THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 2, 1994 TAG: 9408020002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Sen. Charles Robb's extraordinary behavior during this election year deserves notice. First, he said that the First Amendment should protect flag burning as political protest, then that homosexuals should be allowed to serve in the military. Now he appears to give legitimacy to the notion that it may be worthwhile to regulate nicotine as an addictive drug, in a state historically dominated by tobacco interests.
On each issue the senator has distanced himself from the three men trying to take his seat. Either he is doing something unusual by taking these unpopular stances, or the other three candidates need new public-opinion gurus.
Alas, your editorial ``Blowing smoke'' (July 21) attacks Robb for suggesting that regulating nicotine may have merit. Besides falsely intimating that he is in league with those who would altogether prohibit tobacco products, you do so with the glittering generality, ``freedom means being able to choose.'' Would you apply this to defend activities where the state does not have a vested economic interest, such as choosing to have an abortion or smoking marijuana?
My guess is that your real quarrel with Robb on this issue is not over principle but your view of what is in the economic interests of many Virginians vs. Robb's view of what may be in the overall interests of most Americans. The position that Chuck Robb would have us consider is much more noble.
DAVID MEYERHOLZ
Norfolk, July 22, 1994 ILLUSTRATION: Drawing
SEN. ROBB
by CNB