Letter: The contradiction in Bowers' oath

People's commentaries on Rusty Bowers' appearance before the Jan. 6 committee got me thinking. I've heard it said that he is a principled hero who took his oath of office seriously. His testimony was riveting. He described the pressure he was under to engage in an attempt to change the results of an election. There were threats to his career and the threats personally to him and his family. But he would not violate the oath he took. It showed courage.

However, the day after the hearing, he said if Donald Trump were to run again in 2024, he would vote for him. He said he liked what Trump had done before COVID.

That reminded me of the story of the reporter who asked, "Aside from that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?" That aside, what truly struck me was the dichotomy created by this man. He would not violate an oath he took, but would support a man for whom oaths mean nothing.

In effect, it appears Bowers would render his oath meaningless by maintaining the high moral ground for himself yet still supporting others who would have no problem being in the moral gutter. It might let Bowers feel good about himself while others do the dirty deeds.

Ed Dassow

Lombard