Letters to the Editor

An apology to the community

To the Editor:

I am writing to openly express my embarrassment and regret over the incident with the Princeton debate team on Nov. 16, 2002. There was no sober or rational explanation for my atrocious behavior or that of my friends.

While in my intoxicated state, I believed incorrectly that the incident was a simple, spirited college joke. But it was far from that, as my actions and behavior were inappropriate to the point where I not only embarrassed myself, but also caused Penn, an institution that I love, to lose face among its Ivy brethren and the community at large. My immature, drunken actions and those of my friends were intolerable. I apologize to every one of you.

I am not writing this letter to make excuses or pass the blame or even to explain what happened but simply to make known to all who felt even the slightest twinge of embarrassment that I am truly sorry, for no words that I put on this paper will ever begin to describe my deep and heartfelt regret. To John Brantl, a name I learned only by reading the paper myself, I will be sorry for that night and what transpired for the rest of my life. I wish that you could have met me as the person that I am and will strive to be, and not as the drunken fool that you did.

Thomas Bispham Jr. College '05

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