From the editor: On the sauce

Who can resist the saucier side of a major news story? Not us, apparently.

Just look at what captivated audiences over the long weekend. Edward Snowden, of NSA leak fame, played peek-a-boo with authorities, traveling on a revoked passport from Hong Kong to Moscow. He then failed to hop on his scheduled flight to Havana--leading to speculation about his nefarious goals, or at least his taste in safe havens from American authorities.

At least we were treated to several colorful photographs of his empty seat.

Meanwhile, the outrage over television chef Paula Deen's use of the N-word decades ago was so great the Food Network announced they would not renew the 66-year-old Southern woman's contract. At least one sponsor pulled the plug on their deal with her, while others opted for the waiting game.

A scofflaw on the lam and a celebrity's long ago racist lexicon--what could be more entertaining?

OK, there's Duck Dynasty.

Scandal has been a staple since crowds gathered around to hear lurid tales of Alcibiades or Caligula ... though I believe those two ancients would make modern audiences cringe.

But lost in the salty stew of sensationalism are core issues.

Deen's responses in a court deposition received thorough coverage. Lisa Jackson's lawyer asked if the chef and restaurateur told racial jokes.

"No, not racial," she replied.

The lawyer then question whether Deen ever used the N-word.

"Yes, of course," she said to a shocked nation.

We all know--or at least should know--about this nation's long, difficult, often bloody and ongoing struggle to accept those considered inferior, different or morally wrong by the dominant culture. But we also understand that change occurs over time.

In Deen's youth, there was (generally speaking) an assumption of class and place--not only in the south, but across the land. Yet many in Atlanta who once used the N-word epithet casually now recoil when hearing it. Many in Boston who once hurled rocks at buses working to integrate schools now welcome diversity.

The uproar over Deen's errant past buttered over the story of Jackson's lawsuit, which alleges an atmosphere of harassment and discrimination are pervasive in restaurants owned by Deen and her brother, Bubba Hier. Jackson's complaint further alleges that such treatment cut short her employment after five years.

Is Deen a horrid boss? Who knows.

But we are certainly aware she used a nasty slur way back when.

The Snowden escapade is even more disturbing. While one group fills television time and newsprint pondering his whereabouts, another takes up the remaining space arguing whether his revelations of NSA surveillance constitute something criminal or courageous.

Both topics, while admittedly intriguing, distract from issues of greater importance.

Certainly Snowden is no whistle blower--and the distinction between that and a leak is important.

While troubling, NSA actions followed (as far as we know) the letter of law, meaning that he revealed material that violated his personal understanding of national right and wrong.

He did not call attention to government misdeeds, so he cannot be considered heroic.

Yet his action did--or rather should, if we weren't so caught up in the cat and mouse pursuit--start a national debate over safeguards to our privacy versus national security in a digital age. The current administration may operate according to the rules now. But what happens if these same tools fall into the hands of elected officials less committed to the Constitution?

Caesar actually warned politicians to take care how decisions affect posterity in a speech following the infamous Cataline conspi...

OK, OK--bashing Deen and tracking Snowden are more fun.