Here’s what we really need to be debating

Many heads turned when the moderators of the fourth Democratic debate ended the three-hour extravaganza with this: "...we'd like you to tell us about a friendship that you've had that would surprise us and what impact it's had on you and your beliefs." The question, it was explained, stemmed from a recent controversy that arose when some objected to Ellen DeGeneres sitting and laughing with former President George W. Bush, whose policies while president were anti-LGBTQ. The question was designed to use a high-profile current event to take the measure of the candidates' values.