Intellectual growth necessitates becoming exposed to differing ideas and world views -- even if they threaten our core values and beliefs. To do less is to relinquish academic freedom in favor of social conformity.

Instead of seeking a superficial fix, the United States needs to lift its trade embargo on Cuba or at least remove the country from the state terrorism list. The time has come to normalize economic ties, improve political relations, and allow financial transactions to function regularly.

It is the death throes of the neoconservatives' hold on United States foreign policy that makes the confirmation of Hagel and the installation of the Biden-Kerry-Hagel team so critically important for the United States and the world.

Zero Dark Thirty ignores the fact that America's torture program inspired anti-U.S. sentiment around the world, causing many to vow revenge on the U.S. and its allies.

There are legitimate questions and concerns that should be raised about the deaths of the four Americans at Benghazi. But to use that terrible event to discredit the legion of ground-breaking, successful foreign policy accomplishments of the Obama Administration is beyond unconscionable.