Responsible Firearms Ownership 

John Adams – Patriot of the highest order.

This is not a Junior High book report even if it appears that my writing could be mistaken for that of an average 7th grader.  No, I just feel a great patriotic exuberance after a peek into the events and soap opera that was our nation’s birth.

I just finished reading a biography titled, John Adams, by David McCullough.  I pride myself on being able to sail through books and novels, reading in one evening what some others take days to read.  Not this one however; not only was it much longer than it appeared, it required a slower more thoughtful reading to absorb all the nuances of the language of the 18th century and put into context the astonishing events described.  Nearly 800 pages in the hardback form, it is the life story of the New England patriot and farmer, original signer of the Declaration of Independence, second President, father of the 6th President, Ambassador, AMERICAN!  John Adams!  What a man!

The book is based mostly on letters written by Adams to and from his wife Abigail, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, friends, peers,  and other fellow revolutionaries.  It tracks his life and journeys from before the War for Independence until his death in the early 1800’s.

While there is virtually nothing in this book about the 2nd Amendment specifically, the entire story line and historical fact presented is of self determination, freedom, and liberty.  Yet while there are many examples contained within the pages of armament’s necessity; one is shown perfectly by President Adams’ handling of France and Napoleon.  France, our ally and virtual savior during our Revolution, later suffers through its own Revolution and emerges with Napoleon intent upon conquering the world, including the United States.  With the U.S. on the brink of war with France, President Adams insisted on building up our naval defenses while sending Ambassadors to negotiate peace with France.  Symbolized by the American Eagle with an olive branch in one claw and arrows in the other, President Adams’ administration could negotiate from a position of strength.  The peace treaty was secured just as the Presidential elections were being held here in the U.S.  With travel and communication being what it was at that time (horrible and slow!) word of Peace arrived too late to help Adams win re-election.  But it was his finest, proudest achievement – averting a useless war with France, yet building our capacity for what he called our “wooden wall”, a strong Navy.

Isn’t this what all sovereign nations want?  Strength, peace, and the ability to defend itself against all enemies?  Why then should individuals be denied the same right?  In order to chase after what everybody else is chasing after – the Pursuit of Happiness – one MUST be free and possess the means to remain free! This is true whether one is talking about a sovereign nation or a sovereign, free individual.

Long live the Spirit of 1776!  Long live Freedom!

March 2002 – Jeff Loveless