/ I Viewpoint The Battauon Texas A&M University Friday May 4, 1979 Understanding friends helped rape victim Y- Lditor s note: This letter, for obvious reasons, was not accompanied by a signature. Rape is a very real problem in Bryan-College Station and at Texas A&M. This letter is an insight from a person who has been through it. Would like to tell you that this is a short note to say that I'm fine but... This will be a sad letter lor you but I don’t mind telling you because we are such good friends. A little while ago I got raped and have been in and out of the hospital ever since. I could have been killed but I’m thankful that I got away with minor in juries. There is nothing anyone can do for me really be cause it has already happened, but rather, \yhat I need to do for me is to help myself. It has made me realize that I need others.’ After it happened, I realized that I would need all the help from others and am seeking it. I am opening up to others with the understanding that they won’t know my needs or thoughts unless*I tell them. I feel that I’ve handled it pretty well, or rather it’s the beautiful people and friends who have helped to keep my head screwed on straight. (Hope not, I like being a little crazy.) It’s sad but true, but those whom I have met recently were the ones who were willing to help me in any way they could, and they were basically the ones who got me through this. Yes, I did run into those whose behavior was un believable. The good outnumbered the bad, though, and words can never express how much their kind ness and understanding meant to me. I just re member crying about it because the opposite is a popular belief. At any rate, I will never forget it. Some of my closest friends were a big disappoint ment, but sadness only exists now where the close ness was once felt. All is not lost, though, since one of the alternatives at hand is the profit from lost illu sions. / I also feel that the way I’m handling everything has a lot to do with my outlook on life which, I be lieve, has much to do with having such wonderful parents and the past experiences I’ve had to deal with in life. Whether the experiences in life are good bad, one can learn from them, hopefully make the most of them, hopefully become a better and wiser person because of them. As far as myself, I really don’t know what else to say except that I will try and look at the good side instead of the bad in what has happened. I have learned a lot recently about people, about myself, and about life. It’s unfortunate that this had to hap pen to make me see so many things, but hopefully it will make me a better person because of it. I believe that sometimes things are meant to happen (good or bad) as it did to me in the hopes of making me a bet ter person or in helping other people. I only want to learn and not be bitter, even though I realize that I’m only human and some will probably exist. I have hopes that I’m that kind of person and will be able to accomplish it even though it may take time. It’s very hard to express how I feel but I hope you understand what I’m trying to sav. I know that this all may sound a little corny but I believe a positive attitude is a healthy attitude and it’s the best Way to get through one’s problems and this is the direction that I must try ana follow, even though it may be hard at times. In any event, it is not the past ancf I’m looking forward. The future is still bright and beautiful, if I don’t dwel} on the past. I know that a lot of people were concerned I might totally "flip out” (which is quite normal. I’m told) and a lot of people wanted me to leave. I felt that it was totally against everything I believed in. I appreciated the thought of everyone wanting to protect me against the hurt I’ve experienced. The longer I wait, though, the harder it will be to face. If I face it now the easier it will be to put behind me. Believe me, I know. You can’t begin to imagine all that has been hap pening so I just take the hump as I come to it. Let me put in one last thought: I’m not ashamed of what happened, never was and shouldn’t be. I just hap pened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Friend, I’m telling you all this because I don’t want it to ever to happen to you and maybe make you realize a few things. I understand that you are still probably stunned and speechless, but please take care. It very real and I never thought it would hap pen. If the girls before me had prosecuted it never would have happened. If it does happen to you, please, seek all the help available to you. It does make a difference, and nobody thinks any less of you because of it. Hopefully, you will experience only the best that life has to offer because it’s what I want for you and happiness always. o — • , - — •* 7 ..iv, u > ». . Carter not campaigning, just ‘building party support ♦ ’ ' n., mitt Tunvi a c formal announcement, and White savs president now, where I am really trying tial march — and California. By HELEN THOMAS UP! White House Reporter WASHINGTON — President Carter doesn't call it campaigning. But he is on the trail and trodding a familiar political path — New Hamphir?, Iowa, California for starters. "Building party support,'" quips his son. Chip. Democratic National Committee. Chairman John White* openly discusses Carter’s plans to enter every* primary.. And presidential aides are busy revving up the White House for the months of electioneering ahead. So the only question is timing for the formal announcement, and White says that will come in the fall after Congress disposes of major legislative proposals. There may be some wistfulnpss on Carter’s part for 3 little time just to be president. He has changed his mind and says presidents should be limited to one six-year term. Then, he feels, a president could go about his business, be the chief executive full time and not have to worry about hiS political future in the White House. •In an interview with the UPI News paper Advisory Board, Carter said, "The reason is that no matter what I do as president now, where I am really trying to ignore politics and stay away from any sort of campaign plans and so forth, a lot of things I do are colored through the* news media and in the minds of the American people by, "Is fhis a campaign ploy or is it genuinely done by an in cumbent president in the best intenjft of our country without any personal advan tage-' ' In the same interview. Carter was asked about a western swing he planned for the following weekend with stops in Iowa — where he won the caucuses in January 1976 that launched his presiden- tial march — and California. But Carter objects to speculation that trips to New Hampshire, Iowa and California might just possibly have some political overtones. The president also apparently will re turn to his his most effective format — the town meeting. He sheds his jacket, gets folksy, and tries to answer ques tions. Sometimes he takes on the ap pearance of Carter, the “Jimmy who"' candidate, who was fighting Washington domination in the 1976, and still is. It is quite clear that Carter’s political operatives are more concentrated on his possible opponents within his party, rather than the Republican candidates who are stumping the country. The president bares his own feelings on occasion against potential rivals such as Gov. Edmund Brown Jr. of California and Sen, Edward M. Kennedy of Massa chusetts. At the White House correspondents dinner. Carter took pot shots at both in joking remarks. Here are some samples: “I have found a way through experi ence and long discussions to explain to these foreign leaders why we have such colorful opposition within my own party. "This is California's way of celebrating the "Year of the Child. "’ Then he went on to say that he really gets annoyed with the responsibilities of statecraft on his shoulders that the quesi- ton of politics comes up. “Even Amy, my little daughter, has been asking me why everyone talks about John Connally or Ronald Reagan or Jerry Brown instead of me. And I have explained to her very carefully, T am only the president, they are candi dates.’ But then she just looks and me and says, ’Yes, but. Daddy, Ted Ken nedy is not a candidate. ’ And then topping it off. Carter said, "A lot of people keep asking me if I am running. And I keep asking them, ’Run ning^ - hat?"’ Carter's remarks were a big hit and evoked much laughter. But the fact re-, mains that he is having problems in his own tent, and that he first must consoli date the various wings of his own party. Letters to the Editor Ticketed for dating Dear Mr. Stone: I deeply regret to inform you that al though I am replying to your pleasant letter addressed to the “poor rich kids of A&M," I do not thusly qualify as such. However, in being an Aggie, I feel I am justified to do so despite the fact. Now, let me begin with your accusa tions as to the “crybabies on campus who apparently flood you with whines about receiving tickets. We will assume you neglected to mention any complaints in particular lodged at the KK’s in issu ing tickets. Allow me, sir, to cite two quickly to further support your firm be lief in the FAIRNESS of the Aggie cop who is just doing his job, On several occasions my date came to pick me up, parking his car adjacent to the dorm with his emergency flashers on. Being that he is not Bruce Jenner, it took him approximately 10 minutes to run up four flights of stairs to my dorm and to return to his vehicle with me. And guess what little suprise we found under his winshield wiper — no, it couldn't have been a ticket — for IL LEGAL PARKING or ILLEGAL DAT ING? This incident occurred on several other occasions if my memory serves me correctly. Furthermore, last semester, Wednes- dav of finals week, yours truly parked benind the dorm while I proceeded to move my things down five flights to my car. During the course of two hours of moving, I received three tickets — justly, of course. Now, Mr. Stone, if you would like to move my stuff down five flights and out to Navasota where my vehicle would