably have a good excuse and, in their defense, a good number of students have probably arranged with their professor to have left early if it was an important occasion.

Leaving a class early, no matter how dreadfully boring or dull the lecture is, shows blatant disrespect for the professor and if anything, is wasting the student’s money.

I pay to take classes here, so why would I decide to leave a class early? I technically would not be getting my full money’s worth.

Aside from basically throwing money away by leaving classes early, it shows a complete lack of

respect for the professor.I actually talked with my history professor from

freshman year after the class had ended.He admitted that he felt bad when students

walked out and that it made him frustrated, like his lectures weren’t really that interesting.

Granted, some lectures really are boring and monotonous, but I fail to see why some students think it’s OK to basically give their teachers the fi nger and walk out on the lectures they’ve prepared for them.

At the same time, I recently got an e-mail from a student in my Economics class, wondering what sort of extra credit was presented in class.

Obviously, that student either didn’t come to class regularly, or didn’t stay long enough for the extra credit.

The moral of the story is, if you’re not willing to put in the required amount of time in class, you shouldn’t reap the benefi ts of having put forth the effort.

PAGE 5THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Flier’s message lost in offensive symbols

‘I Believe’ plates fl auntspecifi c faithEDITORIAL BOARD

Managing EditorCALLI BURNETT

News EditorKARA APEL

The Mix EditorCOLIN JONES

Design DirectorMORGAN REID

Copy Desk ChiefKELSEY PACER

Sports EditorCHRIS COX

Viewpoints EditorMARILYNN JOYNER

Photography EditorKERI GOFF

Editor-in-ChiefAMANDA DAVIS

CORRECTIONSIf you fi nd an error in today’s edition of The Daily Gamecock, let us know about it. E-mail sagckvew@mailbox.sc.edu and we will print the correction in our next issue.

About The Daily Gamecock

The Daily Gamecock is the editorially independent student newspaper of the University of South Carolina. It is published daily 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 Daily Gamecock are those of the editors or author and not those of the University of South Carolina.

Th e Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher of The Daily Gamecock. Th e Department of Student Media is the newspaper’s parent organization. The Daily Gamecock is supported in part by student-activity fees. One free copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 each from the Department of Student Media.

The goal of The Daily Gamecock’s V i ew p o i n t s p a g e i s to s t i m u l a te discussion in the University of South Carol ina community. A l l publ ished authors are expected to provide logical arguments to back their views.

The Daily Gamecock encourages readers to voice opinions and offers three methods of expression: letters to the editor, guest columns and feedback on dailygamecock.com.

Letters and guest columns should be submitted via e-mail to gamecockeditor@sc.edu. Letters must be 200 to 300 words in length and include the author’s name,

year in school and area of study.We also invite student leaders and

USC faculty members to submit guest co lumns. Columnists should keep submissions to about 500 words in length and include the author’s name and position. Guest columns are limited to three per author per semester.

The editor reserves the right to edit and condense submissions for length and clarity, or not publish at all.

All submissions become the property of The Da i ly Gamecock and must conform to the legal standards of USC Student Media.

IT’S YOUR RIGHT

CONTACT INFORMATION

Offices located on the third floor of the Russell HouseEditor: gamecockeditor@mailbox.sc.edu

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Newsroom: 777-7726Sports: 777-7182

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Editor-in-ChiefAMANDA DAVISManaging EditorCALLI BURNETTCopy Desk ChiefKELSEY PACERAssistant Copy Desk ChiefLINDSAY WOLFEDesign DirectorMORGAN REIDAssistant Design DirectorLIZZIE ERICKSONNews EditorKARA APELAssistant News EditorsDARREN PRICEJOSH DAWSEYViewpoints EditorMARILYNN JOYNERAssistant Viewpoints EditorRYAN QUINNThe Mix EditorCOLIN JONES

