Boston Globe Columnist 'Surprised' that Americans are Good People

By Peter Wilson

James Carroll's Boston Globe column, "The Faces of a Country," relates his discovery on a book tour of the nation that Americans are kind, smart, good, courteous and "positively minded" [sic?]. It was a pleasant break from his usual vituperative anti-Americanism. Most revealing though was Carroll's comment, "Yes, I was surprised."

The goodness of the American people is not a surprise to most Americans, unless they have read too many of Mr. Carroll's columns accusing us of racism, imperialism, homophobia, etc. Of if they have listened to our First Lady saying that we're a country that is "just downright mean." We should nevertheless be thankful for small things. It was probably not easy for a committed leftist to write something that sounds almost patriotic. Thank you, Mr. Carroll.