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2 WedNEsdAy, D ecem H er 1, 1999 Opinion The light still shines T Christianity came swiftly. After en during, with a shining grace and daz zling humility, the sword of Nero, then of Trajan, the Church became and, acquainted with the other, kinder face of secular power—a face that proved the deadliest of ; all. That is, un- ¡ der Emperor > Constantine, Joel P. Shempert Í Christianity I was ren Contributing Writer dered both legitimate Two thousand years ago, give or and official, and thus became an take a bit, a child was bom who oxymoron and, arguably, an abomi grew to be the most amazing Man nation: a spiritual movement vested history has ever seen. Some called with a physical authority. And thus began the Church’s Him a Teacher, some called Him a Prophet, some called Him a blas woes. All the lions and crucifixes phemer—and there were some who in the Roman Empire could not slay that against which “the gates of called Him Savior. Two thousand years ago, this Hell shall not prevail.” But in the Man \yas put to death. Two thou birth of the Holy Román Empire was sand years ago, His followers forged the sword with which the claimed they had seen Him alive Church would slay itself. For when once more. And two thousand love and kindness are replaced by years ago, these followers went out ambition and cruelty, the result is into the world to proclaim this an entity that can hardly be called Man’s message of liberating truth “Christian” at all. So where have we come from and conquering love. So where have we come from there? The crimes of the Church are there? Unfortunately die degeneration of many. There was the Inquisition; he curtain is about to be drawn on the Twentieth Century, as well as the much-touted “Millennium” though much less publicized, the first two thousand years of the Christian Epoch. Altar of an Unknown God there were crusades; there were witch trials; there were religious wars of all varieties. And through the confusion of philosophy with doctrine, science and inquiry have been held under the Church’s dread sway. So where have we come from there? There have been shafts external as well as poisons internal loosed against the truth of God. There has been the satire of Voltaire, the De ism of Jefferson, the materialism of Marx and—with G. W. Hegel’s sys tem of “thesis-antithesis-synthe sis,” whereby opposing proposi tions are reconciled into a non-con- tradictory whole—an assault on Truth itself. But a kernel of Truth has per sisted through all these assaults— the immutable Word of God, the Word that became Flesh, the Word “full of Grace and Truth.” That ker nel, against which Hell prevailed not, survives unto this day to find its way into my heart, and to be pro claimed to you. It will live on, when you and I have passed from this mode of life, to find its way into yet another heart that seeks after God. Two thousand years later, the Light still shines. May it shine on you. I show you a more excellent way. Victims victimized twice ardon me if I don’t believe that myself down and began to victims have rights, because hyperventilate. I blacked out. I I was stabbed not once, twice woke up as I was being carried to or even three times, but seven my car. My friends got in and drove times— and the offender is free and me to the nearest house where they I know it’s only because she’s a ju called 911. It was busy. They then drove me to the venile. Molalla Police Department. There were county, state and local cops. They SalenaDe La Cruz said they got Sports Co-Editor the suspect. ............................i. J She was a 15 It happened Aug. 22, 1998 at a year-old girl. party up-river in Molalla. There were The ambulance came and took me quite a few people there including a to the OHSU Trauma Center. They girl that I was on not so friendly terms stitched me up and showed me my with. She and another girl were argu back through a mirror. She stabbed ing when I stepped in the middle. The me seven times, six in my back and girl pushed me; I pushed her back. once in my arm. We went to court about eight She said, “ I have no problem with you.” I turned to walk away when months later. Her defense was that she punched me in the face. 1 grabbed she feared for her life because I was her in a headlock, punched her a few bigger and stronger than she was. times and threw her to the ground. I Yet as we came to find out from her had my hand around her throat when testimony, she had the knife pulled I yelled, “ Calm Down!” when she was arguing with the first I saw specks of blood on her face. girl. Instead of attempted murder, she 1 was starting to get up as someone was charged with Assault 4, a mis grabbed me and pulled me back. I demeanor. started walking toward my car when Her sentence was restitution, 40 I heard someone scream, “ Oh my hours of community service, and God! You stabbed her!” I looked counseling. That’s all she got and down at my hands because I thought she will forget about this act of vio maybe I had scratched her; when I lence long before I do. I have seven did this I noticed blood running down