Remembering why we are free

By Bryce Lambley/Tribune correspondent
Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 - 01:01:16 am CDT

While many know Thomas Jefferson was the principle architect of the Declaration of Independence, he was really third in line for the job.

Apparently Ben Franklin was expected to largely author it, but a recent illness kept him from doing so in a timely manner so the lead role fell to John Adams who in turn handed it off to the Jefferson.

"You are ten times the writer I am," Adams told Jefferson. Less a speaker than the others, Jefferson set to work and his first draft was then edited by Adams and Franklin.

After making some changes, Jefferson’s edited piece was submitted to the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776, and after intense discussion and minor changes were enacted, the document received approval in the early morning hours of July 4.

Adams noted the occasion: "The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.

"It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other from this time forward forever more.

"You will think me transported with enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means."

The fact that Adams thought July 2 would be the date to go down in history was an oversight, one prompting MSNBC’s detestable Keith Olbermann to label Adams as a boob.

One wonders whether Olbermann was projecting with that inane comment as Adams and his brethren were anything but boobs. Without brave, forward looking patriots such as Adams that wholly understood the terms liberty and sacrifice, who is to say what would have become of the Thirteen Colonies?

Adams and others knew that the task was far from over, and that even if independence were to be secured, that it would take diligence from that point on to keep America free.

Franklin realized the gravity of the situation, warning his co-conspirators, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."

So while the loudmouth Olbermann is quite free to openly mock the Founding Fathers of our country, he needs to realize that the ability for him to do so was paid for in blood by brave men from that era.

In the meantime, I think I’ll celebrate the occasion as Adams recommended, perhaps even using my Second Amendment rights, recently bolstered by our Supreme Court. But that’s another history lesson for another time.

Bryce Lambley is a freelance columnist from Fremont.

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Kay Black
Jul 5, 2008 8:37 AM
As detestable as you might think Olbermann is, he didn't make the quote about Adams. Rachel Maddow was subbing for him that night and it was she who made the quote.

You obviously didn't watch the show,or see a clip of it, so you had to have read this somewhere.

You call yourself a journalist? You need to learn to read for comprehension first.
Dorrie
Jul 5, 2008 8:51 AM
Mr. Lambley: You say, "The fact that Adams thought July 2 would be the date to go down in history was an oversight, one prompting MSNBC’s detestable Keith Olbermann to label Adams as a boob." ~ Now, I did hear Rachel Maddow (subbing for Olbermann on "Countdown" Thursday) make the above comment about Adams, but I can't find a instance of Olbermann himself having said it. Can you point me to one, please?
A Little Perspective
Jul 5, 2008 11:41 AM
Adams was bitter until his dying day that Jefferson got more credit for the writing of the Declaration than he did for making a motion in the Continental Congress a couple of days before the document was actually dated. He even sent back a commemorative copy of the Declaration sent to him some years later because his picture had not been engraved on it. He included a scathing note implying that he had never received enough credit. I am sure it is for those actions that Olbermann called him a "boob", and he indeed did behave as one quite often in his lifetime.

As for the choice of author, a committee of five was appointed including Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and two others. Jefferson became the primary author (in spite of his wish to have gone home to his wife already) in part because he had already written a number of the grievances against Britain (the larger and lesser read half of the document) in a pamphlet published in Virginia some months before.

Try to check all of your facts before publishing something.
Aaron Neuhalfen
Jul 5, 2008 12:42 PM
Way to go Bryce! Although Iam not, and never have been an Olbermann fan in any way, i beleive you may have struck a couple good nerves with that one.
Nice. As always your insight is thought provoking and informative.
Aaron Neuhalfen
Topeka Kansas
More history
Jul 5, 2008 7:38 PM
One of the minor changes edited out was an opposition to slavery, which, Adams believed would lead to war in 100 years. He missed it by 14, close enough in my book. While Adams may or may not have been bitter about Jefferson's writing, he acknowledged its superiority to his own. Our Founding Fathers were great men, imperfect all. Jefferson kept slaves, yet we live in the Louisiana Purchase, revolutionary in that it occured to him to peacefully BUY land, instead of fight over it. And Adams was perhaps the most dedicated to the cause of Revolution - after all, his "country" (and both Adams and Jefferson believed their states were their "countries" until their dying day-famously-July 4, 1826) carried the brunt of the early days of the war, but then there was Adams' support of the Alien and Sedition Acts (familiar, anyone?)which forever tarnished his Presidency. Bryce, I'm happy you're pleased with the Second Amendment's recent affirmation, not that anyone REALLY thought it was endangered, but I like the ALL the rest, too. MY favorites are the First and Fourth. I see no substantive difference between Olbermann and O"Reilly. I am sorry that our generation has been unable to produce the imperfect genius that 18th century America managed, but we probably don't have the citizenry to appreciate them anyway. We'd be too busy worrying if their father was a Muslim, or if they dumped their damaged first wife for a rich second wife, or giggling over their middle names (Hussein, Sidney). Wow. What if we had an election over facts and ideas? But then, I'd think I woke up in the wrong country!
ramjet
Jul 6, 2008 10:39 AM
It was Rachel Maddow subbing for Keith Olbermann who uttered the lame "...and once again, John Adams looks like a boob."

