EDITORIAL God Squad’ seeks to circumvent law The original was the "Mod Squad." Then came "Police Squad." a hilarious parody spoof. Now we have the "Cod Squad," except this time, things aren't so funny. Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan |r. has the power to convene a seven-member committee that can over ride the Endangered Species Act. For only the third time in history, the so-called God Squad will come to life — and because of it, the northern spotted owl is facing extinction once again. At the request of the Bureau of Land Management. Lujan called the committee to judge whether BLM can resume logging on 4,570 acres. BLM officials claim that if they are not allowed to log the tracts, timber harvests on Oregon's BLM land could fall by as much as 75 per cent. costing tens of thousands of jobs in the Pacific Northwest. The official powers that be just don't quit. When the Fish and Wildlife Service set aside millions of acres of the Northwest's old growth for the spotted owl. environmentalists cheered and loggers fumed. And now the Bush ("Call me the environmental president") administration is showing its selective green thumb once again. Environmental issues are good until they get in the way of that steamroller called "progress" — which is often. Then watch how green the udministra nun is. Proponents of the God Squad say the size of the af fected land is such a small percentage of the protected old growth, that a yes decision to log the tracts wouldn't make What is at stake is much more than Just 4,570 acres. The possible extinction of the spotted owl pales when matched against the real Issue — the survival of our old growth forests. Him mui.u un fcrcnco to the survival of the spotted owl. Perhaps, but what is at stake is much more than just 4,570 acres. The possible extinction of the spotted owl pales when matched against the real issue — the survival of our old growth forests. Environmentalists must take a stand, and this is the place and issue to do it. A message must be sent that Oregonians want to protect their forests. Yes, it is only 4.570 acres, but the largest journeys start with one step. If Bush and Co. are allowed to make even a slight inroad into the old growth protection, it will be nigh impossible to stop them the next time. People in the timber industry have a right to be up set. Their livelihoods could very well hinge on the God Squad's decision. But Oregon can no longer rely on timber products to cornerstone the state's economy. By downscaling the industry, eventually a happy medium between environmentalists and loggers will be reached — a stable place where our old growth forests won't disappear. The move from a timber-based t;conomy to one of light-industry and technology is a necessary and pain ful one. The displaced timber workers must be re trained for other jobs. That will take money and effort, and right now, Oregon politicians don't seem to be supplying either. It's not just 4,570 acres of old growth at stake; it's the future economic viability of the state. Either Orego nians will face reality and change the base of the econ omy or they will ignore the flashing warning signs and watch the old growth and timber jobs dwindle away. • . . SUPPOSE TULRti amv IVAV TO GOtfVWC£ GtofeGc St/iH 7W SADDAM HUSSE-'N /5 S£PB/AN ? an £rtift. M4Vfi£ Ui£ N(ec TO UT QH?S£tV£S AN [*>*_ LETTERS T.V. guide l! w.i.s |)iiinfully easy fur mu lo mm! through Jenxl Hume's pitiful attempt to promote Our Version of Hell through huso trickery (O/Jf. Oct 2) liven if 1 wus not ono of Hume's fellow cust mombers on thu show. 1 would have soon through his wit ki‘'CVM» IT COMtS fPO^ PiS^'t^uiOty f.'SSiU fvUS SOMtrtOW, Twl tuSOAVOS ALWAYS STOA} AT rwi POIH1.