UO E-clips, Aug. 9-11

College fans may get gear, spirits (Register-Guard): By the time college football bowl season rolls around, customers at area liquor stores may be able to buy a Duck sweatshirt or a Beaver mouse pad along with their bottle of vodka. A proposed rule change before the Oregon Liquor Control Commission would expand the list of non-alcohol items that can be sold in state-licensed liquor stores to include college and university paraphernalia. It’s a way of boosting the bottom line for liquor agents, who have seen little growth in their share of alcohol profits. The change is one of nine that came out of a study of retail liquor agent compensation ordered by the 2005 Legislature.

Pakistan (Oregonian, guest viewpoint by Anita Weiss, UO international studies professor): Pakistan's prime minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, recently concluded his first state visit to the United States, just as Congress considers tripling development assistance for Pakistan. Lawmakers need to consider carefully what purposes enhanced aid will address. The image of America being portrayed must go hand in hand with any assistance. Not only the very provision of aid, but the process and its priorities will speak volumes to Pakistanis as to why the U.S. is stepping up its engagement.

Pointed recreation (Register-Guard): It’s a spear and you get to throw it. What’s not to like? Apparently not much when it comes to an Olympic sport that seems to have no age limit, appeals to both girls and boys and is a lot less expensive than golf. It’s called the javelin, and despite being an activity without any verb form -- no one says, “I’m going javelining” -- there’s something intriguing about seeing how far you can throw a pointy stick. That was the case Saturday at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on the University of Oregon campus. “Art Olympics” was the theme of its Family Free Day, when children and parents not only attended for free, they explored the intersection of art and sport.