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TRIGGER WARNING: This content deals with an account of sexual assault and may be triggering to some people.
When you're being raped time does not stop. Time does not speed up and jump ahead like it does when you are with friends. Instead, time becomes your nemesis; it slows to such an excruciating pace that every second becomes an hour, every minute a year, and the rape becomes a lifetime.
On May 25, 2011, I was raped by an acquaintance in Crossett Dormitory on Amherst College campus.
Some nights I can still hear the sounds of his roommates on the other side of the door, unknowingly talking and joking as I was held down; it is far from a pleasant wakeup call.
I had always fancied myself a strong, no-nonsense woman, whose intense independence was cultivated by seventeen harrowing years of emotional abuse in my backwoods home. May 25th temporarily shattered that self-image and left me feeling like the broken victim that I had never wanted to be.
Everything I had believed myself to be was gone in 30 minutes.
I did not report the rape after it occurred. Almost immediately after the rape I flew off to California, got lost in the beauty of the redwoods, the phenomenal art, and meeting the most unique people I'd ever beheld.
I blocked the rape from my mind and tried to convince myself that it hadn't happened; that it couldn't have happened. But there was no denying the facts.
One week before I was supposed to fly back East, everything rushed over and consumed me. My memory had been restored and I wasn't sure how I would be able to hold myself together for that year, let alone for the upcoming three years.
When I returned to Amherst for my sophomore year, I designed a simple plan of attack for surviving: Business as usual combined with a new mantra I will NOT cry.
First semester passed relatively well, there were rocky times, but I kept it together. I masked fear with smiles. I mastered the art of avoiding prying questions. I drowned myself in work and extracurricular activities in order to hide my personal pain. I was unnervingly good at playing the role of well-adjusted sophomore.
It was inevitable though that this masquerade would become too overwhelming and that my façade would shatter.
In February twisted fate decided that I had to work with him on a fundraiser. E-mails. Stopping me in the gym and at the dining hall. Smirks. Winks. Pats on my back. It was all too much.
My masquerade was over.
I broke down and for the next several months, he won.
I spent most of my spring semester an emotional wreck. I saw his face everywhere I went. I heard his voice mocking me in my own head. I imagined new rapists hiding behind every shower curtain and potted plant. I bandaged the situation by throwing myself into more work and by resolutely refusing to acknowledge that I was anything but well adjusted.
Eventually I reached a dangerously low point, and, in my despondency, began going to the campus' sexual assault counselor. In short I was told: No you can't change dorms, there are too many students right now. Pressing charges would be useless, he's about to graduate, there's not much we can do. Are you SURE it was rape? It might have just been a bad hookup…You should forgive and forget.
How are you supposed to forget the worst night of your life?
I didn't know what to do any more. For four months I continued wandering around campus, distancing from my friends, and going to counseling center. I was continuously told that I had to forgive him, that I was crazy for being scared on campus, and that there was nothing that could be done. They told me: We can report your rape as a statistic, you know for records, but I don't recommend that you go through a disciplinary hearing. It would be you, a faculty advisor of your choice, him, and a faculty advisor of his choice in a room where you would be trying to prove that he raped you. You have no physical evidence, it wouldn't get you very far to do this.
Hours locked in a room with him and being called a liar about being raped? No thank you, I could barely handle seeing him from the opposite end of campus; I knew I couldn't handle that level of negativity.
When May rolled around, everything finally came to a head. My "Anniversary" was coming up and all of the terror that I had intermittently felt that year became one giant ball of horror that filled my life. He was still out there. He could get to me again. If I told anyone he would find out and do it again. No, no, no, no, no.
For my independent studies photography course I produced a series of 20 self-portraits representing myself before, during, and after the rape.
I showed them to my classmates. Their words stung like hornets: You look funny…I don't get it, why are you so upset?
I went to the counseling center, as they always tell you to do, and spoke about how genuinely sad I was at Amherst, how much I wanted to leave, and how scared I was on a daily basis. "I should just drink darkroom developer or something…"
Twenty minutes later campus police was escorting me into an ambulance. They were even less understanding: There's something seriously wrong with you; you're not healthy and normal right now. No, you can't say no. You HAVE to go, but don't worry, you won't have to be there too long. This is for your own good. Amherst cares about you and wants you to get better.
On May 5th I entered Cooley Dickinson Hospital's Emergency Room. Three hours after sitting curled up and terrified on a hospital bed I was admitted into the Psychiatric Ward for depression and suicidal thoughts. The doctor was skeptical to say the least: I really don't think that a school like Amherst would allow you to be raped. And why didn't you tell anybody? That just doesn't make any sense...Your anger and sadness right now seem unfounded and irrational, someone your age should not be this sad—it's not normal. We'll be admitting you in a few minutes, they'll take good care of you. They'll get you some drugs and they'll make you feel happy again…If you don't willingly enter we'll have a judge issue a court order legally forcing you to stay there. Trust us, this is for your own good.
So much for not having to stay.
The Psychiatric Ward was a lovely place: the top floor of the hospital, bare white walls, Spartan furnishings, and two stainless steel locked doors at either end of the corridor making sure that anyone who goes in, stays in. Doctors and Nurse Practitioners wondered around the bare hallways checking in on myself and my fellow patients—every fifteen minutes they recorded where we were, what we were doing, and whether we looked happy. In the morning we were given our drugs; if you didn't take them you would have to be there longer. It was in our best interest to take them, so they told us.
During the day we discussed our thoughts and feelings, our inhibitions, our strengths, but more often than not we did nothing.
When you're forced to sit and think about yourself for hours on end, you go through four stages of existence.
Stage 1: Hysteria—Characterized by denying that anything is wrong, "I'm perfectly fine" and "I don't belong here," are common phrases during this stage.
Stage 2: Numb and Ornery—You have finally realized that something is wrong with you, but you are overwhelmed and confused about how to go about fixing your problem. You therefore decide not to do anything.
Stage 3: Determination—You realize that the only way you're allowed to leave the Ward is if you "get better" and "solve your problems." Every fiber of your being thus goes into these two tasks.
Stage 4: Enlightenment—Everything falls into place. Your mind is no longer an oppressive hell and it begins to function again. The outside world no longer seems so daunting.
You are then permitted to leave.
My Enlightenment occurred when I least expected it. Four days into the Ward, I was sitting in on an introductory Substance Abuse and Mental Health Rehabilitation meeting since there was absolutely nothing better to do. To start us off, the meeting leader decided to have everyone go around and talk about why we were on the Ward. We went around the circle: hours in rehab, drug relapses, alcoholism, abusive boyfriends, being an abusive boyfriend, and escapism from the stresses of daily life. The stories weren't the superficial accounts that you read in a person's medical file; they were real life. Every problem, every ounce of frustration, every personal tick was laid bare that evening. And everyone was open, not proud, just blunt and sincere; the desire to improve their lives was palpable.
Over the past four days, I had yet to touch upon "what I was in for," my story was a mystery to everyone around me.
As my fellow patients went around the circle it all suddenly clicked. I realized why I never spoke about the rape, why I had refused to tell my school friends, why I had totally broken down, why I had steadily degenerated over the past few months. I was ashamed, and because of this shame I could not begin healing.
"Silence has the rusty taste of shame," a fellow survivor once wrote.
I had been far too silent, far too ashamed.
That night I told them everything.
For the first time I told my story and I was not ashamed.
Later that night, as I lay in bed—still in an adrenaline induced state of wakefulness—I heard my roommate whisper my name, and then, a question.
"Are you still awake?"
"Thought so…"
A long pause. She'd been in the meeting.
What was she thinking? What would she say?
"I just wanted to tell you, I…I know how it feels. My uncle raped me when I was 15. The police never arrested him. Rape "wasn't their top priority." It still hurts…You're incredibly brave to talk about it…I rarely do."
She was 42 years old.
I did not sleep. That night I realized that from then on I could not stay silent—if not for myself, then for my roommate.
I had reached the apex of Stage 4.
I decided that once I was released I would continue with my plans to study abroad that upcoming semester; I would be rejuvenated when I returned to campus in the winter, ready to take on the world and fight for survivor rights.
I would be strong again.
From the moment I woke, this plan hit one pitfall after another; a domino effect of roadblocks that continued for the next three months.
I sat at breakfast in bright spirits, attempting to carry on a conversation with a manic depressive woman who rarely talked. I was so genuinely happy that her lack of responses didn't even bother me—I just talked at her.
In the middle of my stimulating conversation my harried looking social worker suddenly strode into the dining room and headed purposefully over to me.
She looked grim and angry. "They're trying to prevent you from going back."
I was shocked.
