Where did the Greatest Generation fail?
They did indeed fail somewhere, but where and when? Just how did we go from God, Mom, and apple pie to Dubbya handing the family jewels to Nancy Pelosi on camera?
When WWII ended, the nation was in a thrill mode. The housing industry and babies boomed.
The sacrificing gave way to prosperity, a healing ointment after 16 years of depression and war. "Whew!" had to be the joyful cry of those wonderful but brief 5 years after the Japanese surrendered. The peace was interrupted by the "police action" in Korea that everyone refused to compare to the nobler more clearly defined war we just won, then chilled by the knowledge of the Rosenburgs' treason, but when the atomic ceiling didn't fall, the ability to ignore kicked in and prosperity continued unchallenged. Just duck and cover. All is well.
Politics was a game played by cigar smoking men in paneled rooms out of sight of the General in the White House. It mattered little which party was controlling the house and senate then. The average Joe was earning a good living, the "wimmin" were having babies, and Howdy Doody kept the rug rats entertained.
Teens no longer worried about dying overseas and were more concerned with who to take to the drive-in as if they were interested in the movie.
Not having to worry about the next meal, not having to worry about the next dictator, America became increasingly bored, creating more and more entertainment. America, particularly the youth without a cause, was flexing philosophical muscles but had no clear idea what for.
Then.... a president was assassinated. That was the pivotal turning point when the government that was, up to that point, the strong trustworthy uncle, lied. How long, rather, how short was the time frame from investigation to gavel to the printing of the very thick Warren Report? Huh ..... they really thought we were that stupid. What will they pull next?
This was followed by an escalated war that was not a war, followed by a level of discontent not known or demonstrated until the 60's generation got on its high horse and decided that teenagers and college students not only know it all but are going to shove it down the wicked evil Establishment's collective throat.
Let me go on record saying I am abysmally ashamed to have been even the same age as the generation that brought us organized rebellion, military shame, communes, proud drug use, free sex, increased STDs, legalized abortion, and the second most damaging philosophy of all, Zero Population Growth.
Hill and Billy actually made it to the White House, twice, and demonstrated this generation's level of responsible leadership. Because of B.J. Clinton, a new generation of grade schoolers knew what a BJ was and that it was not sex.
Look at our government leaders today and tell me from whence they came.
To the warriors and the women who supported them in that Greatest Generation that freed us from two powers capable and intent on our destruction, I want to say ...
Dazzled by the increasing opportunities and wealth and the craving of it, unable to deal with the angst and the backtalk, unaware of your own disconnect from the generation behind you, you spared the rod and spoiled the child.
When WWII ended, the nation was in a thrill mode. The housing industry and babies boomed.
The sacrificing gave way to prosperity, a healing ointment after 16 years of depression and war. "Whew!" had to be the joyful cry of those wonderful but brief 5 years after the Japanese surrendered. The peace was interrupted by the "police action" in Korea that everyone refused to compare to the nobler more clearly defined war we just won, then chilled by the knowledge of the Rosenburgs' treason, but when the atomic ceiling didn't fall, the ability to ignore kicked in and prosperity continued unchallenged. Just duck and cover. All is well.
Politics was a game played by cigar smoking men in paneled rooms out of sight of the General in the White House. It mattered little which party was controlling the house and senate then. The average Joe was earning a good living, the "wimmin" were having babies, and Howdy Doody kept the rug rats entertained.
Teens no longer worried about dying overseas and were more concerned with who to take to the drive-in as if they were interested in the movie.
Not having to worry about the next meal, not having to worry about the next dictator, America became increasingly bored, creating more and more entertainment. America, particularly the youth without a cause, was flexing philosophical muscles but had no clear idea what for.
Then.... a president was assassinated. That was the pivotal turning point when the government that was, up to that point, the strong trustworthy uncle, lied. How long, rather, how short was the time frame from investigation to gavel to the printing of the very thick Warren Report? Huh ..... they really thought we were that stupid. What will they pull next?
This was followed by an escalated war that was not a war, followed by a level of discontent not known or demonstrated until the 60's generation got on its high horse and decided that teenagers and college students not only know it all but are going to shove it down the wicked evil Establishment's collective throat.
Let me go on record saying I am abysmally ashamed to have been even the same age as the generation that brought us organized rebellion, military shame, communes, proud drug use, free sex, increased STDs, legalized abortion, and the second most damaging philosophy of all, Zero Population Growth.
Hill and Billy actually made it to the White House, twice, and demonstrated this generation's level of responsible leadership. Because of B.J. Clinton, a new generation of grade schoolers knew what a BJ was and that it was not sex.
Look at our government leaders today and tell me from whence they came.
To the warriors and the women who supported them in that Greatest Generation that freed us from two powers capable and intent on our destruction, I want to say ...
Dazzled by the increasing opportunities and wealth and the craving of it, unable to deal with the angst and the backtalk, unaware of your own disconnect from the generation behind you, you spared the rod and spoiled the child.
posted by Jane | 9:19 PM
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2 comments
