We know all about the rage of the “Gamecock Nation” – the moniker given to the rabid fans of the University of South Carolina’s athletic programs.
In fact, this website is currently experiencing the unmitigated scorn of said nation as it relates to our ongoing probe into allegations of academic fraud associated with the school’s baseball program.
“Will Folks is a complete moron who wants to be a reporter, but he and FITSNews (are) the biggest joke in sports reporting,” one rabid fan wrote recently in response to our ongoing investigation.
Anyway, like dogs chasing after a new bone, this week the froth-mouthed ire of “Gamecock Nation” has been redirected toward The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper – a.k.a. La Socialista. Why? Well, apparently the paper’s politically correct sports columnist Ron Morris has gone off the self-righteous deep end in his coverage of the recent suspensions (and reinstatements) of Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia and his position coach, G.A. Mangus.
Having broken both the Garcia and Mangus scandals – and having spent the better part of the summer covering the Garcia soap opera – FITSNews is obviously in a unique position to comment on both cases.
Our humble opinion? Ron Morris needs to wash the sand out of his vagina.
In fact, he might want to have that procedure performed sooner rather than later, because it appears as though some of The State‘s biggest advertisers are responding angrily to his contention that “the athletics department and school are selling their souls for national prominence in football.”
Clearly the USC athletics department sold its soul a long time ago … but that doesn’t mean its recent decisions regarding Garcia and Mangus were wrong. If anything, USC athletics director Eric Hyman jerked Garcia around (particularly as it relates to the indefinite suspension Garcia received this spring).
Putting the merits of those cases aside for a moment, though … Morris’ rants have now become an economic problem for The State. Specifically, Jewelry Warehouse – a Gamecock apparel provider and one of the paper’s major advertisers – has pulled its business from the paper in response to a boycott from furious fans.
“I have expressed my opinion to the State and have now indicated I am going to temporarily suspend our newspaper ads until there is resolution to this matter,” Jewelry Warehouse president Scott Satterfield said in a statement. “We strive to satisfy our Gamecock fan base in product, price and service and feel that this action would best serve all at this time.”
Almost immediately, fans on Gamecock message boards like Cocky Talk voiced their support for the decision.
“All Gamecock fans should place orders with (Jewelry Warehouse) to show their support or visit their stores and buy from true Gamecock supporters,” one fan posted on the website.
Having already weighed in on our thoughts regarding Ron Morris’ coverage (as we’ve done in the past), it’s time to address the successful boycott it has prompted.
Simply put?
We love it …
This is the marketplace of ideas in its simplest, most undefiled form … a compelling demonstration of the power of a thought to be accepted (or not accepted) in the marketplace. Morris is exercising his First Amendment freedom to be overbearingly (and annoyingly) indignant – while the Gamecock Nation is letting its money do the talking in response to that sanctimoniousness.
It honestly doesn’t get much better than that …
Trust us – there are plenty of things in the world to criticize, but people (even intellectually incurious ones) making decisions with their own money in the free market isn’t one of them. It’s when government starts forcing people to make those decisions that things get dicey.
So carry on, Ron Morris … and carry on, Gamecock Nation.
And while we’re unlikely to pick up any Jewelry Warehouse advertising in the wake of this dust-up, we’re more than happy to link to their USC and Clemson merchandise sites in the event you need to do some shopping before this weekend’s big college football kickoff.
GARNET AND BLACK TRADITIONS
TIGER PAW TRADITIONS
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By Bob Loblaw August 30, 2011 at 9:23 am
Priorities people. Priorities.
By Tunes'n'news August 30, 2011 at 9:29 am
What would sportstalk be without high levels of righteous indignation about everything?
By Mike August 30, 2011 at 9:47 am
I agree with your thoughts 100%. Letters, emails and telephone calls to The State have done nothing to curtail MoRon’s weekly drivel. So, how do you get the State’s attention? You hit them right where it hurts: the pocketbook. Unfortunately, TJW found itself squarely in Gamecock fans crosshairs. A little over the top? Maybe. Effective? Remains to be seen. But, it sure makes me feel better that TJW pulled it’s advertising from The State. From the looks of things on Gamecock Central, The Big Spur and Cocky Talk, TJW made some HUGE $$$ with their announcement.
By marshall August 30, 2011 at 9:51 am
This is hilarious. With the exception of Ron Morris, The State has already sold its soul to USC and writes nothing but fluff pieces day after day. Notwithstanding that fact, now the Gamecock faithful want to boycott The State.
In the history of college athletics, there has never been a dumber fanbase than Gamecock Nation. Bit T(urd) is a prime example of that.
By BigT August 30, 2011 at 10:03 am
Tin Soldiers, Obama’s Comin, We’re finally on our own…(Paraphrase, Neil Young, O-hi-o, 1970)….
It looks like FITS is taking the plunge to be the Gamecock-fan-loathing Anti-Anti-Media…We have no alternative media.
Two negatives make a positive. In other words You’re just like The State, as I warned you against.
The State has calculated (w/ the blessing of thr Watergate-era teaching of the USC J-School) that Crapping-in-your-nest journalism is the priority of the local media.
I was hoping you would prove to them that being a voice for the voice-less, even if those silenced are the majority, is good (and smart) journalism…
But the Siren sound of the degenerates and pop culture are too alluring I guess…
That said: It only takes a niche market to keep afloat a Blog. You have likely established that. You are but an auxiliary, a little more flamboyant, than the establishment media. Being sued, and losing, is your greatest danger.
The hope that you would be a part of the media revolution is passing. There is great comfort in being safe, tired and cliché.
When FITS said he could work for Hodges as easily as he could Sanford, I do not doubt that. You are a status quo, good ol’ boy, tick-tock, company man. Congrats. You are one of many.