She began rattling off the Administration's policy regarding students released from psychiatric care. In order for students to be allowed back they had to have parental supervision while on campus in order to make sure that the student did not relapse into substance abuse again (the most common reason for student admittance into the Ward). This meant that a parent would stay in a hotel near campus and would then follow their child around for two weeks until the "all clear" period was reached. "And since you don't have parents…"
She trailed off awkwardly and began to resolutely examine the upper left-hand corner of the dining room.
I must have been speechless for a good minute as a bizarre series of emotions plowed me over.
Shock to incredulity, back to shock, to sadness to anger, back to shock again, then back to sadness, and then an overwhelming amount of shame and embarrassment settled over me. I'm not worthy of even going back; that's how disgusting I am. I can't even step foot on campus…
Panic welled up inside of me.
Did this mean I was trapped on the Ward forever? God, no, I couldn't handle that. I wasn't crazy!
Claustrophobia and paranoia dropped on top of me and I wildly scanned the room. I met my roommate's eyes. She was looking at me with worry: What's wrong?
The room stopped spinning, the walls went back to their normal locations, I could breathe again, and now I was angry. I told her flat out: Let me get this straight. I was raped on their campus. I had an emotional breakdown because I didn't feel safe and felt harassed on their campus. I went to their counseling center, like they told me to, and I told them how I was feeling. They decided that I should be sent to the hospital. And now they won't allow me back on their campus? They allow rapists back on campus, but they won't allow the girl who was raped back? The girl who did nothing wrong.
She told me: Well, when you put it that way…
The maniacal grin on my social worker's face as she walked off was wonderful.
Needless to say, Amherst let me back on campus later that evening. Five days after being admitted, I was finally released from the Ward.
The car ride back to campus with my dean was, also needless to say, the most awkward car ride of my life. I looked at her: You know, I'm really glad that y'all let me back on campus, for a while there I was pretty worried and I was actually preparing an argument for why I should be allowed back…
Her response: No, no, no! That's not what happened, you must have just misunderstood the situation! We're so happy to have you back! Amherst is just such a wonderful place, we know you'll be happy to be back!
A big misunderstanding, I was skeptical.
In the following days I decided that my best policy when dealing with Amherst at the moment would be "let's let bygones be bygones." I quickly forgave the Administration and focused on just being happy to be out. On the inside though I was still dripping with anger, shame, and embarrassment.
Several days after my release I had to defend my chance to study abroad. My chance to leave campus for the first time in 8 months, my chance to relax and heal in a new environment, my biggest chance to revive my love of Amherst, and my chance to move on in life by studying what I truly love. The prospect had gotten me through the most frigid hours on the Ward and I was convinced that it would be the perfect way to continue my healing process.
I half-heartedly murmured, Your actions were understandable. I understand your policy when dealing with depression and students coming out of the Psychiatric Ward…during the meeting that included my dean and several of the campus counselors. Relief instantly flashed across all of their faces and the atmosphere rose in friendliness.
Then: The Ward was the best thing that could have happened to me. I have re-found my love of life and my desire to heal. I will never be 100% better, but I no longer feel like a victim. I'm a survivor, I'm strong, and I think that studying abroad will help me continue healing. When I return in the winter I'll have a greater understanding of myself and a greater appreciation of Amherst.
They responded with enthusiasm: Of course! Very coherent explanation. You seem much happier, which is wonderful! We agree that going abroad and getting off campus will do you good.
Study abroad here I come!
I felt genuinely happy for the first time in a year, and I could not wait to head out.
At Amherst though, things are never that easy.
A few weeks after my release from the Ward I had a routine check-in with my dean to make sure that I was still doing well. I was excited to be leaving soon, and I must have looked quite content, sitting in her office with a million watt smile and bright eyes. I began to rattle on about how nice the warm weather was, how beautiful commencement had been, how great life was, on and on. She seemed distracted: Nod, nod…Mhmmm…Well, excellent! I'm so glad to hear that you're excited about the upcoming summer here. I know how much you wanted to study abroad and how much work you must've put into it, but really, it's for the best. Africa is quite traumatizing, what with those horrible third-world conditions: disease…huts…lions! You'll be much better off here at Amherst where we can watch over you. It will give you some time to think about…you know…that…unfortunate incident…
My face was blank. "I'm supposed to go to Cape Town, South Africa…" Her response broke me down: Yes dear, I know. You were supposed to study in Africa. It's all for the best that you aren't though.
No one ever told me flat out that I would no longer be studying abroad. Not even the study abroad dean told me. I scheduled a meeting with her for two days after the meeting with my dean.
A few minutes after exchanging pleasantries she asked: What are your plans for the summer now that you're on campus?
For the month of June I was decrepit, nothing could perk me up. I returned to feeling the embarrassment and shame that had consumed me before going onto the Ward. If I hadn't told anyone about what happened I'd be abroad…If I had been stronger…If I wasn't such a failure…This is all my fault, I really am just a broken, polluted piece of shit…
Living was difficult. Each day I woke up and wandered around in a daze. At night I stared blank faced at a wall and curled up in my chair in a fetal position. I couldn't talk with people. If I talk with them they might become infected with my dirtiness.
I stopped eating. I stopped sleeping. I secretly hoped that one day on a run my heart would just stop and no one would have to see me again. I wasn't worth anything anyway.
I continued having to meet with my dean; she blamed my sadness on not being allowed to study abroad, but I knew that it wasn't that simple. I could live with not being allowed to go to South Africa at the moment, the country would be there for a while, but being forced to stay on campus in a dorm populated with men I did not know, that was the real psychological issue. Every time I told my dean that I didn't feel safe on campus, that I wanted to be allowed to leave , or at least be put in a different dorm, I received the same unhelpful responses that I had received in February. They told me: You were lucky to be given a room here this summer in the first place, housing is tight right now and you really shouldn't complain. All of your fear is ungrounded, Amherst is one of the safest places imaginable…If we let you leave campus we won't know what mental and emotional place you'll exist in when you return in September; you could become completely unstable! At Amherst we can monitor you, and, if need be, strongly suggest time off when the school year rolls around…
I felt like a prisoner, or, more accurately, like a harem girl. My jail was luxurious and openair, I was free to move about, the ruling power judged my worth on a weekly basis, and I was constantly reminded how lucky I was to be there.
One night, after a particularly rough meeting with my dean (I just don't understand why you've been so angry throughout all of this. You have no reason to be angry about anything.), I was curled up on my floor—I wasn't thinking, I didn't feel anything.
I went over to the mirror on the back of my door and stared. What had happened to the girl who had come off of the Ward so empowered and strong; the girl who decided to no longer be silent and feel shamed? Where had she gone?
I went over to my desk and picked up a brochure I had been given about a survivor center at UMass Amherst. I gave an exaggerated sigh. Might as well…I called the number and made an appointment for the next day.
I went back to the mirror and stared at myself again.
For the next 15 minutes I repeated: "Silence has the rusty taste of shame."
I walked over to my computer, typed up an email, hesitated for a second, and then pressed send.
I had just sent my entire sports team an email-rant about my rape and subsequent breakdown at the end of spring.
It was about time people began to realize that Amherst wasn't just majestic dorms and world-class professors.
It was about time I resumed the silent pact that I had made to my roommate on the Ward.
I will not be quiet.
The next few weeks were a blur of unending days spent resolutely working to feel better (A friend told me: You can't help other people if you feel like shit).
I was able to sleep again. I ate more. I went to free therapy sessions. I wrote and mindlessly colored in order to ground myself. I obsessively made lists of all the things imaginable. I joined a survivor group. I cried less and smiled a bit more.
I started healing.
It took a month of hard work until I was noticeably doing better. My friends, my therapist, my coworkers, and my fellow survivor group members all started commenting on how much healthier and happier I looked. I still felt uncomfortable and oppressed while surrounded by men on campus, but I was no longer afraid to leave my room after 7 p.m. I was determined to love Amherst again.
Life was tolerable.
Early July and I had another meeting with my dean: You look like you're doing better today. Well done, I'm so glad to see this kind of improvement! I think it's safe to assume that you can come back next semester, and in that regard I think that it's time that we talk about your time at Amherst over the next two years…I know you want to do African Studies through the Five Colleges, but I don't think I can support that decision. Africa is very traumatizing and I think that studying Africa is just a way for you to relive your real-life traumas; it's just not a good place to be studying.
Over the next thirty minutes several more restrictions were laid out: no Five College classes this upcoming year, no study abroad in the spring, definitely no senior year thesis, I would have to meet with a counselor twice a week, and friends off campus would have to be pushed to the wayside. She told me: Amherst is the only place that matters, and, really, you don't have a family, so where else would you go? Amherst is the only place that you can be.
At the end of our conversation I grunted out a vapid response and headed straight to my room. I sat on my bed, million-mile-gazed at the wall, and thought.
