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Show Friday. February 1. 1991 The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Three Editorial J ran should stick by neutrality vow in Gulf War During the past week more than 90 Iraqi Air Force planes nave landed in Iran. While initial they don't want to have the U.S. or other western powers gain a lasting military presence in the indicated that the of the aircraft East. Iran may very well be doing what Middle reports pilots were attempting to desert Saddam Hussein's countless other countries have done before, military machine, uncertainty now surrounds the playing both sides in order to gain the most benefits for themselves. planes and their intent. A controversy has developed among experts This situation is somewhat like the role that the who disagree over whether or not Iran has U.S. played in the Iran and Iraq war of 1980-8broken its neutrality by harboring the planes. At While the United States officially remained the start of the Gulf conflict Iran officially neutral in the war, it openly sold armaments to pledged to remain neutral in the war. However, Iraq, and covertly shipped weapons to Iran. The since no one has been able to find out for sure United States attempted to help both sides so what exactly Iran is doing with the planes, world that its own aims would be met. The temptation opinion is divided over whether or not Iran is to violate the spirit of neutrality is something that taking sides. One thing that is sure, however, is many nations have fallen to in the past. that Iran will do whatever it needs to to promote While it is understandable that all nations want its own interests. to act in ways that will be most beneficial to their Iran would like to see Saddam Hussein brought own interests, when a country announces down so that they could regain their place as the neutrality during a war it should remain dominate power in the Gulf. At the same time completely uninvolved in all aspects of the 8. f CAPTAIN HaH conflict. In entering the situation by any degree at all, a neutral country is actually increasing the scale of the fighting thus lengthening the duration of the hostilities. By sheltering soldiers, shipping food, or providing assistance of any kind, the "neutral" country is making the conflict larger and longer. The result is that the destruction of property and loss of human life is increased. When countries announce that they are not going to take part in a war, they have a responsibility to do exactly that. There are international laws designed to protect the interests of neutral nations, as well as laws outlining what neutral countries can and cannot do. If all nations which are not involved in the Persian Gulf War would refrain from making even slight contributions to either side, the conflict would come to a quicker resolution and have less death and carnage. Irrational actions turn Utah into battle zone It may go without saying, a ''mad, mad world" Dirk Facer but its SB Art SB? we're living in. While the tragic events of the Persian Gulf War are rightfully dominating the news, other events locally are lending proof that tragedy can occur in various forms. Case in point, the recent series of troubling events in the sheltered community of Salt Lake City. In the last two weeks, three people were trampled to death at an ACDC concert in the Salt Palace and a convenience store clerk was savagely murdered, execution style, by an assailant who shot the old, single father of three in the back of the head. The senseless loss of life is disturbing in itself, but what may come as the biggest shock of all is that it happened in Utah. so-call- ed I'll, CT f?y 9Psn0(Wineum Letters 26-ye- ar Concerts need more than guards with water Editor: I am saddened and appalled that the inevitable finally occurred; three concert goers were crushed to death at the Salt Palace. Could the profits earned by removing reserved seating and cramming more bodies onto the Salt Palace floor in order to sell even more tickets be worth these three lives? Since the success of concerts at Parkwest, which utilize festival seating, certain concerts at the Salt Palace have been billed as general Enthusiastic fans admission. these general admission purchase tickets for the opportunity to get as close to the band as possible, maybe even getting a souvenir guitar pick or drumstick which are often tossed into the crowd. It's not hard to imagine these three young people being crushed to death by the crowd if you have ever attended a general admission concert. I am 6'1", 210 pounds, and I've been "squished" by the crowd! The problem arises when the thousands of fans who purchased general admission seats all try to move to the front of the stage. Combine this with hundreds who jump down from the dress circle and run towards the front to escape Salt Palace security guards, and you have 50 percent of the audience in 10 percent of the space. Obviously someone plans for concertgoers near the front being crushed or at least passing out because security staff behind the barricades are supplied with squirt bottles and fire extinguishers to spray the overheated crowd. This is the 1990s. Should people pay nearly $20 to stand and be crushed while burly security guards in yellow shirts spray them with water? Security can deal most effectively with those