What Does This Have to Do with the Price of Tea in Vienna?

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback is opposing the appointment of someone who favors legalized abortion. Not surprising, if you consider he is very much opposed to legalized abortion. But when you consider what position is at stake ... well, it makes you wonder: Do we not have better things to worry about on Capitol Hill, Senator?

The Kansas Republican, a strong abortion opponent with presidential aspirations, says he has concerns about Julie Finley's nomination as ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Brownback is chairman of the Helsinki Commission, an independent U.S. government agency that formulates policy on OSCE issues. The Vienna-based organization monitors compliance with human rights and security standards in Europe established by the 1975 Helsinki Accords.

For that matter, why does this position even exist?