On swearing & smoking

From the June 2 Salisbury Post:

“Public prayer is a longstanding tradition of the United States, from the county level to the halls of our Senate. Our president is even sworn in with his hand on a Bible”

— Jim Greene

Rowan County Commissioner

Wow! What a statement.

Farmers Day is also a longstanding tradition held on the hottest day of the year. So does that make it right or just a tradition?

Wouldn’t it make sense to change some things to make life more comfortable for everyone instead of sticking to outdated traditions?

What about these presidents being “sworn” in with a hand on the Bible?

John Quincy Adams was sworn in on a copy of a book of laws, not the Bible.

Lyndon Johnson was sworn in on a Catholic missal (a book with instructions for conducting mass).

Theodore Roosevelt wasn’t sworn in on anything — he just swore.

Franklin Pierce was affirmed, not sworn in.

Herbert Hoover was affirmed, not sworn in.

Now, there is quite a large group of concerned citizens in Rowan County wondering why a total tobacco ban  is not in place at the parks.

Is it because —

A. You haven’t prayed about it yet?

B. There is nothing in the Bible about dipping snuff or smoking ciga-butts?

C. Well, it’s a tradition, you know!

— Whitey Harwood

Hillbilly Hikers Club, Rockwell