Opinion: Telling the truth can be MURDER

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The Washington Post is reporting that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is subjecting himself to questioning by “murder boards” – mock committee hearings – in preparation for his appearance between two Senate committees.

“Murder boards” are a popular role-playing game in Washington. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel A. Alito endured questioning from murder boards before their confirmation hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Supreme Court wannabe/neverwas Harriet Miers reportedly performed poorly in her simulated hearings.

Whatever one thinks of murder boards as a way to prepare nominees, their use by Gonzales seems odd. He’s no stranger to testifying before Congress, and senators have telegraphed what they want to learn from him in connection with the firing of eight U.S. attorneys --basically the Watergate mantra of “what did you know and when did you know it?” –

So why waste time answering a faux Chuck Schumer when you know what the real one will ask? And if what your inquisitors want to know is what you remember, how does rehearsal help? (Gonzales should check out what Mark Twain said about this.)

Because Gonzales has provided shifting explanations of his role, or lack thereof, in the purge of prosecutors, maybe instead of a murder board he should spend quality time with a hypnotist who can coax repressed memories from the absent-minded attorney general.