Dueling Banjos

Ahh Kentucky...a state that keeps getting funnier every time a lawmaker checks the books.

When elected officials take the oath of office, a collective snicker usually goes around the room when they must solemnly swear they've never fought a duel or acted as a second in a duel.

The idea dates to the Civil War era, when dueling was common.

But today, that part of the oath is antiquated and promotes the stereotype that Kentucky is a backward state, according to a state representative who's pre-filed a bill to do away with it.

"Dueling is, evidently, part of our history, and it needs to become just that - history," said Rep. Darryl Owens, D-Louisville, an attorney.

There were 41 recorded duels in Kentucky between 1790 and 1867, and in 1891 the legislature added the dueling clause to the oath of office to discourage people from using violence to settle disputes, according to an article on the Secretary of State's Web site.

"It may very well have served a purpose in the past," Owens said. "It does not serve a purpose anymore."

Kentucky is the only state in the nation to require its elected officials to swear they've never fought a duel.

"It just reinforces what I think is a negative impression some people have about our state," Owens said.

Well, and Jim Bunning and Rand Paul certainly aren't helping, either.  If you're really worried about the negative image the state has, stop doing stupid things in Frankfort, and stop electing idiots like Jim Bunning to represent the state.

Besides, given the current civil war climate of the GOP, you might want to reconsider keeping the duel oath in place as a precaution for future GOP lawmakers in the state.