HBO's John Adams - Thomas Jefferson and John Adams' faith in humanity

A scene from HBO's John Adams miniseries in which Thomas Jefferson and John Adams illustrate their differences of opinion on having faith in humanity.

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  Film & Animation

[VotePaineJefferson]

Adams: Man is flawed, therefore man must create flawed governments to rule over man.

Jefferson: Um...no.

[zico739]

Thomas Fucking Jefferson.

[JimNagle87]

Tom Wilkinson. Plays Ben Franklin in "John Adams" Series. Plays General Cornwallis in "The Patriot" -- Conspiracy!! :D

[DH1986]

If i'm truly honest with myself I would probably have been a loyalist. The American Revolution as an overreaction. I probably would have owned adult slaves and treated them well, and even though I fully condemn the brutality in which slaves were treated, I would have feared ending the trade. I guess it's like how I hate food stamps/welfare, but fear the economic aftershock of cutting such programs. I'm so glad Lincoln had the nerve to end it, it's a shame segregation followed.

[DH1986]

So, because George W and Romney had intelligent successful parents their degrees don't count? The love of money can cause men to do despicable things, but don't try to discredit someone like pulitzer prize winning war hero John F. Kennedy, because his dad was an accomplished business man.

[TheSirPrise]

"The ones who did own slaves felt very guilty about it"

That's just a flat out lie, why are you lying?

[Mr54nomore]

When Jefferson returned from France after being there for 5 years. He met with Washington in New York to discuss his appointment of Secretary of State. After his meeting with Washington and on his returned to his beloved home..Monticello. His slaves were so happy to see him that they lifted him from his carriage, and carried him upon their shoulders to the front door.

[SUFFICIENCYtoLIBERTY]

Thomas Jefferson, the voluntaryist. From the existing philosophical framework of the day, it is amazing that Jefferson was able to see forward into the true morality of voluntaryism.

[TheSirPrise]

I don't think Jefferson was ever sorry for owning slaves...

[Ninjalectual]

@Jon White See your problem is you're not talking about Obama, you're taking about an imaginary  version of him. Reality is a little different.

[Ninjalectual]

@ws81086n well said. You would enjoy The Thomas Jefferson Hour on NPR, if you don't already

[thekkl]

Adams: Man is flawed, therefore we need a power over all individuals.

Jefferson: Man is flawed, therefore we cannot trust the few with power over the many.

If you're gonna post, at least make an effort to understand their positions.