I get a kick out of Congressional hearings because they often consist of hours of speechifying by politicians, punctuated by a few moments of actual oversight. A few members have been good today, but so often they try to give a speech instead of asking questions. As much as I like Walter Jones, I think he was carrying on a bit much just now.

Then there are the hearings like the recent Bear Stearns “grilling,” in which the members asking questions have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. The witnesses try their best not to seem (rightfully) condescending and offer face-saving interpretations of their dumb questions.

Some hearings are useless time-killers even before they begin. Remember the first day of the Roberts hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee? Each senator gave an unnecessary speech for the camera, and finally Roberts gave an opening statement. And that was it — no questions for the nominee until the day two! (Last I checked, that event was not listed as an in-kind contribution in the Biden for President report to the Federal Election Commission.)

Broadly speaking, the chairmen on both sides of the Hill would do well to encourage or even demand submission of written comments for the record.