corrente

From Thomas Kean's home state, Bob Braun of the Newark Star Ledger opines:

I've always wondered whether Tom Kean would have made a good president of the United States.

I think I know the answer now. I'm sorry I asked.

His performance as head of the commission investigating the 9/11 catastrophe, however, is troubling. No one doubts his integrity, his genuine desire to do a good job. But those good intentions are not moving the work of the commission forward.

Indeed, he may be losing control of the panel (and it, consequently, is losing credibility) because -- to use Tom Paxton's lyrics about Lyndon Johnson and Vietnam -- he is "trying everyone to please."

Truth -- if we're talking a comprehensive collection of proven facts meaningfully assembled in context -- won't come from compromise. How do you compromise? By revealing just some facts? Compromised truth is just another word for a lie.

Yet Kean has spent a lot of his energies making deals with, for example, the White House over what facts will be revealed even to the commission itself. Making deals, and then explaining himself. Or failing to.

With the latest flap about Bush testifying—or not—being only the latest example.

With few exceptions, the public hearings that were held have been pedantic lectures, self-serving justifications, silly theatrics starring, among others, folks selling their books, and just plain missed chances.

Here's an example: Last May, former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey was asked why her agency did not notify NORAD -- the military -- about a plane off course in time for it to be intercepted before it hit the Pentagon and killed nearly 200 people. Under questioning by Richard Ben-Veniste, a former Watergate prosecutor, she unraveled, confusing flights, and admitting she did not know what happened, didn't have her notes.

Kean promised she'd be back for further questioning. Well, last month, she was -- and the commission did not ask one question about that fatal delay. Not one.

Well, well, well.

We still don't have an explanation of why the jets weren't scrambled, even after the attacks were well underway. I wonder why?

That crinking sound you hear is tinfoil....