John Adams

[Kaylore]

There's a thread in the WRP forum, probably because the thread starter never left there. So I just wanted to recommend it here. If you guys get a chance, see the HBO miniseries John Adams. It really is very good and though provoking and highlights one of our founding fathers. Adams gets lost because his presidency comes between two supermen of the revolution in Washington and Jefferson, but he was a great man in his own right. Check it out.

http://www.impawards.com/tv/john_adams_ver2.html

[Rohirrim]

I agree. That was a great series.

[Man-Goblin]

He was simply too old, fat, and out of shape to help our piss pore DT unit last year.

[Kaylore]

He was simply too old, fat, and out of shape to help our piss pore DT unit last year.

Yeah, but he could talk Roger Goodell into letting Pacman Jones off without a suspension.

[broncosteven]

I am #7 in line at the library to check it out.

The broad that plays his wife turns me on.

[DarkHorse30]

I read the book.

Interesting that Adams feared that the two party system would ruin the republic, because of the "party first" attitude.

[telluride]

I read the book.

Interesting that Adams feared that the two party system would ruin the republic, because of the "party first" attitude.

Smart man, that Adams.

[Play2win]

I believe Thomas Jefferson also had some misgivings about the two party system, before he felt he had to start the Democratic-Republican Party.

[ScottXray]

The series was very good and I enjoyed it immensely.

Unfortunately, It painted him in more of a rosy picture then he should have been.
While he was very instrumental in helping get the declaration of Independence signed and in place , they correctly depicted him as somewhat vain and somewhat of a monarchist or absolute central power believer.

The Alien and Sedition Acts that he signed into law were shown as him reluctantly signing them. Eventually they were oveturned by the supreme court, about the time he left office.

However, the truth is he was very much behind them getting passed, and used them to imprison newspaper editors , common people, and even a few congressmen when they criticised his administration. He also held them without trial or other specific charges for several years. One congressman he jailed (from connecticutt) had to run for re-election from Jail...(and he also won.) (Jay Leno would probably have been summarily shot by Adams in HIS day)

He was unpopular as a President because he believed in a STONG central government (which went against the general popular opinion) that had the power to overturn states and citizen rights and arbitrarily enact his policies.

At any rate his main falling out with Jefferson was over these type issues. Jefferson would not compromise on individual and states rights.

Does this remind you of anyone in THIS era.?

[DarkHorse30]

The series was very good and I enjoyed it immensely.

Unfortunately, It painted him in more of a rosy picture then he should have been.
While he was very instrumental in helping get the declaration of Independence signed and in place , they correctly depicted him as somewhat vain and somewhat of a monarchist or absolute central power believer.

The Alien and Sedition Acts that he signed into law were shown as him reluctantly signing them. Eventually they were oveturned by the supreme court, about the time he left office.

However, the truth is he was very much behind them getting passed, and used them to imprison newspaper editors , common people, and even a few congressmen when they criticised his administration. He also held them without trial or other specific charges for several years. One congressman he jailed (from connecticutt) had to run for re-election from Jail...(and he also won.) (Jay Leno would probably have been summarily shot by Adams in HIS day)

He was unpopular as a President because he believed in a STONG central government (which went against the general popular opinion) that had the power to overturn states and citizen rights and arbitrarily enact his policies.

At any rate his main falling out with Jefferson was over these type issues. Jefferson would not compromise on individual and states rights.

Does this remind you of anyone in THIS era.?

If you're inviting a popularity contest between Adams and Jefferson, I'd pick Adams every time.

He practiced what he preached, did not own slaves, and was not afraid of a fight (ie: arguing his case). His "claim to fame" (which you miss, or maybe didn't notice) is the constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (which he wrote), and which is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world.

McCullogh writes "Adams was no monarchist. What Adams understood, and was willing to talk about, was the degree to which the structure of our government was based on the English Model." Also, of note..."Adams lived among his fellow villagers by the side of a road. The dust from passing wagons and marching troops blew into his kitchen window. He chopped his own wood, cut his own hay, saddled his own horse. If anyone deserves to be considered the ordinary man it is John Adams."

Was John Adams as popular as Thomas Jefferson? Nope. But he was instrumental in shaping the constitution and the views of the early country by his actions, which are detailed in the book and series. Good stuff.

[Requiem]

Thanks for the heads-up Kaylore. I watched Deadwood and Rome (HBO series) this summer while rentin' them for like a buck a piece per disc and saved a **** ton as opposed to how much they want to buy. I'll definitely be interested in this.

[broncosteven]

Thanks for the heads-up Kaylore. I watched Deadwood and Rome (HBO series) this summer while rentin' them for like a buck a piece per disc and saved a **** ton as opposed to how much they want to buy. I'll definitely be interested in this.

I can do you one better,

I am currently on the 2nd season of Rome for free, Library has ROME, Deadwood, Sopranos, Curb, Adams (I am on waiting list) all for free.

At least I am getting use out of my tax dollars!

Library's ROCK!

