Letters

Old Man Rio
I've been an avid reader of your magazine for a few years, but rarely have I been as moved as I was by Ted Conover's account of his journey down the border between the United States and Mexico ("The World In Between," December). I'm a sophomore at Stanford University who guided on the Rio Grande last summer. Arriving there partly to escape the frustrations of my freshman year, at first I couldn't have felt more isolated in a wild and desolate land. Then, slowly, I came to appreciate its unique identity. Back at school, reading Conover's article, my memories of the border returned. He captured the essence of an area that steadfastly refuses to be defined. Just as it was 100 years ago, the border country remains a place of refuge -- and a place to find oneself.

Andrew Jurs
Stanford, California

I thoroughly enjoyed Ted Conover's story on the Rio Grande. As he conveyed, this river is a precious asset that's in danger. The Rio Grande Restoration Project is making a valiant effort to save the river and is looking for help. To volunteer or to make a donation, please write to Box 1612, El Prado, NM 87529.

Heyward Fetner
Houston, Texas

Oh, Captain
Your report denying the ramming of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's vessel Whales Forever by the Norwegian ship Andenes is an example of extremely shoddy journalism ("Mayday! Maybe!" Dispatches, December). The photographs that you published -- crediting the wrong photographer -- demonstrate that our ship was not merely "bumped." There isn't a single piece of documented evidence that backs up your allegations that I had reported taking casualties, and I even referred Outside to independent journalists who were witness to the ramming to confirm this. Your article is a biased, hostile bit of trash, and you should be bloody well ashamed.

Captain Paul Watson
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Marina del Rey, California

The editors respond: First, we regret the photo credit mistake; it certainly wasn't part of any "hostile" agenda. Second, the article contains nothing "denying the ramming," and as Watson points out, the photographs clearly illustrate the collision. Third, U.S. Coast Guard radio transcripts confirm our reporting of Watson's mayday message. We also received a letter from a journalist, Andrew Christie, stating the following: "I was on the bridge when Captain Watson issued that distress call. He said that we had been rammed, we were being fired upon, and we had incurred several injuries." We see no reason to be bloody well ashamed.

Crying Wolf
After ten years of teaching college biology, I've learned that the general public bases opinions concerning the natural world largely on myth. I'd expected more from an Outside reader, but Ted Garland's letter on his fear of wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone is absurd ("Who's Afraid?" Letters, December). Mr. Garland need not worry about his daughters' safety in the park now that there may be a few wolves there. The number of verified wolf attacks on humans in the history of North America can be counted on one hand; there are 40 deaths every year from bee stings and 20 from attacks by domestic dogs. Garland's concern is misplaced.

Chris Oswald
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky

Add 'Em Up, Pops
As an over-40 hockey player, I read Donald Katz's celebration of midlife hockey ("Lace 'Em Up, Pops," December) with great pleasure. I too get quizzical looks and admonitions from friends who say I'm too old for it; I tell them I'm already looking into over-50 leagues. One final thing: Was it coincidence that the article began on page 99, Wayne You-Know-Who's number?

Harvey Baumann
Queens, New York