Assistant Mix EditorELLEN MEDERSports EditorCHRIS COXAssistant Sports EditorJAMES KRATCHPhoto EditorKERI GOFFAssistant Photo EditorHANNAH CARROLLMultimedia DirectorJONATHAN BATTAGLIAAssistant Multimedia DirectorGEOFFREY MARSIPage DesignersBRENNAN WARE, MEGAN HILBERT, BRIAN DRESDOW, CAMILLE HOLLEMANPhotographersDAVID WALTERSPublic Relations DirectorJESSICA SCANLONGraduate Assistant

COURTNEY GRAHAM Student Media DirectorSCOTT LINDENBERGFaculty AdviserERIK COLLINSCreative DirectorEDGAR SANTANABusiness ManagerCAROLYN GRIFFINAdvertising ManagerSARAH SCARBOROUGHClassifi eds ManagerSHERRY F. HOLMESProduction ManagerC. NEIL SCOTTCreative ServicesKELLIE DUFF, LIZ HOWELL, KATIE MIKOS, KAILEY WARINGAdvertisingJULIE CANTER, CARLY GALLAGHER, NATALIE HICKS, CANDACE REYNOLDS, LAUREN SPIRES, MEGHAN TANKERSLY

Religious-based tags should be made to include every view

Walking out during class shows disrespect

GUEST COLUMNISTObama lacks eff ort for ‘change’

Current administration does little to effectively face problems that still

threaten American people, U.S.

Students should get money’s worth, show professors consideration

by taking advantage of education

It’s not fair for

the members of SG

be represented

by these ethically

wrong fl iers.

Austin JacksonSecond-year political sciencestudent

MichaelWunderlichThird-year broadcastjournalismstudent

Natalie JacksTHIRD-YEAR ADVERTISING STUDENT

PAGE 6 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

MIX TAPE

5 things we’reobsessingaboutthisweek.

Sky Umbrella

Bet ter k now n by some as the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) umbrella, this joyful accessory is perfect this week as campus has been plagued by drizzly weather. A simple black exterior hides a cheeky print of blue skies inside so that for the holder it is always a beautiful day. This very Rene Magritte-esque optical illusion by designer Tibor Kalman does come at the steep price of $48, but Target of fers a miniature version for $36.

NCIS

From the moment a cr ime involving a Navy offi cer occurs and a still goes to grayscale, viewers are hooked for an hour as the good folks of Naval Criminal Investigative Service follow twists and turns of the evidence. Sure it’s right along the lines of all the other CSI genre shows, but NCIS is great because of the characters. Agent Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, is far less annoying than any other CSI male lead and forensic specialist Abby Sc iuto , p l ayed by Pau ley Perrette, is always hilarious and quirky with her emo looks.

Food Network

Though it may be dangerous to watch while hungry, this cable station will always put a smile on your face. Watching the fun folks at Charm City Cakes create unimaginable baked goods on “Ace of Cakes” is always a win. If you’re ever concerned that you aren’t eating healthy enough, Paula Dean is sure to make you feel better since you’re not cooking with two sticks of butter each meal. And now Alton Brown’s show “Good Eats” is celebrating its 10th anniversary proving it’s educational and entertainment value in the science of food.

The White Mule

C olu mbia’s newe s t mu s ic venue seems to have something for everyone. With a calendar that var ies f rom local singer song writers to underground rock groups, The White Mule is quick ly making a name for itself as the a new hot spot for audiophiles. In addition to serving up tunes, the club also serves up an array of delicious dishes. Some menu highlights include black bean dip, an Italiano sandwich and numerous pizza and sandwich combinations. The White Mule is located at 1530 Main St. and is open Monday through Saturday with live music on almost every night.

“Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!”

T he Rol l i n g S t o ne s ’ 4 0 t h anniversary deluxe edition of this wonderful live gem of rock and roll recording is on iTunes and includes the LP package of all five previously unreleased tracks, photos, sheet music and even the opening sets of B.B. King and Ike and Tina Turner. Album highlights include the classics “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Midnight Rambler” and the devilish favorite “Sympathy for The Devil.” Every street fi ghting man and all honky tonk women are sure to enjoy this album.

