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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. Road McDonald BatUtng. Collage f p •
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