My generation will set it right.

[lildreamer316]

We're not just making promises
That we know we'll never keep.--Genesis

CALLING ALL GEN-XERS.

This is it; our beginning. Our proving ground. Our turn. We are old enough yet young; wise enough yet naive; strong enough yet vulnerable. We were brought to be in the love of the flower children; spent our childhood in the waining of Vietnam; our teens during the grey trickle-down economic end to the Cold War; came to young adulthood in the grunge of Seattle. We feasted our minds on the internet boom and moved within its demise; growing into our realities as the century turned. We carry with our Reagan-instilled skepticism the idealistic hope of our parents. What better combination to take on the new challenges that face this society? Who better to "think outside the box"? When will we get a better chance to carry the hope of peace and the love of equality to the future? Let it begin with us; let us draw on the experience of our elders and the enthusiasm of our children. I know you are scared; so am I. Let's try anyway.
"Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it"--Goethe

[proud patriot]

1. born in 69 here

:headbang:

[shadowknows69]

4. ditto

1969 represent

[nookiemonster]

6. Me too!

n/t

[Pirate Smile]

31. me too.

[Dora]

39. Born on the 4th of July

And my husband too.

[RoyGBiv]

45. Representing ...

A '69 baby here as well.

[MuseRider]

2. GO FOR IT!

We boomers will have your back, no forget that, we can join arms.

[NMDemDist2]

3. may your dreams take flight youngling

not to mention I'm really tired. Time for younger legs to march and younger voices to shout!

:yourock:

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. We have to....I cannot leave this as a legacy to my children..

:cry:

[justiceischeap]

7. Gonna party like it's 1971!

:beer:

[MsTryska]

77. me too! born in '71. nt

nt

[Connie_Corleone]

8. Another one born in 1971...Here!

:hippie:

[Career Prole]

9. You just gave me the doggoned "warm fuzzies"...

...and I'm a geezer! Go for it...I've got your back!
:yourock:

[babylonsister]

10. I guess I'm a geezer, too-damn! But we DEFINITELY

have your back!

[FlemingsGhost]

11. It must be revolution ...

... but where are the ideas whose time has come?

[porphyrian]

12. OK, what's the plan? - n/t

[babylonsister]

13. You can all start here:

«·´¨******* Hitch a ride to Washington 24th of September! *******¨`·»
Hi folks!

Only about two weeks left to the March on Washington Peace Rally - it's the 24th to 26th of September.

It will be 3 days of massive action, music and politics - the prospect is good.



You can read more here:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org /

But one problem is getting there, and I've set up a board where those in NEED of transportation can come together with those with spare room in their car.

«·´¨***Hitch a ride to W!***¨`·»

http://www.iterapi.com /

"Hitch a ride to W - hitch a ride to Washington. This is the forum for people WHO HAVE additional space in their car, or those WHO NEED a ride to get there for the 24th of September 2005.
If you don't have a way of getting to Washington, you can do a search below for the name of your hometown or state, to see if any people are offering a ride in your area. Or you can go to our community and post a request for transport."

This will be an important event in keeping up the pressure on Bush, because so many people will demonstrate and unite close to the centre of power. It will be massive!



"United for Peace and Justice is a coalition of more than 1300 local and national groups throughout the United States who have joined together to oppose our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building.

We welcome the participation of any and all national, regional and local groups who share our goals and wish to work with others."

Get a hold of that old adventure feeling, pack a bag and join in!

Program (from unitedforpeace.org):

Sat., 9/24
• Massive March & Rally
• Peace and Justice Festival
• Operation Ceasefire Concert
Sun., 9/25
• Interfaith Service
• Training for Grassroots Lobby Day
• Training for Mass Nonviolent Civil Disobedience
• Other Activities
Mon., 9/26
• Grassroots Lobby Day
• Mass Nonviolent Civil Disobedience

This is the official program - you can probably count on a number of unofficial events; concerts, art and performance.

People, it's time to show numbers. And to speak truth to power.

If you need any help in getting from A to W, use this board. Or if you want company while getting from A to W

[north houston dem]

19. and you can count on seeing a few of us geezers there too

although i think i prefer boomer........

[dweller]

14. Nominated!

:kick:ed, and getting in line.

the time is ripe.
dp

[Cleita]

15. Yes, it is your turn now and godspeed.

We who began the movements to get more real freedom for women, more ehtnic and gender equality in the workplace and in society, and to end the unjust wars are too old now to do it all over again. It is your turn now. Bless you.

[erinlough]

16. I was in my first year of teaching about the time you went to

middle school and I remember you all. I believe in you, you were a great group! Get it Done:headbang:

[watrwefitinfor]

17. Above all, learn from our mistakes.

(Edit to id self as another old geezer!)

Wat

[proud patriot]

41. Aye ,,,That we have

as well as learning from your wisdom

[Chico Man]

18. 1977

[FogerRox]

21. Inspirational

My father serned in WW2 I am his son--- he set the standard & his 12 million buudies who served in WW2---

Feels good being in the trenches to have you with us-- knowing the fight will go on-- even after my das has gone--- even after Im gone

Another generation will be primed and pumped----

[Ptah]

20. Graduated High School in 1969

You folks can do it.

We feel like we made a difference.

Remember the old saying 'youth is wasted on the young?'

'taint necessarily so.


