Touré, Morgan, and the Trayvon Martin Incident

In a heated debate on Piers Morgan's interview program, Touré, a black activist, attacked the journalistic integrity of the seasoned reporter.

I do not quarrel with his challenging the accuracy of the British mainstay's questions, but I do challenge the inflated notion that the Trayvon Martin incident in Florida is a "major monument in American History."

The end of the Civil War, the emancipation of slaves, the Birmingham busline boycott, the peaceful demise of the Soviet Union following the entrenched Cold War, these events and many more are the stuff of major moments in American History. I am astounded, even puzzled, at the lack of moral clarity and foresight which escapes from media pundits looking to drum up drama about domestic tragedies. From the Joseph Kony phenomenon to the unfortunate shooting of Florida youth, the media frenzy which has emerged from the Twitter, Facebook, Internet culture is dulling the discernment of viewers and commentators alike.

Passing populist passions should not define the issues and events that dominate this country's political discourse. The death of a young boy is troubling; the role of the Sunshine States "Stand Your Ground" laws may need review or repeal, but the facts of the case must be determined and judged by a jury; the opinions that we generate must be based on verified facts, not emotions, not opinions, not agendas.