Video: "A More Perfect Union"

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ShineOn
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Video: "A More Perfect Union"

Post by ShineOn »

This is a BYU produced video about the Constitution Convention of 1786. It takes place almost entirely in Philadelphia and shows the issues at hand from the viewpoints of several of the participants, although Madison is the most prominent character.

What really struck me is how every man had a different idea of what the new form of government should be. Actually, most of the delegates did not know they would actually be forming a new government with a new constitution. The purpose of the convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation, not elimante them and replace them. This was the first major issue to resolve at the convention, and it almost didn't make it past that point.

James Madsion thought he came up with a pretty good plan, known as the Virginia Plan since he was from Virginia. He had spent a lot of time studying ancient and modern governments and he thought he had something that most of the delegates would want to adopt. Turns out that there was a lot of opposition.

It's amazing that the convention ocurred and also made it to completion. Madison had told the other delegates that Washington would be at the convention, even though he hadn't gotten confirmation from Washingon. After the convention was planned, Washington informed Madison that he would not be attending. The future of the country was at stake. Washington was the man that could bring the delegates together. Without him, no convention. Without a convention, the United States would probably have pulled apart into separate states, or new regional governments.

Washington did attend, but then there were not enough delegates to pass any binding resolutions. Or sometimes there would be a split in a state so that a measure couldn't pass, and then a delegate would show up at last minute, break the tie, and cause the measure to pass.

The issue of representation was one of the biggest issues that the small states and the large states could not agree on. Finally the idea of having two houses with one being popularly elected, the other by the states, was introduced and then some of the states broke their promises to approve of the measure! In fact, because the compromise was voted on in two separate measures, some states reneged on the compromise after they got what the wanted with the first vote.

In the end, we got what we have. Madison was pained that he didn't get his Virginia plan, even at the end he thought that the compromise was a mistake. Not until after the Constitution was signed did he sit and think about what they got. It dawned on him that the bicameral Congress was actually better than his Virginia Plan. The government that was formed was not what any of them had in mind, yet it was superior than any one or their ideas. It only arose out of vigorous debate and compromise. No one man could lay claim to be the author. We often talk about "The Founders" as if they all saw government, its role, its form, and its powers in the same way. They didn't. But they all contributed an essential part until a masterpiece was formed.

Watching the scenes of all the debates and conversations outside of the conventional hall really made me envious of those men. Sitting on a lawn in the evening, eating a light dinner with a candlelight, listening to a live orchestra while talking about lofty ideals such as the proper form and role of government with such men as Washington, Madison, and Franklin pulled at my emotions a little. I admit that I felt like I was living in the wrong time. And then when I turn on the TV and watch the news channels and listen to their debates and editorials we have now, I realize how far we have fallen. I don't think the Constitution could have been written at any other time or place. It is a miracle that it was written and that is has lasted as long as it has. I doubt we'll get anything like it again for awhile.

WhisperFox
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Post by WhisperFox »

I have a friend Peter Czerny that was the director on this movie. It was created at the request of Ezra Taft Benson and many at BYU attempted to squash it as it was being made. Only because of ETB's continued pressure was it completed.

It is a great movie.

Tribunal
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Post by Tribunal »

Why would they try and squash it?

WhisperFox
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Post by WhisperFox »

I was reminded that Peter was 'editor' not 'director' for "A More Perfect Union". By the way, the DVD's for this were on sale a couple of years ago for just a few dollars.

Having never attended BYU, these are just my observations I see and hear from those who have attended.

BYU is packed with a very high percentage of socialists. They call themselves moderate republicans and moderate democrats, but socialism is acceptable and promoted as progressive and popular. These socialists had to restrain themselves during ETB presidency of the church because their teachings were so diametrically opposed to the teachings of the latter-day prophets and ETB had been one of the most outspoken.