Ellen Meder and Colin JonesTHE ASSISTANT MIX AND MIX EDITORS

Comments on this story? E-mail sagcketc@sc.edu

Since the release of “Revenge of the Nerds,” geeks and nerds (or whatever you want to call them) have been stereotyped and ostracized. But 25 years later, these people who immerse themselves into the

geeky and nerdy are some of the richest and most powerful people around. As part of t he i r ident i t y, computer afi cionados and Star Trek fans have created a strong culture t hat has some interest ing i mpl ic at ion s . T he whole ideolog y surrounding this group of scientists, computer programmers, gamers and sci-fi readers is actually deeper and more signifi cant than you

would think. I think we could all benefi t from their outlook. By way of introduction, here are eight things that are incredibly interesting about geeks’ world view that wil l prove relevant to our discussion (things you may or may not know):

1. Speculation is fun.Science has always been about the search

for something greater, for some gem of knowledge that will make the world make more sense. Science news magazines, blogs, and journals are full of these discoveries being poured out every day. But more particularly, every scientist and engineer I know lives for the speculation, for the wondering about what is next, what could be done, and how it could be done. They always have this sense that there is more hiding beneath the surface and that the greatest fun in life is digging down to fi nd it.

2. There is more to life than money (Halo pwnage skills, duh).

We all know that money drives our society, giving us a faux purpose for our daily act iv it ies. This is true, to some extent, for the geeks who want the latest TV or gadget. However, I would suggest that most geeks see life at least a little deeper than that – as something to be excited about, as a quest for knowledge, or

as a never ending game that is simply fun in itself.

3. Gadgets are extensions of yourself.

We can’t deny it anymore: your cell phone and your bra in have become inextricably connected. For most geeks, this is a simple fact. For the rest of us, we’re just in denial.

4. Looks don’t matter when you can get a l33t avatar (There are many ways to portray yourself in the minds of others, beyond mere looks).

While it is mostly a stereotype to say that all geeks are ... less than blessed in the looks department, it isn’t like they just sit around moping about it. No, they just log on to the latest game and spend a few hours building themselves an awesome fi ctional front. I include this here because, honestly, we could all use a little less emphasis on our looks and more emphasis on who we are and the value we add to this world.

Computers and online fronts, for all their “impersonal” nature, allow us to bypass the stereotypes and fl ash judgments of face-to-face conversations and see more of what is on the inside (assuming you’re willing to throw it out there).

5. If the world isn’t how you want it to be, change it.

The best thing about technology is the amount of infl uence it has in driving the world forward. Although the extent to which technology drives history is debated, there is no doubt that there is a fundamental mentalit y beneath the technological enterprise: we can make the world a better, easier place to live in. I have found that with scientists and engineers, nothing is out of reach. Anything we want to different, they set out to change.

6. We can always do better.My dad is an engineer for a company

called Celgard. He makes the separators that go into lithium-ion batteries. For the past ten years he has worked on the same product. Is this dull, monotonous work?

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Eight ideologies of geek culture

GEEK ● 7

PAGE 7The Daily Gamecock ● THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

No. Rather it is driven by the fact that we can always improve, we can always fi nd a better solution. That is what the life of engineers is about. We could use more of that.

7. While science causes a lot of problems, it is also our only solution.

Scientists, engineers, and tech enthusiasts all know that science has given us a fair share of problems – nukes, pesticide wasted forests, smog, and so on. But they also know that every scientifi c discovery has come with its benefi ts for mankind. My impression is that most geeks recognize this dual nature of science and technology, however, they do tend to focus on the positive because that is what they do.

8. The future is going to be extreme.I think that most people don’t realize just how extreme the future is going to be. With

the current rate of technological expansion we’re already set for extreme social changes, even if technology were to somehow stop dead in its tracks right now. Culture always lags behind technology and the amount of technological change we’ve seen in the last two or three decades has been immense. And it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down. This generates a huge aura of excitement among all geeks as they look to the future for all kinds of things that may seem extreme. I’m talking defeating aging, abolishing scarcity, and turning humans into psuedo-gods. While this may appear like blatant radicalism to outsiders, it is a core feature of our world that we can’t even imagine will be like in a 100 years. There isn’t anything more fun than imagining and trying to make those dreams a reality.

