We live in a wildly stupid and scary era. US academics and activists flew to the USSR to meet with the Soviets to diminish country rivalry and humanize each other during the Cold War. They understood the public was caught in the middle of a great power competition that threatened the world.

Today, we refuse to see, hear, or talk to anyone whose perspective differs. It's absurdly counterproductive, and people trust the media's and politicians' description of the "other" instead of speaking with them directly.

I disagree with most of Tucker's views, but I'm emotionally capable of appreciating his initiative to interview and facilitate a platform for Putin's version of events while opposing his opinions.

Journalists should present the public with more than one side of the story, but we're accustomed to hearing and believing one narrative. Blocking, disregarding, and ostracizing anyone who presents an alternative view limits our understanding of the world, yet we prefer ignorance. Ugh.

We have forgotten the role of journalists and to scrutinize our governments' policies. Tucker is a dipshit, but he's among the only mainstream reporters who served the public's interests, and our interests are hearing contrasting narratives to make reasonable judgments, not agreeing with everything we're told.