Questions, Answers and

I am not known for my expertise in the financial realm.

However, as I sat waiting for the long anticipated testimony from the former FBI Director, I began to count heads in the crowded room.

Suddenly, I wondered how much did this "Investigation" cost our nation, both monetarily as well as by damaging reputations of the leading participants. How much has it eroded the belief that a fraction of the population might still have in the competence of our elected officials?

The question that is being asked is wasn't there a more efficient way to conduct the testimony? Each of the members of Congress in attendance are exceedingly well paid representatives of our country. How much of their time has been spent on TV exposure as opposed to completing health care reform or guarding the security of our nation? Both are issues that were assigned to them in November. Soon they will begin to prepare for departure for a summer recess.

As I sat watching the drama unfold, listening to the varied voices using their allotted seven minutes of TV time, I remembered Andy Warhol's "15 minutes of fame." Sometimes the treasured time allotted becomes a shiny ribbon that is worn like an emblem from that moment on. Other times, it is not quite so glistening and results in a sad reminder of a bright career. This may have happened this week to an elder statesman who would have been wiser to sit quietly rather than claim the spotlight for his coveted seven minutes.

There is always one statement, sometimes one phrase, that becomes part of our baggage in other people's memories.

Within the space of less than a full second, we will be identified by a reply, an answer and an admission.

We are identified as another's spouse once we murmur "I do." I see a friend and think, "Oh, that's Jane or Molly or Gretchen's husband."

Often, it is not as simplistic.

In a court of law when asked whether we plead, guilty or not, the phrase we utter in response will be with us for the remainder of our days.

This week a gentleman with the apparent coat of armor that insulated not Captain Courageous, but perhaps today's version of Sir Lancelot, spoke the words that will be forever engraved either on his Teflon cape or what ever other garment he may next choose.

He admitted to leaking information to the press through an intermediary. Not speaking directly and honestly while pushing his agenda through the media, but rather using an associate as a shield.

Others may judge; that is not for me. However, I do believe in the blink of an eye, the words spoken and heard throughout the country will forever identify the gentleman being questioned.

Life sometimes moves slowly, often quietly, and when in a split second it explodes either verbally or physically, it is always a shock. And never stops teaching us quiet lessons.

As the drama or perhaps historical moment ended on TV, I received an unsolicited instant message announcing that an interpretation of the event would appear on the internet within a short time. " Curioser and curioser, cried Alice."