IGNORING VIRGINIA'S LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATES

The June 21 editorial on the candidates for Virginia statewide office did
not mention the Libertarian candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.

Although neither is likely to win, the media compound the problem of
limited choice by ignoring candidates from outside the major parties. This
is a disservice to voters, who only can assume from the media's inattention
that these candidates are simply side-show acts.

In Virginia, the Libertarian Party is fielding its first-ever statewide
candidates. The candidate for lieutenant governor, Gary Reams, is running
on one issue -- a reform of the prohibition on marijuana and industrial
hemp, an issue the major party candidates are unlikely to discuss. Mr.
Reams has no interest in waiting for his shot at the governor's mansion.
He's simply trying to send a message that a growing number of people see
this prohibition as ineffective and counterproductive.

For once, we have a candidate for lieutenant governor who stands for
something more than his career. That alone should merit a few lines in an
editorial that argued about how distinctions do exist among this field of
candidates.

PAUL MILLER

Woodbridge