A round up of recent posts by various bloggers who either attempt to strike a balanced note on heated debates and controversial issues, or improve our ability to find our own sense of balance by exposing us to new information and different points-of-view.

Dan Radmacher, ed-page editor of The Roanoke Times, asks “What about the Middle?” [H/t Shay @ Booker Rising.]

Linking back to Shaun Mullen‘s column earlier today (“Iowa Caucuses As Smoke-Filled Room”), Ed Morrissey reminds us what primaries are designed to accomplish, and why James Dobson, et. al., are missing the point. Money quote:

It’s a form of extortion; select a candidate despite the voters’ own preferences, or they walk out of the party. If the party nominates someone who cannot win a majority among their own voters without the threat of extortion, what chance do they have in the general election? None.

More on the subject of torture from Andrew Sullivan; this time: a contrast between WWII veterans and the Bush Administration.

Rick Moran muses on “the space race” and its implications for why the NASA of today is what it is.

Cobb writes about nooses, terrorism, living in fear, and being not afraid.