tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post3046480769116766081..comments2024-03-18T04:36:26.547-04:00Comments on Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress: John Adams on HBO: 6: Flawed President and Flawed FatherPaul Levinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07609987407926836519noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-58670135387804360472008-04-21T21:43:00.000-04:002008-04-21T21:43:00.000-04:00You're missing the point, anon: The First Amendme...You're missing the point, anon: The First Amendment was part of the supreme law of the land - The Constitution - which had just been ratified by the states, in large part due to the Bill of Rights (of the First Amendment was the First).<BR/><BR/>No President had the right - then or now - to trample on that law.<BR/><BR/>Not "theoretical idealism" - but the Supreme Law of the land. Do you not the see the difference?Paul Levinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07609987407926836519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-81341907352190842082008-04-21T15:21:00.000-04:002008-04-21T15:21:00.000-04:00Regarding Adams' disrespect for the First Amendmen...Regarding Adams' disrespect for the First Amendment, Adams was faced with the first possibility of espionage and warfare after the foundation of the U.S. and these new "inalienable rights" presented a very real conundrum in the functional defense and management of a country: Does one choose untried, theoretical idealism over the defensive needs of you people? What's more, even the classification of "citizen" was undefined at that point.<BR/>Adams made the best, albeit sad decision, that he could in a political environment that is not at all like our current one.<BR/>We have other options, we are now an established nation with a broader understanding of what these rights mean...they, then, were not.<BR/>Not a fair comparison.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-22269996139739851092008-04-18T19:08:00.000-04:002008-04-18T19:08:00.000-04:00I thought there is also a pair at mt. vernon.I thought there is also a pair at mt. vernon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-58190455962832421132008-04-18T16:38:00.000-04:002008-04-18T16:38:00.000-04:00Thanks for the info, Anna - good to know that Wash...Thanks for the info, Anna - good to know that Washington's teeth aren't just rattling around somewhere in a dusty bin...Paul Levinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07609987407926836519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-15476626580132701672008-04-18T02:53:00.000-04:002008-04-18T02:53:00.000-04:00Good point about Marshall, jp - I also missed any ...Good point about Marshall, jp - I also missed any reference to him as Chief Justice.<BR/><BR/>But the rest was so powerful, I still think the episode was a masterpiece of television.<BR/><BR/>These differences in reaction are based on our favorite facets of history. The scene with Jefferson and Adams and the election of 1800 was priceless, for me.Paul Levinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07609987407926836519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-38729385797982279482008-04-18T02:19:00.000-04:002008-04-18T02:19:00.000-04:00I thought the episode could have been a lot better...I thought the episode could have been a lot better. I liked it. But it left out John Adams most important impact on our country: the lame-duck appointment of John Marshall as chief justice. I was really looking forward to that scene and it did not happen. I think you know which one I am talking about: 'I think I shall choose you!' <BR/><BR/>I would like to see a series based on the book, "What kind of Nation" which was a double bio of Tom Jefferson and John Marshall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-59910392229054889442008-04-17T22:43:00.000-04:002008-04-17T22:43:00.000-04:00This week's episode is a masterpiece, Cooper. I w...This week's episode is a masterpiece, Cooper. I wish I could see it for the first time, again...Paul Levinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07609987407926836519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-18615674318900056842008-04-17T22:22:00.000-04:002008-04-17T22:22:00.000-04:00I'm loving this series and have yet to catch this ...I'm loving this series and have yet to catch this weeks episode though hope to do so tomorrow, or at midnight this evening.Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02465484210397122019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-53789743083864008132008-04-17T14:25:00.000-04:002008-04-17T14:25:00.000-04:00Thanks, jimy_max, and good question.Certainly Adam...Thanks, jimy_max, and good question.<BR/><BR/>Certainly Adams would resemble a lot of people in Washington today, in their and his disrespect for the First Amendment, and their and his admiration for strong central government.<BR/><BR/>Cheney would be a good choice - though his ethical problems might make him more like Hamilton and than Adams.<BR/><BR/>Maybe Chuck Hagel would be most like Adams...Paul Levinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07609987407926836519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289595359432630118.post-81307322789317598742008-04-17T11:57:00.000-04:002008-04-17T11:57:00.000-04:00Paul -- this series makes you appreciate the fores...Paul -- this series makes you appreciate the foresight and hard work of those early men who forged our country. i agree with your earlier assessment of John Adams: great founding father, not so great president. <BR/><BR/>btw, if John Adams were alive and kicking it around Washington DC, who would he resemble the most? <BR/>Dick Cheney???<BR/><BR/>nice job on the forum,<BR/>/jimy_maxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com