comparing dates

i am using sql server ver 7

i am trying to do

select *
from independent_investment_certificate_temp

where independent_investment_certificate_temp.ticker_key = 31

and convert(varchar(40), cast(independent_investment_certificate_temp.maturity_date AS datetime),107) >
convert(varchar(40), cast('2006-12-10 10:29:50.733' AS datetime),107)

independent_investment_certificate_temp.maturity_date value is '2005-01-21 00:00:00.000'
the query above returns a value even though '2005-01-21 00:00:00.000' is clearly < '2006-12-10 10:29:50.733'
but why can anyone plz explain.. how can i compare dates stripping tyhem of the time so that all dates on the same day will be
equivalent regardless of the time

the answer is because you are using style 107

convert(varchar(40), cast('2005-01-21 00:00:00.000' AS datetime),107) is Jan 21, 2005

convert(varchar(40), cast('2006-12-10 10:29:50.733' AS datetime),107) is Dec 10, 2006

'Dec' is less than 'Jan'

QED