Could You Repeat that Question?

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"Could you repeat the question?" 

I mean when you take that oath, they (those who judge your performance) are apparently really, really serious about it. They could have just asked once, but there are three references in a single sentence to one overriding obligation. Not merely telling it straight but absolutely, unequivocally not fibbing. Even a little. No white lies? Cause they hardly count.

Maybe if Mr. Trump had been asked in a less aggressive fashion, maybe if it had been phrased as more of a suggestion, maybe kind of a request rather than a demand, maybe then he would have testified and clarified the tangled web he wove. Maybe if he didn't have to promise to the God he clearly holds in such high esteem, whose commandments are his North Star. Maybe if he could have used that perfect $59.99 Bible when he was responding to the inquiry. Maybe then he would have been in position to pontificate so that this little misunderstanding could all have been explained to us lesser beings in a manner in which our misconceptions, our misperceptions would have withered on the vine.

But, alas we shall never have that opportunity. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I am almost sure it was the third one that kept Donald from waking from his nap and educating us on the immeasurable value of alternative facts. Instead, he was but the mouth that didn't roar. The defense (and the amazing former and future President) rests.