Another hearing, another refusal to swear in those giving testimony. Its happening with growing frequency, it gets mentioned on the blogs and maybe on Air America at the start of the hearing and then the discussion turns to the real issues at hand. Since we all agree that the culture of corruption must end we should be jumping all over this issue. The Oath is a ceremonial procedure that has long outlived its usefulness.
The Oath provides protection for liars and sends the wrong message that it is acceptable to lie or stretch the truth when not under oath. What does this say to our children? President Clinton was a terrible man because he lied under oath, not because he lied, that's cool, but the man took an oath!
The Oath relies on outdated religious symbolism. What purpose does it serve to swear in a non-Christian on a Christian holy book? Oh sure, you can bring in a library of holy books for other religions, but what about people who are not religious or people who practice a religion deemed socially unacceptable such as Satanism? Wouldn't swearing the oath be their first act of perjury?
Time and time again Democrats have requested a witness be sworn in only to have the request voted down by Republicans. This isn't lobbying reform where there are a hundred shades of gray to color the debate. This is black and white, propose a law making it a crime with penalties far more severe than traditional perjury to lie before Congress. Specifically state that these are impeachable offenses. No oath required, just common sense and decency. And do it now before any more administration officials testify without swearing an oath. If it passes we begin removing them from office with each hearing. If it fails we make it a top tier campaign issue. It will play hand in hand with the lobbying scandals as the centerpiece to our campaign for change in 2006. Its a simple issue that Americans can understand and support and any vote "for lying" will be near impossible to defend.
