People apparently hate this paper. Yes, this very piece of newsprint that you hold in your hands is seemingly something loathsome and revolting to almost all who behold it. Just look at the online comments on several stories.
I understand that people will always complain about the media, and we here at the paper do expect that, but sometimes I'm left scratching my head with confusion.
Student body, we need to have a few words here. I need to explain what a newspaper does. We're not racist because we ran the mugshots of seven black students. We aren't wasting your time when prominent students get arrested, and I don't care if you don't like our editorials about Duke lacrosse players.
Newspapers exist to give you the news. A paper is not here to cuddle you and tell you that everything is all right after you get drunk and take potshots at passing cars with a high-caliber pistol after failing some class.
The paper is here to tell your classmates what you did and how you did it, because that's news. Sorry, but the operative part of the word "newspaper" is "news." Who would'a thunk it?
Also, we run on a very strict timetable. The life of a journalist trying to juggle work and school involves a lot of rushing, tearing your hair out, cursing and worrying that someone won't call you back, and your story won't be as good as it could have possibly been. If we include mugshots with one story and not another, it's because the police didn't send us the shots for the second article.
Now, with that out of the way, I wag my finger at you people (My God. I just said "you people." I must be racist). Before you go accusing us of being horrible people who put out a bigoted travesty of a paper that only Don Imus would approve of, think about what you're doing.
You're complaining because an event happened somewhere, but rather than complaining that the event happened, you're telling the people relating the event to you to shut the hell up.
That's like calling CNN and saying "How dare you tell me what happened at Virginia Tech! Before you told me, I thought the world was all smiling bunny rabbits painting eggs with Santa Claus! Go to hell CNN!"
Journalists have a hard life. There's always somebody telling you that you're a pot-smoking liberal trying to pollute the minds of all good, hard-working Americans with your crazy agenda. The truth is, we're so busy that we don't have time to have an agenda.
Oh, and this is the last paper of the semester, so you don't have a chance to respond to this column, and I refuse to check the comments online. Bitches.
-- Zach Toman
Asst. Viewpoints editor
Apr 29, 2007
Ce n'est pas un adieu, C'est juste un au revoir
I’ve been sitting in my office here contemplating what to write for a while. I’ve listened to my feel-good music -- both Bob Dylan and Kings of Leon -- and even some extreme-feel-good music -- Spice Girls. But, alas, it’s still the end. This is still the last night I’ll sit in this big office and watch the staff run around between homework, emotions and getting a paper out on time.
I’ve worked here at The Daily Gamecock for two years now, but this has been a long time coming. When I was three I used to dance around for my mother’s camera with a newspaper, singing and “reading.” At 7, I made my own newspapers about animal rights, complete with jumps (“see page A13”), advertisements I drew for princesses and comics of my big brothers getting in trouble. My pen name was “Ashley Olsen.” By middle school I was making newsletters for all my friends with gossip columns, movie reviews and other silly girl things. By seventh grade I was working tirelessly on the yearbook. This continued in eighth grade.
Freshman year of high school I couldn’t wait to work for the newspaper. By senior year I was the editor, and it was one of the best experiences of my life -- until now.
The Daily Gamecock has been one of the most rewarding, entertaining and educational experiences in my life. I don’t think anything else could be like this. It’s not just for my resume. I’ve learned twice as much, if not more, by working up here for two years than I could have in my classes down at the J-school for four.
Leaving this place isn’t easy. It tears me apart every night when I leave here. I go home and stare out my ceiling reliving headlines. I beat myself up over mistakes, I get upset when staffers are upset and now I have to say goodbye.
It was unexpected, heart breaking and an emotional roller coaster, but two weeks later I’m slowly getting there.
These people are my second family, and I love them all. We’ve had our disagreements, low points and fights, but we still come back Sunday through Thursday to make this newspaper. I wish there was some way to actually say what I feel, but Willy Wonka said it right: “For some moments in life there are no words.”
