Editorial Daily Emerald Persian Gulf not a U.S. playground Just as Iran and Iraq are repairing the damage and burying the dead from their eight-year war. a new dis pute has recently threatened to turn the Persian Ciulf into a sea of burning oil tankers and drilling platforms Earlier this week. Iraq claimed the oil-rich nation of Kuwait was conspiring with the United Arab Emir ates, another small, oil-producing Persian Gulf nation, to overproduce and keep the price of oil low on the world market, thereby ruining Iraq s economy. Iraq put 30,000 troops and 200 Soviet-made tanks on the Ku waiti border in an attempt to “persuade" Kuwait into rethinking its petroleum policy. Kuwait responded by putting its military on alert. The situation was already delicate enough, and the United States responded in a predictable nature It sent six U S. Navy ships on joint Persian Gulf “maneuvers'' with the United Arab Emirates, like Kuwait a U S. ally. At the same time, White House spokesman Marlon Kit/.water said, “It is a delicate situation. We urge all parties to avoid violence." If the situation is so delicate, why the added [nays sure of U.S. worships? It the United States is con cerned about avoiding violence, why is a show of force necessary? Didn't the deaths of the sailors on the U.S.S. Shirk in 1987 teach us anything? The U.S. government has, throughout its history, behaved like a drunk and disorderly tavern regular, pitching in its two cents — or violent behavior into every argument it can find. This particular argument is between Iraq and Kuwait, and if there has to be an ar gument. let it stay that way. Already, the leaders of other Middle Eastern coun tries, among them Egypt's Hosni Mubarek. wasted no time in trying to settle the dispute. Negotiations seem to be working, and indications were that Kuwait and Iraq would reach a settlement without armed conflict. It is a shame the United States chose instead to re spond with ships rather than diplomacy. What can the United States gain from armed con frontation. or even a simple, self-gratifying show of force in the Middle East? The answer is plain: dead Americans, and continued hostilities between the na tions of the Persian Gulf. If our government feels a burning desire to meddle in the affairs of Kuwait and Iraq, let it do so as a mediator. Rather than spending American tax dollars, and possible lives, protecting the country’s oil supplies, maybe it is time to use those resources to research long-term alternative sources of energy so that we are not dependent on this unstable region for the fuel that keeps the United States moving. Observance of rules applies to bikes also Stop Dismount Walk vour hike Kasy enough words to mad lor anv c ol lege student So win do so many have trou ble comprehending them? Unfortunately, the sc ant amount of rude, discourteous. and dangerous bicyclists overshadow the large majority of sale, respectful riders Kugene and the University campus have wonderful bike lanes Signs that are easily readable are posted at intermittent points along the paths Hut all too often some riders choose to use the sidewalks as if the\ own them Sidewalks are for pedestrians. People should be able to walk on them in comfort without any fear of being run over by over zealous bit vc lists It bicyclists were held at - t turntable for their observance of vehicle laws, the streets would be safer for every one Hit \t lists are supposed to adhere' to the* same rules and regulations of the road as motorists They are supposed to stop at stop signs Yield to pedestrians Walk their bike when the situation calls for it Hut many seem to think that they are merely walkers w ith-wheels Most of us that have spent an ample amount of time strolling the campus have had close (alls with hike riders Avoiding the few belligerent cyclists who think they own the road is a common, everydav occur rence However, we have no recourse for re porting these abusers of road satetv since li i eases are not required for bicycles. We set tle for ( ursing under our breath and promis ing ourselves to clothesline the next rider who ( omes within 50 feet of us Hicvi les should be registered just like automobiles Riders should pay a fee tor a li cense plate on the bar k to help fund bike paths and signs Licenses would also make it possible to trace unruly riders. Anyone, for a nominal amount of mon ey. can look up license plates of c ars at the i)MY The same should hold true for bicy (lists If they know they can be traced through their license number, they just might ride a hit more ( autiously. lust bec ause bicycles are noil-motorized does not mean riders have carte hlam he of the streets And while the walkway under the LMl' is a walk-vour bike zone, some rid ers zip through as if it is their own private dri veu ay It's a classic case of a few giving a bad name to many Liberalism The t.ii I ill bcmn subjfi IimI to Vet anolhet fictitious, political 11i.itriI>«• from the l inrr.ihl oiii tonal pan** is lamentable Oregon Ihiil) »'«> H--\ (UKrni Oi.K..n WW* The (>♦•.;.'(! D.i > • s pubi sht»d T uesday and Thu'vtay I hi? riser by the Cw-g■ Daily i mh*mM Publishing Co .it the University of Oregi '■ Eu gc*n»‘ Ore ; ■ Daily pubh abnn b»*g'n'> *-th the fail The Emer.iM is operated indef»endently of the University with offices n the th • ; 'I - ' f If*.- I rb M- > ■ -li If "• I f! «*. a >tn»r . >' thf A-,-. -ated P»es*» The Emerald is private property The unlawful removal of use of papers -s pros >• utable by !.ia Associate Editors Entertainment Boat ft Student Gov! Activities •• h.ia , Community - i' M.i i ' Staff Photographer v •• kJ i * Advertising Sales Katn* - •* Production •* ; h f > hfr • M.o! ' - . »V General Stall General Manager i; Assistant to the Publisher a bey Advertising Director t ‘ < - Classified Sales V •* Production Manager M , f . • M Advertising Coordinator : ■ Account* Receivable Circulation Newsroom 346 5511 Classified Advertising 346 4343 Display Advertising 346 3712 Production, Graphic Services 346 4381 Editor a i• yv • News Managing fditoi ’ • ft a Graphics Editor i f Editorial Editor n : Ill'll N on have a choice be tween two things to one you sa\ \(): to the other YUS When vou sav no to drill’s vou arc saving no u> Ut r ami tu wn.il we ream want As parents, wt* choose to l)iiih 1 the new i ivilization, a healthy. happ\ and drug-free, peat eful. community and conn tr\ We say YES to health, hap piness. abundance, freedom, love, trust, respect, faith, cour age. honesty, goodwill laugh ter and humor Sav YES to de veloping your talents. YES to education and job training. YES to sharing, YES to good re lationships with all people Do something good lor soinebodv Volunteer your time ami tal ents, work is fun; friends .ire fun; parents and grandparents are fun When you say YES TO LITE you are a POINT ()E LIGHT and you are playing a vital part in creating a new civilization. You are helping to eliminate the cause of human suffering. LITE IS PEACE!! UEE IS HEAUTIEULU I.ET IT II EC IN \\ 11II ML!! Mrs. |.ee Burns Bushnell. Fla.