One wonders just what opinion Ms. Maddow holds of other Founding Fathers.
John from Texas
Jul 6, 2008 6:55 PM
Thank you much, Mr. Lambley, for a reminder of great a celebration is warranted during the first week in July. As for MSNBC's Olbermann, he needs no help distinguishing himself as perhaps the greatest "boob" going right now. He best enjoy his moment in the limelight. My guess is no one will remember him beyond his tenure on the tube unlike the statesman and scholar, Mr. Adams.
Granny Stella
Jul 6, 2008 11:41 PM
As a Granny who is Only 78 years young, some may look at me as simply an old woman with too much time on her hands. But, I love my country and I love good journalism.

I have seen many journalists come and go. And I must admit that Olbermann is one of the ones who I will never forget. Mr. Olbermann is one of the only ones left these days with integrity. He checks his sources and resources, he reaches out to "Real" Americans with real issues.

Of course, I have also noticed new Journalists today aren't required to check their resources or to tell the truth- after all, "Spin" brings in the readers and viewers. (At least, that's my humble opinion)

After all, if you had noted that Rachel Maddow, who subbed for Keith on Thursday, said what you misquoted, that wouldn't have made your story as interesting, would it have?

Keith has been on the front lines in keeping us informed on our disappearing Bill of Rights, Dismantled Constitution, our dismantled and deregulated Govt., the scandals, illegal wiretapping, I could go on young man, but I won't.

Our founding fathers were great men- geniuses in their own right. As much respect that you claim to have regarding the founding fathers, I find it interesting that you referred to Franklin and the others at one point as "Franklin and his co-conspirators"

The Title of your article was:
"Remembering why we are free"

One of the reasons we are free, young man is that the British had complete control of what was printed and put out to the Colonists as News.

That is only ONE item that Franklin and his co-conspirators were fighting to change. That is what Olbermann is fighting for too. I suppose to some, that kind of freedom in news may seem "Detestable"

If I were you, young man, I would work on your fact finding.

Stella
Aunt Bee
Jul 7, 2008 1:15 AM
I guess I'm confused... Adams wrote the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights which states that all men were born with certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights. Among those rights he sought to guarantee were freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Additionally, he emphasized protecting individuals against unreasonable searches, and seizures.

Isn't that what makes us free in part...? Freedom of the press and free speech? And unreasonable search and seizure?

So, are you saying that Olbermann is against those freedoms?

I "Get It" that you don't like KO and your article is an opinion piece.

But good journalism requires research, honesty, and items that are not written out of context.

What I just read was "Tabloid Spin." And you, Mr. Bryce, aught to be ashamed of yourself.

I will leave you with a quote by John Adams

The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing.

Aunt Bee
Bobo
Jul 7, 2008 9:55 PM
Where are you people from? You can't be Fremonters. Your posts are too articulate and well-written.
I see John and Aaron are from far-away exotic places. What is this "Kansas" and "Texas" of which you speak?
Bobo
Hooterville.
Kevin
Jul 8, 2008 2:00 AM
It's unfortunate that you made the error of attributing Ms Maddow's quote to Olbermann, but his producers signed off on her comments, so all the rabid Olbermann fans who attacked your column might want to settle down a bit. If any serious person uses his show for their news source, they are ill-informed by definition and should not be taken seriously. He is not a journalist, nor is Ms Maddow. So if you hate the president so much that life is nearly unbearable, you watch his show, served up by the most pompous host on TV, so that you feel your hatred is vindicated.

Adams was a great thinker who sacraficed a huge part of his life for his country. He detested party politics because he felt people would favor their party over their country. What comes out of the mouths of commentators like Olbermann and Maddow only goes to prove Adams' point. Only a boob would label John Adams a boob.
Brian
Jul 8, 2008 9:26 AM
Well said Kevin!
Chris from Fremont
Jul 9, 2008 1:04 PM
Finally....intelligent comments on such ignorance! Hard to imagine this writer was once a journalism teacher.
And once again....this is a column that is labeled "PLATTE VALLEY OUTDOORS"?????? At least it's not on the sports page anymore.