For a writer and a destined journalist, that’s a hard pill to swallow.
So to the spring staff of 2007: Thank you all for letting me be your editor. Thank you for all the support, fun and love. Good luck to you all in whatever you choose to do in the upcoming years. You have all made an indelible mark on my life, and I owe you all so much for that.
To past staffs: I don’t know how you all did this.
To Alexis Arnone: you’re my sister, my best friend and the best roommate. You helped me through so much. Good luck in Charleston and in all you do, even though you don’t need it.
-- Liz White
Editor in chief
I’ve worked here at The Daily Gamecock for two years now, but this has been a long time coming. When I was three I used to dance around for my mother’s camera with a newspaper, singing and “reading.” At 7, I made my own newspapers about animal rights, complete with jumps (“see page A13”), advertisements I drew for princesses and comics of my big brothers getting in trouble. My pen name was “Ashley Olsen.” By middle school I was making newsletters for all my friends with gossip columns, movie reviews and other silly girl things. By seventh grade I was working tirelessly on the yearbook. This continued in eighth grade.
Freshman year of high school I couldn’t wait to work for the newspaper. By senior year I was the editor, and it was one of the best experiences of my life -- until now.
The Daily Gamecock has been one of the most rewarding, entertaining and educational experiences in my life. I don’t think anything else could be like this. It’s not just for my resume. I’ve learned twice as much, if not more, by working up here for two years than I could have in my classes down at the J-school for four.
Leaving this place isn’t easy. It tears me apart every night when I leave here. I go home and stare out my ceiling reliving headlines. I beat myself up over mistakes, I get upset when staffers are upset and now I have to say goodbye.
It was unexpected, heart breaking and an emotional roller coaster, but two weeks later I’m slowly getting there.
These people are my second family, and I love them all. We’ve had our disagreements, low points and fights, but we still come back Sunday through Thursday to make this newspaper. I wish there was some way to actually say what I feel, but Willy Wonka said it right: “For some moments in life there are no words.”
For a writer and a destined journalist, that’s a hard pill to swallow.
So to the spring staff of 2007: Thank you all for letting me be your editor. Thank you for all the support, fun and love. Good luck to you all in whatever you choose to do in the upcoming years. You have all made an indelible mark on my life, and I owe you all so much for that.
To past staffs: I don’t know how you all did this.
To Alexis Arnone: you’re my sister, my best friend and the best roommate. You helped me through so much. Good luck in Charleston and in all you do, even though you don’t need it.
-- Liz White
Editor in chief
Take this job and love it
Let me begin with the highest truth: I hate our editor in chief, Liz White.
However, we have never fought, argued, spat, quibbled, or even spread nasty rumors about each other. I hate Liz for inviting me a year ago to The Daily Gamecock. It was such a nonchalant gesture, first in person and then later via e-mail. I came to the interest meeting full of strangers and decided to stick around for grammar’s sake.
A year later, the office feels like -- all together now, staff -- “a home away from home.” This is because we know how everyone works around here and what to expect. It feels so liberating to cooperate with a bunch of other college students in an open-ended environment. At other jobs there’s been a disconnect between myself and my managers, because their authority and duties kept them in a different place. But here, I share professors with some staffers and trade homework advice with others. We’re all at the same stage of life, and that makes it easier to trudge ahead with putting out a paper.
Or should I say, “made” it.
While I’ll be Viewpoints editor during the summer, the staff will be much smaller. We’ll only meet once a week, which means this semester is essentially my last “real” one at The Daily Gamecock. It also means I should give thanks now, and not just to the editors: my co-workers include Evie, Barry, Lauren, Callie, Jason, AJ, Amanda, the Kellys and Zach (where copy editing is concerned). Every office should be so lucky to be stuffed with people who welcome non-sequiturs and off-kilter humor at the drop of a hat. We vacuum here at The Daily Gamecock: no brooms up our asses!
