An odd mixture of theatre, seriousness, and even a bit of unintentional self-parody from Rep. Elijah Cummings, kicked off the House Select Committee hearings on Benghazi. On Wednesday, the Committee held its first hearing. The topic, which was proposed by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), was looking back at Accountability Review Board recommendations to make sure we learn from the past, not repeat mistakes, and protect lives.

Uh-huh. Sounds like a nice safe distance from the core of the matter: Name the enemy, fight jihad, and hold every single member of the administration accountable for their irresponsible (at best) actions, or lack thereof, that resulted in four Americans getting killed.

When referring to the four men who needlessly died in Benghazi on September 11, 2012, Congressman Elijah Cummings stated: “Their names must be etched in our memory banks.”

And then he proceeded to read their names off a piece of paper.

So much for his memory bank.

Cummings also said he hopes the committee will stay focused on “constructive reform,” noting: “It would be a disservice to everyone involved to be lured off this path by partisan politics.”

Translation: Don’t you dare explore Hillary Clinton’s role in any of this because that would be a diversion from the topic and very partisan of you.

Stay tuned. The Democrats have set the stage to keep the focus of these hearings limited in scope and a side line from the real issue. I trust Congressman Trey Gowdy to do his best to keep a laser focus as he attempts to draw out the truth in the face of distraction and obstruction.

We shall see.

Hat tip: The Blaze