So... is anyone watching this John Adams on HBO? I'm really digging the series. Makes me want to read the book (having already read 1776).

But back to TJ: "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

Political dissent is the only true measure of a democracy. I'd say the US is faring well, but not up to ideal American standards. There's room for improvement.

I bought a truck today. (stunned look) After nearly two decades as a professional driver I fianlly have a vehicle that is mine alone. Just a little Ford Ranger, but I'm thrilled.

Happy b-day, President Jefferson!

Who Says Iraq is Not a ‘Jeffersonian’ Democracy?

http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=1730

I kind of miss the constitution. I kind of miss other things, too. Like usury laws, and anti-trust laws, and - oh, I don't know - maybe just laws.

I also miss (to digress), a somewhat unified Democratic party. Had you asked me 6 months ago whether John McCain could be a serious contender for the office of President of the United States - numero uno protector of the constitution - and pose a serious problem for the Democratic pary, I probably would have scoffed.

No more. And that brings us to Hillary.

Hillary has become Part of the Problem (PP, aptly).

If McCain wins the election, the fault lies entirely with Clinton. At a time when she should be strengthening the party she is creating division (perhaps Larry Grant could teach her a thing or two). At a time when she should be resisting John McCain she is working in concert with him. And she wastes the potential goodwill effect that a former, popluar president could bring to bear in this struggle.

Speaking of bitter, and speaking of former president Bill Clinton, I thought I would always respect him, flaws and all. Now I, also, am becoming bitter in that respect.

Perhaps it is time for those shining lights of political wisdom, the super-duper delegates, to put an end to this idiocy.

Wow, thats a great video.

" But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

A bill of particulars documenting the king's "repeated injuries and usurpations" of the Americans' rights and liberties. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States "

......Just substitute "President for "King of Great Britain".......

Remember Habeas Corpus. I sure do miss Habeas Corpus.

smike @ 7:

I kind of miss the constitution. I kind of miss other things, too. Like usury laws, and anti-trust laws, and - oh, I don't know - maybe just laws.

I also miss (to digress), a somewhat unified Democratic party. Had you asked me 6 months ago whether John McCain could be a serious contender for the office of President of the United States - numero uno protector of the constitution - and pose a serious problem for the Democratic pary, I probably would have scoffed.

No more. And that brings us to Hillary.

Hillary has become Part of the Problem (PP, aptly).

If McCain wins the election, the fault lies entirely with Clinton. At a time when she should be strengthening the party she is creating division (perhaps Larry Grant could teach her a thing or two). At a time when she should be resisting John McCain she is working in concert with him. And she wastes the potential goodwill effect that a former, popluar president could bring to bear in this struggle.

Speaking of bitter, and speaking of former president Bill Clinton, I thought I would always respect him, flaws and all. Now I, also, am becoming bitter in that respect.

Perhaps it is time for those shining lights of political wisdom, the super-duper delegates, to put an end to this idiocy.

Actually, had you not guzzled so much of the Kool-Aid you would realize that Hillary is standing tall to save the party from a empty-suited bamboozler who has zero chance against McSame.

Zero.

Enough about Barry the Ignorant here is what President Jefferson had to say about such travesties as many watched tonight, the so-called 'Faith Forum' a pathetic attempt by Barry to dog-whistle the ReichWing fundies on the Conservative News Network:

'I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.’ ---Thomas Jefferson.

Got that? Trying to pretend Hillary is like Annie Oakley just shows what a dumb fuck you are Barry. And it does not fool the folks like me who'd die to keep a religious tyranny from taking over the government form recognizing just who you are....

The enemy pal.

I botched that quotation, it includes the ending of the Preamble and the beginning of the indictment against the Kings influence in the colonies, and should read:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States".........(contd.)

oh, and i dont think adams would have gone out of his way to smear jefferson...they were close friends, despite their political differences....hamilton on the other hand would have had no prob whatsoever

and please, watch the show or read the book and see the parallels to today...especially when adams creates the alien sedition act

he hated the french cuz they had more fun

The Constitutional Conspiracy:

Courts Colluding With White House
to Avoid Accountability

http://www.wethepeoplefoundation.org/UPDATE/Update2008-04-12.htm

Back in school when I was a wee lad I read a history book about the Jefferson-Adams letters. Although the became good friend in later life they argued politics and theology long after they left their political lives.
The strangest “Twilight Zone” coincidence is that they were the only two men who signed the Declaration of Independence that later became presidents, and they both died on the 50th anniversary of this country, July 4, 1826!

Paul: It's not a coincidence. It's the Freemason/Illuminati connection.