Back to the main idea: my hatred of Liz White. While my junior year easily beats the two before it because of my time here at the paper, senior year looks to top it with new opportunities. And exploring these opportunities means leaving the office before being forced to attend graduation – though I’ll continue to write columns for sure, and maybe even a few that aren’t tongue-in-cheek satires.
So I’m not really leaving yet, but it feels like goodbye. But I’d also like to greet the crop of fresh faces that will come to the newspaper in the fall and warn them: you’re gonna get attached to this place. Give this office a couple of open minutes of courtesy and you’ll get back a dozen friendships.
And if you’re not careful, you just might learn to love -- I mean HATE -- the people around here.
Thomas Maluck
Copy editor, columnist, perennial foot-dragger
However, we have never fought, argued, spat, quibbled, or even spread nasty rumors about each other. I hate Liz for inviting me a year ago to The Daily Gamecock. It was such a nonchalant gesture, first in person and then later via e-mail. I came to the interest meeting full of strangers and decided to stick around for grammar’s sake.
A year later, the office feels like -- all together now, staff -- “a home away from home.” This is because we know how everyone works around here and what to expect. It feels so liberating to cooperate with a bunch of other college students in an open-ended environment. At other jobs there’s been a disconnect between myself and my managers, because their authority and duties kept them in a different place. But here, I share professors with some staffers and trade homework advice with others. We’re all at the same stage of life, and that makes it easier to trudge ahead with putting out a paper.
Or should I say, “made” it.
While I’ll be Viewpoints editor during the summer, the staff will be much smaller. We’ll only meet once a week, which means this semester is essentially my last “real” one at The Daily Gamecock. It also means I should give thanks now, and not just to the editors: my co-workers include Evie, Barry, Lauren, Callie, Jason, AJ, Amanda, the Kellys and Zach (where copy editing is concerned). Every office should be so lucky to be stuffed with people who welcome non-sequiturs and off-kilter humor at the drop of a hat. We vacuum here at The Daily Gamecock: no brooms up our asses!
Back to the main idea: my hatred of Liz White. While my junior year easily beats the two before it because of my time here at the paper, senior year looks to top it with new opportunities. And exploring these opportunities means leaving the office before being forced to attend graduation – though I’ll continue to write columns for sure, and maybe even a few that aren’t tongue-in-cheek satires.
So I’m not really leaving yet, but it feels like goodbye. But I’d also like to greet the crop of fresh faces that will come to the newspaper in the fall and warn them: you’re gonna get attached to this place. Give this office a couple of open minutes of courtesy and you’ll get back a dozen friendships.
And if you’re not careful, you just might learn to love -- I mean HATE -- the people around here.
Thomas Maluck
Copy editor, columnist, perennial foot-dragger
Apr 26, 2007
I am fortune's full
I tried to quit. I really did.
But everytime I stormed off ranting about people who’d never heard of a deadline or late production nights, I got reeled back in.
“You sold your soul,” they’d tell me. Apparently two and a half years at The Daily Gamecock is equivalent to betting on a fiddling competition. And losing.
I complain a lot, but usually it’s all a joke. Tensions got high in the newsroom once in awhile, but most arguments could be solved with an ice cream run or television break.
This semester, I finally had to go through with quitting. I have another year of classes left, but after two and half years as a designer and eventually design director, I’m ready to find out what college is like when you don’t work past midnight 3 nights a week. Not that I’m getting out of it completely—I’ve promised to watch over design next semester, and I may be taking on another huge part of Student Media next year.
But I digress.
Even though I won’t be graduating until May ’08, people can’t seem to resist telling me how I’m getting ready to enter the “real world.” That magical place that was after high school first, and now is after college. In the real world, they say, I’ll have to get a job. I’ll pay bills and live on my own.
Amazing. Y’know, amazingly familiar…
Ok, so maybe financial aid and parents help out with some bills, but I pay a lot on my own. And the job thing? Between three jobs I work more than full-time every week. That calculation is without a full class schedule. And all my friends get to listen to me complain about all this.