The good part: You leave the door wide open, for what you are not. Thanks.
By Nikki's Twitter August 30, 2011 at 10:07 am
Get Excited. Gamecock’s are fantastic fluffers. Big Cock party this week at the mansion. Wonderful news for me, SC, and America.
By Tee August 30, 2011 at 10:33 am
Love it!
By shay August 30, 2011 at 11:11 am
Do you think the nickname “La Socialista” is clever? Because it’s really not.
By BigT August 30, 2011 at 11:13 am
“La Socialista” – The State
“La Socialisto” – FITS….
Siblings in the world of Establishment (liberal) publishing…
By BD01 August 30, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Not to worry — LS will always have at least one advertiser.
First Citizens: funding crime for decades.
“Don’t Get Arrested in South Carolina” scratches only the surface.
http://www.examiner.com/11th-circuit-court-in-atlanta/don-t-get-arrested-south-carolina-or-anywhere-else-america
btw — I wonder if Atlanta’s 11th Circuit Court is less corrupt than SC’s? That would indeed be something.
By king dixon August 30, 2011 at 12:43 pm
of course ron morris is a mouth flatulating douchebag who sensationalizes his arguments and cynically and manipulatively plays south carolinians for the gullible dupes and rubes he truly believes them to be. exactly no different from the playbook used by fitsnews, just add more sex, more gossip, and more jack off lady gaga dick bulge pics. LMFAO! but one thing about that cuntbag, ron morris, he picked the gamecocks to win the sec east last year before the season and he reinforced that same prediction all year long when most, even gamecocks fans, were seriously doubting the team after the kentucky and arkansas games and expecting a late season collapse: which was the constant refrain from this site all year until AFTER the florida game.in the end youre both douchebag shameless self promoting media whore scum, but ron just gets it right more often than you.
By Cheravian August 30, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Morris is a 2nd rate (at best) sports reporter and the STATE is similarly a 2nd or 3rd rate newspaper. So who cares what Morris says ? On the other hand, while I certainly don’t agree with every position FITS takes, it is first rate at what it does. I glance at the STATE on line every morning, but I haven’t paid for that rag since before the internet. In contrast I visit FITS many times a day, just as I do the DRUDGE REPORT.
By Cheravian August 30, 2011 at 12:47 pm
I stand corrected by my better half. We did buy the STATE and Observer Sunday editions more recently, so our house dog would have something to piss and crap on, until we started getting papers from friends….
By Billy Bob August 30, 2011 at 1:18 pm
WOW, to some, the truth really hits a nerve!!
By Tom August 30, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Ron Morris is one of the biggest reasons the paper’s circulation has dropped so much.
BTW, this past Sunday’s paper featuring the pre-season football guide was three hours late in being delivered due to a breakdown in the paper’s printing presses.
By little t August 30, 2011 at 2:29 pm
So now BIG T is a football expert in journalism too in addition to his savy and superior knowledge of politics. .We all strive to be like BIG T someday. At least I’m a little t to start.
By rwwllms August 30, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Who seriously gives a chicken turd fpr a bunch ignorant squawking cock worshipers. Bunch of gay faggot cock slobbering idiots who enjoy letting USC stick it up their ass.
Fuck USC. This city would be a far better one without it and this state would be a heel of a lot more educated without it’s fans.
Fuck ‘em.
By BigT August 30, 2011 at 3:10 pm
So rw: I’m guessing you’re not a fan….???? (Laugh)…
Also: Unlike FITS, that I still read, I’ve quit reading MoRon…FITS can tip you off to how the left and the moderates are (the way he is) thinking. That has value..
I put absolutely no validity into MoRon’s opinion, because he has shown me enough that he has contempt for USC athletics.
It’s like any astute Clemson fan knows that I’m going to be honest about Clemson, and they are not used to that…They don’t hear it much, so it has value….
MoRon is like so much of the other in-state media, he’s going to attack USC. The difference between me and him is that I can support my contentions. He makes up stupid crap.
The only thing I like about MoRon, is Spurrier jacking his ass up. That’s funny to see Spurrier call out that idiot…
By CNSYD August 30, 2011 at 5:26 pm
What do you want me to do Ron?
By DabosBraincell August 30, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Im so glad we got this Ron Morris guy a nice vacation home up here in the upstate..its been well worth it for all the negative he tries to bring carolina…now if we could just win on the field and they would lose it would be great..WWTD ???
By Sarah August 30, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Can you quit reading this page BigT….I’m tired of ya’ You have the social skills of my tenth grade daughter.
By RedTick August 31, 2011 at 11:08 am
Sarah, my 10th grade daughter has wonderful social skills, coming from a conservative family. Do you have a daughter gone bad?
By TinManCan August 31, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Clemson fans are great….USC fans are great…two schools who haven’t done shit in anything concerning major college atheletics. Someone linked me to this and these posts all over this site from the scorn of both schools is simply the most entertaining thing I have read in a long time. For a school with one 10 win season in a 100 years and the other school who has been a doormat for the ACC since their title in 1981….which looking at it from neither a USC or Clem standpoint looks tainted as reggie bush’s smile….all of you get a grip. In the end Clemson will be back in shit bowl this year and while I admit USC had some talent, anyone on here really think its gonna work out? Who beats #1 Alabama and then loses to Ketucky? Not having a dog in this fight is fun and I’m sure you guys have some crazy saturdays together but you both will never be more than low to middle tier teams that fart up a dust cloud that lasts a season or two at the most. Really do you crazies fight about 6 win teams like this all the time? Priceless…..the nation will see this story…look out twitter here I come with some comedy!