GEEK ● Continued from 6

Comments on this story? E-mail sagcketc@sc.edu

Columbia, S.C. —

ART BAR: Dec. 12 JuciferCOLONIAL LIFE ARENA: Nov. 28 Miley Cyrus; Nov. 29 Trans-Siberian Orchestra; Dec. 11 Martina McBrideKOGER CENTER Nov. 30 — Dec. 1 Bela Fleck & the FlecktonesNEW BROOKLAND TAVERN: Nov. 16 MC Chris; Nov. 17 Mustard Plug; Nov. 18 Melt Banana; Nov. 19 Hawthorne Heights; Nov. 23 Between the Buried and Me; Dec. 15 Norma JeanNEWBERRY OPERA HOUSE: Nov. 19 Edwin McCainTHE WHITE MULE: Nov. 20 Patrick Davis; Nov. 21 Lauren Lucas

Charleston, S.C. —

Charleston Music Hall: Nov. 13 TeslaMUSIC FARM: Nov. 14 Matisyahu; Nov. 22 Genitorturers; Nov. 23 UnderoathNorth Charleston Coliseum: Nov. 27-28 Widespread Panic North Charleston Performing Arts Center: Nov. 24 Roger Daltrey; Nov. 28 Legends of Hip-Hop w/ Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh; Dec. 5 Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

Charlotte, N.C. —

AMOS’ SOUTHEND: Nov. 13 HatebreedBelk Theatre: Nov. 17 Lyle LovettBlumenthal Performing Arts Center: Nov. 14 Leo Kottke; Nov. 17 Lyle Lovett; Nov. 18 Neko Case; Nov. 21 Michelle Shocked; Nov. 22 Garrison KeillorFILLMORE CHARLOTTE: Nov. 15 Train; Nov. 23 Megadeth

HOROSCOPES

1234567890-=

Inside the Box ● By Marlowe Leverette / The Daily Gamecock

Spurned ● By Jarad Greene / The Daily Gamecock

PAGE 8 The Daily Gamecock ● THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

The Whiteboard ● By Bobby Sutton / The Daily Gamecock

The SceneUSC

BAYSIDE, AVIARY FIRE, SHALLOW

PALACE6 p.m., $15

New Brookland Tavern, 122 State

St.

TODAY

THE WAY WE GET BY6 and 8 p.m., $6.50Nickelodeon Theatre, 937 Main St.

NIGHT SCHOOL FIRST SEMESTER WITH PROFESSOR GLDFNGR9 p.m., freeArt Bar, 1211 Park St.

CHARLIE LOUVIN W/ DEXTER ROMWEBER DUO8 p.m., $15The White Mule, 1530 Main St.

TOMORROW

ART BAR PLAYERS IMPROV COMEDY8 p.m., freeArt Bar, 1211 Park St.

MARRY A THIEF (CD RELEASE SHOW), SWEET VANS, CAYLA FRALICK8 p.m., $10New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St.

TOM HALL AND THE PLOWBOYS7 p.m., $7The White Mule, 1530 Main St.

ACROSS1 Popular4 Takes steps8 Does some gardenmaintenance14 “__ Father ...”15 Masked critter16 “Ditto”17 Ecol. or agric.18 *“Seven Year Ache” country singer20 *“All I Wanna Do”singer22 1963 role for Liz23 Note after fa24 Nissan sedan26 Mimosa family tree29 Part of TNT32 *Longtime “American Bandstand” host36 Lover of Christine, in “The Phantom of theOpera”38 Gardner of “Mogambo”39 Parkinsonism drug41 Hagen of Broadway42 Bette’s “Divine” nickname45 *Notable member of The Second City improv group48 “The Merry Widow”composer50 Time-share units51 Rolled oats cereal55 Banned pesticide56 Voice above tenor59 *French writer who befriended Chopin63 *“The Mark of Zorro” star (1940)65 Happy hour site,and word that can follow each last name in the answers to starred clues66 World’s largest river by volume67 King, to a subject

