Thomas L. Petty, M.D.

Professor of Medicine, 
University of Colorado

Chairman, National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP)

“Building Bridges”

October 2001
Second Wind
Lomita, California

            Dear Friends:

A new, magnificent bridge more than a mile and a half long is connected to a manmade island, which links Copenhagen, Denmark, with Malmö, Sweden.  The sea between these two Scandinavian nations was a natural barrier to travel and commerce, passable only by boat or ferry before the bridge was completed in July, 2000.  Now, with a bridge and island complex which carries cars and trucks, and includes a tunnel for trains, this geographic barrier has disappeared.  The economics of both these small countries is thriving as a result of the sharing and enhancement of resources; by a multiplication factor of several-fold.

             When we build social and philosophical bridges, the benefits also multiply.  It’s better to build bridges than to build fences.  There were no border barriers in Europe, and almost no need for passports.  Maybe we can accomplish the same in the Northern Hemisphere, and perhaps in the entire world!

 I will be in touch next month.

Your friend,

   
  Thomas Petty, MD


Published: Feb 22  2002