Seems to me the U.S. presidential debates are MUST TV. So far, I have watched the two Republican debates and the single debate of the Democratic hopefuls. I watched the first half of Tuesdays nights GOP debate from Columbia, S.C., then had to record the last half for viewing later because I had to go to a church meeting.I am dumbfounded how few people I know are watching these debates. Apathy and cynicism. And it doesnt help that the debates are limited to cable TV channels. We may say this every four years, but what can be more important than the presidential election in 2008? The upheaval, tumult and breathtaking actions of the current president require that we have our collective eyes wide open when we go to elect the next one. We cant get a clinker the next time. It isnt a choice just for America but for the planet and civilization as we know it. Responses to questions proffered by the eight major Democrats and 10 Republicans seeking the White House must be listened to with earnest orchestrated, rehearsed and measured as they are. The body language has to be examined, the nuances detected and the what-they-did-not-say noted. Candidates religion and moral values are clearly being scrutinized. And thats good. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney continues to try to move beyond the relentless reminders from everywhere that he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I predict any doubt people have about whether America is ready for a Mormon president wont matter because of other troubling weaknesses in his candidacy. Did you notice that the graphics with biographical information that went up on the TV screen as each candidate was introduced almost immediately put up the candidates religious affiliation? But one has to go to the Internet to see what variation, or branch, of a denomination they really belong to. You wouldnt know it from the media reports, but unattractive and crabby Congressman Ron Paul, R-Texas, won the South Carolina debate Tuesday for the bold way he explained why the U.S. is a target for terrorists. It was precious moment when Paul said, They attack us because weve been over there. Weve been bombing Iraq for 10 years. Weve been in the Middle East. He went on to explain, if we think that we can do what we want around the world and not incite hatred, then we have a problem They come and they attack us because were over there. Yet former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, widely called a one-trick pony because he only has his Sept. 11, 2001, experience to drive his campaign, grandstanded by discrediting Paul and saying his explanation was "extraordinary."As someone who lived through the attack of September 11 that we invited the attack because we were attacking Iraq I dont think Ive ever heard that before, and Ive heard some pretty absurd explanations for September 11th, he said.Nice try, Rudy. The candidates are in fantasyland if they fail to see that bullying American tactics and policies widely across the world over the past several decades have created enormous bitterness, resentment and hatred. The next disaster would be to elect someone who would continue such hubris and the madness that the U.S. can do what it darn well pleases in the world because it has humankinds best interests in mind. Watch the debates, folks, read about these presidential wannabees and start doing some critical thinking.

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