MountainMan23 @ 19:

Pentagon funds aid polygamous sect
http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/04/13/886162.aspx

By Tim Sandler, NBC News Investigative Unit

As a child-abuse investigation continues at a polygamous compound in Texas, NBC News has learned who helped fund the controversial sect.

It was the U.S. Department of Defense.
...
------------------

Our tax dollars at work ..

thanks MountainMan. This morning my ditto-head dad said to me, "What? Are you gonna blame the Bush and the government for that polygamous stuff?"
I think I'll send an email to him...with love.

bryan @ 1:

So... is anyone watching this John Adams on HBO? I'm really digging the series. Makes me want to read the book (having already read 1776).

But back to TJ: "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

Political dissent is the only true measure of a democracy. I'd say the US is faring well, but not up to ideal American standards. There's room for improvement.

It's actually pretty depressing to watch because you can see how it all started going wrong from the start in terms of the bickering between political parties at the expense of the American people.

#23: Mountainman:
"On Friday our WarLord President admits he approved TORTURE .. and then he rolls out the red carpet for the Pope .."

I wonder if they'll discuss W's grand-daddy Prescott Bush..........

A.Citizen @ 13:

smike @ 7:

I kind of miss the constitution. I kind of miss other things, too. Like usury laws, and anti-trust laws, and - oh, I don't know - maybe just laws.

I also miss (to digress), a somewhat unified Democratic party. Had you asked me 6 months ago whether John McCain could be a serious contender for the office of President of the United States - numero uno protector of the constitution - and pose a serious problem for the Democratic pary, I probably would have scoffed.

No more. And that brings us to Hillary.

Hillary has become Part of the Problem (PP, aptly).

If McCain wins the election, the fault lies entirely with Clinton. At a time when she should be strengthening the party she is creating division (perhaps Larry Grant could teach her a thing or two). At a time when she should be resisting John McCain she is working in concert with him. And she wastes the potential goodwill effect that a former, popluar president could bring to bear in this struggle.

Speaking of bitter, and speaking of former president Bill Clinton, I thought I would always respect him, flaws and all. Now I, also, am becoming bitter in that respect.

Perhaps it is time for those shining lights of political wisdom, the super-duper delegates, to put an end to this idiocy.

Actually, had you not guzzled so much of the Kool-Aid you would realize that Hillary is standing tall to save the party from a empty-suited bamboozler who has zero chance against McSame.

Zero.

Enough about Barry the Ignorant here is what President Jefferson had to say about such travesties as many watched tonight, the so-called 'Faith Forum' a pathetic attempt by Barry to dog-whistle the ReichWing fundies on the Conservative News Network:

'I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.’ ---Thomas Jefferson.

Got that? Trying to pretend Hillary is like Annie Oakley just shows what a dumb fuck you are Barry. And it does not fool the folks like me who'd die to keep a religious tyranny from taking over the government form recognizing just who you are....

The enemy pal.

Here's the YouTube speech of Obama calling HRC "Annie Oakley". It's around the 4:15 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIxmi3e2Vmo&eurl=http://www.huffingtonpos...

Calling Al Sharpton, Calling Al Sharpton

Last Wed afternoon I was on the road making a delivery to one of our many coal mines here in Texas, and screaming at the radio as I was listening to the Glenn Beck show. What he signed off with was even more repulsive than usual, downright racist as hell, imo.

He proceeded to play some tune from the Monkees, mentioned that this band learned to play in the trees, asked his listeners if they knew who they were, and then said he couldn't tell them, because he would be accused of being racist.

Well, he was damn sure right about that. Imo the Imus insult that so enraged Al Sharpton was no more offensive than this one. Why does CNN continue to have this buffoon on, and why do his advertisers support his show? Are they racists too? Maybe if Al Sharpton were to get on his case over these comments, the rest of the media bandwagon would jump on board. Just think of it Al, cameras, lights, Mics, exposure....it's all there for the taking.

35 Carol Says: We have three people running for president who made this affirmation and accepted jobs as Senators.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

I want one newsperson to ask each of them how the public can expect them to be a good president when they are not doing their jobs as Senators (missing votes, etc.).

Do you know of any person in the “real world” that can take a year plus to go look for a new job, keep the old one, and still get paid to do the job they are not doing? I don’t. Just askin’.

I have looked for better jobs while I was still employed so I don't have a problem with this as long as they are there when it counts.

Breaking News: Cheney challenges Hillary to a hunting contest!

Yeah, Happy Birthday Tom...and, oh, by the way, the Reverend Jeremiah White also sends his regards...

http://www.blogrunner.com/snapshot/D/2/9/jeremiah_wright_sounds_off_at_e...

Geez, I sure learned a lot from that statement.

