opinion
Too many have died;
bring Marines home
The latest deadly turn of events in Lebanon only
underscores the many voices calling for the U.S. Marines to
come home. We agree they should come home.
Late Saturday a suicide bomber (from an unknown faction)
crashed a truck packed with 2,000 pounds of explosives into the
lobby of a Beirut building where U.S. Marines were sleeping. In
the resulting explosion the building was leveled.
At first the news reports were sketchy — more than 50
Marines were killed and scores were wounded. But, as more
reports came in, the death toll continued to mount. By noon
Sunday 135 Marines were reported dead and 59 wounded. This
was not the final report. The number of dead will surely keep
mounting.
Don't think the Marines were the only targets. Moments
after the suicide attack on the Marines a similar suicidal bomb
ing was carried out against the French troops stationed in Beirut.
Ironically, the peace-keeping forces have become the targets
in the bitter civil war in Lebanon. This wasn't the intention of
sending in peace-keeping troops. Troops from neutral nations
are sent in to act as a buffer between belligerent forces.
But in Lebanon there appear to be too many hostile forces
too intent on shooting each other to separate. The multi
national troops were under fire from all sides the moment they
set foot in Beirut.
The complexities of the Lebanese civil war aren't as discerni
ble as a simple clash between government and anti-government
forces. There is the Lebanese government, who is asking for the
multi-national force to be employed. There are anti-government
forces, Shiite Amal militia, Druse militia — and the foreign
troops from Iran and Syria — all fighting in Lebanon.
The conflict though is as old as the history of the Middle
East. That doesn't even begin to capture the full significance of
the clash. There is so much that we don't know and will never
comprehend about the intricate cultural, political and religious
machinations of the Middle East.
The suicidal resolve of the truck-bombers is an example.
This type of fanaticism is not uncommon in Middle East warfare,
but known only in the West from the desperate kamikaze at
tacks by the Japanese at the close of World War II. This willful
relinquishing of life for a cause is something we in the West
don't fully comprehend.
■ jfe It may seem an uncaring act, but the Marines (and the entire
; ^.multi-national force) should be immediately withdrawn from
Beirut. Let the Lebanonese and all the opposing factions thrash
themselves into whatever destiny awaits them. If they kill each
other, that's their resolution. At least they will not have our
Marines to murder.
Tell ASUO directors
parking plan stinks
The controversial West University Parking Plan has slipped
from the headlines in the last two weeks, but that doesn't mean
it's vanished.
In fact, students and concerned residents of the West
University neighborhood opposed to the parking plan should
be wary.
Two weeks ago the Eugene City Council was met by an
angry standing-room-only crowd vehemently against implemen
ting the parking plan. They were taken aback. The council heard
two-and-one-half hours of testimony and eventually postponed
a decision on an appeal of the parking plan.
At that time the council realized the city had neglected to
consult with community groups. They have since been making
the rounds and selling their parking plan.
Tonight Barbara McCarthy, ASUO director of University Af
fairs, and Patrick Smith, of the Office of Student Advocacy, will
be representing the University students' point of view about the
parking plan in a closed meeting with members of the city staff.
Concerned students will not be able to attend. However,
students may voice their opposition to the parking plan by call
ing McCarthy or Smith at 686-3724.
Tell them to tell the city their parking plan stinks.
Oregon daily . .
emerald
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Cod t email!
Dave Kao
Doug levy
lohn Healy
Angela Allen Morgan
Kim Carlson
trank Straw
Doug Nash
Melissa Martin
|im Moore
loan Herman
Brooks Dared
Mk hele Malassa
Darlene Gore
Sally OI|ar
Victoria Koch
lean Ownbey
letters
Furthermore
I am responding to Paul Parks'
patriotic plea for the sabotage of
the ASUO-sponsored drive to
work for the repeal of the
Solomon Amendment, and, in
turn, support a military draft.
For one, I feel that this country
does not need a draft to ensure
the adequate functioning of arm
ed forces, let alone for defense.
The registration and draft process
is not in the tradition nor the
history of the United States when
we are not fully involved in war.
Maybe you support the current
policies of the United States
which is leading us to war in the
Middle East and Central America
and feel a need for increased
military involvement.
I, however, do not support
these policies and involvement
that are promoting and suppor
ting inequality, injustice, repres
sion and the slaughter of hungry
and innocent people. Further
more, the United States is sur
rounded by water and friendly
neighbors. Any simpelton knows
this is our strongest defense. And
as long as we allow self-interest
and violence to dictate our
behavior, then war is eternal on
earth.
