No American should ever again swear to tell the truth

[BOSSHOG]

If the Attorney General of the United States does not have to why should you or I? They are also shitting on the oath of enlistment of every man and women who raised their right hand and swore to defend the constitution.

This not swearing issue does not apply to "conservatives" in America. We all know they have nothing to hide and would have no problem being sworn in. I use as example, bush, cheney, gonzalez and oil company executives, all good "Conservatives." Wow I guess those are really bad examples, huh?

[savemefromdumbya]

1. however, this little ratbag can be prosecuted regardless of oath

if he tells lies.

[shaniqua6392]

2. If any of us ever has to testify in the future...

we should just refuse to be sworn in and cite the fact that if it is not necessary for the AG, it is not necessary for us! What a crock of crap.

[EST]

3. Heehee!

Makes sense--The law makers (which is what they are doing) and #1 cop in the country refuse to commit to tell the truth and obey the laws, why should anyone else?

[NanceGreggs]

4. I'm an American living in Canada ...

... and I am a court reporter. I don't know if it's the same in the States (I didn't work in the legal field there), but in Canada, every lawyer is an 'officer of the court', and is thereby deemed to be 'sworn' to tell the truth when speaking in a professional capacity, whether he/she has taken the oath or not.

Besides, if Gonzo lies before this hearing and is caught doing so, he'll have an impossible time convincing anyone that he felt he didn't HAVE TO TELL THE TRUTH because he was not sworn-in - and would probably be dis-barred for doing so.

[AndyA]

5. There has to be more to this than meets the eye

What would be the rationale behind not having AG testify under oath?

If he's still subject to violations of the law if he lies, what difference does it make? Would the ramifications be less if he weren't under oath?

Bush and Cheney don't like to testify under oath, either. Yet ordinary Americans must. I see a pattern here, and it isn't right.

[KansDem]

7. But does he have to answer questions at all?

I posted a thread in GD about this. Sure, he could lie and not be held accountable, but what if he simply doesn't answer at all (like he did when asked about first-class letters)? Can he be forced to answer the question if he is not under oath? Can he be charged with contempt of Congress if he refuses?

[Ready4Change]

6. Absolutely.

Bush and Cheney insisted on only talking to the 9/11 commission behind closed doors, together, and refused to swear an oath.

Gonzalas now too.

Clearly sends a signal that taking an oath is an insult to any true Americans dignity.