Pierce was the first to affirm, but not the only one. Herbert Hoover, being a Quaker, also affirmed instead of swearing, though he did use a Bible. (see for instance: http://inaugural.senate.gov/history/factsandfirsts/)

I've read that John Quincy Adams didn't use a Bible either, but perhaps there might just be a lack of evidence to come down to us.

Wasn't there a Yes Minster episode about this? Obese smokers bravely laying down their lives to save the NHS money?

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows when you've been bad or good but he's an indifferent elder god who takes as much notice of the doings of mortals as we do with mitochondria
so be good if you want to, it won't matter

I've had two different vintages of the Utopias, the 2002 which I bought myself, and the 2005 which was a gift to our beer club from Marius, the owner of the excellent Trinity Irish Pub in Dallas. The 2002 I found very "hot" and nearly undrinkable. The 2005 (sampled after 2 years of aging, split among 7 people) was much better, very complex, and reasonably tasty.

Both of them were at least better than the absolutely disgusting Sam Adams Triple Bock of the mid-90s (at 17.5%).

The only other really good, very strong beer I can think of is Dogfish Head's Raison d'Extra, a 20% version of their Raison d'Etre. Their Fort (18%) and 120 Minuate (21%) were interesting and complex, but not beers that I really enjoyed. Nearly everything else I've had above 12 or 13% has ranged the gamut between unpleasant and undrinkable.