This is a response to Ahmed Feteha's letter, "Americans should thank Iraqi people," Nov. 7. I am disappointed that Feteha believes America should apologize to the Iraqi people. Apparently, Feteha doesn't understand the concept of war. Feteha mentions that "20 percent of [the Iraqi casualties] are women and children." Feteha forgets to mention those women and children might also be insurgents with weapons attempting to kill American soldiers. War knows more than one face.

Twenty percent sounds like a big number when compared to the overall picture, but does Feteha have other information about how many of those killed were firing upon American troops? America has done more for Iraq in the last two years than Iraq had done for itself in the last 100. America is in Iraq to show that the Iraqi people can think for themselves and live their fullest lives on their own terms.

If Feteha thinks that the people of Iraq need to be placed on a pedestal, it might be wise to consult the families of the dead American soldiers who fought for reasons other than their own. Feteha, what is the price of selfless courage these days?