Letter to the Editor

Oath Of Office Needs A Sacred Anchor Having family near Olney, I read the Olney Enterprise news article: “New City Administrator Takes Oath of Office” (June 18 issue). I congratulate Andy Wolfe on his elevation to a new job and wish him much success.

I want to say at the onset of this opinion-letter, that my thoughts below are not directed towards Mr. Wolfe, but rather an observation of “customs and traditions” which are only partially adhered-to today.

I was pleased that there was an accompanying photo showing Mr. Wolfe reciting his Oath. However, few people realize that this gesture is a throwback to ancient times when a person raised their right hand to ‘prove’ that the palm of their hand had not been ‘branded’ as a ‘mark’ of past heresies or telling lies.

Furthermore, most ancient (and some modern) Oaths-of-Office were and still are cemented or anchored by holy book or something held dear or sacred to ‘bind’ the person who promises to show some sort of tangible collateral to verify that person’s honesty, integrity, sincerity and commitment to faithfully discharging what they pledge to do. A good example is the Presidential Oathof- Office in which the person who is to be sworn-in places their right hand on the Holy Bible (or another Holy Writ) and recites their solemn vows which conclude with the phrase: “So help me, God.” That aspect may sound small, but it is significant for anyone with a twinge of conscience to “Do their best” AND it gives witnesses and spectators something that seemingly assures that the person taking that Oath really intends it to be binding on them.

I wish our Nation could get back to the basics and do “the fullest performance” of an Oath-of-Office. It is no automatic guarantee that someone will always be true and faithful. However, anyone with a soul will be more sober when reciting such solemn words, if they know they will be shamed and foreword as a liar if they break their word.

Sincerely,

James A. Marples. Longview, Texas (With family near Olney)