What was the point of staying at Amherst? I had been stuck on campus for eleven months straight; each day had been more challenging and emotionally draining than the previous one. I had been feeling better recently, but each time I met with my dean I felt more emotionally distraught than I had beforehand. Her comments reminded me that in the Administration's eyes I was the most base individual: a poor and parentless humanities major who was the school's token-Deep-Southerner. I was sullied, blameworthy, and possibly insane.
I made a Pros and Cons of Amherst List.
The Pro List had seven items.
The Con List had twenty-three items.
On July 14th I made one of the hardest decisions of my life.
I was going to withdraw from Amherst.
That next week I threw myself into finding a way out. Plans were made, plans were broken, Plan B was made, and finally Plan B was successful!
I did not tell the Administration for fear that they would somehow sabotage me. It was probably paranoid, but after being prevented from leaving campus multiple times I was not going to take any chances. The conversation went similarly to this:
"I'm withdrawing from Amherst."
That was my greeting to my dean when I met with her in late July.
The look of complete shock on her face was priceless. When she recovered: So you're taking a semester off? That's perfectly ok, many survivors do, I think it's best that you do what you…
No, I'm withdrawing, permanently. I ain't planning on ever coming back. I'm going to transfer to another school after taking a semester off to travel around.
You can't…You…Nobody withdraws. Where are you going to go? You don't have parents. What are you going to do?
I'm working on a Dude Ranch in Wyoming.
…I didn't think you'd be able to figure out a plan…Well, we technically won't withdraw you from the school until three years have passed. After three years we'll double-check to make sure that you really want to withdraw and then we'll remove you from our current-students system.
No, I just want you to withdraw me. I don't want to come back, I don't want to be affiliated with your school anymore. I'm sick of this place.
I think you need to meet with our sexual assault counselor again, you're way too angry right now and not thinking clearly. I have a feeling you'll change your mind and come back. Amherst is one of the best schools out there, it will be a transfer down unless you go to an Ivy…
You know, I have I feeling that I won't want to come back, but that's just a hunch.
As my dean suggested, I met with our sexual assault counselor a few days later. The meeting was uncharacterizeable by one word, but bizarre might be the closest description: This is a bad idea, you're not thinking straight.
I didn't understand this. I'd been thinking about this for quite a while; I was unhappy at Amherst and I didn't understand why I should stay at a place where I was absolutely miserable. There are other places in the world.
The next two hours was a hodgepodge of topics: Your lack of parental support makes you emotionally volatile and prevents you from following through with decisions that you make.
Apparently I had decided not to study abroad. Then there was bizarre 'concern:'You don't look very healthy. Have you been eating? I think you might have an eating disorder. You know there's a great clinic in Northhampton where we can send you for in-patient eating disorder treatment.
I don't have an eating disorder; I used to have one, I know what they're like. I don't eat a lot because I can't afford to buy food.
Then the ranch came up: Do you realize how difficult working on a Dude Ranch will be? The people in Wyoming are different from the people at Amherst, they won't be well-educated, and they won't understand you. You're going to a backwards place. Do you realize how bad it will be?
Yes, because the rest of the US is filled with ignorant savages who haven't been saved by the light of Amherst. How would I ever survive?
To the counselor's great surprise, these stellar arguments did not convince me to stay at Amherst. I became even more resolute about my decision to leave, and decided to talk with the Victim Rights Law Center, a pro-bono law firm based in Boston that my survivor group had recommended to me several weeks earlier. My preliminary intake with the VRLC was quite eye-opening: Oh Amherst? Yeah, unfortunately I know Amherst all too well. I've been down there many times to deal with the administration and their constant mistreatment of survivors. Our law firm keeps trying to force them to change but they just don't seem to understand, they keep doing the same old thing.
Amherst has almost 1800 students; last year alone there were a minimum of 10 sexual assaults on campus. In the past 15 years there have been multiple serial rapists, men who raped more than five girls, according to the sexual assault counselor. Rapists are given less punishment than students caught stealing. Survivors are often forced to take time off, while rapists are allowed to stay on campus. If a rapist is about to graduate, their punishment is often that they receive their diploma two years late.
I eventually reported my rapist.
He graduated with honors.
I will not graduate from Amherst.
The stories and statistics are miles long in regards to sexual assault on campus. My story is far from unique, and, compared to some of the stories I have heard, is tame.
The more that I learn about Amherst's policy toward sexual assault and survivors in general, the more relief I feel in deciding to transfer. How could I stay at a school who had made my healing process not just difficult, but impossible? How could I stand knowing that the Administration promotes silence? How could I spend the next two years made to feel dirty and at fault?
I could not.
At one point I hated Amherst with an indescribable amount of fury, but I do not hate the school anymore. Amherst took a lot from me, but they gave me some of the greatest gifts imaginable: self-confidence, my closest friends, intellectual curiosity, and endless personal strength. For these things I am forever grateful. For everything else, I stand back and behold the college with a feeling of melancholia.
The fact that such a prestigious institution could have such a noxious interior fills me with intense remorse mixed with sour distaste. I am sickened by the Administration's attempts to cover up survivors' stories, cook their books to discount rapes, pretend that withdrawals never occur, quell attempts at change, and sweep sexual assaults under a rug. When politicians cover up affairs or scandals the masses often rise up in angry protestations and call for a more transparent government. What is the difference between a government and the Amherst College campus? Why can't we know what is really happening on campus? Why should we be quiet about sexual assault?
"Silence has the rusty taste of shame."
There is no reason shame should be a school's policy.
UPDATE: President Carolyn "Biddy" Martin has released a statement concerning this article and the follow-up steps being taken by the administration regarding sexual assault: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/letters_president/node/436469
I am in awe of your bravery and strength and am so grateful and proud that you published your very personal account. Thank you so much. The actions of the administration on these matters are despicable. Two of my best friends have been victims of rape and the despicable ways in which NESCAC administrations handle (or rather, don't handle) these cases. Again, thank you so much for your bravery. The students at Amherst are in awe of you and behind you 110%.
All I can say is, although we never crossed paths during your time at Amherst, I'm so very proud of you. Courage does not even begin to describe your actions here. We hear your pain, Angie, and I hope this leads to a major change in our problematic administration. You are strong, don't ever forget it.
Sexual assault is an issue on many college campuses. You are not alone. Thank you for sharing your story.
for standing up to such horrific and unjust treatment at the hands of a place that should be on the side of justice. Shame on the Amherst administration for creating a culture of silence, shame, and lack of consequences around such a serious issue. I am so glad that you've found your voice and I hope that you and others whom this may have happened to find peace.
Hi Angie, Thank you for sharing your story with us all. There's a buzz about this on the MHC campus, even on the Confessional! You have a lot of respect and appreciation coming your way from us.
Good luck with your Dude Ranch and keep your confidence. I hope you do get to Cape Town/South Africa soon.
Let's wait to hear the other side of the story. I have a really hard time imagining any of the Amherst Deans doing or saying the things listed here. I graduated not so long ago and know most of the Deans very well. If everything said in this girl's story was true, I can't imagine the administration giving this guy a free pass just like that and letting him "graduate with honors" while the victim was eventually lead to drop out. Amherst is a great place and, if I could, I would re-enroll tomorrow. As a woman, I always felt very safe on campus and had a relationship with some of the Deans that was almost parent-daughter like. Those people really care about Amherst students and often go out of their way to make sure that we make the most of our time there. The least we can do in return is give the administration the benefit of the doubt and wait what they have to say about all this.
You're a bit biased if you have a close relationship with the Dean's and of course you can't imagine what it feels like because it hasn't happened to you. There seems to be a couple instances of victims just commenting within this thread. What do these people gain by spreading a supposed lie about their sexual assaults? It's people like you that make it difficult for victims to report what has happened to them. An exaggeration? You sound like your deans. As a woman, you should be ashamed.
You need to sit your ass down. You know why rapists are so very rarely convicted? Because of people like you, who insist that victims are exaggerating and that rapists, and in this case the people who very poorly dealt with it, deserve the benefit of the doubt. You are the reason victims don't speak up, and you are the reason they go unheard when they do. Your commentary is absolutely disgusting. Just because you didn't experience the treatment she did does not mean that it didn't happen. I would never wish any of this on you but I certainly hope you take a good long look at your own moral standing and try to empathize. Since you were a woman at the very same school, your chances were as good as hers were. I truly hope you are embarrassed, victim blaming from behind a keyboard is incredibly easy but also incredibly detrimental, not only to her but to everyone else who has been through the same thing and and everyone who came to show support. Whether or not you feel that way, your commentary was entirely unnecessary. I very enthusiastically invite you to fuck off.
I too graduated recently, and although I love Amherst, I absolutely can see the deans acting exactly as described here. I believe I know which dean this article is describing, and I and many other students had similar experiences with her (although over much more trivial matters, obviously). Although in the administration's defense, it does not look like she lodged a formal complaint against her assailant, which makes it very difficult for the administration to discipline him. What they should have done is treated her better.
