“Accept The Truth Whatever The Source.” That’s an expression from The Talmud.  I know because I quoted it when I spoke in front of the School Board of Prince Edward County, Virginia, when I was a teacher there in 1968-69.  I was speaking to an all-white male panel as a Jewish white boy from out of town who was teaching in the public schools.  It was the year after the schools were forced to reopen by the U.S. Supreme Court after being closed for seven years as the nation’s most severe example of “massive resistance.” I was kind of naive to think that those men would enjoy listening to my views about how to run the schools, and if that wasn’t apparent to me at the moment I started talking, it became apparent in the faces of the board members as soon as I said: “As it says in The Talmud ….”  So I remember the quote really clearly.

The quote comes to mind immediately as I watch this media event called a meeting of a Congressional committee during which AIG CEO Edward Libby is testifying.  Well, “testifying” is the wrong word.  If we are honest, he was summoned to sit in front of this committee so the committee members can get a chance to evidence enough anger within the limited amount of time they have to merit coverage in the news media.

I am only moderately amazed that committee members attacked Liddy for contracts for bonuses that he inherited from previous management.  I am totally amazed when Liddy says hey don’t accuse me of this, I never would have done this, and the response is: well I’m mad at you anyhow because you are the CEO of AIG and the CEO of AIG should be hated no matter what.

I love the free press – it is our most important right.  But would it be wrong if this committee held private meetings so that instead of focusing their energy trying to figure out what will get them news coverage, the members actually used their time to learn from an obviously talented, hard-working and well-intentioned man who is working in the public interest?

I have said previously that as Congress goes about the effort to find blame for the mess we’re in, they never point a finger at themselves.  If there was any question about whether they should look in the mirror when trying to point a finger of blame, simply play back this committee meeting to determine where their priorities really are (playing to political interests).  Then consider whether or not those priorities, exercised over years, contributed to the mess we’re in.