Don't forget Iraq

Thomas Friedman ("Remember Iraq?" Views, Oct. 25) observes that nobody in Washington talks about Iraq anymore.

I would like to add weapons of mass destruction to the list of topics not discussed. The expression has vanished from the English language.

The phrase would appear to have been a biodegradable term coined by the White House so that it could disappear from circulation when no such weapons were found.

Kevin L. Mahoney Colleferro, Italy

Regarding your editorial "We are not terrorists. We are journalists" (Oct. 25): Sahar Issa, the Iraqi journalist quoted at length in the piece, speaks for the vast majority of Iraqis who are surviving the chaos in that country.

She wants to "open a window" so that the "international community may look in and see us for what we are, ordinary human beings with ordinary aspirations."

The many blunders America has made in creating the tragedy in Iraq is clear to everyone. It is the save-the-world obstinacy, more than anything else, that accounts for the unprecedented levels of anti-Americanism around the world.

Frank Chase, Nishinomiya, Japan

Will Bardenwerper ("Party here, sacrifice over there," Views, Oct. 23) articulates the feelings I have tried to deal with for the last 10 months since leaving the U.S. Army.

I was deployed in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and finished my service as an officer in Dec. 2006.

It amazes me how American civilians don't know and don't care about what happens in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have even met a few Americans who are strong believers of the war, but if it came down to it, I have my doubts that they would volunteer to serve in the military.

It's good to know other veterans like Bardenwerper share my thoughts.

Michael Reid, Atlanta

A step for cycling

Regarding the article "UCI hoping to introduce anti-doping passports for riders in 2008" (Oct. 17): The International Cycling Union finally took a step in the right direction. It hopes to introduce anti-doping passports as soon as next year in order to remove doping from the list of synonyms associated with the sport of cycling.

The blood and urine samples that will be collected for the "biological passport" will not only allow individual testing for blood-oxygen doping, but if done correctly, will also leave a record of a cyclist's testosterone-to-endocrine ratio. This tool will be powerful in the detection of a natural growth hormone. Hence, there will be fewer cases like the recent Floyd Landis debacle, and, more importantly, fewer appeals due to stronger, more individualized testing methods.

Hopefully, the passports will be widespread in three years. In order to be effective, however, the passports must be used in all tours on the circuit to keep consistent records.

Stephanie Bibbo Springfield, Massachusetts