Letters: John Kerry’s balancing act

Re “Kerry’s bicycle diplomacy,” Opinion, Jan. 15

With respect to Doyle McManus’ conflation of cycling and U.S. foreign policy, it is possible to sit still on a bicycle and not fall. The technique, a “track stand” in the parlance of the sport, requires very good balance and coordination, but it can be done.

Another technique in bicycle racing is “drafting” — riding directly behind an opponent to avoid wind resistance. This significant advantage could even be called “leading from behind.”

Whether either strategy will gain any significant improvement in our foreign affairs remains to be determined.

Louis Nevell
Los Angeles

How better to describe Kerry’s frequent forays to the Middle East than “obsessive” and “messianic”? “Desperate” and “legacy-seeking”?

He’s not the first to latch onto the idea that Israel is the one player in this drama that can be coerced into making concessions against its self-interests.

Many advocates on both sides have been called a lot worse, and when Israel’s defense minister is doing just that — defending Israel — there is no need to ratchet up the rhetoric.

Allan Kandel
Los Angeles

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