Exactly - so many of these hearings are a waste of time/money to begin with, only the swearing in of witnesses gives them any credibility at all.
Without at least oath taking, the hearings would have long ago degenerated into forums for DU ranters, conspiracy nuts, and other assorted kooks.
True. The problem is that people still get up there and lie and there doesn't seem to be any repercussions. And how about those damned Senators that sit up there in judgment lying through their teeth the whole time? The entire process is a joke.
And another thing....(lol).....the people who do take an oath and then lie know they are doing so with plenty of political cover. That is why it is such a friggen farce. Congress has little integrity, and with the advent of CSpan and other news media, they have no friggen clothes either. And it's NOT pretty!