Second, as for your attack on
the freedom of speech and
thought of the students and
ASUO opposing the Solomon
Amendment, which discriminates
against both men and women
alike who seek financial aid, I
believe them to be in contradic
tion to a pluralistic* and
democratic process. Why not
work to elect a student govern
ment that supports the draft or
organize a group in solidarity with
the growing arms race? To urge
the sabotage of a government's
policies is actually quite becoming
these days.
Your attitude and philosophy on
dealing with opposing views such
as ferreting out with effective
measures and further thwarting
their efforts is a mentality and
course of action undertaken by a
well-known organization.. .the
CIA.. .Hey Parks, I think they are
looking for people like you.
Craig Smith
senior, political science
Unfairly
I applaud Melissa Barker and
her stance on the issue of the
Selective Service Compliance
forms issued by the Office of
Financial Aid. Although her
reasons for filing suit seem to be
more personal than political, they
are valid, and a decision in her
case will doubtless have wider
consequences.
I, too, have been unfairly
targeted by this law: I was born
prior to 1960, and I am in fact
registered as of 1971-72, the years
during which the U.S. armed
forces were being withdrawn
from Vietnam — via Laos and
Cambodia.
At best the compliance form is
an incredible waste of time,
energy and money for all concern
ed; in my own case both my age
and my registration status could
have been verified through any of
numerous records already in the
possession of the University and
the Selective Service System.
At worst this form represents a
violation of the Constitutional
guarantee against self
incrimination, a summary verdict
and sentencing without trial, and
an invasion of privacy. It is also
discriminatory of the basis of in
come and social status: well-to-do
students can choose not to comp
ly and still afford to attend school;
draft-age males not attending col
lege are not targeted.
To those who are unwilling or
unable to forgo their financial aid
for the sake of conscience, I sug
gest writing a statement of protest
on the compliance form, as I have
done, the next time it comes
arond. This is a small action, but it
may serve to indicate to the
University the extent of opposi
tion to a rule which makes a
travesty of our system of Constitu
tional law. To Barker I wish the
best of luck.
Hiawatha
graduate, music, philosophy
Big kids now
So what's the point? Doug
Nash's analysis of "Club Autzen"
on Oct. 19 expressed complaints
of elitism well. His writing was
wonderful. In the effort to subtly
and insightfully criticize privileges
afforded to University supporters,
perhaps he missed the chance to
get to know any of these people.
Most would have been very pleas
ed to talk with him.
As a student in a volunteer
organization, I have met and
worked with many of the folks
Nash referred to. To tell you the
truth, I have rarely met people
more genuine than those who
donate the kind of time and
money to our University that Nils
Hult does. The- recognition these
supporters get is minimal. They
do it because they care.
We are all big kids now. We
know what things cost money. We
also know that we don't get
enough state or tuition support to
keep up the quality of this school.
So the University asks for dona
tions. Then they acknowledge
those gifts. Does Nash really
believe that any individual would
donate $10,000 only for the
privilege of watching, what was
up till now, a pretty dismal foot
ball team? As to the man dressed
in green and yellow that Nash
satirized: does he really believe
that his attire was a status move
designed to insure his place
among "The Right People?"
Maybe he did it to show spirit for
something in which he had pride
because he was interested in the
"real game." Maybe Nash was too
busy "analyzing" to find out.
It doesn't bother me that we do
more to honor these people than
give them a free hot dog and coke.
They deserve to be thanked.
Wendy Popkin
senior, leiiure services
Correction
Due to a misunderstan
ding, Rajneeshpuram and
the city of Antelope were
used interchangeably in an
editorial last week concern
ing an opinion issued by At
torney General Dave
Frohnmayer. In fact, the two
cities are separate. The pen
is mightier than the sword,
but not mightier than
geography. We regret any
confusion this may have
caused.
The Oct. 19 edition of the
Emerald ran a story titled
"Special bicycle aids in
jured girl" about a hand
powered bike for
paraplegics. Chris
Schwandt, the bike's
builder, was quoted as say
ing "It's a pain in the butt"
to care for the disabled,
"but it has to be done with
some sensitivity.''
Schwandt asked that his
statement be clarified, in
that he personally does not
have that attitude, but that
it is a prevalant one in
society.