A.Citizen @ 13:

Thanks for the link to your site. You wrote some wise words:

...just keep it civil or you will be hammered....

And do try and avoid teh Awsome ‘My candidate is cool your’s sucks….’ sort of argument.

Very well put.

The Clinton Connection:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/798292.html

Israel, U.S. sign nuclear cooperation agreement:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/974486.html

I second those comments about the HBO show John Adams. When I was watching the 2nd episode when Adams gave his speech for Independence I couldn't help but get teary eyed:

"I believe sirs the hour has come... My judgement approves this measure and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life I am now ready to stake upon it. While I now live, let me have a country. A free country."

I got weepy because I then thought of the Chimp currently in office and knowing he would never make such a speech.

Adams and the others were risking their not only the lives of the soldiers fighting for them but also their own lives as King George pretty much gave them a death sentence if they didn't stop rebelling. That took guts - that is lacking in Washington today.

One of my favorite stories about Adams (and I nearly always favored the Jeffersonian side of any debate), was his defense of the British soldiers charged with the Boston Massacre. It was hardly a popular defense - especially for a budding revolutionary - yet he took the case because he believed it was the right thing to do. And he won... in Boston. That's a hell of a lawyer.

McCain and his wife own eight beutiful houses. They are worth over 100 million dollars!

McCain sounds like the real ELITIST. They should call him the straight talking elitist express. McCain says all of those little people are not bitter! How can they be bitter? They have cake do they not?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/it-takes-real-chutzpah-fo_b...

Yeah, Adams was a Bushie...ever hear of liberty poles?
Now that we have the tubes we have them again.

Link

Read this one chapter and you will be hooked.

Been a while, it was this chapter (29); Link

. In Vermont an editor was imprisoned for stating that he could support an executive who maintained constitutional rights, but not one who would not. Almost immediately following on this, a revival of the old-time "liberty poles" spread through New England, starting in the southwest corner of Vermont and in the section between Boston and Providence. In this case, these liberty poles were poles set in the ground, surmounted by red, or by red, white, and blue, and bearing placards containing anonymous denunciations of the Alien and Sedition Laws. There was an organization behind these, that called itself the "Men of ’75," and claimed to be reviving the old-time idea of civil disobedience, but whose membership was never precisely known to the outside public. Where the original passive-resistance and liberty-pole idea sprang from, or who inspired it, never became known, and it seems to have become one of those leaderless rebel movements which were so common in the New England history. The uprising centered around a certain section of southwestern Vermont, including Bennington and Wallingford

Yuh, Cheney Adams was a control freak too, good read

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are like Bible verses. They are written in broad sweeping language subject to wide interpretation. Most Supreme Court decisions are split 5-4 or 6-3. Learned men and women on the nation's highest court, who devote their entire lives to the study of the damn documents, cannot agree on what they mean.

Jefferson sounds like an elitist

Sorry about the spelling...

That's 'Undaunted Courage," by Stephen E. Ambrose.

Daily Reading pt 1...

Earth Day - Tuesday April 22nd - please wear blue

Getting Cooler? What the World Meteorological Organization Actually Said - http://www.desmogblog.com/getting-cooler-what-the-world-meteorological-o...
For the past week, the breathless buzz on the global warming denier blogs and radio programs has been about a certain BBC News article regarding the temporary cooling effect of El Niña this year.
"La Niña modulates climate variability. There has always been and there will always be cooler and warmer years, but what is important for climate change in the present context is that the trend is still upwards; the global climate on an average is warming despite the temporary cooling brought about by La Niña."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: The Next President’s First Task - http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/rfk_manifesto200805

What Role Will EPA Play In Climate Action? GOP Strategy Announced, and its insane - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/role-_epa-climate-action-gop-str...
As if you really needed another reason to vote & VOTE Democratic in November....

Bill Clinton 1991 Flashback:"All These Economically Insecure White People...Are Scared To Death" - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/13/bill-clinton-flashback-al_n_964...

Survey Results In: Local PA Voters not as dumb/bitter as HRC, CM or Mydd think - http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/13/111644/425/469/494812
If you want to know how the good folks of PA are taking notice to bitter-gate...Instead, if we want to see what is going on let us take a look at what the local PA papers are saying about this. When looking at what is being said in the local papers across PA we see there is no traction concerning this dumb ass non-story.

Obama Was Just Talking About the Manipulative Use of Wedge Issues. Yes, He Could Have Said it Better, But He's Right.
- http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_frenchie_080413__22bitter_22_dou...

Mysterious Earthquakes Off Oregon - http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1730355,00.html?xid=feed-...

