John Adams

[spdirty]

Been waiting for this miniseries to start for months. Its on HBO. Its a miniseries. Did the first 2 parts of the 7 part series tonight. Watch and discuss.

A few pussies from SC, NY, and PA in the Continental Congress.

Made Adams out to be just a no bullshlt guy. Damn series to watch so far.

[Rohirrim]

Watched it last night. Really well done. Excellent. I found it very moving. I wish every American, especially all the kids, would watch this. We need to realize where we come from and why we are who we are, and what this great experiment is.

As far as this goes - A few pussies from SC, NY, and PA in the Continental Congress - I can only shake my head.

[spdirty]

As far as this goes - A few pussies from SC, NY, and PA in the Continental Congress - I can only shake my head.

Well, I just found it interesting how frustrated Adams was with the Continental Congress. People talking just to hear themselves talk. I wrote this before I watched the whole thing though so I didn't see where Dickinson did the right thing when it came to the Declaration.

But Ro, a third of the country was British Loyalists. And I'll call them pussies. Benedict Arnold did more for the country than they did, IMO.

One thing I didn't know was that Adams actually defended and got the British soldiers off for the Boston Massacre.

[Rohirrim]

Well, I just found it interesting how frustrated Adams was with the Continental Congress. People talking just to hear themselves talk. I wrote this before I watched the whole thing though so I didn't see where Dickinson did the right thing when it came to the Declaration.

But Ro, a third of the country was British Loyalists. And I'll call them pussies. Benedict Arnold did more for the country than they did, IMO.

One thing I didn't know was that Adams actually defended and got the British soldiers off for the Boston Massacre.

I read the book this was based on, McCullough's John Adams. Great book. The only loyalists I despise are the ones who stayed loyalists after the Declaration. Dickinson was a Quaker. There was a strong Quaker contingent in Pennsylvania. Many people didn't want it to go as far as it did. Many were afraid that, in the first place, they had no chance of defeating the best army in the world - Britain's. And second, they figured that even if they did win, they would be taken apart piecemeal by the European powers.

When those guys are sitting around talking about a resolution of separation, they are also talking about becoming immediate rope bait once the resolution is passed. All that they own will be forfeit if they lose. They will be hanged and their families thrown out in the street, or worse. You can understand the position of the NY contingent. The British had a fleet sitting off Manhattan. The second that independence is declared they know they're toast. And they were. Washington's retreat from Brooklyn Heights and through Manhattan was a thing of beauty. He saved the army.

It does show that Congress hasn't changed much. ;D

[spdirty]

I read the book this was based on, McCullough's John Adams. Great book. The only loyalists I despise are the ones who stayed loyalists after the Declaration. Dickinson was a Quaker. There was a strong Quaker contingent in Pennsylvania. Many people didn't want it to go as far as it did. Many were afraid that, in the first place, they had no chance of defeating the best army in the world - Britain's. And second, they figured that even if they did win, they would be taken apart piecemeal by the European powers.

When those guys are sitting around talking about a resolution of separation, they are also talking about becoming immediate rope bait once the resolution is passed. All that they own will be forfeit if they lose. They will be hanged and their families thrown out in the street, or worse. You can understand the position of the NY contingent. The British had a fleet sitting off Manhattan. The second that independence is declared they know they're toast. And they were. Washington's retreat from Brooklyn Heights and through Manhattan was a thing of beauty. He saved the army.

It does show that Congress hasn't changed much. ;D

Well this gives a decent explanation of Dickinson. http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/559.htm

I was just getting pissed off at his opposition to the Declaration. Seems after that no matter what he did people were pissed at him. Could you imagine though? Just to travel back in time to see George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Ben Franklin in the same room in PA? Man what a treat that would be.

Love how theyre portraying Franklin as well. That actor is just nailing the part.

[spdirty]

Something that is kind of funny and ironic. The man who plays Ben Franklin in the miniseries played General Cornwalis in The Patriot.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

But Ro, a third of the country was British Loyalists. And I'll call them pussies. Benedict Arnold did more for the country than they did, IMO.


Not much has changed on that account, eh?

[spdirty]

Not much has changed on that account, eh?

Did you watch it? The guys who were arguing against John and Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin strongly resemble your side of the aisle.

[goldengopher1976]

Think I'll add it to my netflix queue... :)

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Did you watch it? The guys who were arguing against John and Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin strongly resemble your side of the aisle.

