The answer in Washington to every matter of debate is to appoint a commission. Normally, these are nothing more than costly time-wasters that accomplish nothing (Medicare reform, Social Security reform and tax reform have all had commissions). But when they impact national security, expensive sinkholes turn into perilous hurdles for the defense and intelligence functions of the government.

Owing to its increasingly pathetic behavior, Congress has formed a commission to look into the war in Iraq.

The bipartisan Iraq Study Group -- led by former Secretary of State James Baker, a Republican, and former Democratic congressman Lee Hamilton -- is designed to focus "fresh eyes" on the war debate from people who "love their country more than their party," said Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Virginia, during a Capitol Hill news conference...

Wolf wants them to say whether the war is going well or poorly and to explain the ramifications if the U.S. mission were to fail, said Dan Scandling, a top aide to Wolf.

"Our purpose is to undertake a bipartisan, forward-looking assessment of the current and prospective situation on the ground in Iraq and its impact on the surrounding region, and its consequences on United States interests," said Baker, who served as the country's top diplomat in the administration of President George H.W. Bush.

Normally, Congressional oversight is conducted by the House and Senate Armed Services or Foreign Affairs committees. Another commission is certainly not needed and, if the 9/11 commission is any guide, it will simple be another stage on which demagogues can second-guess, Monday morning quarterback and judge with 20/20 hindsight.

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