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Editor:
Some Wildcat readers were very offended by the letter I wrote last week ('Date rape victim ought to 'take control' of her life," Oct. 24), so I'll stop expressing any more crazy ideas and opinions. Playing the devil's advocate has lasted long enough, and I don't want anyone (especially Jessica) to think that such an animal is loose on campus (at least not to my knowledge).
I apologize if I broke the rules by expressing opinions that weren't mine - although I'm sad to say I have heard them expressed by others. The original article ("No means no," Oct. 18)) didn't seem to describe the horror of rape strongly enough, and the expression "date rape" always seems like too much of a euphemism. Rape is rape, whether the attacker is a "friend" or not. As Mr. Marion wrote, one must assume that, in all situations, no means no. The statement that most bothered Ms. Phillips and Ms. Jung is total "crap." I went overboard there; some nonsense shouldn't be expressed. But it's scary that Ms. Jung has heard similar ideas expressed in her class.
Having recently lived for two years in a country with extreme censorship and no freedom of expression, I found it a great relief to return to the United States, where despite the risk of being exposed to offensive expression, we have the freedom to exchange ideas. I suppose I'm still a little drunk on that freedom and the power that goes along with it, whether that be to spread disturbing ideas or to encourage meaningful discussion.
Jessica, I sincerely hope that you (and your boyfriend) can work out a solution.
George W. Bell
physiological sciences graduate student
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