scars to remind me, daily. I experi my arm. My friend ran up to me, and ence severe pain in my back on any started screaming; “You’ve been given day. I have endless sleepless stabbed!” I started screaming and nights. But that wasn’t good enough crying, “Why did she have to stab for them. I begin to wonder if I would’ve been better off if she had me?” At this point I was trying to calm killed me— maybe, just maybe there P Make a statement, be heard would be justice. We were set up for mediation, which is where the victim faces the offender. She agreed to pay restitu tion of $1,592. At the mediation she threatened me and all they did was say, “Now, we shouldn’t have to re mind you: no threats.” The next day she wanted to back out of the deal. She felt I didn’t deserve that amount. That was it, the last straw. I finally broke. For months they had asked how she felt, if the date scheduled was all right with her, never me. I felt as though I was being treated as the offender rather than the victim, just because I was older than she was. Of course, what could I expect? We were working through the juvenile system. I said, “ No, I’m sorry— if she backs out I’m taking her to court and holding her mother responsible for her actions.” The mediator basically said I shouldn’t expect so much from a 15 year-old girl. However, they didn’t take into consideration that she had 27 misdemeanors on her record as well as four felonies. What I learned from the system is that Measure 11 and victims’ rights laws can work forthe victim as long as the offender is not a juvenile. However, it is nice to know there are places that will help victims when no one else will. I’m here to say victims’ rights? Hah! I wish, because from where I’m sitting we don’t have any. For more information for victims’ services call Victims’ Assistance at (503)655-8616. Questions, comments or ideas contact at ext. 2309 or e-mail me at salenadelacruz@netscape. net. T ñe CI ac I camas P rìnt BY CHRIS LUNDGREN WHEW- FINALLY HOME. SCHOOL HAS BEEN. $o S-tfESSFUL L ately , what with THE "AUTOMATED TOILET CONSPIRACY. Ncrr am ITO WHAT I HAD IMSISTHE- N WRESTLING HISTORY' I INK" tMöONNÄ L ose control . ÖFWY BLADPÉR ANY moment mow » ¿APPEP’MINIM <1 HE CMU 9- Pe»PP»Mr... M«r.. CHAN4E... CWA un EL.I CHANGES WITH TUE TAlKlMi, URINALS.' Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Your last month's article (Oct. 13,1999, p. 4) "Abandoned Bun nies fend for life," caught my heart. As a community gardener at gardens located near the ELC, I have delighted in these fat looking rabbits. During the heat of summer they find sun and shade under my large zucchini leaves. These rabbits roam free, visit with each other, and (up until now) did not fear people. They have added to the ELC. Plus, they seem to be consider ably less hungry than the many ducks and geese who beg for bread and all but attack me for more food at times. Let's keep the bunnies too. I understand the ELC's need to keep bunny populations un der control. They seem now to be corralling them in the Orchard Society's secured area. How ever, I don't see that the bun nies had it "pretty rough." At least not while they were free in the ELC area. With leftover Iet- tuce, etc., they have lots to eat in our large, abundant gardens, as do other worthy locals, like birds. Martha McKay P.S. For anyone interested in a community garden space, call Janice, Recreation Department. (Cost is $ 15 a plot per year, with automatic watering in summer. This must be the best deal in town.) Photo Editor: Editor-in-Chief: Sarah Welch John Thorbum (x2447) Managing Editor: Staff: Toni McMichael Jason Lingel Whitney Bond Maggie Jirasek Joel P. Shempert Matt Shempert Diana Scrivner Shannon McMahon Mandy Good Megan Oldenstadt Design Editor: Timothy A. Bell Feature Editor: Shelbi Wescott A & E Editor: Angie Daschel Sports Co-Editors: Salena De La Cruz James Khosravi Secretary: JoAnne Gale Business Manager: Karl Katzke (x2578) Advisor: Linda Vogt (x2310) Copy Editor: Sandy Lupo Cartoonists: Chris Lundgren The Clackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner. The opinions expressed in The Clackamas Print do not necessarily reflect those of the student body, college administration, its faculty, or The Clackamas Print advertisers. Products and services advertised in The Clackamas Print are not neccesarily endorsed by anyone associated with The Clackamas Print. The advertising rate is $4.75 per column inch. All signed letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be considered for publication if submitted by 1 pm the Friday prior to publication. All signed letters submitted for A Student's Voice/Another Voice should be 500 words or less and will he considered for publication if submitted by I pm the Friday prior to publication. Both Letters to the Editor and A Studen's Voice/Another Voice are subject to editing.The Clackamas Print is a weekly publication and is distributed every Wednesday except during Finals week. The Clackamas Print Copyright 1999. 19600 S. M o I a U a Ave. O reçon ClTy, (505) 657-6958 cccp Rl nt @ c ! ac I c am O regon 97045 2509 . cc. OR . US ext as
