I've heard very rational discussions of both abortion and the Zika virus on National Public Radio in the U.S. over the last couple of weeks. I was pleased and surprised that there was no mention of religion in the discussion - it just presented the issues logically without referring to any groups doing this or that.

The problem with pointing fingers at groups, is that you then force all members of that group into the the "enemy" box. Even if they agree with you on the issue, members of that group will have a hard time forming an alliance with you, because you have attacked and excluded them.

If you really want to make progress on an issue, then attack the issue rationally. Don't attack your potential allies.

In today's NPR presentation on the Zika virus in Brazil, it was stated that a total of fewer than ten microcephalic babies have been born there, while there are 8,000 babies born in Brazil every day. The Zika virus is a serious concern, but so far it has done little damage.

-Joe Offer-