From the safety of his desk at the National Review, columnist Rich Lowry assails statements from the U.S. embassy in Cairo as "craven and dumb" ("Romney was right about the Middle East," Opinion, Sept. 15). The statements in question were issued as local mobs threatened the embassy, and as a similar mob — which may or may not have been working in concert — mounted what would prove to be a murderous attack on our embassy in Benghazi, Libya.

Lowry's agenda is transparent: seize any opportunity to criticize the Obama administration and trumpet the "might makes right" approach of the tea party thugs who have co-opted the Republican Party.

If Lowry's view prevails in November, I hope he is justly rewarded for his efforts. He should be appointed the new U.S. ambassador to Libya or to a similarly volatile Middle Eastern country. In such a position, he can play the tough guy to his heart's content. With any luck, he would have a chance to prove his own grace under pressure. Let's see how well he does.

Kevin Murphy

Salt Lake City