Dear V,P. Biden: When you administer the oath of office

[question everything]

to elected and appointed individuals, can you please let them decide if they want to add "so help me god?" (At least, I don't think that this is part of the official oath, unless some DUers will correct me with a link).

Both you and Chief Justice Roberts ended with a question: "So help you god?" And the hapless person has no choice but to affirm: "so help me god."

I doubt that I will see anyone not adding this, not in my life time, anyway but, at least, give him or her a choice.

Thanks.

[JuniperLea]

1. In earlier DU arguments...

We learned that Obama requested the language be inserted. Perhaps this is the case today as well.

[question everything]

3. For all nominations?

He certainly cannot determine this for senators, though..

[onehandle]

6. They serve at the pleasure of the President.

What he says, goes.

[question everything]

9. Not senators, they are not

Not even the Democratic ones. They are elected by their constituents, not "at the pleasure of the President."

But, of course, you know that.

[onehandle]

11. I meant his nominees, not Senators.

This whole thread is stupid anyway.

Forget it.

[Ocracoker16]

10. Read reply 8

It has to do with the Constitution. Obama can't nor did he force senators to say "so hlp me God"

[onehandle]

13. If they want to work for him, they'll do what he says.

That's my point.

[JuniperLea]

19. Each individual has the say in if it's included... eom

[firedupdem]

2. How do you know they weren't given a choice before taking it? n/t

[question everything]

5. I don't. Were they? I would like to know

I think that we, the people who support separation of state and church, who know that "god" means different things to different people, have a right to know whether this is their choice.

[firedupdem]

7. So you don't know...okay, just checking. n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

16. They probably are ..

but why throw some petty little facts into a DU "discussion".

[firedupdem]

17. what was I thinking?

:shrug:

[Captain Hilts]

4. Times like these and this athiest will pray to any god that will listen. nt

[Ocracoker16]

8. Biden is correct in the use of "so help me god"

That is part of the oath for Senators as specified in the Constitution. However, the Constitution doesn't include that phrase in the oath of the President for unknown reasons. Obama requested that Justice Roberts include that phrase.

[Occam Bandage]

12. The Senate oath is not in the Constitution. It was established by an act of Congress.

You are correct, however, that Biden does not have a choice, and "so help me God" is in the text of the oath.

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Oath_Office.htm

[Ocracoker16]

15. that is what I meant but thank you

[firedupdem]

18. Didn't know that! Thanks for this info. n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

14. Oh jesus!