have otherwise been parked — be my guest. Otherwise, fair and just one, don’t go around giving me a ticket for moving my things to go home finals week. I be lieve these two examples are a fair, rep- representative sample of the type of tickets the students do bitch about. Furthermore, Mr. Grown up Worldly Person of 1979, if you’re so tough and know what it’s all about in the real world, why did you quit?. You mean to tell me that you allowed a few sniffling poor rich kids at Texas A&M to run you off? Tch-tch, I’m sooo sorry. I hope when I grow up some day I can handle the real world just like yoii —D.A. Calderola, ’SO Todays Bonfire Editor: Listen up Ags! There ace a few two- percenters out there who aren't reading their copy of "‘Today’s Student.” You re member “T.S.” don't you? It is that reli gious newspaper that everyone wanted on campus to fill the information gap left by reputable newspapers. Where else can you read about the story of creation, or be exposed to the mythological teach ings of a person reputed to have lived over two thousand years ago? After distributing ‘T.S.” on campus for a semester without anybody’s approval, those persons responsible “saw the light" and formed an organization, now recog nized by A&M, and in doing so received the right to distribute “T.S.” Well Ags, the problem is that now that we have this fine example of journalism on cam pus we’ve found out that only a minority of students read it, leaving an overabun dance of unread newspapers every week. What would you do with those extra copies, Ags.? Methods already tried in clude placing a newspaper under 1 the windshield wiper of parked cars and strategic distribution in apartment com-, plexes and shopping centers. Since such distribution on private property is illegal (just talk to the Public Relations Director of Culpepper Prop erties about how many organizations they’ve prosecuted) I suggest that all extra copies of "T.S." be saved. -After all. Bonfire isn’t that far away. —Raymond J. Grimaila, ’81 Enjoyed the Word Editor: I want to say how much I enjoyed the outdoor preaching that Jim McCotter did Wednesday morning. It was so encourag ing because he presented Jesus Christ in such a real and vivid manner. I praise TAMU for letting such a godly manspeak openly on campus and encourage more of the same in the future. —Lee Allen Jarrell, ’81 Enjoyed the Word Editor: Today as I walked in front of Har rington I heard a guy named Jim McCot ter speaking from a bench. There were many people gathered around, so I stop ped to listen. He really had a lot of in teresting things to say about God. In the two hours I stood there he re lated God to subjects such as philosophy and psychology. I really enjoyed listen ing to him. A&M needs more things like this happening on campus. The students need to have the opportunity and the freedom to hear the truth. —Anne Tadlock. ’81 Enjoyed the Word Editor: I am really glad I was walking by HECC today and had a chance to hear that guy Jim McCotter speaking publicly on some very interesting and personal is sues common to all men and women everywhere. He seemed to have a gfeat insight into the person of Jesus Christ, who is so misunderstood around the world. And I am also glad that he was able to exercise his freedom as an American to speak out on this issue. I also hope that more people like Jim will stand up and give the people around the world a hope in a living God. Where else should the freedom of speech be upheld as in a university? Inank you, Jim McCotter, and I hope to hear your message again. —Lenwood S. Adams, ’80 Dead ringer Editor: I’m writing this letter in the hopes that someone out there will want to pre vent a death. I just lost the second ring my sister has given to me as a present. If she finds out, shell kill me.^ Besides that, it was a pretty neat looking ring, and I d like to have it back. It’s a silver and turquoise ring, with a silver crescent moon and star in crushed turquoise. I left it on the sink in a re- atroom in Rudder Tower. If anyone picked it up, please give me a call at 693-3599. Your action will be greatly ap preciated and rewarded. —Dale Crockett, ’80 Top of the News CAMPUS Calendar deadlines announced The deadline for submittng dates and events for the ^ UI ^ n Y^ All-University Calendar is Monday. Forms can be obtaine • Student Activities Office, Room 221, MSG. Dates ar® ^ being accepted for the fall, 1979 and semester calende . deadline for these calenders is July 25. Additional information y be obtained by calling 845-1133. • a " Ai?M gets Syrian food contract The Syrian Arab Republic has contracted Texas A&M University agricultural economists to assess that nation’s ability to produce and market food. The $217,000 contract is being funded by the Agency for International Development and is due to be completed for the Syrian government by Oct.l. Dr. Ray Billingsley is techni cal coordinator for the Texas A&M group. Other members of the team are Dr. John Hopkins, Dr. Don Farris, Dr. Carl Shafer, Dr. John Penson, Clair