JQA was a real one. basically the jimmy carter of antebellum american politics. - ThreadSky

jamellebouie.net • 9 days ago

JQA was a real one. basically the jimmy carter of antebellum american politics.

Was just reading John Quincy Adams' oral arguments before SCOTUS in the Amistad case and this part seems, uh, pretty relevant

Comments

janeinspain77.bsky.social•9 days ago

At least they were sent for a trial-we’re sending people directly to a foreign prison with no trial!

theguchlife.bsky.social•9 days ago

Now that’s what a 73yo who has moral courage and fights the right fight looks like. I’m looking at you, Chuck.

neptuniandemocracy.bsky.social•8 days ago

Adams’ in general 💙

freedom2b.bsky.social•9 days ago

"[King George III] made laws for sending men beyond seas for trial. That was one of the most odious of those acts of tyranny which occasioned the American revolution."
-JQA

unpopularhistorian.bsky.social•8 days ago

The first professional politician. Once his presidential term ended, he ran for Congress and served in the House.

othemts.bsky.social•8 days ago

Things went to shit in the USA after Adams lost to Jackson in 1828.

joe-guiliano.bsky.social•8 days ago

Things always go to shit in America, that’s the point.

We learn to manage risk/shit, we get bigger. We don’t, we get smaller. Self-Government is such a mind-fuck.

But rule 1: No King. This unitary executive nonsense is absolute tyranny and treason.

maryangelafitz.bsky.social•8 days ago

I always looked up to him after watching “Amistad”. I’m so glad it was real.

knecessary.bsky.social•8 days ago

He's one of my favorites. We have a neighborhood in Cincinnati named after him, Mt. Adams. He gave a speech there dedicating the construction of the first major US astronomical observatory, and the area was renamed in his honor. Drew a comic about it: https://www.wcpo.com/longform/lighthouse-of-the-sky

cocktailmd.bsky.social•8 days ago

michaelleroyoberg.bsky.social•8 days ago

JQA was the greatest former president in American history. Carter had a great post presidential career as well. Both were men of high principle.

amymormino.bsky.social•8 days ago

Taft becoming Supreme Court Chief Justice in the last years of his life makes him a contender too.

michaelleroyoberg.bsky.social•7 days ago

A distant third?

onionmoodring.bsky.social•9 days ago

Need an HBO mini series focusing on him

joanne47.bsky.social•7 days ago

My favorite, if not one of my favorite men who put their lives and fortunes on the line for our country. And yes he was a strong believer in diversity, equity and inclusion from the beginning of our country. He won the Armistad crew their freedom. We need a John Quincy Adams today.

professordarkness.bsky.social•8 days ago

I agree. He was an unremarkable president, but, other than that, he was a powerhouse!

actuallevi.bsky.social•8 days ago

I mean, he did invade Florida, but that's pretty on par for the early 1800s. I guess Carter sold arms to Suharto so, yeah. Good comparison.

metrochimp.bsky.social•8 days ago

We need a second, liberal, former POTUS in Congress right now! If only I could think of who?!?!

benevoluspf.bsky.social•8 days ago

Another ‘fun fact’: JQA was the only US president to meet both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

benevoluspf.bsky.social•8 days ago

JQA is fascinating. Was an ‘failed’ 1-term president who wanted a national university, planned to build out infrastructure and advocated for relations with Latin America. Congress fought him every step of the way. He finished his career as a member of Congress. Surprised @kenburns has missed him.

benevoluspf.bsky.social•8 days ago

Worth it.

benevoluspf.bsky.social•7 days ago

@kenburns.bsky.social I this is you, why haven’t you done anything in the most interesting Adams?

benevoluspf.bsky.social•7 days ago

If this is you…

docjoe1986.bsky.social•8 days ago

Both as president and as a post president.

sirbobofambler.bsky.social•8 days ago

History is a wonderful thing if you take advantage of its lessons.

