Not much in American politics surprises or dismays me. The prospect of a Donald Trump-moderated GOP presidential debate a week before the Iowa caucuses most certainly does. I heard about this proposed circus when I emerged from a screening of “Act of Valor” at the Motion Picture Association of America in Washington this past Friday.

The film, to be released on Presidents Day weekend, is a deeply moving action movie about terrorism, the Navy, the SEALs and the families of the warriors featured in the film.