Inoperable Microphone Demonstrates Congressional Impotence and Effects of Unforeseen Events

Perhaps the most telling event at the Congressional Committee meeting convened to hear the report of General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker about US efforts in the Iraq War was the inoperable microphone. After the senior congressional leaders presented their partisan opening remarks. Chairman Skelton (D-Missouri) invited General Petraeus to provide his opening statement when it became apparent that Petraeus' microphone did not work.

All the power of Congress was halted for about 10 minutes while technicians scurried to fix the broken microphone. Communication could not take place as the crowded hearing room waited in anticipation of some revelation that might provide a hint as to what course should be followed in the prosecution of the war. Some very simple and powerful lessons were clearly illustrated for our political leaders, yet they will probably go unnoticed.

All the dollars expended for equipment, all the power of Congress, all the technology available to have a redundant system or even to have conducted a test of the microphone before the event, was unable to prevent the failure. Unforeseen, but in perfect hindsight this predictable circumstance, stymied the efforts to conduct the hearings. A "surge" of technicians was quickly deployed to assess the problem, develop a course of action and subsequently proceed to correct the microphone deficiency.

Could this have been a very simple illustration of the difficulties in Iraq? Perhaps the congressional committee should have withdrawn from the room and declared their efforts to conduct the hearing a failure. One can clearly see that in spite of preparation, training and the anticipation of a potential difficulty, that the participants were caught off guard. For those few moments the participants were at a standstill, unable to proceed - impotent - even as they possessed extraordinary power.

Who should be blamed for this blunder? Does it reach to the highest levels of government? Should we castigate the President for this obvious failure to address a shortcoming that could have been predicted if proper preparation and a thorough assessment had be conducted beforehand? Should congressional leaders convene hearings to determine the cause and produce a report to prevent a future occurrence?

The will to conduct the hearing prevailed. The appropriate force was exerted to correct the deficiency and the hearing was placed back on course. After all, this hearing was of great importance and the efforts to bring it to a conclusion were critical. One should notice that there was not a political divide created by this unforeseen event. It was accepted as a consequence of the process and the participants remained united as they patiently awaited the corrective actions.

What would happen if that same will to prevail was demonstrated towards Iraq? What would happen if there was national unity? What comments would Osama Bin Laden make about US policy toward Iraq if faced with a united nation? What would the terrorists do if they saw themselves confronted by a united America? How would our troops feel if the nation was united behind them?

The broken microphone was talking to us. Did anyone listen?