Case in point...
Posted on 03/19/2008 6:01:31 AM PDT by rellimpank
Thanks to the marketing power of HBO, John Adams is no longer the forgotten American revolutionary — at least for a week.
Adams feared his role would be neglected. Thomas Jefferson got all the credit for writing the Declaration of Independence, even though Adams was on that committee and had suggested that Jefferson draft it, since he was a better writer and a Virginian. (Adams wanted some geographic diversity to bind the southern colonies with New England in a common cause.)
For the same geopolitical reason, Adams proposed that George Washington of Virginia command the Continental Army. Adams also worked with Benjamin Franklin, the best-known American of the day. Little wonder that Adams predicted that future histories of the Revolution would recount that "Dr. Franklin's electrical rod smote the earth and out sprung General Washington. That Franklin electrified him with his rod and thence forward these two conducted all the policy, negotiation, legislation, and war."
Over the years, John Adams was also upstaged by his wife, Abigail. On March 31, 1776, as the Continental Congress discussed independence, she wrote to him that "in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. . . . We are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation."
(Excerpt) Read more at denverpost.com ...
I could not more vehemently disagree. Have you read the book or any history. To say that John Adams played politics is a statement of ignorance. Go back and read what he actually said and what he did. The reason he lost reelection was because of Alexander Hamilton in his own party. The party of Jefferson wanted peace and an alliance with France. Adams’ Federalist party wanted war with France. Adams went against his own party to pursue peace while angering the Jefferson’s party by preparing for war. Adams didn’t play politics he tried to do what was best for the country in a terrible time.
This is not to argue that Adams was perfect. He was not. The Sedition Act was not good. However, it is wrong to try to judge Adams’ actions at that time by today’s standards.
Anyway, there is more, the main issue is that it is incorrect to say that Adams played politics. He tried to do what was right, whether anyone liked it or not.
Those notes don’t exist, but given what was removed and what was put in, its a perfectly fair conclusion. Franklin was not a church-going man, though he briefly attended a Presbyterian congregation. He was what they called a Deist. He believed in “God” as a worthwhile and workable term to use in describing the prime mover of the universe, but that humans could best explore the designs of that God by studying science.
LOL. Actually, after Ennis and Jack part their "separate ways" (after getting fired by their employer for banging eachother rather than herding the sheep), Jack became a rodeo cowboy (who trys to, rather hilareously, pick up the Rodeo Clown in a bar), while Ennis works as a ranch hand overseeing cattle.
I actually saw BBM for the first time a few months ago. Parts of it are unintentionally hilareous, but Heath Ledger, believe it or not, had the classic cowboy (taciturn, proud, masculine) down pat. Jake Gyllenhal, by contrast, looked more like he belonged in the Village People.
We would not recognize our own history when Hollywood was finished with it.
Thank you, we won’t take it personal.
To quote ‘1776’ the musical, Adams was ‘obnoxious and disliked’. He was no demi-god, but, who is.
He also was a man of honor, and loved his wife deeply.
One of those people who I would like to meet.
Correct, as indicated in his autobiography. He was not a religious man, but supported those institutions that he believed provided "moral improvement" to their congregants.
Interestingly enough, despite an urban legend (most recently reference on "Family Guy", of all places), Franklin was NOT a hardcore anti-semite, and even raised money for the Synagougue in Philadelphia.
Yes, I have. Have you ever crafted a sentence in English before?
Adams and Jefferson and their followers gave us a little something called factionalism, which you might recognize today as bitter partisan politics. And Adams most definitely played the game; sorry to burst your bubble.
I would have liked to share a pint (or four) with Samuel Whittemore.
That is very interesting ... Congrats to your son!
I'm not disputing the facts: I'm disputing their tendentious interpretation.
The author as much as says that people were prosecuted simply for being Democrat-Republicans - seeing as how 60% of the electorate were D-Rs and there were only 10 individuals put on trial there were clearly other factors at play besides mere party affiliation.
Again, the law was a bad law because it attempted to apply the laws of libel for the benefit of public institutions on the same basis as for private individuals. But it was not a law against criticism of the government.
It was the difference between printing: "The Attorney General of the United States is incompetent in the discharge of his office" and printing: "The Attorney General of the United States is a spy in the pay of the British."
Case in point...
He was 80 years old at the time. I shouldn’t be surprised, as I have met some tough guys who were in their 90s.
I appreciate that, but if he was to remove one line based on being too close to the pulpit why didnt he remove such preachy lines as “endowed by our creator”, “Laws of Nature and of Natures God”, Divine Providence etc.. his edits show one line dealing with religion while others stood.
What say you?
As a Washingtonian, I do not like Jefferson as a person (he started a rumor that The General was senile, and when Washington called him on it, lied and denied). At the same time, I must respect some of what TJ accomplished.
As far as Adams is concerned, I would volunteer to disassemble the Jefferson Monument and rebuild one to Adams on the same spot. After The General as "the indispensable man" I would say we very well might not have a Republic without Adams.
......all very nonsectarian language that is applicable to any American; and very influenced by Deist philosophy. Our founders didn't mind spiritual language, indeed they thought spirituality underlies our right to be free, they just wanted it nonsectarian and applicable to ANY American.
Well, what is so bad about outlawing libel against the government?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.