The word "comity" often comes up in conversation with creatures of the Senate. It's defined by Merriam-Webster as "the informal and voluntary recognition by courts of one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decisions of another" -- substitute "lawmakers" for "courts", and you get an idea of how serious members of Congress take their jurisdictions.

On this swearing-in day, when the oath-taking line brought new senators' families shoulder to shoulder with Vice President-elect Joe Biden, the incoming administration appears to have been taught a lesson in comity. Dianne Feinstein, the freshly minted chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, was not informed in advance of Leon Panetta's nomination to head the CIA, and she came out with surprising fervor to criticize the pick.

Was this merely a question of a powerful senator objecting to the lack of comity afforded her? Apparently not, as Feinstein and her intel panel predecessor Jay Rockefeller have questioned Panetta's qualifications and voiced support for the current CIA No 2, Steven Kappes. Whether or not Kappes stays on as a way to sooth skeptical senators, Panetta's confirmation hearing is bound to shed a stark light on the CIA's involvement in Bush-era interrogation tactics.

As for Panetta himself, one wonders if he'll take the advice of former GOP colleague Pat Roberts and pay an in-person call to the intelligence agencies to introduce himself. Might be good practice for the hearing room.