68 Greater N.Y.C. campus69 Not naked70 City west of Tulsa71 Street shaderDOWN1 “Bonanza” brother2 Pained cry3 Hears arguments incourt4 Painter’s medium5 Not nerdy6 Puccini opera7 Warning from a doghouse8 Best type of situation9 Fruit drink suffi x10 Bach work11 Catchall abbr.12 Went up13 Fashionable London area19 “Just kidding!”21 Gibraltar landmark25 Fallen space station26 Eden gardener27 __ union: samesexrelationship status28 100%

30 King Arthur’s meeting spot31 Finish ahead of33 Noun modifi er: Abbr.34 Friend of Pooh35 Canadian rd. sign letters37 Fires, with “off”40 Very old: Abbr.43 Chat idly:Var.44 Half a Kenyan rebel46 Offi cial emergencystatus

47 “No ifs, __ ...”49 University offi cer52 Labor Day mo.53 Running free54 Author Shaw56 Just barely57 __ tick: diseasecarrier58 Gillette’s __ II60 Spice Girl Halliwell61 Wood fastener62 Bongo or conga64 Nantes negative

Solution for 11/11/09

11/12/09

11/12/09

Solution from 11/11/09

ARIES A glorious o p p o r t u n i t y a r r i v e s early in the day and you feel your energ y shif t towards romance. Follow traditional ideals.

TAURUS Emotions move in a harmonious direction now. Confirm that shift with definite words.

GEM INI W hat you feel early in the day shifts as you take a more balanced view of the facts. Reserve discussion until later.

C A N C E R P a y a t t e n t i o n t o b o d y language as well as words. The body delivers more than half of the message.

LEO I f you get an early start, by day’s end you’ll have fi nished your work , s t a r t e d a ne w project and satisfi ed your emotions.

VIRGO Self-esteem g rows as you address s u r p r i s e s f r o m y ou r partner. The two of you actually are on the same track.

L I B R A G a t h e r your thoughts carefully before contacting others. Make sure each person k nows h is or her own boundaries.

SCORPIO Take care of household chores today. A quick trip to the store may be necessary.

SAGITTARIUS Open you r m ind a nd hear t to an associate. Listen to the words, but also pay attention to the impact.

C A PR ICOR N Bring your emotions to work and pump up your effort. A deadline looms, but you can make it, all by yourself.

AQUARIUS Keen awareness of f inancial matters puts you in the d r iver ’s seat . Choose purchases that will last.

PISCES Words take on a l ife of their own. Never think you’ve found the last or the best ones. Go for peace, balance and harmony.

PAGE 9

Ever since he arrived in Columbia, USC men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn has talked about building a program that can compete for SEC championships year in and year out. Wednesday, another huge step was taken towards that goal.

With fi ve student-athletes signing National Letters of Intent to attend USC starting next fall, USC landed a nationally heralded recruiting class. Rivals.com ranks the group as the No. 10 class in the nation, and Scout.com has the fi ve newcomers at No. 12.

“This is our second recruiting class at South Carolina and it continues to help us take the steps that we want to take with our program. We addressed our needs that we’ll have with graduation and I think we’ve added a nice mix of talent and athletic ability,” Horn said. “No question this class will have an immediate impact on our team next season and is a special class as we work to build South Carolina basketball.”

The name that will be familiar to most is guard Bruce Ellington , a native of Moncks Corner. The Berkeley High star is a consensus four-star prospect who spurned several high-profi le programs nationwide, including Clemson, Tennessee and Kansas, to sign with the Gamecocks. As a junior, Ellington averaged 28.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game.

“Bruce is a special athlete who will thrive in our system because of his speed and ability to make plays,” Horn said. “In addition to his athletic talent, his greatest quality may be that he has been a proven winner in everything that he does.”