How do you figure? :rofl:

In any event, I was responding to this comment of yours:

But Ro, a third of the country was British Loyalists. And I'll call them pussies. Benedict Arnold did more for the country than they did, IMO.

Roughly a third of Americans today are loyalists to the *latest incarnation* of the British aristocrats, plutocrats, etc.

Some things never change, I guess.

[W*GS]

Roughly a third of Americans today are loyalists to the *latest incarnation* of the British aristocrats, plutocrats, etc.

Even the Bushbots outnumber the Americans who adhere to your socialist dogma by at least 100:1, if not 1000:1 or more...

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Speaking of that 1/3 of Americans...

[W*GS]

You want to know how to tell when LABF is lying? When he posts...

[W*GS]

Safe to say that if LABF had been around during the War for Independence, he woulda crapped his britches and been of absolutely no use.

[Rohirrim]

You guys are starting to sound like Abbot and Costello. :rofl:

[spdirty]

Safe to say that if LABF had been around during the War for Independence, he woulda crapped his britches and been of absolutely no use.

he'd have been a John Dickinson...but without the Quaker religion (or whatever it was) to fall back on.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

he'd have been a John Dickinson...but without the Quaker religion (or whatever it was) to fall back on.

You would have been the same boot licker to the plutocrats you are today.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

There's no doubt that, had W*GS been around during the time of the American revolution, he would have been cheering for the British imperialists and denouncing the colonists as a bunch of "socialists."

[W*GS]

Hardly. I'm a libertarian, dope, not the caricature you continually misrepresent me as being. But, you can't help but lying - so typical of the radical Left. Their dogma can't stand on its own, so they have to lie to cover it up, and attack the beliefs of others in the vain hopes that such tactics somehow show that they're correct.

You're a one-note act, LABF.

[sirhcyennek81]

The miniseries is good. Even in the beginning South Carolina was a pain in the ass. Its interesting though that one ridiculous letter from the British king changes the mind of every colony except new york.

:Broncos:

[spdirty]

the more I watch this series the more I just love the guy.

Man Adams and Franklin were like oil and water. Franklin was the charmer who had those people eating out of the palm of his hand while Adams goes in there and raises some hell. Just a no bullshlt guy while Franklin was possibly the greatest bullshltter of his time.

Love this quote from the series. "I must study politics and war, so my sons will have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons must study navigation, commerce and agriculture so that their children will have the right to study painting and poetry and music."

Just a fuggin direct insult to the French and their ways, lol.

Can't wait till next week when he goes to England. That should be a good one.

[Kaylore]

It looks awesome. Paul Giamatti is a bad ass.


Why is this thread in the War/Religion section?

[spdirty]

It looks awesome. Paul Giamatti is a bad ass.


Why is this thread in the War/Religion section?

cuz its about war and politics. With quite a bit of religion sprinkled in.

[Kaylore]

cuz its about war and politics. With quite a bit of religion sprinkled in.

Bull. It's because as far as you political junkies are concerned, this forum is the regular forum. You probably didn't even think to start it in the main forum. :poke:

[spdirty]

Bull. It's because as far as you political junkies are concerned, this forum is the regular forum. You probably didn't even think to start it in the main forum. :poke:

move it then! Or have someone else move it!

[Chris]

Why does Sam Adams have his own beer?

[Taco John]

Why does Sam Adams have his own beer?

Because he was a beer brewer.

I'm pretty sure that they're not using his original recipes though... Because then the beer might actually be good. ugh!~

[Rohirrim]

Because he was a beer brewer.

I'm pretty sure that they're not using his original recipes though... Because then the beer might actually be good. ugh!~

Washington was very proud of the whisky he distilled up on Mt. Vernon. ;D

[BroncoBuff]

Speaking of that 1/3 of Americans...
Hahaha ... where's that Fox News screen shot with the British flag in the background ... that stuff is FUNNY!

I didn't realize John and Sam Adams were cousins before - makes sense. But I'm not as big a fan of this mini-series as the rest of you guys ... it's decent so far, but there seems too little nuance to the Adams character ... he's always angry - whether defending the British soldiers early on, fighting the Quaker Dickinson, or angrily insulting the French. The character seems to latch onto a position, and then - just angry tunnel vision.

The actor playing Jefferson isn't up to the role, either ... and the nose prosthesis David Morse wears as Washington is laughable. Giamatti is a pretty good actor, but I wish they showed some flexibility on Adams' viewpoints and the antagonists' positions, instead of merely demonizing the hedonist French and lampooning Dickinson's opposition as cowardly. Truth is, we were incredibly lucky that the revolution succeeded.

