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 ■ jfe It may seem an uncaring act, but the Marines (and the entire ; ^.multi-national force) should be immediately withdrawn from Beirut.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 The Oregon Daily Emerald regon flatly tmerald Pubbthmg Co., a« the Univervty o4 Oregon, Eugene. 08, 07401 The Emerald operate* independently at the Unwerwty with office* on the third lloor of the Erb Memorial Union and it a member rrl the Attot rated Pretv Ne**t and Editorial fc#b-%%U Ohp4ay Advert mo* and Itmnett MHelTO Clatewfied Adtertiting *8A~«I4I Produ. tmn b»fc-4Jfl Ondaoon htt-Htl Iditor Managing idiioi News (ditor AuirMnt News editor editorial Page editor Photo editor Sports editor Sidelines editor I nlertamment editor Arurljnl fnlrrUmfflrnt editor Ntghl editor AWKiM Idltors Higher (duration Depart menu and V hoots Student Government features PlllltM i C iitnmumty General Still Advertising Manager < lassrtied Advertising Produr lion Manager Controller Debbie Howletl Sandy lohnstone trank Shaw Brenda Tlrornlon 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.