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Reader comment on:
Patriotism and Piety
in response to reader comment: Romney's use of Samuel Adams

Submitted by John Spencer Yantiss, Dec 7, 2007 17:47

There is nothing shameFUL in enticing, provoking, cajoling, otherwise attempting to persuade others to invoke and reflect upon their own piety--if they possess any--or other deeply-felt and -held beliefs and feelings. To characterise such as "a shameless appeal to their piety," is, contrary to the locution of the context, nothing of which to be Ashamed, but entirely appropriate, shameless--to wit, without shame.

As to manipulating "congress members to their own advantage," that is what is involved in getting others to agree with one, whether in a political scenario, domestic situation, or a professional decision-making process. Human interaction cannot take place without manipulation. It is just such words and terms which modern liberals have given a bad name, because they do not wish anyone but their own to make use of them.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

I think this entire discussion is a waste of effort. I disagree with most of what Mr. Romney says, but... [MORE]

John House 

Dec 9, 2007 11:33

What I find amusing and disturbing is that there is a large proportion of America, poorly educated on both the... [MORE]

Fred Willis 

Dec 8, 2007 11:55

While Central Europe relied upon religious orthodoxy to confer legitimacy upon the reigning sovereign, the result was the unhealthy accretion... [MORE]

Claude Bogardus 

Dec 8, 2007 11:19

I submit that it was Duche's mistake to loose faith in the cause of freedom, not Adam's mistake to have... [MORE]

A. Keller 

Dec 7, 2007 11:32

The Constitution rules out any law making any religious belief a criterion for office. But the electorate can take into account... [MORE]

Joel Meyers 

Dec 8, 2007 14:44

In referring to Samuel Adams's invocation of prayer at the first Continental Congress, Governor Mitt Romney belies his argument that... [MORE]

Bart 

Dec 7, 2007 01:37

I agree with Bart's comment above. I do, unfortunately, think Mitt Romney has the same "self-serving motives" as our founding... [MORE]

Rebecca 

Dec 7, 2007 11:31

Regardless of Sam Adam's motives or Jacob Duche's ultimate disgrace, the gist of what Mr. Romney said is profoundly true.... [MORE]

Dan Dismuke 

Dec 7, 2007 14:50

There is nothing shameFUL in enticing, provoking, cajoling, otherwise attempting to persuade others to invoke and reflect upon their own...

John Spencer Yantiss 

Dec 7, 2007 17:47

While my religious beliefs are not in agreement with Mr. Romney's, I can at least refrain from chiding him for... [MORE]

John Spencer Yantiss 

Dec 9, 2007 04:46

Your insight is a reason I deliberately read viewpoints I disagree with. You are very insightful. Thanks isn't a strong... [MORE]

John House 

Dec 9, 2007 12:39

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