[andyfox]

But the ideas, when not put into practice, are empty. And when the opposite of those ideas is put into practice, when the person who penned the ideas had numerous opporutunities in his lifetime, to make a stand, are worse than empty, their deceitful.

I have done a great deal of reading of both Jefferson's writings and writing about him, and I find him probably the most overrated American.

I am not as knowledgable about what Jesus and Moses did in their lifetimes, but my sense is that they had the courage of their convictions; Jefferson did not. So I am somewhat concerned when I see Jefferson quoted for his admirable thoughts when he lived a life of cowardice.