I, too, worked closely with the deans offices as a member of residential life staff and saw this happen again and again. When we, as a staff, raised concerns, we were encouraged to let it go. We were told, in so many words, that they were just waiting for our class to graduate. The deans may be lovely, caring people, but that does not mean that the institutional responses are appropriate or adequate.
Congratulations on your charmed existence. Congratulations for not being raped and shamed and humiliated and forced to withdraw from the place, your college, your home away from home, that was supposed to give you the best four years of your life and instead demolished it. Congratulations on feeling safe everywhere you go, unlike the many rape survivors commenting on this article (myself among them). Congratulations on your ability to imagine a world in which justice always prevails. Aren't you special.
From a smith student: you are incredible. Stay strong and fuck those who made you feel ashamed
Dear Angie,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am an involved with the sexual assault center at another elite institution and I know that your story is being heard there. I am shocked and disgusted that an institution like Amherst would conduct itself in this manner and I hope that they are finally listening. I hope that one day you can truly recover and be at peace with yourself. Thank you once again. I can only imagine how much courage and strength it takes to move past and come out in the open. May God bless you.
You are a truly inspiring woman. Thank you so much for sharing your story--it is now being read all across the country. It absolutely breaks my heart to hear not only that you had to deal with being a survivor of rape, but also that your university refused to give you the help that you so desperately needed. As a student looking into a career in Student Affairs, I am impassioned by your account--hearing stories like yours make me even more motivated to ensure that it doesn't happen to anyone else. The way Administration supervised you instead of caring for you is so ridiculously backwards. I hope this serves as a wake up call to universities everywhere.
This is being widely read at Mount Holyoke. My heart breaks for you but your courage and dignity inspire me. We are with you here. Mount Holyoke girls know the truth about Amherst all too well, unfortunately.
I was sexually assaulted my first week of freshman year of college at Harvard.. didn't tell anyone about it.. spoke to some people at university health services.. then got sent to the psych ward without anyone telling me where they were sending me.. but i never said i was depressed or would do anything to hurt me or the guy.. once i was there i couldn't contact anyone outside and i didn't know when i was going to get out.. i was put in the same place as drug addicts, people that had try to kill themselves, drug dealers, etc. it was truly horrible and i still haven't really gotten over it ......... but i realize many people have a lot worse problems in life and that life goes on. I also think that its important to not dwell in that experience, because we have so much else to give in life besides telling our stories and the world needs people to take action, more than just telling their story, to change the way men (and mitt romney) think about rape.
Me too!! Literally the exact same thing. And when I came back and had to meet with counselors at the mental health center at my school, and I told them that being forced / tricked into the psych ward was more traumatizing than the rape, they said, "Your story is impossible. That kind of thing just doesn't happen." I walked out of the counselor's office and never went back. Hang in there, Maria -- it takes a while but your life does come back, and so does your dignity and bravery. The best thing I can say is, find a good therapist to help you deal with all of this stuff from those shit-shows at your university health services -- someone *outside* the university, because universities seem completely incapable of attracting good therapists.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Needless to say, the entire situation is just plain sickening. But best of luck with your future. You've been so brave.
Thank you. I am overwhelmed after reading this, and not sure exactly what to say or do... except to say that your story hit home with me--as I'm sure it did with many others, unfortunately-- in some very personal ways. I am alive today because of my family, but also more silent than I would like to admit for not wanting, not feeling able, to tell them. Your courage and path through all of this is incredibly admirable; and the administration's response, beyond deplorable. Thank you so much for writing this and opening my eyes and many others' to the extent of the dysfunction. I hope that this article itself can impact change, but if not, I hope that enough of us have now been (re)animated to the cause in order to make the kind of broader push that will bring change.
I have heard of similar experiences by Swarthmore students, though I was told that several of the people in the administration were consequently moved or disciplined for their misconduct with survivors. I believe that push from the students was instrumental in bringing about this change. Good work and good luck.
I am so deeply sorry that you experienced not only the horrible, criminal assault in May 2011 but also a long series of one assault after another on your integrity, your truth, and your soul. You were abused, and then you were punished, over and over, by the very people who should have been keeping you safe and helping you heal. The terrible irony is that you were drowning in feelings of shame though you did nothing wrong, whereas those who acted shamefully were oblivious and self-righteous.
I am sickened by the way the Amherst administration acted toward you. However, I am very moved by your story of how you have spoken truth to power and taken your life back. What you have found for yourself, no one can ever, ever taken away. There is an incomparable beauty in a free, fully self-expressed woman. Your strength shines in your honest telling of your story, and that strength will inspire others to grow and heal -- now and for all time. Even when you are 42.
I wish you great happiness.
Thank you for posting this. You are amazingly strong - for showing yourself to the world, and having the courage to get out of that environment. The best of luck to you, and full support and love.
I'm so glad that you are doing what you want to do. It's definitely Amherst's loss because you sound like a kickass human being. Know that you have supporters throughout Smith (and I am sure throughout the other colleges).
I'm so glad that you are doing what you want to do. It's definitely Amherst's loss because you sound like a kickass human being. Know that you have supporters throughout Smith (and I am sure throughout the other colleges).
Solidarity from Mt. Holyoke too. We are listening to you. Thank you for your bravery. Thank you SO much.
Also, this article is making the rounds, and coincidentally we are also working on organizing a response to the recent fraternity t-shirt debacle. This isn't over.
Angie, are are so brave, so strong, and an amazingly wonderful woman. I hope that the future holds the best and brightest for you and know that you have a friend at Iowa State University. Thank you for speaking up. I hope Europe is good to you!
thank you so much for your post. you are so brave.
read this article. http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/college-crime-reports
Amherst College, one of the smallest schools on the list, had the most 'forcible sex offenses' last year. Absolutely astounding, not just because of the high number, but because the school keeps such incidences in the dark. Not once last year did I hear about an AC student undergoing disciplinary action, at least no suspensions or expulsions (at such a small school it would be known). This is a problem that Amherst College can no longer sweep under the rug, and I thank you a million times over for sharing your story Angie.
I am a Colby student, currently lying in bed and stunned reading this. As a member of the NESCAC, I too often see an elitist attitude that pushes meaningful issues by the wayside. Thank you so much for sharing your story, hopefully it will incite change at Amherst and beyond. I wish you the best, Angie, in your healing process and beyond.
Angie, you are an amazing woman for telling your story. Amherst has shut up too many victims and they endorse rape by letting the rapists get away with their crimes. In response to blaming the rape on alcohol- under any circumstance, RAPE is RAPE. If they say no, it means no. If they aren't able to consent, it still means NO. I used to work at Amherst College, and I have overheard conversation about rape. It was a male student boasting to his friends that he raped someone. Amherst College may be a great school academically, but it fails to pursue the importance of good character.
Thank you so much for telling your story. I am absolutely shocked and appalled by how you were treated in the wake of your assault and am so impressed by your courage to tell your story nonetheless. You are such a survivor and I wish you only the best, and that colleges across the country may someday learn to actually put the wellbeing of their students first.
Love from Haverford. This is beautiful and so brave.
Love from Haverford. This is beautiful and so brave.
Bennington's got your back. Thank you so much for sharing your story, Angie.
Dear Angie,
Thank you so much. I'm sure that it took a lot of courage and determination to write this. All too frequently, the administrations of institutions of higher education hide statistics of rape and sexual assault that occurs on campuses in order to maintain their names and reputations. Your account is evidence that action needs to be taken. Rape and sexual assault survivors should be helped to feel comfortable where they attend college (and everywhere) and rapists should not be allowed to be on campus. I don't understand this. Rape is a crime. Rapists should be more harshly disciplined. It's utterly unacceptable that you had to go through this. Yet, I can see that you've approached your time at Amherst as a period of growth. You're an inspiration to us all. I'm sure many people at Williams College appreciates this as well. Solidarity.
I'm a student at Connecticut College. I stumbled upon this article through our Green Dot Facebook group, that aims to promote a safe campus environment, especially concerning sexual assault. You have numerous supporters from our campus who have read and shared this story. Sexual assault is a serious issue and should not be ignore. Amherst policy is unhealthy, destructive and dangerous. Victim blaming is damaging to the very integrity of an institution that is supposed to provide the best four years of student education.
You have incredible strength for publishing this piece. It's heartbreaking to hear that Amherst works to silence victims while empowering criminals. I hope the best for you. So many of us are standing in solidarity with you.
My friend from Yale shared this on facebook, and people from all over are hearing your story. Thank you for being so brave. I can't even begin to imagine how much courage that took.
