Reader Responses to The View From Tripoli

Murphy is ashamed of our country, functional as a constitutional republic for over 230 years and gradually reshaped to better live up to its ideals by both Democrat and Republican governments. The author is ashamed of the “Muslim ban,” but there never was such a thing. Visas were restricted from countries with known terrorist links. The author is ashamed of the holding of illegal immigrant children in “cages.” Does he realize that this policy began under Obama? Be proud of America and her determination to live up to her founding principles more perfectly every year. Keep working toward the goals for her that are important to you. Others will do the same. Don’t give up trying to use this powerful apparatus bequeathed to us by the Founders.

I am happy for the mental evolution of Tim Murphy. He traveled to Lebanon “tired and ashamed of America.” He returned “seeing America…in a much-needed new light.” Perfection is elusive in the human condition. Mr. Murphy discovered that America does not have a monopoly on imperfection. Let us all work to make America better. Let us all learn to see things in such a “new light.”

In light of his deep shame for America and his joy in discovering roots in Lebanon, why did author Murphy come back?