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As an American of Persian heritage, I fully understand the concern expressed by the U.S. and European countries over Iran's possible development of weapons-based nuclear technology [Dec. 6]. I can also empathize with Iranians who aspire to move peacefully and democratically toward a strong, independent country. Paradoxically, the U.S.'s extreme position on the nuclear issue has only complicated politics in Iran, giving an undeserved edge to the hard-liners while forcing the democratic-reform movement to take a backseat. That situation must be resolved soon for Iran to move ahead.
DAVID N. RAHNI
Pleasantville, N.Y.
Efforts are under way to make Iran give up the development of uranium-enrichment technology because that nation may achieve the capability of making a bomb. Yet the U.S. will go on maintaining its pile of atomic weapons. Let the U.S. set the example by ridding itself of its nuclear weapons. Then it can expect the rest of the world to follow.
RAMJI R. ABINASHI
Amersham, England
High-Powered Design
"Cosmic Conundrum" [Nov. 29] explored the "anthropic principle," the proposition that the universe is "uncannily well suited to the existence of life." Just as physicists are ultimately baffled by the laws of the universe, physicians and surgeons spend their entire lives trying to comprehend the complexities of the body's systems. The more we understand human physiology, the more we believe that a higher power must be responsible for the body's creation as well as the varying outcomes (good and bad) we see after treatment of seemingly similar diseases. The human body is more complex than the most sophisticated computer. The longer I practice medicine, the more I believe in the greatness of God.
TALAT CHUGHTAI, M.D.
Toronto
Iconsideritthescientists'jobtofind the ultimate truth, even if, as your article reported, "most scientists consider appeals to a supernatural designer to be an intellectual dead end." If God truly exists, he will be around in spite of all denials and scientific theories.
EDDIE M.P. MAK
Hong Kong
Fans vs. Players
After reading your report on the brawl involving basketball's Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and courtside fans [Dec. 6], I realized that one word failed to make it into the story: respect. Would anyone else's reaction have been different from Pacers forward Ron Artest's after getting hit by a full cup of beer? Artest was made a scapegoat by the National Basketball Association. To me, that shows that the NBA and the fans do not respect the players. NBA basketball is played by some of the most magnificent athletes in the world, and they are intense competitors. Contact sports often create off-court fisticuffs. Suspending Artest for the rest of the season is an injustice. The NBA front office needs a shake-up.
JACK KOPSTEIN
Chilliwack, B.C.
Poor Intelligence
"InYourFaceattheCIA" [Nov. 29] reported on the resignation of some of the best officials at the Central Intelligence Agency. The loss of those people will only add to the CIA's ineffectiveness. Though the agency has been quite successful in collecting intelligence data from different parts of the world, it has failed to discover and foil the plans of many criminals and terrorists. The CIA has failed to prevent a number of attacks, including those on 9/11. In fact, the agency has often been misled.
SYEDFAHAD AKHTAR
Karachi