Judge sworn in with hand on dictionary

[Are_grits_groceries]

KINGSTON, N.Y., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- A judge in New York state took the oath of office with his hand placed on a dictionary rather than a book of scripture because officials could find no Bible.

The glitch, in a packed courtroom of the historic Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y., provided "a light moment" in the swearing-in of Donald A. Williams as Ulster County judge, the Daily Freeman of Kingston reported Sunday.

Williams said later he didn't mind using a dictionary instead of a Bible because the swearing-in Saturday was purely ceremonial.

The former district attorney, a Republican, officially became the county judge Friday.

U.S. government officials are not required to swear in on a Bible, but most do so as a demonstration of the binding nature of the promise. The act also adds solemnity to the ceremony.
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/01/03/Judge-sworn-in-with-hand-on-dictionary/UPI-30651262579426/

He will need to look up 'shit creek' if the fundies hear about this.

[Mari333]

1. hahahha

I swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States, so help me Aardvark

[zbdent]

3. Bush swore on the Bible to uphold the constipation of the United States ...

[BurtWorm]

2. In the beginning were the words

Let's hope he starts a trend.

[The Doctor.]

13. "In The Beginning there was 'Aaabeduation',"

What sucks is getting to the 'End Times' and finding Zoophilia there.

[RayOfHope]

4. I wouldn't call that a glitch, lol. I'd personally prefer the dicitonary. n/t

[StarfarerBill]

5. Ditto.

[Happyhippychick]

6. Tritto.

[The_Commonist]

8. Tritto?

I like that!

[Happyhippychick]

19. Feel free to use. I stole it as well!

[The Doctor.]

14. Quitto.

:P

[Odin2005]

20. Quintto.

:)

[The Doctor.]

21. Dang! I been 'ittoed up'.

Touché

:P

[The Doctor.]

24. Dang! I been 'ittoed up'.

Touché

:P

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. I would too

[tanyev]

7. "....so help me, Webster."

[SmileyRose]

9. I'm waiting for someone to take an oath of office with a hand on "The Joy of Sex".

[redwitch]

10. For many politicians that would be appropriate.

I would take the oath on the "Joy of Cooking". So help me butter.

[redwitch]

11. Or on the entire Harry Potter series.

So help me Mrs. Norris.

[hootinholler]

12. Damn, I was hopeful he was making a statement with this.

I agree, we need to publicize the incident.

-Hoot

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. What does it matter if it's a bible or a dictionary?

It's like vampires, they have to fear the item for it to mean anything.

[WolverineDG]

17. Hopefully it was a Webster & not the OED nt

[jmowreader]

18. Lots of dictionaries have the Constitution in them. Maybe this is better.

No American politician, soldier or judge should swear to uphold and defend the Bible.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

22. So help me, Merriam-Webster.

[RedCloud]

23. Word!