As we all know, there are two - and only two - sides to every story.  It's an article of faith in contemporary American political life.  He said one thing, she said another.  We must, of course, exhibit both sides in order to get a fair and balanced view of any issue.  After all, the truth will invariably be found somewhere in the middle.

That's why we need to wade carefully into controversial issues.  Take evolution for example.  Of course, you have a broad consensus in the scientific community that the theory of evolution is sound and well supported by the evidence, but we have to carefully weigh that against the opinions of people who have no scientific training outside of their ability to build some pretty awesome life-size dinosaur models.  You know - debate the controversy!

The same thing goes for the issue of climate change.  Sure, there's a broad consensus among scientists across the disciplines that climate change is occurring and is most likely being driven by man-made emissions, but we can't simply take their word for it.  After all, there is, of course, dissent in the scientific community.  Well, okay, there was.  But there are still others that, while lacking in any scientific expertise whatsoever, argue climate change is really just a ruse for allowing government to take control of your life.  Again, we would be unwise to simply believe one side or the other.  We must seek the truth in the gray in between these views, where veracity most assuredly lies.

And so, I was incredibly pleased to hear Rep. Steve King, a Republican from the great state of Iowa, address one of the thorny issues with which we are now confronted thusly:

“Well I just haven’t heard of that being a circumstance that’s been brought to me in any personal way,” King told KMEG-TV Monday, “and I’d be open to discussion about that subject matter.”

Bravo, Rep. King (R-IA)!  Indeed, I have never been personally approached by a woman with her rape and/or incest baby.  As such, I have no way of knowing that a woman has ever gotten pregnant under such circumstances.  Sure, a lot doctors claim that such a thing is possible, but some people with, let's say, different qualifications have said otherwise!  Rep. King (R-IA) has absolutely no way of discerning the truth in such matters himself, say by requesting a summary of the relevant scientific literature.

Thankfully, Rep. King (R-IA) has shown us the way.  As a brave and proud leader of America, Rep. King knows that there is only one thing to do in such circumstances: commence a discussion.  If we're lucky, this discussion might become part of an important national dialog and might even by elevated to the status of a real issue.  Regardless of the outcome, starting a discussion is the only way we can properly debate the controversy.  After all, as in all other controversies, the truth must lie somewhere in the middle.

Who's with me?