All sides in a trial want to hide at least some of the truth.

The judge also has a truth he wants to hide: He often hasn't been completely candid in describing the facts or the law.

The threat or fear of violence should not become an excuse or justification for restricting freedom of speech.

The sad reality is that there are no purely domestic issues in Israel. Issues that would be dealt with by municipalities in other countries - such as how to deal with a dangerous bridge or how to resolve conflicts between religious and secular bus riders - become major international issues when they occur in Israel.

We all learn in school that the judicial, legislative and executive branches of government must check and balance each other. But other non state institutions must participate in this important system of checks and balances as well. These checking institutions include the academy, the media, religious institutions and NGOs.

The court of last resort is no longer the Supreme Court. It's 'Nightline.'

Well, many insane people and seriously mentally ill people seem very reasonable.