Congressional Hearings and

This morning my IPad seemed frozen despite having been recharged during the night.

When I checked my MacAir; it, too, seemed in a state of Limbo.

Foregoing my normal cup of black coffee, I then dialed the always reliable Concierge desk, but all I got was a busy signal.

Immediately, I realized the fault was not with my devices, but with either Internet or WiFi.

While I am relatively competent using technology, I don’t have a clue how either the Internet or WiFI works. I am utterly and completely ignorant of their role in communication despite an incredibly patient son who has tried valiantly to help me comprehend their mystery.

As I stared at the TV which, also, had frozen in the midst of the current Capital Hill hearing I remembered another Congressional hearing now preserved in time.

It was April 1954 and we had recently relocated to the seat of government and were living in a nearby suburb, Alexandria. Our household consisted of my husband and I, a beautiful new daughter and Dr. Spock in paperback mode.

Without the famed or perhaps now infamous Dr. Spock, the beautiful child would have had a perilous life.

Early one sunny morning a friend from NY phoned and apologized by saying, “I know you are glued to the hearings.” I was too embarrassed to admit the only thing I was glued to was Dr. Spock’s paperback bible.

However, it wasn’t long into our conversation before my young career minded friend became aware my knowledge of the McCarthy hearings was negligible. And of course, soon also realized, our worlds had taken a different path. Mine parallel to Dr. Spock; hers, the more exciting stage embracing the world of politics.

Today, as another hearing splashes across the far larger TV screen, the voices are equally as accusing as those half a century ago. The statements being read aloud as self righteous as those heard so long ago, and I wonder if I had a phone call today, how I would react.

Would I admit that while I am no longer chained to a copy of Dr. Spock, I am still not mesmerized by the hearings of 2018. I have listened to the opinions, analyzed the statements and come to my own conclusion. My viewpoint hasn’t really differed from one I held regarding the controversial hearings of 1954.

I may have been busier then, but I doubt that was the true reason. I think that after hearing the evidence once, possibly it is not so wrong to make a judgment and maintain it despite ongoing political harangue or endless statements and accusations. And then, hopefully, moving forward. However, I am aware my erstwhile friend might still judge me harshly.