[BroncoBuff]

Truth is, we were incredibly lucky that the revolution succeeded.
Or were we? History only displays one outcome after all ... ???

[Rohirrim]

I don't know. From all accounts, John Adams was a pretty cantankerous fellow. That portrayal might not be too far off the mark. I think that's why Congress picked him to go to France. ;D

Of course, they sent Franklin to carry out the actual mission.

[spdirty]

I didn't realize John and Sam Adams were cousins before - makes sense. But I'm not as big a fan of this mini-series as the rest of you guys ... it's decent so far, but there seems too little nuance to the Adams character ... he's always angry - whether defending the British soldiers early on, fighting the Quaker Dickinson, or angrily insulting the French. The character seems to latch onto a position, and then - just angry tunnel vision.

From everything I've read thats actually how he was. My way or the highway attitude, and I know Congress gave him several nicknames due to his getting fat and his behavior. I don't know, I like it. Love a person who will always tell you what they think. I am gonna pick up the book soon though.

[QUOTE=BroncoBuff;1927845]The actor playing Jefferson isn't up to the role, either.

He has only had like 3 lines so far though. I think we will see a lot more of him next episode, and when he feuds with Adams, and beats him in the election.

I don't have a real opinion of the actor yet.

When it comes to movies/miniseries like this, all I ask is that they do it as acurately as possible. And from everything I've heard, they have been very accurate.

I'd rather have this than another Patriot, where it is so full of inaccuracies in the name of entertainment that it should be classified as Fiction.

[Rohirrim]

I'm enjoying the portrayal of Jefferson. So far, it seems to be pretty accurate. After all, Jefferson's nickname was The American Sphinx.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

http://www.bartcop.com/money-talks.jpg

[Kaylore]

I just got done watching the first DVD on Netflix. It was pretty good, but not great. Giamatti isn't as good as I expected, but Laura Linney was really understated and impressive. David Morse and Tom Wilkinson surprised me. I didn't think either could pull off Washington and Franklin, but they did. The men opposed to independence have compelling reasons for being so. It was very thought provoking.

[Bronco Jamus]

http://www.bartcop.com/money-talks.jpg

Hamilton was never President

[Play2win]

I just got done watching the first DVD on Netflix. It was pretty good, but not great. Giamatti isn't as good as I expected, but Laura Linney was really understated and impressive. David Morse and Tom Wilkinson surprised me. I didn't think either could pull off Washington and Franklin, but they did. The men opposed to independence have compelling reasons for being so. It was very thought provoking.

I have never liked anything that had Paul Giamatti in it. Hold on, I thought The Illusionist was pretty good. So, let me say it better, I have never like Paul Giamatti in anything I have ever seen.


Good to know its hit netflix, though. I'll definitely add it to my que. HBO has done some good stuff as of late. Deadwood was great, and ROME was legend. Man I cannot believe how good ROME was...

So, I'll definitely check it out.

[Kaylore]

and ROME was legend. Man I cannot believe how good ROME was...


Wow. Rep. Rome was indeed incredible. The writing and set-design were wonderful, but the acting took it to a level out of this world. It was phenomenal.

Just so you know, John Adams isn't as good as Rome, but the connection to our nation's history makes it interesting in other ways.

[Play2win]

Wow. Rep. Rome was indeed incredible. The writing and set-design were wonderful, but the acting took it to a level out of this world. It was phenomenal.

Just so you know, John Adams isn't as good as Rome, but the connection to our nation's history makes it interesting in other ways.

That is absolutely true. Maybe it can re-inject some national pride, and an idea of what the framers actually accomplished, in some people.

I haven't seen it, so I am looking forward to it.


From what I understand, many of the actors in ROME came from England, i.e., you know, real actors.

ROME is noticeably devoid of Hollywood. There is a grave difference between ROME and, say, TROY...

I own both seasons (through iTunes), and definitely plan on rewatching it from time to time... :)

[Play2win]

To add, another wrinkle that made ROME that much better was that many of the things, politically, that were going on back then seemed to mirror what is going on in the present day. Especially the dealings with, and amongst, the Senate. It definitely makes one think!

[alkemical]

I don't know if any of you guys may know this:

Did you know William Penn's Charter - was a big influence on the US Constitution?

William Penn's colony was setup for the quakers, there's some interesting PA history.