REDPATH, REAMS OFFER NEW IDEAS

Editor, Times-Dispatch: The events of 9/11 shook me, as they did most
Americans. Since then I have supported the response the President has taken.
Justice must be wrought. In that context, I would like to discuss a
reprioritization of the United States' military, intelligence, and police
assets.

For well over a quarter of a century the nation has been fighting a war on
drugs. It has diverted the attention and physical and monetary resources of
our military, intelligence, and police forces. This war is popularized again
and again on television and in movies. As a member of the Navy, I
participated in counter-narcotics operations. At this critical period in our
nation's history the following question must be posed: "Wouldn't our
military, intelligence, and police forces serve us better in the fight
against terrorists if they weren't distracted by fighting a war on drugs?"

In the coming election one man is standing up and trying to roll back the
tide. He is Gary Reams, the Libertarian candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
He has made his campaign a referendum on Virginia's marijuana laws. This is
an important step in returning common sense to drug policy. If someone
believes that our military and police forces are being misused and that the
prohibition of marijuana has gone too far, he should vote for Reams.

Gerhard S. Schoenthal, Charlottesville.