Eugene pointed out that I was being a bit loose with my characterization of Reagan's proclamation -- the actual proclamation was for the Year of the Bible with statements about the Bible being a foundation of our Constitution and such. It is, naturally, carefully worded with the most potentially objectionable statements being taken as quotes from others. I was trying to find (in my papers from a case I handled in the 80s no less) the speech in which Reagan explicitly called the US a "Christian nation," but, with the passage of time, was not able to find it -- I didn't keep much from that file when I left practice for teaching. Here are a couple of webpages with the official proclamation and speeches from Reagan. Sorry for the loose language on my part, but I think the sense is what I said it was -- but deniability reigns. Steve Prof. Steven D. Jamar vox: 202-806-8017 Howard University School of Law fax: 202-806-8567 2900 Van Ness Street NW Washington, DC 20008 http://www.law.howard.edu/faculty/pages/jamar/ "Politics hates a vacuum. If it isn't filled with hope, someone will fill it with fear." Naomi Klein |
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