Letters

The New Science of Alzheimer's

The biomedical side of Alzheimer's [HEALTH, July 17] is vitally important, yet it does not tell the full story about the disease. The individual, family and societal costs of Alzheimer's are enormous and growing by leaps and bounds. But very little is being done on a day-to-day level to help the estimated 4 million Americans suffering from the disease and the loved ones who care for them. Instead of waiting for a medical breakthrough, we can take steps now to improve their quality of life. Funding for research may ultimately pay off. Yet money for services to those with the disease and their caregivers is desperately needed today. DANIEL KUHN, EDUCATION DIRECTOR Mather Institute on Aging Evanston, Ill.

You failed to note that there are three prescription medications (Cognex, Aricept and Exelon) available in the U.S. to treat symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. These and other medical and nonpharmacologic interventions can help stabilize symptom progression, reduce disruptive behaviors and allow Alzheimer's patients to continue participating in everyday activities for considerably longer than would otherwise be possible. We all look forward to a time when Alzheimer's disease can be cured and its onset prevented. In the meantime, it's important for patients and their families to know there are treatment options available. NORMAN RELKIN, M.D., DIRECTOR Cornell Memory Disorders Program New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical College New York City

Here in Florida, where millions are concerned about Alzheimer's disease, we're convinced that a package of breakthroughs will bring this epidemic under control. We will have genetic predictors, possibly even tests, for those in their 40s and 50s. And we will have multiple avenues of treatment at different life stages. Thus the competition you describe among scientists is important; it broadens the possibilities. Even the debate between amyloid theorists and others, as you reported it, is actually leading to new debates. The key is that though these scientists may not see themselves as members of a global team, in fact they are. JUDY GENSHAFT, PRESIDENT University of South Florida Tampa, Fla.

Thirst for Power

In your article on the demand for electric power [BUSINESS, July 17], you imply that deregulation of the industry has led to brownouts and price increases. That is blaming the solution for the problem. Deregulation merely allows the forces of supply and demand to set prices. As with any commodity, the solution to high electricity prices is new supplies or reduced demand--not price controls. Artificial price controls would reduce construction of new capacity, ultimately leading to electricity shortages. Today's competitive wholesale electricity market is working exactly as intended: new power plants have been announced or are under construction that will increase U.S. generating capacity by a significant amount. WILLIAM F. HECHT Chairman, President and CEO PPL Corp. Allentown, Pa.

Way Beyond the Basics

Re your special report on design innovators [TIME 100: THE NEXT WAVE, July 17]: It speaks well for the human mind and spirit that innovators and revolutionaries continue to exist. Though many people can't tolerate anything "too different," it's encouraging to see how diverse our creative nature can be when disdaining the status quo. The type of innovation you described resonates with that sweet Don't Fence Me In melody. CAMERON NORMAN Grand Marais, Minn.

While I admire landscape architect Julie Bargmann for seeing beauty in lands littered with mine refuse and in acid-laced waters, I hope her obeisance to the scars of the Industrial Revolution doesn't portend future parks. Bargmann has created a restorative park from an archaeological, environmental and artistic standpoint, but parks are also needed for physiological and psychological reasons. The mind is not rested looking at highly troubled landscapes. ANNE LUSK Ann Arbor, Mich.

Still Driving Us Mad

Back in 1956, TIME called Mad Magazine a "short-lived satirical pulp." Now in his piece stating that irony is alive on the Web [ONLINE, July 17], James Poniewozik refers to Mad and asks, "Were you aware that Mad still exists?" Of course, your readers are aware Mad is still here! They learned 44 years ago not to believe everything they read in TIME! And Mad has a humor website madmag.com) That fact must have slipped through the cracks when Poniewozik was doing his exhaustive research on sardonic sites. What, us worry? NICK MEGLIN AND JOHN FICARRA Co-Editors, Mad New York City

Spike on Slavery

It was with great amusement that I read Spike Lee's misinformed comments about the movie The Patriot, which is set during the American Revolution [PEOPLE, July 17]. Lee said, "I kept wondering, Where are all the slaves? Who's picking the cotton?" As any schoolboy knows, cotton did not become king in the South until after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, in early 1793, several years after the events portrayed in the movie. STANLEY W. KANDEBO Newtown, Pa.

Choosing No. 2

In your story about the possible vice-presidential picks of George W. Bush and Al Gore [NATION, July 17], I was a little surprised to see Defense Secretary Bill Cohen as a possible Veep pick by Gore. Choosing the token Republican in the Clinton Cabinet is hardly the way to mend fences with Democratic liberals who are toying with supporting Ralph Nader's Green Party candidacy. The choice of Cohen would just add credence to Nader's line that the big parties are mirror images of each other. JOHN T. ZELAZO Adams, Mass.

It's a tough challenge to find a running mate for Gore. It can't be anyone smarter, better looking or more charismatic than Al, someone who might outshine him. And it can't be anybody who would ever disagree with him. Can you imagine the sort of lackey the Democrats will have to dredge up? JAMES A. REYNOLDS III Houston