Thank you for your story. There are few things braver than what you have just done. Please ignore the negative comments and questions above, they are about individuals' insecurity and cognitive dissonance, and have nothing to do with you.
At my small liberal arts college, I felt that reporting sexual assault meant damaging the community that I loved so dearly. Silence has the rusty taste of shame, and years after graduating I wonder if I would be in a different place now had I been empowered to speak out about what was done to me. I admire your courage, candidness, and clarity, and I hope that your story helps others to see the truth about this issue.
I'm saddened and shocked that this kind of thing happens in the Pioneer Valley, which I always think about as so liberal, so advanced, and from my own experiences, as such a place of good. I hope writing this piece and seeing it shared and supported does you a lot of good, too. Thank you.
I too have had the unfortunate experience of being raped by one of my peers at Amherst. I was/am mistreated by administration and harassed by my rapist's friends and family. Living at Amherst can be intolerable at times but even worse when I go home to my mother who calls me a slut and that I "deserved" everything that happened to me. The sexual health counselor just assumed I was suicidal when I emailed her about my family problems. All I got was the number to Suicide Hotline. I deeply appreciate you writing this post because it truly reflects how I felt and still feel being on campus. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Hi Angie,
We briefly met during your time at Amherst, because we started out in the same year. I just want to say thank you so much for sharing your story. It was heart-breaking and powerful.
Secondly, as a recovering victim of physical & sexual abuse, I want to encourage everyone to avoid the tendency to point fingers. Oftentimes, in situations like these, we want to create heros and villains. While it may feel good momentarily, it does not lead us to a place where we can respond with empathy. For my part, I know that part of healing has been letting myself not feel okay. There are two dual tendencies in situations like this--we either want to fix what's wrong as quickly as we can so we can move on or we don't want to admit anything happened. Neither approach will move us forward. We need to look at what went wrong, think about why it went wrong and really commit ourselves to doing better next time. Amherst has given me faith in the support of others, and has shown me that love doesn't have to hurt. That lesson changed my life, and I think it's time to make it a lesson that EVERYONE can learn.
Hi Angie,
We briefly met during your time at Amherst, because we started out in the same year. I just want to say thank you so much for sharing your story. It was heart-breaking and powerful.
Secondly, as a recovering victim of physical & sexual abuse, I want to encourage everyone to avoid the tendency to point fingers. Oftentimes, in situations like these, we want to create heros and villains. While it may feel good momentarily, it does not lead us to a place where we can respond with empathy. For my part, I know that part of healing has been letting myself not feel okay. There are two dual tendencies in situations like this--we either want to fix what's wrong as quickly as we can so we can move on or we don't want to admit anything happened. Neither approach will move us forward. We need to look at what went wrong, think about why it went wrong and really commit ourselves to doing better next time. Amherst has given me faith in the support of others, and has shown me that love doesn't have to hurt. That lesson changed my life, and I think it's time to make it a lesson that EVERYONE can learn.
As I read through Angie Epifano's account, I realized that what I was hearing was the flip side of what we in the Student Affairs profession do as we advise and guide students. We advise students to facilitate and further their academic and social development, but when working with "problematic cases" we always advise them in the best interest of our respective institutions. It isn't Amherst alone; it's many colleges across the country. I know, as an adviser at a Midwestern college, that much of what we do in these instances is based on fear because we rely on our legal counsel's office and we play it safe. Our goal changes from what is in the best interest of the student to what is in the best interest of other students around him/her and ultimately the institution's liability. Thus, we neglect to differentiate between someone who has psychological issues because of unresolved abuse but is working to change the circumstances of his/her life and someone who is very seriously mentally ill and doesn't seem to know what to do about it. I am not one bit surprised that she was told she could not go on Study Abroad after having once been on suicide watch. I remember when I was a study abroad adviser once, going through every list of students who had signed up for study abroad with the dean of students and the counseling services staff and determining who was "safe" to go, who needed an eye kept on him or her, and who flat-out could not go. The dean is, by virtue of his/her administrative position, in close contact with the legal counsel's office and is often unfortunately dictated to by them. I remember my dean once telling me that she struggled with balancing the educational interests of the institution with its liabilities, and that she knew that if the legal counsel's office had their way, the school wouldn't even offer a study abroad program! So for those of you commenters who are doubting the veracity of Angie's claims, don't. She has told it from her perspective. What people in my profession need to reminded of is that these are people we're working with... dynamic people who because of their age, their drive, their goals, etc. can turn their lives around and move forward constructively. All we need to do is stop getting in the way. A study abroad stint would have done Angie wonders. They should have taken a chance on her but it unfortunately doesn't surprise me that they didn't. Thank you, Angie, for so articulately writing about your experience. It should serve as a wake-up call to people in my profession to humanize their students and to see shades of grey. I hope you get to travel the world. Personally, I know that it is one of THE best ways to get one's life in order.
Thank you for verifying her experience.
This is an incredible story, thank you for sharing, and know that you are loved and appreciated by Smithies.
As I read through Angie Epifano's account, I realized that what I was hearing was the flip side of what we in the Student Affairs profession do as we advise and guide students. We advise students to facilitate and further their academic and social development, but when working with "problematic cases" we always advise them in the best interest of our respective institutions. It isn't Amherst alone; it's many colleges across the country. I know, as an adviser at a Midwestern college, that much of what we do in these instances is based on fear because we rely on our legal counsel's office and we play it safe. Our goal changes from what is in the best interest of the student to what is in the best interest of other students around him/her and ultimately the institution's liability. Thus, we neglect to differentiate between someone who has psychological issues because of unresolved abuse but is working to change the circumstances of his/her life and someone who is very seriously mentally ill and doesn't seem to know what to do about it. I am not one bit surprised that she was told she could not go on Study Abroad after having once been on suicide watch. I remember when I was a study abroad adviser once, going through every list of students who had signed up for study abroad with the dean of students and the counseling services staff and determining who was "safe" to go, who needed an eye kept on him or her, and who flat-out could not go. The dean is, by virtue of his/her administrative position, in close contact with the legal counsel's office and is often unfortunately dictated to by them. I remember my dean once telling me that she struggled with balancing the educational interests of the institution with its liabilities, and that she knew that if the legal counsel's office had their way, the school wouldn't even offer a study abroad program! So for those of you commenters who are doubting the veracity of Angie's claims, don't. She has told it from her perspective. What people in my profession need to reminded of is that these are people we're working with... dynamic people who because of their age, their drive, their goals, etc. can turn their lives around and move forward constructively. All we need to do is stop getting in the way. A study abroad stint would have done Angie wonders. They should have taken a chance on her but it unfortunately doesn't surprise me that they didn't. Thank you, Angie, for so articulately writing about your experience. It should serve as a wake-up call to people in my profession to humanize their students and to see shades of grey. I hope you get to travel the world. Personally, I know that it is one of THE best ways to get one's life in order no matter what your age.
Thank you, Angie, for being so brave and sharing your story. Too many victims of sexual assault are silenced by the system put in place that protects the interests of the rapists over those of the victim - thank you so much for breaking that silence, against the wishes of those who sought to keep you in line and quiet. I can't imagine the bravery it took for you to type everything that happened to you down, and what you've been through. You are absolutely incredible, and your words carry a weight that will hopefully force colleges and universities to provide better services to victims and harsher punishments to rapists. Thank you Angie, and thank you The Amherst Student, for sharing this.


text:
+ Mars Home
+ Rovers Home
Spotlight On Mars - Image
Another Stall of Right-Rear Wheel Ends Drive
December 01, 2009
Image and Caption
Spirit's right-rear wheel stalled again on Sol 2099 (Nov. 28, 2009) during the first step of a two-step extrication maneuver. This stall is different in some characteristics from the stall on Sol 2092 (Nov. 21). The Sol 2099 stall occurred more quickly and the inferred rotor resistance was elevated at the end of the stall. Investigation of past stall events along with these characteristics suggest that this stall might not be result of the terrain, but might be internal to the right-rear wheel actuator. Rover project engineers are developing a series of diagnostics to explore the actuator health and to isolate potential terrain interactions. These diagnostics are not likely to be ready before Wednesday. Plans for future driving will depend on the results of the diagnostic tests.
Before the Sol 2099 drive ended, Spirit completed 1.4 meters of wheel spin and the rover's center moved 0.5 millimeters (0.02 inch) forward, 0.25 millimeters (0.01 inch) to the left and 0.5 millimeters (0.02 inch) downward. Since Spirit began extrication on Sol 2088, the rover has performed 9.5 meters (31 feet) of wheel spin and the rover's center, in total, has moved 16 millimeters (0.63 inch) forward, 10 millimeters (0.39 inch) to the left and 5 millimeters (0.20 inch) downward.

subset: commoncrawl


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famous last words
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famous last words pl (normally plural, singular famous last word)
- A notable final utterance before death, especially one made by a celebrity or historical figure.
