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Opinion

IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR AMERICA: What is an oath?

By Les Weaver
Clash Daily Contributer

Definition of Oath: a declaration based on an appeal to God for what is affirmed; will speak the truth and/or will keep a promise; a pledge or bond.  A swear word.

Few in this country are void of having taken an oath of allegiance to this country yet do not really examine those oaths.  I have researched a few and briefly present them.  As you read them, place yourself before each one and then recall those that you believe abide by those oaths and unfortunately, those that do not.  Where do you stand?  Who is traitorous to their oath?

I am stunned that the shortest and less-detailed is the Oath for President and that as we proceed down the ladder of individual power, the oath becomes longer and more detailed with the most detailed being for Naturalized Citizens.  Does that seem upside down?

Presidential Oath of Office:  “I, , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The Congressional Oath of Office:  “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; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

The Oath of Office for Federal Judges:  “I do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the Constitution, and laws of the United States. So help me God.”

The Oath of Office for Civil Service Employees:  Federal employees take the same oath of office as Congress, by which they swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office:  One notable difference between the officer and enlisted oaths is that the oath taken by officers does not include any provision to obey orders; while enlisted personnel are bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice to obey lawful orders. Officers in the service of the United States are bound by this oath to disobey any order that violates the Constitution of the United States.

Text of the Uniformed Oath: “I, [name], 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; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”

(Note: All emphases addes).

Image: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investidura_presidencial_de_Lyndon_B._Johnson_en_1963

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