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June 16, 2006 at 11:08:39

They Swore on the Bible: Introductory Remarks

by Andrew Bard Schmookler     Page 1 of 2 page(s)

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I’ve lately begun to visualize what may well have the potential of being a powerful lever to move America toward dealing with this lawless presidency. I don’t yet see what form this ultimately should take, but I can see the main points that should be woven together.

While some of these elements are quite familiar, the overall thrust is, I believe, new. And if this argument is properly presented, and if enough people seize upon it, it might change the dynamic of how our so-called political leaders are dealing with the challenge of this dangerous moment in American history.



****************************************************

Here are the main points of this new argument, along with some incidental comments:

Main Point # 1:

THE CONSTITUTION IS UNDER ASSAULT FROM THIS BUSH REGIME.

This is not, of course, a new point. But it still needs to be made afresh in almost our every communication to our countrymen, and it needs to be substantiated enough in this instance that it can stand credibly on its own.

One way of driving the point home: If these claims to unchecked presidential power are not an assault on our Constitution, what would be? The point is that such unchecked presidential power strikes at the very heart of the Constitution.


Main Point # 2:

EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS --ALL 535 OF THEM-- HAS TAKEN AN OATH TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

In previous writings here on opednews, I’ve brought up this issue of the oath of office. Most of the time, however, that I've brought up the oath of office I have stressed how the President has taken --and violated-- such an oath.

But it is, as you'll see, quite central to the present argument that the Members of Congress are bound by their own oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion..."

That sets up the real meat of the argument, in the next two points.


Main Point # 3:

TAKING AN OATH --ACCORDING TO OUR CULTURAL, HISTORICAL, AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS-- IS A VERY, VERY SERIOUS MATTER. IT IS AS SERIOUS A PROMISE AND AS SACRED AND UNQUALIFIED A COMMITMENT AS IT IS POSSIBLE IN OUR CIVILIZATION TO MAKE.

In my next installment of this "They Swore on the Bible" series, which will appear here on Monday, I will flesh out this idea. I will establish that, in the moral universe to which we American are heir, to be an oath-breaker is about as low as one can go. The words "treason" and "damnation" are applied to such violations of an oath such as the Members of Congress have taken.

This is the fulcrum that will make this argument a lever to move those craven politicians of both parties to action, if any essentially morally-based argument could do so. That's because....


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Andrew Bard Schmookler's website www.nonesoblind.org is devoted to understanding the roots of America's present moral crisis and the means by which the urgent challenge of this dangerous moment can be met. Dr. Schmookler is also the author of such books as The Parable of the Tribes: The Problem of Power in Social Evolution (SUNY Press) and Debating the Good Society: A Quest to Bridge America's Moral Divide (M.I.T. Press). He also conducts regular talk-radio conversations in both red and blue states.

 

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American against War and Violence. Writer, English Teacher, Inventor, Creator of the First Manmade Floating Farm On The Ocean.... My companies name is ACET: Algae Charcoal Ethanol Technicorp. We grow Algae for Oil.
Dom JermanoAmerican against War and Violence. Writer, English Teacher, Inventor, Creator of the First Manmade Floating Farm On The Ocean.... My companies name is ACET: Algae Charcoal Ethanol Technicorp. We grow Algae for Oil.

Benevolence Of A Nation

Does that mean, when they swear on the Bible in taking that oath, that really there is no separation of Church and State?

And what does defend the constitution mean? Bush said "It is nothing but a God damn piece of paper." I can see his statement here is clearly breaking his oath. Compared to "No I never had sex with that woman."

Are we a benevolent nation, in which we use benevolence as our defense against violence? And when we defend, I would think its real purpose is to PREVENT VIOLENCE. How does War and the authorization of War defend the constitution?

They are afraid of a power that would take over the United States Government? How ridiculous. It is impossible to do, not because we have atomic bombs piled high into space, but because it is spiritually benevolent. How can you defend a spirit of goodwill? It is impossible. It is like the air, it can never go away. It is like the seasons and the rain, it can never go away.

When will we have good benevolent people run our country?
The people in government are suppose to be at the top of their classes, to be examples of our high educational system. And yet we get people who are not benevolent. They have all remained in the ditch creating dead bodies of war.

Sure is a mistake I think, on the parts of these people who steal the limelight, steal the show, and steal the lives of people who are truly benevolent.

by Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 930 comments) on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 1:52:33 AM
 

 

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