- 1908, ""Don't Give Up The Ship."," New York Times, 5 Jan. (retrieved 2 Oct 2010):
- Lawrence died defending his vessel and his famous last words, "Don't give up the ship," have been familiar to every schoolboy.
- 1996, Jane Irwin (editor), George Eliot's Daniel Deronda Notebooks[1], →ISBN, page 367:
- When Arria's husband was hesitating to kill himself, she stabbed herself with his dagger, to demonstrate to him how to accomplish a noble suicide. Her famous last words—Paete, non dolet ["Paetus, it does not hurt!"].
- 1908, ""Don't Give Up The Ship."," New York Times, 5 Jan. (retrieved 2 Oct 2010):
- (figuratively, expressing sarcasm) A statement which is overly optimistic, results from overconfidence, or lacks realistic foresight.
- 1986, Janice Castro et al. "The Price Was Finally Right," Time, 9 June:
- Says one Sperry product executive: "As a manager, there is almost nothing you can do to get fired here." Considering the new circumstances, those could be famous last words.
- 1989, Danielle Steele, Season of Passion[2], →ISBN, page 246:
- "But Nick—I'm never getting married again. I'm serious about that."
- "Famous last words."
- 2007, Suzanne Brockmann, Into the Storm[3], →ISBN, page 417:
- "Lindsey and Tess are both armed. And Stella and Robert are here. We're ridiculously safe."
- "Those sound like such famous last words," Dave said.
- 1986, Janice Castro et al. "The Price Was Finally Right," Time, 9 June:


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A Night Out At Drakeshire Lanes!
We're all waiting anxiously for the cold weather to break but our patience is beginning to wear a bit thin. The nasty Michigan weather affects our ability to drive without issue, our mood, and it also limits our plans! Instead of festivals, cookouts, or outdoor sporting events, for much of the past five months we've been relegated to staying inside to watch movies or going out to the bar.
If you have done those options to death this winter then why night switch it up and spend a weekend night at Drakeshire Lanes this month? Whether you want to include the kids or you don't, we have different levels of entertainment to keep everyone happy.
When searching for the best bowling alleys in Michigan to spend an evening, we have the edge over competition due to our excellent customer service. We treat our customers like family members and keep a positive, professional attitude at all times!
Come in and take advantage of our open bowling specials (which run from 9:30pm until close on Friday and Saturdays) or chow down courtesy of our full-service kitchen while the kids enjoy some bumper bowling or glow bowling – for a reduced rate – on the weekends. The fun never stops in here, whether it's 90 degrees outside or 9!
At Drakeshire we're also preparing for St. Patty's Day! Look no further for family fun St. Patrick's Day events come Monday, March 17. As always, we'll have over 50 ice cold beers available for mom and dad and an arcade stocked full of video games for the kids, so you can celebrate in style with the whole family. Not to mention the bowling, so just contact us to find out about open bowling times!
Don't let Old Man Winter's worn out welcome wear you down; get out of the house this weekend and enjoy a night out at Drakeshire Lanes! Don't forget to join our mailing list to be one of the first to learn about our new deals, coupons, and fundraisers as we announce them!


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Skip to comments.Taking Liberties: Local farms in fight to stop growing regulation
Posted on 04/26/2012 11:34:12 AM PDT by redreno
Marlene Stasinos believes the best food is local food. Its more healthy. Its less processed, she says as she walks from her farm stand toward her home in Haverhill, Mass. Its just better for you when you eat it. Stasinos family has been farming in and around Haverhill for three generations, but she says backyard farming is under attack.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Look for the feds to start targeting preppers as well.
Can't have anyone out there feelin' too independent, now, can we?
In July 1929 it remained official Soviet policy that the kulak should not be terrorised and should be enlisted into the collective farms. Joseph Stalin disagreed with this, saying, "Now we have the opportunity to carry out a resolute offensive against the kulaks, break their resistance, eliminate them as a class and replace their production with the production of kolkhozes and sovkhozes."
This is one of my line in the sand issues. Open defiance and armed resistance no matter the cost.
I smell ICLEI of the UN in this. Why would the town otherwise apparently of a sudden be making such rules. Has to be a cause for every action. Libs, and the ICLEI are everywhere in our business these days for their agenda.
Whatever happened to getting "grandfathered in"?
Folks need to go to court first before acquiescing.
Any fine you get should also indicate the hearing/appeals process. If you don't want to pay for a lawyer, just go yourself and say you should be grandfathered because the locality hasn't shown a great enough cause to override that.
Even if you lose, at least you made them work for their efforts a bit.
Article III, section 2 of the organic Constitution defines the kinds of judicial power the courts have:
1. common law
2. equity
3. admiralty
4. maritime
At the common law - a crime exists only when there is a victim with actual damages like a broken arm.
In equity - otherwise known as civil law a private contract is or agreement is involved. For an action to be brought there must be a breach of contract and damages.
Maritime - or commercial contract law originates in the rules of trade upon the high seas between international merchants and is enforced by military organizations.
Admiralty - is armed enforcement of the laws of commerce(the law merchant)
All birth certificates, licenses, registrations, insurances, bank accounts, permits, titles, deeds, etc. are commercial contracts created under the UCC - (Uniform Commercial Code) and this is where the confusion begins. Most people do not know that commercial law cannot regulate private dealings between civilians much less where to draw the line.
Where does one draw the line?
The Uniform Commercial Code
The Uniform Commercial Code was adopted by all states in 1964 making it the supreme law of the land. Take a look in the first part of every Federal and State code books and you will the find the Uniform Commercial Code consistent throughout.
UCC 1-103.6 defines how contract law must be in compliance with the rules of the common law providing there is made a knowing reservation of common law rights.
"The Code is complimentary to the Common Law, which remains in force, except where displaced by the code. A statute should be construed in harmony with the Common Law, unless there is a clear legislative intent to abrogate the Common Law." (UCC 1-103.6)
What's the remedy?
"The making of a valid Reservation of Rights preserves whatever rights the person then possesses, and prevents the loss of such rights by application of concepts of waiver or estoppel." (UCC 1-207.7)
It is important to remember when we go into a court, that we are in a commercial, international jurisdiction. If we go into court and say. "I DEMAND MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS!", the judge will most likely say, "You mention the Constitution again, and I'll find you in contempt of court!" Then we don't understand how he can do that. Hasn't he sworn to uphold the Constitution? The rule here is: you cannot be charged under one jurisdiction and defend yourself under another jurisdiction. For example, if the French government came to you and asked where you filed your French income tax of a certain year, do you go to the French government and say "I demand my Constitutional Rights?" No. The proper answer is: "THE LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO ME. I AM NOT A FRENCHMAN." You must make your reservation of rights under the jurisdiction in which you are charged, not under some other jurisdiction. So in a UCC court, you must claim your Reservation of Rights under UCC 1-207.
UCC 1-207 goes on to say...
"When a waivable right or claim is involved, the failure to make a reservation thereof, causes a loss of the right, and bars its assertion at a later date." (UCC 1-207.9)
You have to make your claim known early. Further, it says:
"The Sufficiency of the Reservation: any expression indicating an intention to reserve rights is sufficient, such as "without prejudice". (UCC 1-207.4)
Whenever you sign any legal paper that deals with Federal Reserve Notes, write under your signature: "Without Prejudice (UCC 1-207.4)." This reserves your rights. You can show, at UCC 1-207.4, that you have sufficiently reserved your rights.
It is very important to understand just what this means. For example, one man who used this in regard to a traffic ticket was asked by the judge just what he meant by writing "without prejudice UCC 1-207" on his statement to the court? He had not tried to understand the concepts involved. He only wanted to use it to get out of the ticket. He did not know what it meant. When the judge asked him what he meant by signing in that way, he told the judge he was not prejudice against anyone... The judge knew that the man had no idea what it meant, and he lost the case. You must know what it means!
Without Prejudice UCC 1-207
When you use "without prejudice UCC 1-207" in connection with your signature, you are saying, "I reserve my right not to be compelled to perform under any contract or commercial agreement that I did not enter knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally. I do not accept the liability of the compelled benefit of any unrevealed contract or commercial agreement.
UCC 1-207. Performance or acceptance under Reservation of Rights.
A party who, with explicit reservation of rights, performs or promises performance or assents to performance in a manner demanded or offered by the other party does not thereby prejudice the rights reserved. Such words as "WITHOUT PREJUDICE, UNDER PROTEST" or the like are sufficient.
Like this:
Your autograph is among your most valuable assets. It is not a good idea to autograph a contract without reserving your rights. If you must carry a driver's license you should get a new one with a reservation of rights above your autograph on the license itself. As a matter of fact it is wisest to reserve your rights in any agreement, just in case there is some small print that suggests waiver of your God given freedom.
