Letters: Exploring Emotions

Brad Wetzler's story about my expedition to circumnavigate Greenland ("The Twilight Expedition," September) was quite entertaining here in Kullorsuaq. I especially liked his "creative" spin, though I wish Wetzler had included more about the country's wonderful culture and people. He also could have mentioned the educational program that is running concurrently with my trip, since an education in Greenland is exactly what Wetzler needs.

I find it ironic that Wetzler portrayed Dupre as a buffoon of sorts for planning an adventure, taking risks, making tough decisions, and seeking corporate sponsorship — all traits that your advertisers laud and encourage. Unfortunately, I don't trust your writer's generalizations about acceptable and unacceptable adventure, and I am saddened that you used Dupre to further your agenda.

Hot Air
As I read the comments of John Feehery, Fred Singer, and Sallie Baliunas summarily dismissing any connection between CFCs and ozone destruction in David Sheff's provocative story "The Chilling Effect" (August), another image came to mind: that of tobacco executives lined up before Congress to deny the addictive nature of nicotine. As Sheff points out, the environment and public health will always be of little concern to those whose guiding principles revolve around profit.

And When He's 64?
To my amazement, Carl Hoffman's article on the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge ("Bet My Bentley Can Smoke Your Rolls," Dispatches, September) included comments about my parents, Charles and Arlene Kleptz, that were just plain wrong. "Elderly retirees?" Are you kidding? My father is 63, a mechanical engineer, and a cofounder of the Ponderosa Steak House chain, from which he retired when he was 39. He also flies an experimental aircraft that he built himself. As for their alleged inexperience, my parents have finished the cross-country Great American Race seven times; two years ago they took second place, missing first by just 30 seconds. Certainly not the stuff of an elderly couple who got lost on their way to the Holiday Inn, as fellow competitor John Jung incorrectly describes them in your article. The irony here is that Hoffman might have had a much more interesting piece had he focused on the couple he instead chose to insult.

Fashion Firsts
It would have been nice if you had included some Alaskan Natives for models in your fall fashion spread ("The Natives Are Restless (But Smartly Dressed)," September). They spend a little time in the outdoors, their stories are interesting, and your headline would have made more sense. Then again, Alaskan Natives aren't often seen wearing Lauren or Klein.

Tripping
Thanks for your recent coverage of Lariam, the antimalarial drug ("Lariam's Sting," Destinations, September). Travelers to the tropics know that much of that part of the world would be impossible to travel without our single weekly dosage of Lariam. A few side effects? Too bad. The alternative is to stay home.

And the Feeling's Mutual
I made the mistake of cozying up with writer Katherine Dunn's and photographer Oliver Meckes's "Pleased to Meet You, Hope You Guess My Name" (September), right before bedtime. Nothing in Aliens, Men in Black, or Independence Day was more frightening than the monsters you pictured. I'll never look at an ant the same way again.

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