During the late 80's and early 90's the attitude seemed to be, BYU socialists anxiously awaiting the opportunity to speak out vocally again in defense of their worldly beliefs. Basically, they were waiting for ETB to die so they could discount his words and teachings as no longer important. When he died, they did just that.

Many within the departments affiliated with the production didn't like the view that our founding fathers were good, honest, wise, and spiritual men acting under the influence of the spirit, creating a document or form of government that was inspired of God. It doesn't square with history as it is being taught elsewhere and even at BYU for the most part.

Every attempt was made to stall, delay or stop the production from many different directions. It was only because President Benson took a personal interest in the production and pressed for it's completion that it was actually produced.

Sorry if I offended any BYU alumni. My wife was a convert and went to BYU. As we've read and discussed political truths she keeps commenting, "I wonder why I was never taught this while I was attending BYU?"

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SwissMrs&Pitchfire
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Post by SwissMrs&Pitchfire »

I'm a BYU alumni as well but I can't hold BYU responsible for my ignorance!

They taught me what I went there to learn. No one was responsible for my education but me. I probably took part in a very small percentage of the Universities offerings and therefore cannot draw conclusions about the nature of the institution as a whole from my experience.

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John Adams
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Post by John Adams »

I attended BYU as well and although I'm still kind of frustrated that my Economics class didn't teach me about the history of the Federal Reserve, and also that since I studied Business that I didn't learn more about how messed up things are at a Federal level; overall I did get a good education needed to function in society at a decent price. So maybe it depends upon the department.

And actually I did have one Business teacher that I will never forget for teaching about the Founding Fathers, how to prevent another Hitler, being personally responsible to God, etc. (again refer to my book recommendation Personal Destinies in the Recommendations Topic).

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John Adams
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Post by John Adams »

P.S. "A More Perfect Union" is a great Founding Fathers video and I highly recommend it as well.

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ason123
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Re: Video: "A More Perfect Union"

Post by ason123 »

When I was watching this movie I couldn't help but notice the same guy that played Hamilton also played Satan on the temple endowment movie. LOL!!!

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David13
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Re: Video: "A More Perfect Union"

Post by David13 »

ason123 wrote:When I was watching this movie I couldn't help but notice the same guy that played Hamilton also played Satan on the temple endowment movie. LOL!!!
Land sakes alive!!
Seeing that I definitely have to watch this one now.

As to the comments, I harken back to my own eduction at the University of Michigan 45 years ago, and the awareness we had then of the socialist/revisionist tendency of much of the school.
Even then the academic world was being infected with the disease.
dc

What what what??!! No link?? I have to go out and find this one on my own? Ok.

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ason123
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Re: Video: "A More Perfect Union"

Post by ason123 »

David13 wrote:
ason123 wrote:When I was watching this movie I couldn't help but notice the same guy that played Hamilton also played Satan on the temple endowment movie. LOL!!!
Land sakes alive!!
Seeing that I definitely have to watch this one now.

As to the comments, I harken back to my own eduction at the University of Michigan 45 years ago, and the awareness we had then of the socialist/revisionist tendency of much of the school.
Even then the academic world was being infected with the disease.
dc

What what what??!! No link?? I have to go out and find this one on my own? Ok.
Haha, thanks for the laugh! :p I watched it on the BYU library web site because I did some independent study classes there once upon a time...... Here is the link (Fair warning: It is only accessible if you have some form of BYU student ID. I am providing the link just in case there are students interested. Otherwise, it is password protected.)
http://byugle.lib.byu.edu/player.php?vid=1536

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ParticleMan
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Re: Video: "A More Perfect Union"

Post by ParticleMan »

For BYU alumni, the link above is of slightly higher quality than the video on YouTube:


Now, I've heard that this film is exceptionally accurate, that only minor corrections might be made.
Which important historical aspects could be improved?

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ParticleMan
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Re: Video: "A More Perfect Union"

Post by ParticleMan »

Contrast honest history with UNESCO's version:


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