I realized recently though, that I complain about my jobs in the same way I complain about the Gamecock. I work three jobs for the money and experience, but I stay at all three of these jobs because I love them. Papers and midterms suck, but without school I wouldn’t have any of the jobs I love and I wouldn’t have half the people I love. I might have all the free time in the world, but I wouldn’t even have a social life worth scraping together.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is: thanks for the experience. And I might actually miss this place, if I can ever escape.
Oh and on the whole real world thing all I can say is bring it on.
I could really use the relaxation.
-- Megan Sinclair
Design Director
But everytime I stormed off ranting about people who’d never heard of a deadline or late production nights, I got reeled back in.
“You sold your soul,” they’d tell me. Apparently two and a half years at The Daily Gamecock is equivalent to betting on a fiddling competition. And losing.
I complain a lot, but usually it’s all a joke. Tensions got high in the newsroom once in awhile, but most arguments could be solved with an ice cream run or television break.
This semester, I finally had to go through with quitting. I have another year of classes left, but after two and half years as a designer and eventually design director, I’m ready to find out what college is like when you don’t work past midnight 3 nights a week. Not that I’m getting out of it completely—I’ve promised to watch over design next semester, and I may be taking on another huge part of Student Media next year.
But I digress.
Even though I won’t be graduating until May ’08, people can’t seem to resist telling me how I’m getting ready to enter the “real world.” That magical place that was after high school first, and now is after college. In the real world, they say, I’ll have to get a job. I’ll pay bills and live on my own.
Amazing. Y’know, amazingly familiar…
Ok, so maybe financial aid and parents help out with some bills, but I pay a lot on my own. And the job thing? Between three jobs I work more than full-time every week. That calculation is without a full class schedule. And all my friends get to listen to me complain about all this.
I realized recently though, that I complain about my jobs in the same way I complain about the Gamecock. I work three jobs for the money and experience, but I stay at all three of these jobs because I love them. Papers and midterms suck, but without school I wouldn’t have any of the jobs I love and I wouldn’t have half the people I love. I might have all the free time in the world, but I wouldn’t even have a social life worth scraping together.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is: thanks for the experience. And I might actually miss this place, if I can ever escape.
Oh and on the whole real world thing all I can say is bring it on.
I could really use the relaxation.
-- Megan Sinclair
Design Director
Apr 25, 2007
A photog's final words
This is it – one of the last blogs of the year, and my last blog as a Daily Gamecock Photographer/ Photo Editor. As this may come to a bit shock to those of you who know me to blab on and on about how much I enjoyed the DG or for those who don’t you could pretty much care less right? Anyway from the guy who was asked in High School during his senior year what will you do in college and would eagerly respond work for The Gamecock, to the guy who has been a vet and seen both sides the stringer to the Asst Editor.
I have seen may things in my year here and made some great friends, met some celebrities in an elevator (sorry I didn’t recognize you, Steve) and maybe a few future presidents - this year has been amazing. From a freshman's point of view I have had the best first year in history to do what I have done to meet who I have meet, not many - hell, a handful - of people have experienced or will ever experience in their lifetimes. You know it's hard for me to put into words what I want to say; I have many mixed emotions: glad to end on a high note and sadness now that my dream is coming to a close, and it's time to wake up. I know as I depart the photo department is in good hands with special people like Jessica Smith and Ashton Vasquez. It's amazing what all we have done this semester; our photos where awesome and they came a long way. I am sure we are the best in South Carolina.
YES I SAID IT COME ON CLEMSON, WINTHROP AND CHARLESTON.
