Oxymoron

Balloonman · April 2004

Oxymoron Example: "Oxymoron" - Removing the Ten Commandments from the courthouse because it mentions God while making people in court rooms swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help them God, while placing their hand on the Bible.

My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

HS · April 2004

xclap Good example DJ!

LarryC · April 2004

Nice one, DJ!! Another oxymoron that the government likes to use is the term "legally drunk". I can just imagine being pulled over, have the officer ask me if I'm drunk, and I respond,"Yes, officer I am. HOWEVER, I am legally drunk, so leave me alone." That would be about the time that the officer would remove me from my vehicle through the partially open window.

Whatever · April 2004

And, if you don't want to be picked for a jury, tell them that you want to affirm (not swear).

National Guard · April 2004

WOW! GOOD ONE.O=*

Don D · April 2004

I thought they were removed not because they mentioned God, but because they were ruled to be supportive of a particular religion or religions. We might need a legal scholar.

Paul in Cannon Beach · April 2004

Its hard to argue that the 10 commandments supports a particular religion when all three major religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) utilize all or parts of the Old Testament writings.

I believe Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and possibly other religions also view these writings as holy texts.

The secularists want ALL references to religion removed from our society - even broad references that clearly do not establish any state preference towards one particular faith.

They truly want to change the very foundational beliefs of our nation. Our very liberties are based on the belief that we are endowed with them by a Creator.

System · April 2004

One thing the First Amendment does is prohibit the government from "establishing" a religion or a set of religious beliefs, even if an overwhelming majority of citizens share that belief. The founding fathers wanted to steer clear of religious oppression that existed in the Old World.

In Alabama, a judge put up a sculpture of the Ten Commandments that was as big as a washing machine, and he made it clear he was promoting Christianity. If I were an agnostic or Hindu and had a lawsuit before him, I wouldn't believe that he would be fair. Maybe he would, but that's not really the message he was sending.

As for swearing on the Bible in court and mentioning God on coins, courts have sort of sidestepped the First Amendment issues, saying it's a historic tradition, blah blah.

James Sokolowski
HRhero.com

ray a · April 2004

James, you got it exactly right in your first paragraph. And not establishing a state religion does not imply the ethereal concept of separation of church and state.

slogan · April 2004

Judge Moore in Alabama was doing what he was Constitutionally allowed to do, acknowledge the foundation of our laws based on Christianity or laws found in the Bible & in Christianity. One might argue that he was promoting Christianity, but on the state level, he is allowed to do that. What is illegal is for the Supreme Court to interject itself onto state's rights issue. As the Chief Judge for the Alabama STATE Court, he was well within his rights to do what he did. What he was NOT doing was forcing anyone to acknowledge or to become a Christian.

Thus we have another oxymoron: the separation of church & state. Even if one is an athiest, then he himself is his own god and will act accordingly. If that person is a politcian, he will submit laws or pass laws accordingly, thus forcing me to accept his religion, that of man being his own god.

Whatever · April 2004

Actually, the first amendment prohibits Congress from making any laws re the establishment of religion. Up to the 1820's, many states had official state religions and taxed all the citizens (no matter what their religion) to support the official religion.

Shadowfax · April 2004

Don In the interests of fair comment: I know I just praised you on another thread, but you blew it here. How could you use 'legal scholar' in a thread on oxymorons and miss the opportunity?? Shame!

National Guard · April 2004

OOPS! I mentioned this to some people at work. They pointed out that most court rooms no longer require you to swear on the Bible and have taken the references to God out. It is a true statement here in Maryland.

Are there states out there that still do have that wording?

Balloonman · April 2004

James,
While there may have been some concerns with this judge, at least he did not let criminals go with a slap on the wrist. He kicked them in the ass and gave them real sentences!!! A pleasant change from the large number of pathetic weak willed judges out there who do not punish the guilty.
My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

rad · April 2004

I was on a jury and there was no swearing to god, nor was there a bible.

safety · April 2004

Another example would be sanitary landfill. I have never understood this one. I know this is the politically correct version of a city or community dumping area but sanitary landfill, go figure.

Cinderella · April 2004

How about government organization, congressional responsibility, and my favorite: comfortable bra.

Leslie · April 2004

Military intelligence, and Bubba Gump's favorite, jumbo shrimp.

National Guard · April 2004

Military Intelligence was the original oxymoron. Maybe the olderst too! Does anybody know who first said MI was an oxymoron? x:-/

Don D · April 2004

It was NOT Dwight Eisenhower. He had no sense of humor. Rodney Dangerfield? Churchill? Pope Pius?

LarryC · April 2004

Whoever said it had Oliver North in mind.

National Guard · April 2004

Some people attribute it to George Carlin, that he first said it in one of his comedy routines. But, I thought it was some prominant author, who in the 50's was testifying before Congress who first associated oxymoron with MI? Any one out there know for sure? Name of the author? Or is my memory incorrect?

I'll check back tomorrow. TTFN - I am part time!

Parabeagle · April 2004

I do have to agree about MI being an oxymoron. But c'mon, guys! If we didn't have MI, where would the next generation of spooks come from? We have to grow 'em somewhere! x;-)

HRgalME · April 2004

On oxymoron:

The sign that says "Welcome to Maine" right at the point where construction has closed off that road and diverted traffic (they were fixing a bridge).

Should have read "Welcome to Maine, now go home!"

Cyndy

Oxymoron

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