(no subject)

[jfb]

Why won't Condoleezza Rice testify under oath? Is she a Quaker? Does anybody know? artname? Have you run into her at the meetings?

A Google search for "condoleezza rice" and "quaker" reveals the hidden connection: The first hit is a collection of "Rice Resources" on subjects ranging from Dr. Condoleezza herself to, yes, Quaker Rice Cakes. Also Rice University and Rice County, Minnesota. It's all coming together....

Comments

[dongle.livejournal.com]

I may be mistaken, but I think the out for Quakers in this sort of thing is that the actual wording of the "swearing in" runs something like "Do you swear or affirm..."

[jfb.livejournal.com]

My whole theory collapses! I give up.

swear or affirm

[artname.livejournal.com]

Generally, a Quaker will affirm. In fact in the US Constitution, has several places where the formula is used, including the oath of office for President, and the sixth amendment.

The reason is that it seems .. odd .. to set aside a time and a place and a ritual for truth-telling, rather than simply telling the truth at all times. Also against biblical command if you like that sort of thing:

Matt. 5:34-7 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

James 5:12 ". . . swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation."

And while we're here .. I would have closed the deal on my new job earlier, except the intellectual property agreement had a phrase in it something like "I will take any proper oath to aid the company in taking out patents on my inventions" or some thing. I sent it back, and HR and Legal seem to have had some converation about the phrase. We just ended up crossing it out, rather than changing it to "affirmation" like I wanted. Go figure ..

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

My own theorhas something to do with ineffable evil and sinister plots and pure, Earth-rattling guilt, but the nice man in the black suit and sunglasses came to give me my medication and it's all fuzzy and happy now.

[emmacrew.livejournal.com]

From near the end of that article:
Ms. Rice told commissioners that White House officials had told her she should not testify under oath. While the panel requires officials appearing in public to testify under oath, there is no such requirement for those testifying in private.
Sounds like a directive from above rather than a personal decision...