US GIs in Iraq suffer worst week of '08 - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/iraq;_ylt=AgTh4S6eBeYUCIXdxVNWYQhX6GMA

She is running around talking about how this is an insult to sportsmen, how she values the Second Amendment. She's talking like she's Annie Oakley," Obama said, invoking the famed female sharpshooter immortalized in the musical "Anne Get Your Gun." Obama continued, saying "Hillary Clinton is out there like she's on the duck blind every Sunday. She's packing a six-shooter. Come on, she knows better. That's some politics being played by Hillary Clinton."
- http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080414/ap_on_el_pr/obama;_ylt=AjDT4xAVym2PK...

The Coming War with Iran: It's About the Oil, Stupid - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-lauria/the-coming-war-with-iran_b_9642...
It's been known for at least 30 years that America needs alternative energy sources. But instead of an alternative energy plan we got the invasion of Iraq by oilmen wedded to a dying business, willing to kill hundreds of thousands to cling to the last drop. The US is never leaving the region or withdrawing from Iraq. McCain is right about staying, but 100 years is too long. The oil won't last that long. Iran is next.

Its a Recession, officially: Economic woes hit American stomachs - http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/04/11/economy.food.shopping.ap/...
Americans are rethinking their shopping lists by eliminating pricier food items, increasing purchases of store brands, and for some going to food banks to supplement. I guess that seals the deal, this is officially a recession.

Daily Reading pt 2...

Democrats Seek Federal Court Investigation of McCain Financing - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080413/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_fec
Democratic Party officials want a federal judge to order an investigation into whether Sen. John McCain violated election laws by withdrawing from public financing, saying federal regulators are too weak to act on their own. A lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission, to be filed Monday in U.S. District Court, questions the agency's ability to enforce the law and review McCain's decision to opt out of the system.
Gee...already acting like 'a king'....McBush = Bush

Bush Legacy, Chapter One: War Crimes - http://www.atlargely.com/2008/04/your-legacy-mr.html

Winning Back the White Working Class - http://ourfuture.org/blog-entry/bringng-white-working-class-progressive-majority

Think Progress: Trent Lott: ‘I haven’t paid for lunch in 30 years.’ - http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/11/lott-i-havent-paid-for-lunch-in-30-y...

Bitter Voters for Obama - http://www.bittervoters.org/

WP: Obama Pushes Economic Populism - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/12/AR200804...
Obama 08....

Unverified Report from the Scotsman of the U.K.: "Carter and Gore to end Clinton bid" - http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/It39s-Obama-stupid-Carter-and.3976738.jp

Inventing John McCain, maverick icon of American duty and patriotism, is as much a literary creation as a political one. Meet the author.
- http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/04/13/inventing_jo...

One of Minnesota's last uncommitted Democratic superdelegates is backing Barack Obama, the Obama campaign announced Sunday.
- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNxTApa2sQRu0Xx99P3jt2bEXw7gD900UL7G0

Daily Reading pt 3...

Mysterious Earthquakes Off Oregon - http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1730355,00.html?xid=feed-...

US GIs in Iraq suffer worst week of '08 - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/iraq;_ylt=AgTh4S6eBeYUCIXdxVNWYQhX6GMA

She is running around talking about how this is an insult to sportsmen, how she values the Second Amendment. She's talking like she's Annie Oakley," Obama said, invoking the famed female sharpshooter immortalized in the musical "Anne Get Your Gun." Obama continued, saying "Hillary Clinton is out there like she's on the duck blind every Sunday. She's packing a six-shooter. Come on, she knows better. That's some politics being played by Hillary Clinton."
- http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080414/ap_on_el_pr/obama;_ylt=AjDT4xAVym2PK...

The Coming War with Iran: It's About the Oil, Stupid - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-lauria/the-coming-war-with-iran_b_9642...
It's been known for at least 30 years that America needs alternative energy sources. But instead of an alternative energy plan we got the invasion of Iraq by oilmen wedded to a dying business, willing to kill hundreds of thousands to cling to the last drop. The US is never leaving the region or withdrawing from Iraq. McCain is right about staying, but 100 years is too long. The oil won't last that long. Iran is next.

Its a Recession, officially: Economic woes hit American stomachs - http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/04/11/economy.food.shopping.ap/...
Americans are rethinking their shopping lists by eliminating pricier food items, increasing purchases of store brands, and for some going to food banks to supplement. I guess that seals the deal, this is officially a recession.

