The Collegian
Dear Louanne,
This is really difficult for
me to write, but I watched
the Today Show yesterday
and they talked about date
rape. I realized there may
be other victims out there
like me. I feel so angry
and ashamed, and I can't
get it out of my mind:
What makes it worse is I
see this guy almost every
Cars Can Be So
by Mark Owens
Collegian Staff Writer
I wish mankind would stop
fooling around and invent decent,
practical and dependable
transportation, because the
automobile isn't it.
Last month's ordeal at the
garage for a state inspection
sticker has convinced me that my
car, a blindingly bright orange
Horizon TC3, suffers from
leprosy._
Somehow, the car knew it had
to go to the garage because two
weeks be ire hand, stuff started to
fall off (n iffier, antenna) and the
car stopped working.
I tried everything to get it to
work - I talked to it, fed it gas
and oil, washed it, sacrificed a
Yugo - nothing worked.
So I took it to the garage.
The mechanic looked at it,
muttering mechanicees the entire
time. With great difficulty I have
translated the major phrases:
"The thingamuwhatzit isn't in
bad shape." - $l5O to replace.
"This Lux-O-ValveTm
coupling needs replaced." -Give
me your GSL check.
"Mmm." - Major overhaul.
"Uh huh." - Sell the car.
"Uh hmmm."
- Oh my God!
He looked at my car, said
"Mmmmm." I started to get
worried. He told me how much
it would cost to fix my car. I
cried, then signed the indentured
servant papers.
I picked up my car last week.
The mechanic rearranged my
engine. Honest. I went to put in
a quart of oil and found the oil
cap where the windshield washer
fluid used to be.
I think my battery is now in
the trunk and the muffler is in the
back seat. The only thing he
didn't touch was the junk under
the seats. He was probably too
scared to look.
All this makes me wish cars
could talk. None of this "Your-
A LAST STRAW
Fresh flowers for all your
floral needs. Behrend
students - 10% discount
898-1879
Wednesday, February. 1
Ask
Louanne
day and he acts like
nothing happened.
Sometimes I even think
he's laughing at me. I've
told my best friend, but I
don't know what else I can
do. I'd like to leave
campus for good, but it
just isn't fair.
Signed,
Anonymous
door is ajar" stuff. I mean talk,
like you or me. Imagine all the
trouble it would save. You go
out to _your car, get in and it
says:
Somehow, the car
knew it had to go to the
garage because two
weeks beforehand,
stuff started to fall off
(muffler, antenna) and
the car stopped
working.
I tried everything to
get it to work - I talked
to it, fed it gas and oil,
washed it, sacrificed a
Yugo
worked.
"Hi. Before we go, you ought
to know my left rear wheel feels
a little funny. Maybe you can
take a look at it later, okay?"
Dear Anonymous,
You have every right to be really
- angry. I saw the same show you
did last Wednesday and I couldn't
believe the statistics. It is
estimated that one out of every
six freshmen women are victims
of date (or acquaintance) rape their
first semester! I sure hope that's
not true. I don't want tb believe
there are that many people out
there who would use violence or
physical force to impose their
will upon another person. Often
victims feel ashamed or somehow
responsible but there is no
justification whatsoever for rape.
You could pull a "Lady Godiva"
across campus at lunch hour, but
it gives no one a right to force
you to do anything against your
will.
One of the best things you can
for yourself is to talk to someone
Strictly
Cruel
All kinds of problems are
nipped in the bud and repairs are
inexpensive. Of course, there's
my car. It has a personality all
it's own.
"HEY... HEY... HEY!!
What is this? Do you know what
time it is?
"Well, it's..."
"IT'S 8:30 IN THE
BLESSED A.M.!! WHERE ARE
YOU GOING YOU
BONEHEAD?"
- "Uh, up to the...." _
"I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE
GOING - UP TO THE STORE
TO GET SOME POP-TARTS
FOR BREAKFAST, RIGHT?
RIGHT?"
"OF COURSE YOU ARE.
WELL YOU'RE NOT GOING!
GET YOUR FAT TUSH IN
THE HOUSE AND EAT SOME
CORNFLAKES! THEN GET
OUT HERE AND WASH ME!!
WHEN WAS THE LAST
TIME I WAS CLEANED,
YOU £#&*@ JERK! TELL
ME! TELL ME!"
nothing
Maybe the occasional spell of
car leprosy isn't so bad.
who is understanding and
objective. The Today Show
suggested colleges need to educate
incoming freshmen and to
establish a clear- procedure, a
carefully limited number of
professional people for victims to
talk to. Pressing charges both
through the campus disciplinary
system and the public law
enforcement agency is always
recommended, but if you are
reluctant to go this route
remember you can always talk to
me in the Personal Counseling
Office in strictest confidence
without any pressure to press
charges. The Rape Crisis Center
(870-7087) is another resource. I
would also suggest seeing Patty
McMahon at the Health Center.
Black Americans:
Teleconference: "Beyond the Dream:
A Celebration of Black History"
Wednesday, February 1
1 p.m., Reed Lecture Hall
This broadcast of the two-hour national
teleconference will launch Penn State-
Behrend's celebration of National Black
History Month. The teleconference is
sponsored by the national magazine, Black
ii • h
Musical Jubilee
Thursday, February 2
8 p.m., Reed Lecture Hall
The Penn State-Behrend Association of
Black Collegians will star in this
presentation of jazz, blues and gospel
music.
Page ' 9
Physical attention is important to
protect yourself form disease.
I hope you'll seriously consider
coming in to talk. Talking it out
is the best way to work, t h rough
your emotions and get past this
traumatic experience. I sure
would hate to lose you from our
campus and be left with that
disgusting animal who
committed this crime.
Send letters to:
Dr. Louanne Barton,
Personal Counseling
Office
2nd Floor, Glenhill
Farmhouse
Behrend College
Erie, PA 16563