THANKS FOR HIV COVERAGE
I would like to compliment Mike Andrew on his recent article on HIV care (SGN, Nov. 15). It was hopeful, sensible, and a message that most Gay men with HIV need to hear and think about. I would like to point out that HPV is not mentioned. Most, if not all HIV+ as well as HIV- patients are unaware of the risks of the HPV virus because they are asymptomatic until a rectal or oropharyngeal cancer is diagnosed. Furthermore, few health-care providers in HIV care offer screening or vaccination.

Gardasil vaccine is controversial and under study; however, there is anecdotal evidence that it is effective in slowing or preventing cancer cells from progressing. If you would like more information I would recommend contacting Dr. Lacey Siekas at Virginia Mason Medical Center, or contact me at scottesplace@hotmail.com.

Scott Brown
Seattle



WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT?
Why are Americans so anti-taxation even when taxes are necessary for a common good like health care or fixing infrastructure? I think it goes back to the American Revolution, which was more about not paying taxes than wanting to create a country in which all are treated equally and fairly. This, I believe, explains why this country was so slow to end slavery and expand voting rights to women, the continuing fights over the years to expand rights to Blacks after their release from slavery, and the fights by other minorities such as Gays to gain basic human rights.

It explains why countries such as Canada and many in Europe have provided health care and other social benefits to all their citizens, while America is still opposed and divided. It explains why we have more of our citizens in jail and a high number of deaths from gunshots. It explains why deep down most Americans could not care less about any other human life or suffering other than there own. The death of a 19-year-old in Michigan seeking help after an accident should outrage any decent human being, as have hundreds of other senseless deaths in just the past several years.

George Whitaker
Bellevue

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