Quote Originally Posted by Bob's World View Post
True that Freedom House did not exist in that era, but I for one endorse the criteria they apply as being as good a set of timeless, universal metric as any.
Well of course you do. Most folks around today would agree. So would have many from circa 1789. Your agreement with their criteria though might have more credibility had you been an adult back then. Or not -- you may have disagreed on some points.

We'll never know, will we...

We do know you just proved you also can cherry pick, howsomeever...