::::::::::::: The Mail :::::::::::::
Up Close and Personal
Bravo to Glenn Close for her willingness to
discuss mental illness. I, too, have loved ones
who are afflicted with bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia, and for far too long I have
watched as society ignores those who suffer.
Perhaps more education, and more discussion, will result in more compassion.
—TONI VOGT, Boca Raton, Florida
It’s telling to read that Glenn Close
worried about people’s perceptions
of her if she publicly advocated for
mental health issues. This clearly illustrates why the work she is doing
is important. The stigma of mental
illness is so strong, people need to be
reminded that it is a medical issue—
not a weakness.
PATRICIA DICKS
Chepachet, Rhode Island
Miracles Matter
After reading your story “The Mystery
of Miracles,” about whether miracles
exist, I’ve come to realize that no matter how rich or wise someone is, we
are all mortal and subject to the same
vicissitudes of aging, chance, and ill
health. There is always a place for
miracles in everyone’s life.
ings disappear with the recent downturn in the economy. Articles such as
“How to Get the Best of the Fear Economy” make me think our economic
and social systems have served only to
weed out common sense and morality.
When irresponsible people make poor
decisions that affect so many, some
sort of restitution should be made to
those who have suffered.
defense against the bacterium C.
difficile, but using a hand-sanitizing
gel, which was also recommended in
the piece, does not effectively destroy
this superbug.
NANCY HULSE
East Wenatchee, Washington
DREW MUELLER
Martinez, California
While a hand sanitizer does kill another
superbug, MRSA, our story should have
made clear that the product is not a
defense against C. difficile. —Ed.
KARL SEIDMAN
Inverness, Florida
Wall Street Woes
I have worked all my life, as have many
others, only to see my retirement sav-
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Although the financial article was
informative, you should have made
more of the responsibility of brokers
and applicants for failed mortgages,
which was a catalyst for the troubles
later seen on Wall Street. When, if ever,
will there be accountability? To me, as
a resident of Texas who witnessed the
Enron debacle, this case of capitalism
run amuck seems very familiar.
As a small-business owner,
I find Jeff Yeager’s “Pay Less
for Anything” to be offensive. To suggest haggling
as a sport, especially to those who can
afford to pay full price, is irresponsible. His penny-pinching attitude, if
adopted by my customers, would
be my ticket to bankruptcy. Nobody
wants to get haggled out of business!
For the Blind Listen to AARP THE
MAGAZINE on the National Federation of
the Blind’s NFB-NEWSLINE. For more
information about this free service, call
866-504-7300 or go to nfb.org.
LARRY CRIZANI
Houston, Texas
JANIS GRANT
Almont, Michigan
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
To order article reprints, call PARS
International Corp., 212-221-9595, ext.
100, or e-mail reprints@parsintl.com.
Hand Washing 101
Thank you for showing the proper
technique for hand washing in Navigator’s “Squash the Superbugs,”
in the November–December issue.
Frequent hand washing is the best
Send your letters to The Mail, AARP
THE MAGAZINE, 601 E St. NW, Washington,
DC 20049, or e-mail aarpmagazine@
aarp.org. Letters may be edited and shortened as necessary.