Bush Administration Set to Use New Spy Program in U.S. Can we stop the Dem primary bickering and put a stop to the Bush-Cheney encroachments on our civil liberties?
- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/11/AR2008041103655.html

May the truth force be with you: Gandhi, King, and climate change - http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/4/10/134110/660

Exposed: Private Security Firms Caught Dumpster Diving and Spying on Environmental Groups - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/spying-dumpster-diving.php
From the crack team of investigative journalists at Mother Jones comes this disturbing, though not at all surprising, tale of corporate intrigue -- one that should raise concerns among all environmentally (and civil liberty) friendly observers.

Well, one of my representatives here in Georgia will NOT support a special prosecutor to investigate the Bush-gang's torture program. Here's Saxby Chambliss's response to my letter. Other Georgians should FLOOD his office with protests.

=====

Thank you for your letter regarding the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) interrogation program and the appointment of a special counsel. It is good to hear from you.

The CIA's high-value terrorist detention and interrogation program has been helpful in disrupting terrorist operations and saving lives. The program is a crucial pillar of U.S. counterterrorism efforts and the largest source of insight into al- Qa'ida for the United States and its allies. Reporting from these former CIA detainees has prevented numerous terrorist attacks, such as the West Coast Airliner Plot which sought to replicate the hijacking of airplanes and crash them into buildings on the West Coast of the United States .

One of the key tools in the Global War on Terror has been the information we have gleaned from the terrorists themselves. Detainees who have been in the inner circle of al- Qa'ida and occupy some of the most important positions in al- Qa'ida have information that cannot be obtained from any other source. Detainees have confirmed that al- Qa'ida continues to work on operations against the U.S. and its allies.

In the past, the CIA was authorized to use waterboarding as an enhanced interrogation technique under specific circumstances and with specific approval. Out of the 20,000 plus detainees in the custody of the U.S. Government, the CIA has held less than a hundred detainees throughout the history of its program. Of these, only three high value detainees- Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, Abu Zubaydah , and Abd al- Rahim al- Nashiri were subjected to waterboarding . This was under circumstances where the detainees held timely and critical knowledge about al- Qa'ida's operational plans to attack America and kill our citizens. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, of which I am a member, has thoroughly reviewed this program's history, continues to monitor the CIA's interrogation methods and has found it both legal and effective.

Recently, highly sensitive information became public regarding the existence and destruction of videotapes of early interrogations. At the time, the CIA informed its Congressional oversight committees of the existence of the tapes and of their subsequent destruction. The videotapes were used as an internal check on the interrogation program and were later destroyed after it was determined that there were no legal impediments to doing so and to protect the interrogators and detainees' identities.

The Director of the CIA, General Michael Hayden, has been forthright with Congress and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice.

If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov . Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.

Radically Moderate @ 63:

In regards to his signing statements, should we be referring to Bush as the ex post facto President?

maybe the ex-Post-it Note facto President? ;)

Balfour @ 47:

The Clinton Connection:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/798292.html

Israel and the U.S. sign nuclear cooperation agreement:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/974486.html

Thanks for these excellent links.

samdog @ 75:

Karen @ 6:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator . . .

That "Creator" line is just about as close as it comes to even mentioning "God" n the Declaration.

Actually, you're wrong. Now, I'm pretty sure all the regulars here know I'm a passionate defender of the separation of church and state, so I'll try not to worry about my credibility on that front. But I'm also pretty passionate about historical truth. (After all, the theocrats in our midst love to revise history, especially when it comes to the founders.)

But the Declaration of Independence (unlike the Constitution), does reference "God" and "Divine Providence."

The first sentence of the Declaration reads:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. [emphasis mine]

Now, it's important to note that Thomas Jefferson often used the term "Nature's God." For Jefferson, God (if he existed) was to be sought through the study of nature. God's existence was to be doubted, and and thus pursued like any other scientific hypothesis, and if "Nature's God" were indeed a conscious entity, then he likely approved of such an intellectual pursuit of him.

As for what the other signatories to the Declaration believed the words meant when they added their respective names, who knows?

And that brings us to the last sentence in the Declaration:

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. [emphasis mine]

Here we actually have some evidence that the signatories did know what Jefferson meant by "Nature's God," and weren't quite satisfied with the (often-regarded-as-atheist) author, for this last line was not in the draft Jefferson originally submitted to the Continental Congress. It was an amendment that some members insisted upon including, to which Jefferson largely responded, "Whatever."

It's also important to note here, that they could have written "God," or "Jesus," or "the true living God," but they didn't. A collection of people of many different Christian sects, and prominent Deists/agnostics like Franklin and Jefferson, they all agreed on "firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence." This is not so much a statement of natural law (like the first sentence with "Nature's God"), but an emphasis on just how righteous they believed their cause of independency to be.

As for your statement:

..so much for the "Christian nation" idea.

Amen! ;)