I look at all the papers and it amazes me how much I have done, and to see the progression is astonishing. Few people I would like to thank, former staff members, Mike Conway, Steven Van Haren, Nick Esares, and current members, Liz White, Nick Needem, Justin Fenner, Kelly Bobrow, and I know I am leaving people out. With out these people I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did and experience what I have. OH and of course our dear readers who look at my photos first then read. Sorry for the mistakes, but we tired we got our point across in most photos. Well I must go collect my things now, say my good byes, and get into my last arguments. I must depart but I am reminded of Cartman from South Park, “Screw you guys, I am going home.”
FINALLY. Take care you guys and wish you all the very best.
--Brandon Davis
Lame Duck Asst. Photo Editor
I have seen may things in my year here and made some great friends, met some celebrities in an elevator (sorry I didn’t recognize you, Steve) and maybe a few future presidents - this year has been amazing. From a freshman's point of view I have had the best first year in history to do what I have done to meet who I have meet, not many - hell, a handful - of people have experienced or will ever experience in their lifetimes. You know it's hard for me to put into words what I want to say; I have many mixed emotions: glad to end on a high note and sadness now that my dream is coming to a close, and it's time to wake up. I know as I depart the photo department is in good hands with special people like Jessica Smith and Ashton Vasquez. It's amazing what all we have done this semester; our photos where awesome and they came a long way. I am sure we are the best in South Carolina.
YES I SAID IT COME ON CLEMSON, WINTHROP AND CHARLESTON.
I look at all the papers and it amazes me how much I have done, and to see the progression is astonishing. Few people I would like to thank, former staff members, Mike Conway, Steven Van Haren, Nick Esares, and current members, Liz White, Nick Needem, Justin Fenner, Kelly Bobrow, and I know I am leaving people out. With out these people I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did and experience what I have. OH and of course our dear readers who look at my photos first then read. Sorry for the mistakes, but we tired we got our point across in most photos. Well I must go collect my things now, say my good byes, and get into my last arguments. I must depart but I am reminded of Cartman from South Park, “Screw you guys, I am going home.”
FINALLY. Take care you guys and wish you all the very best.
--Brandon Davis
Lame Duck Asst. Photo Editor
Apr 24, 2007
The long and winding road
I have worked a lot of different jobs over the years.
I’ve been a payroll courier, convenience store clerk, radio station board operator, call screener and talk radio show producer. I’ve worked as a swing-shift DJ for a top-40 radio station, produced syndicated radio broadcasts for a major university’s sports teams, delivered pizza, and worked very briefly as a Wal-Mart cashier (had to quit that one in a hurry). I’ve also worked as a freelance writer for a tabloid newspaper in Sweden, which is how I got interested in this whole journalism thing.
I’ve worked for a nonprofit organization founded by Bette Midler that cleans up and maintains neglected parks and gardens all over New York City (amazing experience). I’ve spent time as a crew member on a replica of an 1800s Dutch ship -- we sailed around New York Harbor and the Hudson River and taught elementary school kids about the environment (steering that ship under the George Washington Bridge and alongside the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 was one of the coolest experiences of my life).
I also worked at a youth hostel in Spanish Harlem that catered mostly to German backpackers (I’ll never forget when one of the guests stuck his head out of a sixth story window and shouted, “I Luff Heep-Hoop Muzeek!” at the top of his lungs).
None of these experiences, however, have benefited me more than working here at The Daily Gamecock. This job has created opportunities for me that never would have happened otherwise, and my future job prospects are world’s better because of it.
Now, I’m finally about to graduate -- a goal that’s been a long time coming for a married, non-traditional student like myself. It took a while for me to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, but I have no regrets about taking the long and winding road.
It’s been a blast working here, and I’ll miss it.
On to the next adventure …
-- Aaron Kidd
Copy desk chief
I’ve been a payroll courier, convenience store clerk, radio station board operator, call screener and talk radio show producer. I’ve worked as a swing-shift DJ for a top-40 radio station, produced syndicated radio broadcasts for a major university’s sports teams, delivered pizza, and worked very briefly as a Wal-Mart cashier (had to quit that one in a hurry). I’ve also worked as a freelance writer for a tabloid newspaper in Sweden, which is how I got interested in this whole journalism thing.