[Houshyamama]

These two descriptions are quite disparate ROFL!

The series was very good and I enjoyed it immensely.

Unfortunately, It painted him in more of a rosy picture then he should have been.
While he was very instrumental in helping get the declaration of Independence signed and in place , they correctly depicted him as somewhat vain and somewhat of a monarchist or absolute central power believer.

The Alien and Sedition Acts that he signed into law were shown as him reluctantly signing them. Eventually they were oveturned by the supreme court, about the time he left office.

However, the truth is he was very much behind them getting passed, and used them to imprison newspaper editors , common people, and even a few congressmen when they criticised his administration. He also held them without trial or other specific charges for several years. One congressman he jailed (from connecticutt) had to run for re-election from Jail...(and he also won.) (Jay Leno would probably have been summarily shot by Adams in HIS day)

He was unpopular as a President because he believed in a STONG central government (which went against the general popular opinion) that had the power to overturn states and citizen rights and arbitrarily enact his policies.

At any rate his main falling out with Jefferson was over these type issues. Jefferson would not compromise on individual and states rights.

Does this remind you of anyone in THIS era.?
If you're inviting a popularity contest between Adams and Jefferson, I'd pick Adams every time.

He practiced what he preached, did not own slaves, and was not afraid of a fight (ie: arguing his case). His "claim to fame" (which you miss, or maybe didn't notice) is the constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (which he wrote), and which is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world.

McCullogh writes "Adams was no monarchist. What Adams understood, and was willing to talk about, was the degree to which the structure of our government was based on the English Model." Also, of note..."Adams lived among his fellow villagers by the side of a road. The dust from passing wagons and marching troops blew into his kitchen window. He chopped his own wood, cut his own hay, saddled his own horse. If anyone deserves to be considered the ordinary man it is John Adams."

Was John Adams as popular as Thomas Jefferson? Nope. But he was instrumental in shaping the constitution and the views of the early country by his actions, which are detailed in the book and series. Good stuff.

[Pseudofool]

Am I the only one who saw as the miniseries came to a close that it painted Adams' as obsessed with his own ego and legacy. I clearly thought there was a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of John Adams by Giamatti (sp?) throughout the series. I really wouldn't say it was favorable depiction, esp. in the last few episodes. Beyond the first two episodes, the series doesn't really show Adams accomplishing very much politically, patriotically--only personally.

As miniseries though, I really felt the series dropped the ball during his presidency and vice presidency years--and also did very little to develop fair depictions of his family beyond his wife, from John Quincy to his reckless son--it felt phoney and forced. But the first few episodes pre-revolution were inspiring and very well concieved, acted, directed...

[Play2win]

Without Jefferson this Country would be a MESS...

Oh, wait... I guess it already is... so who knows...

[loborugger]

Without Jefferson this Country would be a MESS...

Oh, wait... I guess it already is... so who knows...

Its only a mess cuz we have abandoned the constitution that Adams, Jefferson, and other wiser men wrote. They would puke to know that America is involved in pre-emptive wars, is the world's policemen, and has become a welfare state.

Besides, when it comes right down to it, America isnt really that bad off. Don't believe me? Get a passport and visit any one of our western hemisphere neighbors. Or Africa. Or Asia. Spend a couple of months there. Get know the locals doctors, local politicians, and maybe the local cops. Try to travel 400 miles a day in anything without wings. Then, you will have a new appreciation for the good ole US of A.

In college, I read a biography of his wife, Abigail. Quite a woman. Quite a circumstance. I seem to remember that they moved their own furniture to the White House and paid for the hire help outta their own pocket... imagine that!

[Play2win]

Its only a mess cuz we have abandoned the constitution that Adams, Jefferson, and other wiser men wrote. They would puke to know that America is involved in pre-emptive wars, is the world's policemen, and has become a welfare state.

Besides, when it comes right down to it, America isnt really that bad off. Don't believe me? Get a passport and visit any one of our western hemisphere neighbors. Or Africa. Or Asia. Spend a couple of months there. Get know the locals doctors, local politicians, and maybe the local cops. Try to travel 400 miles a day in anything without wings. Then, you will have a new appreciation for the good ole US of A.

In college, I read a biography of his wife, Abigail. Quite a woman. Quite a circumstance. I seem to remember that they moved their own furniture to the White House and paid for the hire help outta their own pocket... imagine that!

Full-heartily agree... The Framers were an amazing group of people. I can only hope future leadership pays them due respect by shaping this country more in their design and intent. Hopefully that begins in some, say, six months from now... :)

[loborugger]

Full-heartily agree... The Framers were an amazing group of people. I can only hope future leadership pays them due respect by shaping this country more in their design and intent. Hopefully that begins in some, say, six months from now... :)

I sincerely doubt it. That wealth aint gonna redistribute itself. That 3rd world country aint gonna do our will without tons of $$$ - and threats of a possible US backed coup.

Unfortunately, people seem awestruck by whatever the media tells them to be awestruck by.