Nixon, Gregory Sullivan and John Warren. LOCAL t %. Aggie Club schedules Wilson - The Brazos County A&M Club is hosting “An Evening With Coach Tom Wilson” May 14 at 7 p.m. in Room 201, MSG. Reser vations can made by calling 845-75J4. The cost is $7 per peson and must be made by next Friday. All proceeds will benefit the club’s academic scholarship program. In addition, two $500-a-year schol arships will be awarded to Brazos county students during the pro- gram. . , ‘ . J Space scarce at courthouse Despite a serious overcrowding situation in county jails. County Judge Dick Holmgreen said Thursday a major problem facing the citizens committee studying the courthouse situation is the lack of courtroom space. The creation of the 272nd District Court has added to an already existing problem, he said. The Commissioners Court, County Court-at-law and the 85th District Court have been vying for courtroom space in the past. There are three courtrooms in the courthouse, Holmgreen said. The new district court met in the grand jury room earlier this week. Holmgreen said the courts will probably share the limited space on the basis of need adding that trials requiring juries will be assigned courtnfcms designed to fit those needs STATE Bodies found in sea search The bodies of three members of a Texas family tossed into stormy West Bay have been recovered in Galveston and it appears only a teen-age boy survived the 48-hour ordeal. The Coast Guard suspended its search for Mary Price, 27, mother of the family, late Wednesday. Eight hours earlier, searchers, had located the body believed to be that of her 36-year-old husband, Ronald. The other children. Janice Radcliff, 10, and Norman Radcliff, 7, were found washed ashore earlier Wednesday. Ronald Price Jr., 14, was re scued by a shrimper Tuesday afternoon. He was semi-conscious, cl inging to the overturned 16-foot motorboat The Cdtist Guard has not determined the reason for the accident. Young "Ifrice said his sister and brother had life jackets, but his stepmother and father did not. Price was listed in good condition at a Galveston hospital. Driver rams car to save police Gary Lyles had no time to think. The sight of a driverless car rolling out of a Houston parking lot toward certain collision with two moving police motorcycles prompted reflexive action. He rammed his sports car into the vehicle rolling out of the parking lot, bringing the runaway to a halt that cost him several hundred dollars damage to the front of his own car. "It was a snap decision. There Wasn’t anything else to do. Lyles said. “The little car wasn t that much of a sacrifice to keep (the other car) from hitting the policemen Officer J.W. Dunbar said he and his partner were cy cling down a street toward imminent collision but, because of a large sign blocking their view, didn't know it. “There’s no way in the world we would have missed it," Dunbar said. NATION j Wayne recovering after surgery John Wayne’s condition is satisfactory, but that is about all his doctors will say about Wednesday’s surgery to remove an unex plained “intestinal obstruction" — his third operation in little more than two years. The actor, whose cancerous stomach was removed less thanj^ve months ago, was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital near his Newport Beach' home Tuesday afternoon. He was moved to UCLA Medical Center late that night and underwent surgery Wednesday morning. "The examination of Mr. Wayne after his admission to the UCLA •hospital disclosed an an intestinal obstruc tion which was relieved at an operation this morning,” a hospital spokesman told reporters Wednesday. WEATHER Cloudy and windy with a slight chance of showers. High today in the mid 60 s and a low of 50. Winds will be northerly at 15-25 mph. Changing to 5-8 mph tonight. The Battauon LETTERS POUCY MEMBER Lttttrt to tkt rdttor thouid mot mrrd 300 wordt tmd are Tmai Pm< Aixxrtipti - mb** to bHmt cut to that length or let* if longer The Southwest journalism Congress nktorial rtaff rrmroer the right to edit m$ch letter* and doe* Frlitor * ^ i • vt *, mo, gmaranue to pubii* an, farttar Larh teU~ mo„ be ^ , L “ Newl.n . etgmed. thou rfc» •tidreee of the urUar and hat a telephone Managing Lditor Andy W illiams • I muenher for verification Asst Managing Editor Dillard Stone 11 A44rra* amapomdama to Canon to the Editor. TXa Sports Editor . . Sean Pettv * Banahom. Room tit. 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Tesa* 77M3 * A.nsnam • United Frets International ia entitled rschstivelv to the ™ Lynn Blanco. • use far reproduction at all aewt dispatches credited to N Photographer .. . Clay Cockril 1 Ri#ts of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved 1 « Seaond-Ckst posts** paid at ( otiepr Station. TX 77843 Forts* section editor Beth Calhoun • e Opinion* expressed in The Battalion are Riyents. The Battalion it a non-profit, seif-1 those of the editor or of the writer of the twpportin# enterprise operated by students ? article and are not necessarily those of the