USC pulled in two more Palmetto State natives in guard Eric Smith and forward R.J. Slawson. Smith, who hails from Mullins, transferred to Christ School, the alma mater of current Gamecocks Lakeem Jackson and Malik Cooke prior to the start of this school year, was the fi rst player from South Carolina to commit in the Horn era. In his first three years of prep

competition at Mullins High, Smith scored 1,500 points. “Eric will always be special to our program because he was

our fi rst in-state commitment. He combines all of the attributes we want in a student-athlete,” Horn said. “He has outstanding ability, high character and strong academic performance. His speed, physical strength and ability to shoot the ball will be an asset for us.

Slawson, a former AAU teammate of Ellington’s, is also a consensus four-star player. After transferring from Stratford and sitting out his sophomore season, the Charleston native had a huge junior campaign for Fort Dorchester High, averaging 20.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 2.3 assists a game as the Patriots made a run to the Lower State fi nals.

“R.J. is a unique player because he is a perimeter guy that because of his size, can also play inside and fi nish at the rim, rebound and block shots,” Horn said. “At 6-8, we think he is going to be a tough matchup, and will excel in our style of play.”

Rounding out the group are two players from across the border in North Carolina, forward Damontre Harris and guard Brian Richardson. Harris, a Fayetteville, N.C. native, is the only big man of the bunch.

“Damontre was the only big that we targeted in this class. He is the prototype big man that we want in our program in that he is long, athletic and versatile enough to play inside and out,” Horn said. “Damontre’s basketball future is very bright.”

The No. 5 center prospect according to ESPN, Harris averaged a double-double last winter for Trinity Catholic. Harris was offered by USC rival Florida, as well as ACC powers Maryland and Wake Forest.

Richardson averaged 22.0 points, fi ve assists and six rebounds per game last season for the 1A NCISA Final Four qualifying Greenfield School. The Wilson, N.C. native has been the Coastal Plains Independent Conference Player of the Year and the Coastal Plains Conference Tournament MVP all three years of his prep career.

“Brian brings a lot of basketball IQ and ability to the table,” Horn said. “In addition to being long and athletic, he is an outstanding shooter with a high skill level that will provide us another perimeter threat.”

All in all, Horn says he’s very pleased with the recruiting

class. “We’re thrilled with our recruiting class. That might be an

understatement,” Horn said. “We think this is a special class.”

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USC nabs heralded recruiting class

Bone leads Carolina to exhibition win

Five signees form group considered one of nation’s best by analysts

James KratchASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Paulina BerkovichTHE DAILY GAMECOCK

Freshman grabs double-double as women’s basketball routs Augusta State

Comments on this story? E-mail sagckspt@mailbox.sc.edu

Kara Roache/ THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Darrin Horn signed a Top-10 recruiting class Wednesday.

The USC women’s basketbal l team won its preseason game against Aug usta State in commanding f a sh ion Wed nesday, defeat ing the Jaguars 94-39 behind sol id p e r f o r m a n c e s f r o m ne w a nd returning players alike.

Freshman center Kelsey Bone starred in her fi rst game for USC, scoring 18 points and collecting 13 rebounds in just 19 minutes on the court, providing an invaluable inside presence that the Gamecocks missed all last season.

USC coach Dawn Staley thought Bone played well, but that she can still improve her defense.

“She’s got to have a lot more energy. She only played 19 minutes, and probably 17 of those minutes, she was bent over on the defensive end,” Staley said. “So, I mean, it’s a constant battle with her on that side of the basketball. That’s really a high school bad habit, score a lot of points and rest on defense. That can’t be the case on this level.”

Junior guard Valerie Nainima, a transfer student also playing her fi rst game for Carolina, also fi nished with 18 points as she hit six three-pointers on the night. She also

contributed six rebounds.The Gamecocks came out strong

from the tipoff, with Bone scoring the fi rst four points for Carolina and fi nishing the half with 11.

USC played hard on both ends of the f loor, showing impressive movement on offense and athleticism on defense that made it hard for Augusta’s offense to fi nd a rhythm. At the half, Carolina held a 47-20 lead and a commanding 32-16 lead in rebounds.

