Obama using MLK, Lincoln Bibles during oath
By The Associated Press
This article was published January 10, 2013 at 9:03 a.m.
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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is putting a symbolic twist on a time-honored tradition, taking the oath of office for his second term with his hand placed not on a single Bible but on two — one owned by Martin Luther King Jr. and one by Abraham Lincoln.
The inclusion of King’s Bible is particularly significant since the inauguration comes on Jan. 21, the federal holiday in honor of the civil-rights leader, who delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech 50 years ago at the Lincoln Memorial. Obama will be facing the memorial as he takes the oath. King’s Bible, which his children say he used early in his career as a preacher, has never been part of a presidential inauguration.
The selection of the pair of Bibles announced Thursday is richly symbolic of the struggle for equality in America, beginning with Lincoln’s emancipation of slaves 150 years ago this month, through King’s leadership of the civil-rights movement, and ultimately to Obama becoming the nation’s first black president.
Inaugural planners say Obama plans to place his left hand on the stacked Bibles held by first lady Michelle Obama as he raises his right hand to repeat the oath administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. It hasn’t been determined which will be on top, with Obama’s hand actually resting on it, but King’s is larger, so it may need to be on the bottom.
Obama used the Lincoln Bible while taking the oath four years ago — the first time it had been used since the 16th president’s inauguration in 1861.
Obama’s inaugural committee says that the president plans to use the first lady’s family’s Bible for a private swearing-in at the White House on Sunday, Jan. 20. Public presidential inaugurations traditionally aren’t held on Sundays, even though the Constitution states that a president’s new term begins automatically at noon on the 20th.
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inquire says... January 10, 2013 at 5:57 p.m.
(sigh.) Those snide comments aren't exactly a big display of Christian spirit. If Obama were a Muslim, and he is not, according to the constitution, which right wingers claim to hold in regard, it would not be a problem.
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T6 says... January 10, 2013 at 6:21 p.m.
Being an enlightened Christian Inquire, YOU know how to sling those snide remarks Eh?
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T6 says... January 10, 2013 at 6:25 p.m.
Inquire....As a "christian" you condone Obama placing his hand on the Word of God and LYING?
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inquire says... January 10, 2013 at 6:38 p.m.
You are not the One with the knowledge of who is lying and who isn't.
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T6 says... January 10, 2013 at 6:59 p.m.
Where have you been? If his lips are moving he's lying.
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BarichMilhusseinObamaNixonPOTUS says... January 10, 2013 at 7:36 p.m.
The symbolism that I see is using bibles from 2 killed by assassins bullets during a raging battle about gun control.
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djigoo says... January 10, 2013 at 7:49 p.m.
Look at all the Christian behavior here! Jesus would spit on each of you were he to return. Why are there so many hypocritical morons in Arkansas? Inbreeding?
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Populist says... January 10, 2013 at 8:19 p.m.
The Tea Party people pass out pamphlets about the original meaning of the Constitution. They think that they understand the Constitution better than James Madison even though they have never studied the Federalist Papers or constitutional law. Consequently, if a President thinks that it would be a good idea for the citizens to have access to healthcare and he is able to get such a law passed by Congress, they somehow believe that healthcare is unconstitutional because it was not provided by the government during the early years of the country. These people have no understanding of the powers of Congress and the President. They cannot distinguish between whether a law is a valid exercise of authority or whether it is in the best interests of public policy. If the Tea Partiers think that it is wrong, then gosh darn it, it must be unconstitutional. While I wish the government would scale back, I actually like healthcare. If people have access to healthcare, they make better workers. I believe healthcare is pro capitalism and the American way.
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djigoo says... January 10, 2013 at 8:30 p.m.
The average Teabagger needs an operations manual for toothpicks.
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inquire says... January 11, 2013 at 12:32 a.m.
They have short memories. They conveniently forget how many, many films and transcripts were shown to prove that Romney lied constantly. They don't specify what lies, or provide any evidence, just hatefully call PRESIDENT OBAMA a liar.
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T6 says... January 11, 2013 at 1:24 p.m.
Inquire.... Wow! To a low information voter such as yourself, evidently it doesn't matter if Obama lies. Here I'll give you 3 big ones from the Liar-in-Chief:
One, he believes in the free enterprise system; two, he believes in self-reliance; three, he thinks people should be rewarded for their hard work, those my dear are from the 2nd debate.
He lied about Benghazi.
Inquire.. Here some more Big ones he's told........youtu. be/o8R5GvwUFU8
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inquire says... January 11, 2013 at 1:27 p.m.
Not proof, just bluster from Rush, O'Reilly, Beck, Alex, et al.
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BarichMilhusseinObamaNixonPOTUS says... January 11, 2013 at 1:53 p.m.
Obama has never lied in his life; just ask inquire. They walk on water together, hand in hand and smiling
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BillSmith says... January 11, 2013 at 3:15 p.m.
T6........He lied about Benghazi. That's like saying T6 is a liar because one of his kids lied.
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Packman says... January 11, 2013 at 3:56 p.m.
Hey USTill - Excellent point on the symbolism of association with presidential assasinations and gun control. Will be interesting to see if that seed is planted in the media via DNC talking points or the usual "unnamed sources".
Hey BillSmith - Obama lied about Benghazi when he spent over a week blaming the attack on some goofy spontaneous protest when he knew full well it was an orchestrated terrorist attack. He was given information it was a terrorist attack. He chose to lie and run with the spontaneous protest because he felt acknowledgement of a legitimate terrorist attack would kill his claim of success on the war on terrorism and possibly cost him the election. BH lied, useful idiots cried. Make up your own jokes.........
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BillSmith says... January 11, 2013 at 6:53 p.m.
T6........I have heard talk about putting Obama on Mt. Rushmoore. What do think about that?
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NoCrossNoCrown says... January 12, 2013 at 1:41 a.m.
Djigoo....don't they have to have teeth to need one in the first place??
Maybe that is what confuses them the most about what a toothpick is for????
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T6 says... January 12, 2013 at 10:57 a.m.
BillSmith...... WHY not? Isn't it ALL Obama ALL the time anyway? He'll probably just have HIS face there since he is the GREATEST! Just ask him or any of his minions. EH?
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BarichMilhusseinObamaNixonPOTUS says... January 12, 2013 at 4:26 p.m.
NoCross-I'm pretty sure djigoo prefers men with no teeth, liberal or conservative.
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HM2 says... January 12, 2013 at 8:43 p.m.
Just goes to show this hypocrite will lie on s STACK of bibles
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RonalFos says... January 13, 2013 at 8:49 a.m.
I don't want to hear anyone who supported or voted for Romney complaining about lying. It would take almost no work at all to compile videos of him saying one thing one day and the opposite the next. If you voted for him your lying complaints are falling on deaf ears.
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djigoo says... January 13, 2013 at 1:02 p.m.
Stay classy, UStill! I'm sure your fellow conservatives here applaud the way you represent them.
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