THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Monday, February 10, 1997             TAG: 9702080005
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A8   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   23 lines

PANEL HAS WINNERS

Your Feb. 1 editorial on the National Gambling-Impact Study Commission stated that a panel ``composed of largely zealous members of the political right and the gaming industry can serve no useful purpose.''

You are correct to raise concerns about members who have a direct link to the gaming industry. Their conflict of interest is obvious. However, the conservative, anti-gambling members you mentioned, Kay Coles James and James Dobson, have no financial interest in what the commission recommends. Their concern is for a country that is being ravaged by what you describe as ``a weirdly mutating virus.''

To conclude that their bias is as disturbing as those who stand to profit from the commission's findings shows an alarming lack of discernment on your part.

LEE WEBB

Virginia Beach, Feb. 4, 1997