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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 1983)
Page 6B/The Battalion/Thursday, April 21, 1983 Hell’s Angels say they’re not as bad as people think United Press International SAN ANTONIO —The lush, green jungles of Vietnam be came bloody battlefields for a generation of Americans in the turbulent 1960s. But it was not the love of battle that prompted Hell’s Angels’ leader Sonny Bar ger to volunteer his notorious motorcycle gang to join the cause. The government denied the group’s offer to fight as a sepa rate unit in Vietnam, advising Barger, president of the Angels’ California chapter, and his Angels to join the Army. For Barger, that response typified the government’s atti tude then and now toward the Hell’s Angels, which he de scribes as a principled, patriotic group painted black with mis understanding and prop aganda. A lifetime of defiance has not mellowed Barger or New York chapter president Sandy Alex ander, both of whom insist that the Angels believe in nothing less than the original American way. “Our basic principles are what our country’s (principles) are supposed to be about,’’ Alexan der said. And he said those prin ciples had changed for everyone except the Angels. “The right to do as you please has been taken away from every body but us,” Barger said. “I’m Often tattooed and be decked with leather and chains, the Angels ride their Harley-Davidson choppers in menacing packs, exuding rebel lion and disrespect for mainstream American values. an American. It’s just that some thing is wrong with the way the place is run.” But even Barger does not say the truth about the Angels is pretty. Often tattooed and bede cked with leather and chains, the Angels ride their Harley- Davidson choppers in menacing packs, exuding rebellion and disrespect for mainstream American values. WIN A Walk into this Baskin-Robbins store in April and enter our 31 Flavors bike giveaway. There’s no purchase necessary. And you don’t have to be present to win. Enter often. You could scoop up a free bike. BASKIN-ROBBINS ICE CREAM STORE Baskin Robbins #923 2500 Texas Ave. Bryan, Texas 779-4024 Baskin Robbins #3901 2418 A Texas Ave. College Station, Texas 693-8500 Drawing to be held April 30, 1983. The Angels are hard drinkers and drug takers, and are not in clined to walk away from a fight. Barger, 44, and Alexander, 40, do not deny the sometimes violent nature of the Angels. But they claim that government propaganda branded them with the image of fighting hoodlums and “baby eaters.” That is why they came to San Antonio promoting the opening of “Hell’s Angels Forever,” a new movie that Barger said “gives us a chance to tell our side.” “We’re rough only with those who treat us rough,” he said. “There is justice in our violence. “We’re a highly visible group, and there’s been a lot of prop aganda about us,” he said. “That’s been their (the govern ment’s) main tool. People who call me a criminal better look in their own backyards.” Angels become violent, he in sisted, only when pushed or when someone violates the strict code of Angel justice. Barger cited the slapping around of Aspen, Colo., author Hunter S. Thompson, who he said betrayed the gang after writing a book about them. “He was beaten up. He had it coming,” said Barger, who claimed that Thompson failed to buy the gang a keg of beer for cooperating in his research. Bar ger did not like Thompson’s book, either. “He admitted the second half of the book was written in one night with a quart of whiskey and an ounce of cocaine,” Bar ger said. “He saw us from a co ward’s viewpoint. He coulidh’t fit in. But his book became the gospel.” The Angels have identified other enemies, including rock singer Mickjagger. But Barger dispelled the rumor that Jagger was targeted for death when he failed to sup port the Angels after an incident at an Altamont, Calif., rock con cert in 1969. One of the bikers, serving as bodyguard to Jagger and the Rolling Stones, reportedly killed a man m a scuffle near the stage. “I never liked him (Jagger),” Barger said. “I didn’t like him in ’69. (But) that doesn’t mean I’m going to kill him.” For Barger and Alexander, the sins of Jagger and Thomp son were their lack of honor and loyalty — things they will not tol erate in an Angel or anyone else. “Honor, loyalty and friend ship, we insist on all those things in an Angel — somebody that lives by his word,” Alexander said. Barger and Alexander say they have paid for the right to do as they please. Barger served more than five years of a 15-year sentence for cocaine and heroin possession, and Alexander, too, has spent time in jail. They both claim they would choose jail over giving up their right to act as men. “They push us,” Alexander vowed. “It’s my right as a man (to fight back). I’ve been in jail and I’ll fight for what I believe in.” NEVER IN THE Tanglewood Apis, are now being leased for the Summer and Fall semesters! You get an exercise room, a pool, a party room. . . we get utility bills! WE PAY UTILITIES! TAJVGLEWOOD APTS. "A Tradition in Living at Texas A&M. " c Iai|gl|Woodi 411 Harvey Rd. — C.S. 693-1111 &£%%**?* Seven & seven Reveille, illustrates the fact that she Reveille was caught in the act duriii| can also participate in Aggie yells. the Elephant Bowl on Friday. DIETING? Even though we do not prescribe diets, we make it possible for many to enjoy a nutritious meal while they follow their doctor's orders. You will be delighted with the wide selection of low calorie, sugar free and fat free foods in the Souper Salad Area, Sbisa Dining Center Basement. OPEN Monday through Friday 10:45 AM-1:45 PM QUALITY FIRST Since 1935. drive SPRING CLEARANCE SALE FIRST QUALITY i BOOTS 20-50% OFF FAMOUS MAKER Wrangler BOOT CUT i iouidtc JEANS r H ;?J* $1791 ■ 100% Cotton * 14% oz Denim REG S18.99 • While Supply Lasts MEN’S & LADIES REGULARLY I $21.95-$51.95 1 “4 ■H © 1982 SEAGRAM 0ISI1LLERS CO., NYC. AMERICAN WHISKEY. A BLEND. 80 PROOF "SeverHJp" and "7LF’ are trademarks of the Seven-Up Company