I’ve worked for a nonprofit organization founded by Bette Midler that cleans up and maintains neglected parks and gardens all over New York City (amazing experience). I’ve spent time as a crew member on a replica of an 1800s Dutch ship -- we sailed around New York Harbor and the Hudson River and taught elementary school kids about the environment (steering that ship under the George Washington Bridge and alongside the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 was one of the coolest experiences of my life).
I also worked at a youth hostel in Spanish Harlem that catered mostly to German backpackers (I’ll never forget when one of the guests stuck his head out of a sixth story window and shouted, “I Luff Heep-Hoop Muzeek!” at the top of his lungs).
None of these experiences, however, have benefited me more than working here at The Daily Gamecock. This job has created opportunities for me that never would have happened otherwise, and my future job prospects are world’s better because of it.
Now, I’m finally about to graduate -- a goal that’s been a long time coming for a married, non-traditional student like myself. It took a while for me to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, but I have no regrets about taking the long and winding road.
It’s been a blast working here, and I’ll miss it.
On to the next adventure …
-- Aaron Kidd
Copy desk chief
Apr 23, 2007
Viewpoints, out... seriously.
Well, this is weird. This is my final blog entry as Viewpoints editor of The Daily Gamecock. Which means I’ll be graduating soon. Yeah … a little scary. It’s been quite a ride with this newspaper for me. I started out as a lowly features writer and was catapulted into the position of The Mix editor by the end of the summer.
Good idea in their part? Probably not. I’ve had my fair share of tears and drama stemming from this paper, but I’ll still miss it.
I’ll miss the people who put this beast together every night. I barely got to know some of them this semester, but they’ve impacted me like they wouldn’t imagine. Others I’ve known since my first days at this paper (Riley and Bembry, I’m looking at you over there in your little sports corner), and I pretty much consider them family. That’s the one thing I’ve realized about this paper … everyone here holds me together like they do this paper. They’re my rocks, and it’s going to be hard to not come up to the newsroom three days a week. (I will get used to it, don’t worry. But, the beginning will be tough.)
I will no longer be writing weekly columns that only my mother reads and then sends e-mails about how wonderful a writer I am. Oh sigh, no more constant reassurance. I will no longer be allowed to get angry at my columnists for misinforming the public and tabbing with the spacebar. (OK, so I didn’t get THAT mad … I love you guys.) Most importantly, I won’t be a member of The Daily Gamecock. This is shocking and saddening. I will be moving on with my life — that can’t be right! So … here’s a hint to surviving TDG for the future: don’t plagiarize or J-Fen will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Viewpoints, Out. (seriously.)
-- Alexis Arnone
Viewpoints editor
Good idea in their part? Probably not. I’ve had my fair share of tears and drama stemming from this paper, but I’ll still miss it.
I’ll miss the people who put this beast together every night. I barely got to know some of them this semester, but they’ve impacted me like they wouldn’t imagine. Others I’ve known since my first days at this paper (Riley and Bembry, I’m looking at you over there in your little sports corner), and I pretty much consider them family. That’s the one thing I’ve realized about this paper … everyone here holds me together like they do this paper. They’re my rocks, and it’s going to be hard to not come up to the newsroom three days a week. (I will get used to it, don’t worry. But, the beginning will be tough.)
I will no longer be writing weekly columns that only my mother reads and then sends e-mails about how wonderful a writer I am. Oh sigh, no more constant reassurance. I will no longer be allowed to get angry at my columnists for misinforming the public and tabbing with the spacebar. (OK, so I didn’t get THAT mad … I love you guys.) Most importantly, I won’t be a member of The Daily Gamecock. This is shocking and saddening. I will be moving on with my life — that can’t be right! So … here’s a hint to surviving TDG for the future: don’t plagiarize or J-Fen will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Viewpoints, Out. (seriously.)
-- Alexis Arnone
Viewpoints editor
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