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DO YOU PROMISE TO TELL THE TRUTH/MARCH 5, 2001
I find it deeply troubling that in a congressional hearing, the swearing in of witnesses before that honorable body is abbreviated. Congressman John Conyers did that before a committee he was chairing when his Democrat Party was in the leadership. Years ago he abbreviated the swearing in of witnesses.
I was stunned back then when that was done. But today I am deeply disappointed, that before the committee, chaired by Congressman Tauzin, he also omitted ... so help me God, as he swore in the television executives. Roger Ailes of Fox News, a man I admire, had difficulty with the idea that he needed to be sworn in at all, I agree. On this particular matter anyway.
Have we come so far in America that we don't stand before God to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Perhaps, that is the reason so many, can't recall, don't remember, and just straight out lie.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word abbreviate this way, to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole. Not this time. By abbreviating sworn testimony we assume to put our trust in man. How incredibly naive. On the walls, and usually above the heads of the judges across the country the words, In God We Trust. That still stands.
Tony DiGirolamo/ Executive Producer Culture Shock
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