who rush the stage or jump down from the dress circle in a reserved seating audience. I recommend that the Salt Palace return to reserved seating where being on the front row means enjoying the concert, not being killed. Of course, until this happens or someone is able to adequately show why general admission should continue to exist, concertgoers can simply refuse to attend concerts at the Salt Palace. George M. Blessing, III Youth counselor and concertgoer Protests appropriate before, not during war Editor: This is in response to the Chronicle's blundering of the peace march article ("Hundreds turn out at rally against war," Jan. 22). As a counter protester (protesting the protesters), I feel it is my duty to untarnish the image portrayed of us in the article. It was a good feeling to have cars honking and pulling over to tell us they support us and the troops, while we sang the "Star Spangled Banner." Furthermore, we, the counter protesters, did not chant "Go Home" or "Cowards." We did, however, chant "support our troops." I am thoroughly disgusted with the Chronicle's slips and misquotes of myself and others. No one wants a war, but we are in one now. A peace march is appropriate before a war, not during one. The citizens of the United States need to pull together and stand by the men and women who are giving their lives to free Kuwait from its murdering pillagers. I do not believe this war is about oil. It is about the rape of Kuwait and Saddam's intent to invade Saudi Arabia. I will stand by our troops one hundred percent (that does not necessarily have to include the government). I will not protest the troops action, their duty. This is not Vietnam. I will not spit on our soldiers only to glorify them 20 years later because I feel guilty. I will support them now. If you see a bully beating up your little brother, you might ask him to kindly stop. However, he doesn't, instead he continues to viciously beat your sibling. Do you go on a hunger strike? I think not. Instead, you force him from your brother who is unable to defend himself. Then you put that bully in his place so that in the future he will not blunder others. This is what we must do to Saddam. My heart breaks for family and friends in Saudi Arabia. It breaks for the people of Kuwait and Israel. I will donate my blood to give life to their bodies. I will donate my blood so that when their job is done they may live with me again in peace.Support our troops!!! Mamie Striefcl Senior After all, aren't such acts usually committed in places like New York City or Washington, D.C.? Unfortunately, by evidence of the recent tragedies, the answer is no, such things can happen almost anywhere. The Gulf War has brought this reality to locales such as Khafji, Saudi Arabia, where U.S. Marine Cpl. Dion James Stephenson, 22, of Bountiful lost his life Wednesday. He and 10 other Marines were killed when Iraqi tanks with their turrets turned backward, indicating surrender, suddenly turned and fired at the American servicemen. Senseless? Perhaps so, but such is the case in war. Those who perish in the service of their country are patriots in the truest sense of the word. While the cause of such deaths may be noble, the tragic end result is equally as sad as innocent victims of violence elsewhere in the world. Hopefully, no more blood Chronicle Editor In Chief fight. Iraq's neglect of the "basic rules of war" in the tank incident Wednesday and in its treatment of POWs indicates just who the irrational party is in the Gulf War. Rational or Irrational? Does it really matter who is so-call- ed wrong when violence takes place? While nary a fool could argue the merits of a peaceful existence, the fact is, our society is comprised of the rational and the irrational. In between the lines are innocent victims, pawns if you will, playing a game without much control. Soldiers follow the charges of their leaders and are thrown a of into situation far is combat as as expectancy concerned. However, people far removed from those type of situations, enter everyday life without such concern. How many people carry a firearm to a concert? What about Circle K employees? Should they be armed as well? The combat zone, which seems light years away on CNN, is brought a bit closer by events like the recent Salt Palace deaths and the heinous murder of a Salt Lake City convenience store clerk. are indeed While Utahns' thoughts Troubles universal. should be with the troops in the Gulf, they should also be debating the recent tragedies which have taken place in their own backyard. It's a "mad, mad world" we united will have to be shed in order to get Saddam Hussein to pull out of live in. Therefore, senseless and perhaps man's soon be resolved (goodbye Saddam), a murderer will be put behind bars and festival a Kuwait. Dying by acts of violence is effort to make it a better place for all is as necessary as it is pleasant. Hopefully, the Gulf War will own worst creation. However, at times it is deemed a necessary evil, as in the case of war. Such thinking may be scary, but it doesn't take a history buff to figure out that sometimes the concert seat tragedies will never occur again. Perhaps its wishful thinking, but I bog to differ. "Nuttier-than-a-fruitcak- e" irrational behavior of others causes nations to stand up and What's wrong with making everything right? |
