From Harry Truman's autobiography and why it's relevant to now

[rpannier]

If you ever get a chance to read Harry Truman's Autobiography I would recommend it.

He writes about how when he was in the Senate and was Chairman overseeing military expenditures, on his time off he would get into his car and drive to the military bases to oversee what the military was building or whatever else they were spending the money they received on -- this apparently was very common for Senators on other committees to do as well.

When the hearings were held, Senators like Truman already knew the 'what' They wanted to know "Why and How" They were well aware when they were being lied to or when certain things were not being addressed.

Today, Senators and Congressman holding these hearings begin with a speech and then ask 'what' questions. Because they've done little (in most cases no) research or investigation into what they're going to be holding hearings on.

[valerief]

1. Most members of Congress spend their time with lobbyists, collecting money, don't they? nt

[EFerrari]

2. Deniability. That's what had me yelling at the teevee every time

there was a hearing on torture and the same committees would express the same surprised everytime. By the third go round, even I knew the stories. And there were the CSPAN Players, rolling their eyes and clicking their togues and shaking their heads.

[napi21]

3. Maybe we should remind them of this! After they're almost ALL

lawyers, and one of the main things they teach in law school is "Never ask a question you don't already know the answer to!" Info like that would give them a tremendous upper hand during hearings. I can already see the witnesses tap dancing after they were asked a question and their answer was contrary to what the Senator SAW during his visit! In fact, they wouldn't even HAVE to go themselves. They all have enough staff members to handle a few trips!