Does anyone sign their name "Without Prejudice UCC 1-308"?
note: in 2004 U.C.C. 1-207 was changed to U.C.C. 1-308.
I have a stamp that I ordered that says "without prejudice U.C.C 1-308".
I carry it everywhere, and anything I sign has the stamp. They say a stamp is better than just writing it, because it shows premeditation of your concern.
Enviros are opposed to corporate factory farms, then support regulations that only corporate factory farms can implement.
From the Declaration of Independence:
—"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,
— and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
tic toc tic toc.......
welcome to FR. When you use this do you get any headaches from the people you are signing? Back when I was younger buck in the mid 1990's I was schooled on this by a good friend and much older patriot. So I understood the UCC code and attempted to use it with unsuccessful results, like when I tried to sign the traffic ticket and the cop made me cross it out under threat of arrest. I didn't wish to make a stand at that point and wonder where I'd be able to use it in the future.
I read the entire article and watched the short video.
I see this as a truly tragic reality. It is representative of the death of Liberty and our God given rights.
We now have the most ignorant electorate in the history of American elections. I believe we have the most corrupt government and media our country has ever seen.
Are We the People allowing this to happen right before our eyes? We were warned.
Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again. ~ Ronald Reagan, from his first inaugural speech as governor of California, January 5, 1967
—Are we that generation that allowed our Liberty and Freedom to die? Was it really stolen from us...... or did we simply give it all away?
If you let him bully you, then you didn't fully understand it...
Oh I understood it. I didn't want to go to jail in front of my kids for doing 70 in a 55. I choose that it wasn't worth it at the time. It was fun seeing him get all redfaced and pissed off though.
But still, aside from my experience, how has yours been. Do you get any flack? Has it proved useful? were you able to use it in Court?
But still, aside from my experience, how has yours been. Do you get any flack? Has it proved useful? were you able to use it in Court?
I've signed many documents with it but I haven't been to court since I have learned about it.
There is more to it than what I posted.
Are you aware of the "Contract Law"???
You signed your rights away...
I can understand not wanting to test it with your kids...
I got pulled over the other day for no seat belt and I was ready to give it a whirl, but the cop just gave me a warning...
I am making a few cards with the following on it:
Thanks, I'll check it out later.
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I can make it on weekend..better to contract me at 703-400-070 . I don't use this site very often
i'm new to falls church and try to frind some courts and partners.
would you recommand me somewhere? or would you practice with me?
contact me at : email@example.com
Hey Everybody,
I too am looking for a tennis partner for this week-end. Let me know if you are available at firstname.lastname@example.com. I live in Courthouse, Arlington
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Tie Guan Yin
Villagers work at sorting out tea leaves in Anxi County, in Fujian Province, China. Anxi is a county level city in the Quanzhou prefecture-level city. It is well-known for its ancient and famous Oolong tea, the Tieguanyin, which means Iron Goddess of Mercy in English. Anxi county supplies the entire nation's worth of Tieguanyin tea to the other parts of China and to the rest the world..Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download
- Filename
- china_anxi_tea__E5G0182.JPG
- Copyright
- Joel Boh
- Image Size
- 3504x2336 / 6.1MB
- Contained in galleries
- Tea City, Anxi


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Among the most prestigious scientific awards in the world are the Nobel Prizes for Chemistry, Physics, and Physiology or Medicine.
All three of these Nobel Prizes have been presented since 1901, with the Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physics awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet. (For more information about the Nobel Prize, visit nobelprize.org.)
Going back to the earliest days of the Manhattan Project, the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies blended cutting-edge research and innovative problem-solving to keep the United States in the forefront of scientific discovery. The 115 Nobel Laureates associated with DOE serve as a proud testimony to both the high quality and the impact of the research underwritten by or associated with the Department.
The complete roster of Nobel Prize winners associated with DOE and its predecessor agencies, including biographies and photos is available on OSTI's R&D Accomplishments web page.
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Peter Agre
Roderick MacKinnon
Alexei A. Abrikosov
Sir Peter Mansfield
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Masatoshi Koshiba
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John A. Pople
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Steven Chu
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Ernest Orlando Lawrence
Enrico Fermi
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Harold Clayton Urey
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Arthur Holly Compton
James Franck
The Office of Science (SC) is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States.


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Author Notes: I apologize to all Sardinians, as I'm sure this barely warrants the name. But reading up about this cuisine, I was inspired to create a one-pot fish and pasta dish, using the more readily-available Israeli couscous in place of Sardinian fregola. I loved the idea of making a comforting, soppy dish combining pasta and fish with tomato, but also adding saffron and fresh mint, to add an interesting spin. I also added a handful of green olives for a briney note, and some white wine (because I seem to be unable to make such a dish without it). The result may be something of an inauthentic hybrid, but it's truly delicious. - deensiebat —deensiebat
Food52 Review: I made this for a family dinner and it was a success, everyone loved it. I used red snapper for my fish. I love one pot meals anytime and this one is one to add to the repertoire. My couscous seemed to soak up more of the cooking liquid than the original recipe and the bottom was a bit charred but for me, it was reminiscent of true Catalan paellas that are crispy on the bottom. My grocery didn't have any herbs (that did not look dead) besides basil so that was what I used. We added our own olives individually to our bowls. You will need to taste for salt and pepper but this was a winner. Shrimp or mussels steamed on top of the couscous would be another great idea. —The Editors
Serves: 4
tablespoons olive oil
large shallots, finely chopped
stalks celery, finely chopped
1 1/2
cups Israeli couscous
cup white wine
cup crushed tomatoes
cups vegetable broth
pinch saffron
handful fresh parsley, finely chopped
handful fresh mint, finely chopped
cup green olives (you can use olives with pits, as long as you warn your guests, and can increase or decrease the amount to your taste)
pound white fish fillets (I suppose something like mullet or swordfish would be traditional, but I used cod and it worked well)
lemon wedges, for serving
harissa or other hot sauce, if desired
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over a medium-high flame. Add the shallots and celery, along with a pinch of salt, and saute, stirring, until softened.
- When the aromatics are soft, add the couscous, and stir to coat with oil (most couscous comes pre-toasted, so you don't need to worry about that). Add the white wine, let cook off for a moment, and then add the tomatoes, broth, saffron, and half each of the parsley and mint (set aside the remaining half to finish the dish). Add the olives, and stir to combine. Cover the pot, bring it up to a boil, and then lower the heat until it's just barely high enough to maintain a simmer. Cook until the couscous is just shy of being done, ~10 minutes.
- When the couscous is still al dente, give it a stir, and place the fish fillets on top of it, season with salt, and replace the lid and continue to cook for a few more minutes, until the fish flakes and the couscous has finished cooking (the exact time will vary, depending upon your fish -- I sometimes turn off the heat and let it continue to cook in the residual steam when it's just shy of done). Taste and adjust salt if needed (between the broth and the olives you should be okay), and sprinkle with the reserved mint and parsley. Serve with lemon wedges and harissa if desired.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Seafood Pasta
More Great Recipes:
Pasta|Israeli|Couscous|Mint|Saffron|Seafood|Shallot|Parsley|Celery|One-Pot Wonders|Entree


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Glimpsed at Work: Landre Stultz
Havre de Grace resident Landre Stultz believes in owning your outfit. When we spotted the 22-year-old stylist at UNO Salon, she appeared to have full control of her look. It started with her studded top by Mudd from Kohl's. She paired it with pants from the Jessica Simpson collection at Macy's. Her necklace was from Lucky Brand. Her diamond earrings were a gift. And her Vince Camuto over the knee brown riding boots were from Macy's. Her Steve Madden purse completed the look. The key to great style is owning your outfit, wearing what expresses your mood, style and attitude. And not worrying what anyone else thinks looks good, she said. Don't forget to pair it with bold accessories.
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Welcome and have fun! I can´t wait to see you here in 2014!
You are hereForums › General › Welcome - Getting Started › Introduce yourself!
Introduce yourself!
Welcome to all the new faces! it's always nice to have new people to share the inspiration! Happy scrapping!
Hi, My name is Anita. I live in New Zealand and really enjoy being creative! I found Pixel Scrapper just this week when I decided to begin digital scrapbooking. I am doing a 365 Grateful year with photographs and decided a digital scrapbook would be a great way of doing this. I have really enjoyed the website so far! There is so many talented people who contribute which I really enjoy - I am big on collaboration!
I have 5 kids, a dog, 5 cats, a goat and a sheep. I am a teacher/principal and love my job. My hobbies are reading and photography. I occasionally play softball!
Looking forward to getting to know more people on pixelscrapper over time.