The key cont r ibutor for t he Gamecocks in the f irst half was Nainima, who played 17 minutes and scored all 18 of her points in the period. She ended the half on a thrilling note for the Gamecocks, knocking down a shot at the buzzer.

Junior forward Jewel May made all three field goals she attempted to fi nish the half with six points and three rebounds. Sophomore forward Charenee Stephens contributed eight points and five rebounds off the bench, and freshman forward Ashley Bruner added four points.

The Gamecocks didn’t miss a beat in the second half, as May scored Carolina’s fi rst points of the period when she rebounded Bone’s missed

free throw to score, drew a foul and hit the free throw. USC never looked back, as it held a 78-38 lead when the Jaguars called a timeout with 7:45 to play and scored eight unanswered points to force another Augusta timeout. But the Jaguars just couldn’t fi nd a way to stop the Gamecocks, who dominated the game to the fi nish.

Sophomore guards Ieasia Walker and La’Keisha Sutton both stepped up their game in the second half after a scoreless fi rst. Walker contributed fi ve points to the Gamecock victory, while Sutton added 11.

Na i n i ma g ave c red it to her teammates for their role in the victory.

“It’s just a full team effort,” she sa id. “A lthough there’s a lot of spotlight on the new players, the returners play that crucial role away from the spotlight, and that’s just so encouraging to us.”

The Gamecocks open the regular season in Charlotte on Monday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

Comments on this story? E-mail sagckspt@mailbox.sc.edu

Zack Plum / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Freshman forward Kelsey Bone (5) had a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds in only 19 minutes Wednesday night.

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1BR IN 3BR 3BA SUBLEASE1 room in Garnet River Walk now. $570/mo 3BR 3BA occpd by 2/F fully furn hdwd flrs safe fun great place to live! Email cewheelo@uncg.edu

Housing-Rent622 Augusta St West Cola

3BR 1BA w/d $600 Call 413-3297

OLYMPIA AREA - 604 Kentucky St.. Renovated, clean 3BR 2BA house. W/D hkups fridge stove deck $875/mo. Call Bob 609-4897.

2606 GERVAIS 3BR 1BAall major appl. totally remodeled large backyard $975 + $600 dep. 413-3297

4BR 2BA SHANDON Start DEC/JAN fenced yd $1395. Call 318-0729

Apartments & Homes Near USCHawkins Properties 799-0804

1BR CONDO - fully furn w/sec. avail-able next semester & beyond. @ the Spur next to stadium. Call 422-9173.

Rooms & Apts For Rent @ USC 318-0800 or rajaluri@aeliusa.com

PT Collections M-Th 5pm8pm Sat 9am-12pm. Must have good credit and clean background. Send resumes to meleana.heffner@trcstaffing.com

BARTENDING up to $250/day . No exp nec, training prov’d 800-965-6520 X 253.

Help Wanted

Now hiring for immediate openings!Also interviewing those interested in holiday work and Spring positions!

Make $8.25/hr! Build your resume, earn great bonuses and show your Gamecock Pride! Apply online:

Sc.Edu/CarolinacCallers click “Join Our Team!” Questions? E-mail Jake at

James.Strang@ruffalocody.com or call 777-4705

Help WantedInstructors

Experienced Personal Trainers needed. Located 5 minutes from cam-

pus. PT available. Contact Personally Fit @ 799-9455 for details..

Help WantedRestaurantsBanquet Servers needed.

Call 782-0082.

LOANS LOANS LOANSFinancial insitution approving all types of loans. Apply today 1-888-792-7105

ServicesPREGNANT, NEED HELP?

FREE pregnancy test Call Birthright765-0165

TutoringServices

Need help with Spanish? Experienced Spanish tutor -

grammar my specialty. 926-3126

Travel

BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK $189.00 5-DAYS or $239 7-DAYS.All prices include: Round-trip luxury

cruise with food. Accommodations on the island at your choice of thirteen

resorts. Appalachia Travel. www.BahamaSun.com 800-867-5018

PAGE 10 The Daily Gamecock ● THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009