Human Interest

Sometimes what matters most takes up every inch of space in the room and somehow we still don't see it. That's how I feel about our present media moment.

Hilary Benn, the Shadow (official opposition party) Foreign Secretary, made a much applauded speech to the British House of Commons on Wednesday, 2nd December 2015 on the motion to bomb ISIS . But Benn displayed no understanding of the nature of the situation in Syria/Iraq to which he referred. The simplifications he used to describe that situation pandered to the worst kind of knee jerk reaction possible.

The latest poll on the GOP presidential candidate's derby now has Texas Senator Ted Cruz steaming past prior front-runner Donald Trump in the crucial first out the box Iowa primary February 1. The poll result tells much about why Cruz is far more dangerous than Trump. But there's more, much more, to tell why.

We can't forcefully overcome wealthy gun owner lobbyists. But at least let's try to compromise on the gun issue so that 2nd Amendment supporters can show the good will to help us protect innocent lives.

Courage, like cowardice, can grow when an action by one person influences decisions by others, either toward bravery or fear. Thus, the gutsy whistle-blowing by some NSA officials inspired Edward Snowden to expose mass data collection on all Americans, recalls ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern.