"..as America is no more a Christian Nation than it is a Jewish or a Mohammedan..."

[piece-itpete]

It sure looks intellectually dishonest to me. Let's redefine 'quote' as we see fit.

Or in that case, why is it attributed to the Treaty at all? Why is a Treaty different than a statement by the President? Or didn't the Treaty need the consent of the Senate back then. They ALL can be quoted saying anything in any treaty?

Pete

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

It sure looks intellectually dishonest to me. Let's redefine 'quote' as we see fit.

Or in that case, why is it attributed to the Treaty at all? Why is a Treaty different than a statement by the President? Or didn't the Treaty need the consent of the Senate back then. They ALL can be quoted saying anything in any treaty?

Pete

Pete, you're just being goofy today!

If Dave were to replace Adams' name with the name of the treaty would you be happy? If he does, do you realize that it gives the quote more weight? It becomes a statement of official United States policy and law, not just the opinion of some politician.

Here's a quote for you:

"When you find yourself in a hole stop digging."

Will Rogers said that. Really, he did. Nobody else wrote it for him.

John

[Fast_Eddie]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

It sure looks intellectually dishonest to me.

Okay Pete. Stick with me on this. I agree... but.

You are technically correct. He didn't say it. We wouldn't attribute it to him in a newscast. Here's the 'but'.

But what is your point? Are you suggesting that he didn't believe it? Later you suggest that every member of Congress was also party to it. Are you suggesting that they didn't believe it either? Okay, would George W Bush have signed such a document? Would the Republicans in Congress have agreed to that language in the treaty? I can tell you right now the answer is no on both counts.

What does that tell us? It tells us that they were indeed much more liberal in their positions on religion than we are today. Which, I believe, is counter to your argument. You have in fact demonstrated exactly the point the miss-quite was attempting to make.

So you are right. Which in fact proves that you are wrong.

[piece-itpete]

My point is simply that you wouldn't attirute it to him as a quote.

Further than that, nothing. As a matter of fact it doesn't do me any favors, because folks today can't see the realpolitik that drove it.

Pete