EDITORIAL
Dependence on oil
crippling country
The U.S. government it (tiling History 101. It
should have learned its oil-dependence lesson long
ago. It's time for a long-term energy plan.
In 1073, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries decided to limit the amount of oil it sold to
the United States. Prices went from 30 cents a gallon to
75 cents a gallon. People actually had to wait in lines
at filling stations, ana then according to license plate
numbers.
It was evident at the time that the United States
was a gasaholic. The country was a junkie that needed
its oil fix. But instead of researching and producing a
reliable energy plan which focused on alternative ener
gy sources such as solar and geothermal, we licked
OPEC's boots until it started selling the United States
oil again. And then the U.S. citizens forgot it ever hap
pened. Until now.
Prices are skyrocketing again, only this time the
government is willing to send soldiers to die for "our"
oil. We use 50 percent of the world's energy, while
producing only six percent of it.
There are U.S. combat troops in the Middle East
for one reason: we want our oil.
The United States is not concerned with the people
of Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. The United States would
leave the region tomorrow If it were guaranteed oil at
reasonable prices Unfortunately, it looks like it will
take human sacrifice for the people in the United
States to wake up. We have been selling arms to Iraq
and Hussein for years because of our fear of Iran. If it
wasn't for the oil the United States so desperately
needs to feed its habit, it would not be so willing to
put the lives of its soldiers on the line- The United
States must quit its habit cold turkey.
But it won't. Not until there is an outcry from U.S.
citizens to develop an energy policy that excludes oil
except where necessary.
That won't be easy. Solar energy is not a logical al
ternative to the oil companies because they don't own
the sun. Nor do they own the wind. Put a patent pend
ing on the sun and the oil companies would start in
vesting money immediately.
People must become energy conscience and reduce
their dependence on oil wherever possible. Start walk
ing and riding bikes. Tear up your gasoline credit
cards. Demand an energy policy from the government
that is comprehensive and looks to the future.
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policy;
Mud flies in Congressional campaign
Following the precedent set during the
1988 presidential campaigns, two Oregon
politicians have put to use the tools of mis
representation and underhanded politics to
wage niudslinging campaigns for Oregon's
5th District U S. House of Representatives
seat.
Incumbent Denny Smith and his chal
lenger, Mike Kopetski, arc ensnared in a
campaign involving ethics complaints that
never materialized and even a commercial
featuring the voice of Adolf Hitler.
This is not the first time Smith and
Kopetski have faced off against each other
for the office. In 1988 Kopetski, a heavy un
derdog. came within 707 votes of unseating
Smith. That race included a petition by
Kopetski supporters for a recount.
This time around, Kopetski is the favor
ite. With Smith in trouble over his dealings
with failed Savings and Loan thrifts.
Kopetski has gained ground in the campaign
by remaining low-key and hardly mention
ing Smith's troubles. Of course, with the
near daily newspaper stories and a recent
formal ethics complaint filed against Smith
by the Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee, Kopetski does not need to say
anything about it. So far he has sat back and
let Smith’s record and the media inflict most
of the damage.
Perhaps the silliest and saddest episode
in the campaign involved a Smith ad that
condemned Kopetski’s call for a mediated
end to the Iraq/Kuwait crisis. The ad painted
kopetski as tolerant of Saddam Hussein
while the voice of Adolf Hitler resounded in
the background. The ads had a more nega
tive effect on Smith’s campaign than they
did on Kopetski’s and were pulled shortly
after they were first broadcast. Smith denies
he ever heard the ad before it was released.
Political campaigns seem to be guided
by the principle that the end justifies the
means. And with increased media access, it
seems that this trend will not change.
LETTERS
In the Gulf
We are currently in the Gulf
of Oman with the indepen
dence battle group on a guided
missile destroyer in response to
the Middle Hast crisis
As you may imagine, days
feel like weeks and mail is
ever precious in this barren
wasteland. We are writing in
hopes of establishing a fresh
and interesting correspondence
w ith some of you who may be
far away from home like our
selves
Between us. our interests
vary greatly and our ages range
from 20 to 24 All replies are
welcome and will be responded
to.
John Heikenen
|ohn Sayers
Doug Gifford
Mike Guillama
|ohn Miller
Sid Buller
USS Goldborough (DDG-20)
FPO San Francisco, CA
94666-1250
Ol Division
Special project
Our third grade class is going
to spend this year learning
about the United States. We
would like your readers to send
us letters or postcards telling us
about your state Thank you for
helping us with this special
project.
Mrs. Shield's third grade class
Clara Peterson School
580 hast Kraklin
Paxton, ii. 80957
Small favors
Election time is here upon us
once again. Working people
would be well advised to con
sider the favors the folks in Sa
lem have done for them recent
ly
Unemployment compensa
tion changes were made to cor
rect a problem which really
didn't exist. Over five-hundred
people were denied benefits in
my area last Christmas by three
unnecessary changes. Talk
about bah humbug! The rein
statement which occurred six
months later, while appreciat
ed. does not compensate for the
hardships caused by this cal
lous disregard for your well be
ing.
Another favor from the folks
in Salem is the new workman's
compensation law that is more
concerned with reducing pro
gram costs than treatment of in
jured workers.
These two laws art? essential
for your survival. They are the
only things that stand between
you and financial ruin in these
da vs of economic uncertainty
plant closures, layoffs, slow
downs. etc. These changes
were passed nearly unanimous
ly by the legislature. This
should la* enough to convince
you that you have very few
friends in Salem. I propose that
we must change that in Novem
ber
The present group does not de
serve your vote. They have
clearly demonstrated that they
could care less about you.
Promises now are not going to
change that or their perfor
mance on your behalf.
Find a candidate who will
look after your interests. It will
rarely be one of the incum
bents.
Robert C. Robertson
Eugene
Zoned
May 1 offer my solution to the
problem of the dangerously de
pleted ozone layer.
All chlorofluorocarbon* in
ternationally banned. Then, to
repair the ozone layer, imple
ment the following method;
First, manufacture liquid
ozone. Then, load it aboard
large military refueling tanker
aircraft. These planes would
then climb to the lower levels
of the ozone layer at 40,000
feet. As they spray the liquid
ozone the strong upper jet
stream winds will carry the
ozone even higher into the
ozone layer.
The ozone layer could be
maintained at its normal level
after the initial restoration pro
ject by minimal number of an
nual flights. However. 1 esti
mate the initial ozone restora
tion will take from one to five
years and cost between $50
million and $70 million. Since
this is a global crisis, cost
should be shared by the mem
bers of the United Nations.
The Reverend Jesse Jackson
deserves everyone’s support for
his commitment to save the en
vironment. loot's all get behind
him.
1 urge everyone to clip out
this letter and send copies to
scientists, environmental
groups, the Environmental Pro
tection Agency. UNESCO, con
gressmen and President Hush.
Anyone wishing to discuss
this important issue with me
may feel free to contact me.
Leonard Defazio, Jr.
31 El wood Ave.
Batavia. New York 14020
(716) 343*9356
LETTERS POLICY
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