Nevada Appellate Lawyer & Attorney : Tami D. Cowden : Nevada Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

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Recollection is a funny word.  It’s not one that comes up in general conversation much – at least, not in any conversations I have.  But it is a word that seems to abound in congressional hearings.  In fact, during Albert Gonzales' testimony yesterday, the word was  used more than 20 times.

Of course, Gonzales wasn’t the only one using the word.  Once or twice, when the Attorney General denied having any recollection of some matter or another, whichever Senator was questioning him would repeat, “You have no recollection.”  I read a transcript instead of watching video,  yet I could hear the dry tone.

Claiming a lack of recollection was not the only way Gonzales expressed his lamentable memory.  During the course of questioning, he responded that he didn’t recall more than 45 times.  Twice he stated he had no memory regarding the subject of questioning. 

All this lack of recollection has certainly sparked my recollection of times gone by.  I was about thirteen  the first time I heard the word recollection.  The Watergate hearings were going on. 

Thanks, Mr. Gonzales, for your lack of recall.  You make me feel like a teenager again.

The Washington Post provides a transcript of the Gonzales hearings: Part I, Part II, and Part III.