zornb.bsky.social•8 days ago

Thanks for sharing

beaccountable.bsky.social•9 days ago

From The Declaration “Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

haf118.bsky.social•9 days ago

This administration is so unmoored is that they don’t ask for any court or judgment before sending people to hard labor in El Salvador.

walterdragon.bsky.social•8 days ago

The only president to wisely say that if the nation no longer functioned and was riven by political hatred, the right thing to do would be to break it up.

benfunks.bsky.social•8 days ago

lincoln didn’t listen

charlotteclymer.bsky.social•9 days ago

Being emotionally repressed and professionally restrained by his father will do that, tho.

andrewbloomberg.bsky.social•9 days ago

Marcus Rediker's book about the Amistad rebellion and the aftermath is fantastic, not least for the frank admiration in which he - a leftist historian of the 20th/21st century - holds JQA, a 19th century capital L Liberal

chris10b.bsky.social•8 days ago

📌

ikespelledwrong.bsky.social•8 days ago

That’s a cool endorsement. Getting a book on JQA.

jenniferdiascro.bsky.social•9 days ago

Yeah, he was the bomb.

benevoluspf.bsky.social•8 days ago

😂

jwmcartist.bsky.social•8 days ago

Dude is my favorite President, because of his post-presidency and in spite of his presidency.

zetsubo.bsky.social•9 days ago

famously he pardoned a boatload of norsemen for illegally immigrating to the US

immanentize.bsky.social•9 days ago

And for all his efforts, morals and troubles John Quincy only got a small city mostly populated by commuters to Boston. Sad!

1stladydi.bsky.social•8 days ago

I couldn't convince my right leaning friend about this over lunch. I've been trying to appeal to their selfishness, not their morality - not that it's unfair to brown immigrants, but that yo white ass might be next

melevanie.bsky.social•8 days ago

That's the point -- if a bunch of people can be accused, provided no due process, & disappeared to a prison overseas, without question or consequence, that can happen again with ANY bunch of people. It's a slippery slope.

piercepresley.bsky.social•8 days ago

That is the best description of JQA I've ever read, and it's not close.

jem8998b.bsky.social•8 days ago

Among other things, JQA wrote the Monroe doctrine as Secretary of State and headed the founding committee for the Smithsonian. He also was almost censured twice in the house and was acquitted in epic floor fights.

jem8998b.bsky.social•9 days ago

One lesson from JQA is to find a weak spot and attack relentlessly. Abolition of slavery was a very unpopular cause, so he focused on the gag rule in the house which prevented talking about slavery. "Arguing About Slavery" by Miller is a great (informative and entertaining) book on the topic.

medlockfan.bsky.social•8 days ago

Good read.

chris10b.bsky.social•8 days ago

📌

johncraighammond.bsky.social•7 days ago

@dwaldstreicher.bsky.social put together a great collection of his speeches and writings
https://www.loa.org/books/speeches-writings/

towers-of-obscure.bsky.social•8 days ago

And then Andy Johnson came along and laid waste to the Indians.

philomenatime.bsky.social•8 days ago

Played by none other that Cousin Richie in the John Adams limited series on HBO or whatever it’s called now.

bmcghee56.bsky.social•9 days ago

Yes, they have tried it before but Trump cannot win! Impeach this fool Trump! Get rid of Trump, you get rid of Musk! Expose their crimes!

katennp.bsky.social•9 days ago

JQA better be careful or he might be detained for his writings

bslkuye1.bsky.social•8 days ago

👀👀👀

johncluverius.bsky.social•9 days ago

JQA gets underrated as a historic white guy who could survive forward time travel pretty well. Might catch an indecency charge for his swimming habits, but would be pretty smooth sailing after that.

blueskyblackdeath.bsky.social•8 days ago

He's on the list with Samuel Clemens for "old dudes who probably could manage in the modern era"

spacedcoyote.bsky.social•8 days ago

The federalist agenda was wildly ahead of its time and it’s a tragedy he was replaced by a rapacious moron like Jackson

wvslasthandloader.bsky.social•9 days ago

Like Jimmy Carter he was better at being ex-president than at being president

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