House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) Administers the House oath to Keith Ellison as his wife holds The Holy Quran. The Library of Congress’ division of rare books and special collections made the Quran available to Ellison for January 4 ceremony at the Capitol Hill. The oath was administered by the new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.This is the time of year our newly elected officials swear the oath of office. It can vary but it usually runs about like the Indiana School Board Oath:
"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of Indiana, and the laws of the United States and the State of Indiana. I will faithfully execute the duties of my office as a member of this governing body, so help me God."
We need to be careful as to what we admire. We admire men and women of conscience. We admire men and women of duty, serving their fellow man. It does sometimes happen that conscience and duty are in conflict. Former Starke County Commissioner Kevin Kroft loudly bragged that he voted his conscience when his conscience was in conflict with the law. If he felt the law was wrong, he voted his beliefs in disregard of the law. He bragged that the voters put him in office for exactly that reason. (The issue was solid waste, his particular Bogyman.) Although Kevin Kroft happens to be a right- wing, self-proclaimed conservative, this sort of elevation of conscience over law is hardly limited to the right wing. Governmental officials across the political spectrum act the same way, generally with great pride, a puffing of the chest, at their courage and strength of conviction. Often the voters regard this behavior as admirable and agree.
Yes, civil disobedience is often admirable. At times it has proven essential for the preservation of American greatness. There is a great tradition of civil disobedience in America. Throughout US history there have been great waves of illegal political protest that changed the course of our history and often-helped preserve important American freedoms. The Underground Railroad is a wonderful example of courageous civil disobedience that helped preserve our nation’s great tradition of freedom.
However, when a public official takes office, he takes an Oath of Office. Elected officials and appointed officials must be sworn in to take office. That Oath is not a meaningless ritual. The Oath is a cornerstone of our system of government. The point of being in office is to change those laws with which you disagree not to disregard them. When you disobey the law against your sworn oath, you are not a hero, nor are you brave. You are a fool and a criminal and are dangerous. Our Republic means nothing when public officials feel they are above the law.
"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of Indiana, and the laws of the United States and the State of Indiana. I will faithfully execute the duties of my office as a member of this governing body, so help me God."
We need to be careful as to what we admire. We admire men and women of conscience. We admire men and women of duty, serving their fellow man. It does sometimes happen that conscience and duty are in conflict. Former Starke County Commissioner Kevin Kroft loudly bragged that he voted his conscience when his conscience was in conflict with the law. If he felt the law was wrong, he voted his beliefs in disregard of the law. He bragged that the voters put him in office for exactly that reason. (The issue was solid waste, his particular Bogyman.) Although Kevin Kroft happens to be a right- wing, self-proclaimed conservative, this sort of elevation of conscience over law is hardly limited to the right wing. Governmental officials across the political spectrum act the same way, generally with great pride, a puffing of the chest, at their courage and strength of conviction. Often the voters regard this behavior as admirable and agree.
Yes, civil disobedience is often admirable. At times it has proven essential for the preservation of American greatness. There is a great tradition of civil disobedience in America. Throughout US history there have been great waves of illegal political protest that changed the course of our history and often-helped preserve important American freedoms. The Underground Railroad is a wonderful example of courageous civil disobedience that helped preserve our nation’s great tradition of freedom.
However, when a public official takes office, he takes an Oath of Office. Elected officials and appointed officials must be sworn in to take office. That Oath is not a meaningless ritual. The Oath is a cornerstone of our system of government. The point of being in office is to change those laws with which you disagree not to disregard them. When you disobey the law against your sworn oath, you are not a hero, nor are you brave. You are a fool and a criminal and are dangerous. Our Republic means nothing when public officials feel they are above the law.
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