Hey everyone, I'm Ingrid and I'm happy to have found you! In my off time I'm a graphic artist. I don't do scrapbooking, what I do is incorporate the bits that I find in my artwork and this site has a lot of BITS!!!! So I'm very happy to be here!
to Anita P: Welcome to another Anita! I've read a number of books set in New Zealand, and I've always wanted to visit! Thank you for sharing about yourself - I'll look forward to seeing your layouts!
to everyone else: So glad to see you here - I'm feeling energized by all the enthusiasm and excitement I'm seeing here!!
Thanks! I actually grew up knowing an Anita Bennett! Small world isn't it.
Hi everyone! I'm Marcia. I'm a fine art portrait photographer and I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I've most recently been using these assets to design cards and products for my clients. I've been visiting Pixel Scrapper for quite a while and love to see all the new contributions and layouts.
Hello everybody. Thanks for stopping by and talking a bit about yourselves.
Hi, my name is Karin, I used to be an avid scrapbooker, but with 4 kids, life quickly became too busy! I missed this creative outlet, and now that my kids are a bit older (16, 13, 12 and -almost-10) I want to learn to scrapbook digitally. It is a LOT less messy and more flexible (although I have still not parted with all my tools and supplies).
I am excited to learn all I can, my husband is a talented photographer, and I have an endless supply of photos!
Karin, you're going to love digital scrapbooking - and lucky you, to have lots of photos to work with!
Hi, everyone, my name is Lori. I live in Fort Worth, Texas, with my two cats, Fang and Heidi. I have two grown and married children, and am hopeful for some eventual grandchildren! In addition to reading, music and writing, my most favorite things to do and to learn are photography and Photoshop. I'm new to scrapbooking, but very excited about getting started now after the busy holidays. I'm so happy to be a member of Pixel Scrapper!!
Hi Lori - nice to meet you! It sure is great being part of Pixel Scrapper I have only been doing this for about 6 days but have already learnt so much. The tutorials are amazing and I have already put together a bit of a kit for February. Loads of fun! I can see this could be quite addictive though! Looking forward to seeing your contributions over time.
Hi Marcia - I am really enjoying learning about photography. I am hoping to do some training and work on taking portraits as well. I love photography it has been a passion of mine since I was little and my dad used to photograph and develop his own film. I loved working in the dark room with him and watching the pictures come to life!
Hi my name is Tina and I am brand new to digital scrapbooking, and when I say brand new I have only been exploring the craft for the last 48 hours or so. I use to be a paper scrapbooker, but then I took up knitting and I now spend most of my free time knitting and haven't made time to do any paper scrapbooking. I mentioned to a friend, at our knit group the other day, that I was interested in doing a bit of digital scrapbooking in hopes that it would inspire me to start paper scrapbooking again. And after the hours I have spent surfing the web regarding digital scrapbooking I am not sure I will ever go back to paper scrapbooking.
I am also a knitwear designer, so I can definitely see myself designing some digital scrapbooking kit, but right now there is so much to learn.
Hi Anita, I am also very new to digital scrapbooking, but so far I am loving it. I can see how easy it will be to go over budget when looking for kits and other supplies. I look forward to getting to know you in this group.
Hi Karin, I agree on the more flexible, and less messy. I use to do paper scrapbooking, but I haven't made time to pull out my supplies for years. It takes too much time to pull out the supplies and get inspired. By the time I get everything out and get those creative juices flowing it is time to put it all away. I use to have a dedicated space for my scrapbooking supplies, but then I took up knitting and we did some remodeling so now when I am not using the paper products they have to be stored away. I have only been exploring the art of digital scrapbooking for about 48 hours, but I can see how easy it would be to sit down and create a page in a very short period of time.
Here is my very first digital scrapbook page after just playing with it for a couple of hours.
Welcome everyone, is good to see new faces
Hi! I'm Holly, I have collected digital scrap kits for use in projects for about 3 years now and am hoping to start at least making my own papers for other digital scrap book artists. A little about me, I work from home, selling Avon and Kitsy Lane right now, I would like to expand my selling opportunities so I am researching different companies, eventually I would like to own my own Online store. I like digital photography, painting and other art mediums. I love to D.I.Y and tinker around the house. I'm interested in event planning and home decoration. I guess I have a lot of creative interests, the only thing I can do, is draw lol
Hi ! my name is Lujan and I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina and I´m the mom of 2 awesome girls, Rocio (25) and Morena (22)
I started paper scrapping back in 1996, while living in the US, and I got into digital scrapbooking about 10 years ago.
I'm an architect and I love sewing, photogaphy and scrapping, of course.
I found Pixel Scrapper about 2 weeks ago while looking for templates to create my own designs. I'm willing to participate in different challenges.
Hello-My name is Carly. I am a mother of four, a photographer and a dental hygienist. I love using these digital papers and design elements in my custom card templates I create for my clients. I have actually just started getting interested in graphic design and want to try to make some of these elements on my own
Hi Anita - it's nice to meet you too! It sounds like you have made a great start. I'm just beginning to check out the tutorials -- and I'm so thankful for the help because I wouldn't even know where to begin without them. Thanks for the friendly welcome, and I'm looking forward to seeing your work as well.
Edit: Well, somehow I replied to the wrong post. Lol And not sure how to delete it. This was supposed to be a reply to post #1366, I think...to Anita Phillips. Anyway, hopefully my scrapbooking skills will end up being better than my posting skills! Ha ha
Hi to everyone on Pixel Scrapper!
Hi Tina! I've never done much paper scrapbooking, but, whenever I attempt to use glue or tape or anything, I end up with a disaster. I'm thinking (hoping) that digital scrapbooking is right up my alley because my "messes" will be fixable. Can't wait to see your kit designs on here some day!
Thanks for the welcome, Jiovanna! It's so good to be here, and I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Pixel Scrapper. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I'm so happy that I stumbled upon Pixel Scrapper!!
Hello I'm Vickie, 49, married 32 yrs, two grown kids & two new grandchildren (2 year olds). Native Oregonian. Helping raise my grandson by day (he lives with us too) and have just started a photobooth company of my own! That takes care of the nights and weekends... I love the papers and kits and will be using them to design the photo cards and photo strips for the photobooth! I am so happy to have found the pixel scrapper and items of high-quality for free. Starting a new business with next to nothing so every little bit helps alot! Thank You So Much for sharing your lovely designs!
Vickie - Vic's Photobooth Co.
Hi Lujan...welcome! I joined Pixel Scrapper maybe a few months ago -- I'm not quite sure -- but I'm just now beginning to really get started. I'm very new to digital scrapbooking, but it sounds like you've got it down pretty good as you've been doing it for awhile. Like you, I also love photography. In fact, although I still have a great deal to learn, I'm very much addicted. Have fun, and good luck with your future designs!
Lori, I am so overwhelmed with everything. I have spent almost all my free time over the last several days surfing the web for information on how to make pages, downloading kits, watching tutorials on how to use Photoshop. There is just so much to learn. Even though digital scrapbooking takes up less space and it is easy to put everything away for the night, it still takes a lot of time. I can't wait to get into it more and maybe start creating my own personalized kits.
Here is my second page.
I know exactly what you mean, Tina, about being overwhelmed! I've been spending a lot of time doing the same as you -- surfing, downloading, tutorials, etc. But, you're doing better than me...I haven't made anything yet. I really like your cat page...looks great! I love kitties as well. I currently have two cats. I will definitely be working with cat photos here and there.
Welcome everybody! I hope you love Pixel Scrapper as I do, and I also invite you to chat on other topics as well
Welcoming the newcomers on this chat is really fun, isn´t it? They feel good, we feel good. It´s a win-win thing.
But... can I ask the people who already introduced yourselves a favor? Don´t post more than one reply to this topic in sequence - and, always that possible, wait till at least two or three newcomers introduced themselves to post your welcome, in a way we can find easily the new faces and reduce a little the ammount of veteran´s posts without losing the warm welcoming feeling of the post. When you want to reply to more than one person that posted on this topic, please, make only one post, citing everyone. We quote people puting a @ in front of their names, for example writing "@Marisa Lerin" or "@Lorien" in the beginning of the sentence. It makes, indeed, easier to identify whom you´re talking to without the need of going back to check the number of the previous post or using the hyperlink. As this topic is, by far, the longer topic in the forum - and one of the most important, since it´s required by the forum guidelines that you post here and sometimes moderators need to check if someone has posted here to see if they´re following the guidelines, keeping this topic organised is important.
Thank you so much for your comprehension.
Hello, my name is Femke. I life with my husband and son in the Netherlands. I found this great site when I was looking for new (designer) resources. I felt in love with digital scrapbook since 2005, when I "accidentally" discover a great site about it. I'm for almost 3 years scrapbookdesigner en love to do it! thank you so much for this great site, I love it already
Welcome Femke!