I'm thinkin' maybe 'Alice's Internet Cafe'

You know, if one person, just one person does it they
may think he's really sick and they won't take him.
And if two people, two people do it, in harmony,
they may think they're both faggots and they won't
take either of them.And three people do it, three,
can you imagine, three people logging on
posting a bar of Alice's Internet Cafe and walking out.
They may think it's an organization. And can you,
can you imagine fifty people a day,I said
fifty people a day walking in posting a bar of
Alice's Internet Cafe and walking out.
And friends they may thinks it's a movement.


:toast:

[Raksha]

44. Alice's Internet Cafe...

I love it! I'm thinking about sending that to my GenX kids (son born in 1973, daughter in 1978) as inspiration and encouragement.

[hootinholler]

75. You can get anything you want..

At Alice's Restaurant.

So I looked at the 27 8x10 color photographs with the circles and arrows and the paragraph on the back of each one. And I looked at the judge. And I looked at the Judge's seeing eye dog and realized it was another case of American Blind Justice.

In four part harmony now...

You can get...

-=-=-=-

Generation-ally, I am among the last of the boomers. Youngest in my family, born in 60, I'm one of the boomers who can't remember that day in '63.

I'm always up for a few bars of A's R.

-Hoot

[Mythsaje]

22. Born in 66...

was the Class of 84. We thought we were going to change the world.

Maybe we are.

I know I'm still trying. LOL

[Opusnone]

23. 84!84! Liberal and Armed

My wife and I, along with our three dogs, will be heading to DC from South Florida. Be sure we are out here and pissed off. Both of us are white, from middle America. But we've had enough.
I thought when I was growing up that the world would change as the old guard died off.
Well it has. Changed for the worse. Seems somewhere along the way this country went way wrong. It's time to take it back from the neo-convicts and fix it.

[Mythsaje]

28. I had hopes that the old guard

would abandon the world to the rest of us, but they infected small minds with their disease before they shuffled off this mortal coil.

[mitchtv]

40. class of 44, still at it

though I could retire, Not yet. Can't take you meds to jail, unfortunately

[Witchy_Dem]

87. 66'er here too. Marched against the War in Central America, Gulf War and

on the 24th the Iraq War.

I have been a dem for a long,long time.

[ailsagirl]

24. Your thread title reminded me of "Land of Confusion" (Genesis)

I know Genesis isn't the generation you're talking about
but are these lyrics ever appropriate!!

I must’ve dreamed a thousand dreams
Been haunted by a million screams
But I can hear the marching feet
They’re moving into the street.

Now did you read the news today
They say the danger’s gone away
But I can see the fire’s still alight
There burning into the night.

There’s too many men
Too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Can’t you see
This is a land of confusion.

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in.

Ooh superman where are you now
When everything’s gone wrong somehow
The men of steel, the men of power
Are losing control by the hour.

This is the time
This is the place
So we look for the future
But there’s not much love to go round
Tell me why, this is a land of confusion.

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in.

I won’t be coming home tonight
My generation will put it right
We’re not just making promises
That we know, we’ll never keep.

Too many men
There’s too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Can’t you see
This is a land of confusion.

Now this is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for.

This is the world we live in
And these are the names we’re given
Stand up and let’s start showing
Just where our lives are going to.

[ulysses]

25. I'm not buying the generational thing.

Sorry, but there are just as many wankers among us as there are among any other generation. Work at it, yes, but the generation thing is a false division.

[texpatriot2004]

26. I am Gen X and I am with you. Rise-up Gen Xers it's time to make

the UNKNOWN KNOWN!

[Mythsaje]

27. On another note..

That Genesis song is PERFECT for what's going on right now.

[Prodemsouth]

78. Do you remember the video of that song featured puppet

versions of the Reagans. Lampooned Reagan in various ways. Reagan was in decline during that time, it was his second term. Iran - Contra broke. Ah those seem like the good old days!! Maybe "their back again just like a long lost friend.." come on I am older gen ex (63) so I had to through in some Carpenters.

[Mythsaje]

82. Oh, yeah...

I loved that one.

And I recognize the Carpenters' song too.

[Xithras]

29. I've said it before: Nothing will change without a leader.

The opposition is simply too fragmented to be effective. We're going in too many different directions, and can't focus our efforts on any one thing.

We need a leader who can focus our efforts. Someone bold, inspiring, and intelligent. We need someone who can eloquently state our positions without sounding like a crackpot, and reach out to the apathetic majority and bring them onboard. We need a talking head to take the podium at all of our protests, someone to get face time on CNN/NBC/ABC/Faux/Et al, someone who can take up the reigns of the progressive movements and represent them to America.

Our parents didn't end the Vietnam war with parties, protests, and pot. They ended the war when they finally convinced the majority of Americans that they were RIGHT. When they convinced their parents that the war was wrong, the politics shifted and we pulled out. The problem is that this generation, unlike our grandparents generation, forms its opinions from TV and talk radio, not from discussions with fishing buddies around the mailbox.

We need an MLK. We need a Roosevelt. We need a liberal firebrand that can catch and HOLD Americas attention long enough to shake it out of its stupor and make it see what's going on.

Where is that leader?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

30. Born this day in 1970.

[Dora]

37. Well, then, happy birthday to you!

And many happy returns.
:party::party::party::party::party::party:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

55. Thanks, Dora.

[Hapameli]

64. WE ARE THE LEADERS -- And we can thank Cindy Sheehan for showing us how

We don't need to wait for a national leader, we can all be leaders locally and the movement will continue to grow.

[Xithras]

93. That was the mistake of the 60's. That simply doesn't work.

Did the leaderless hippies change the minds of the world with their mass protests? Yes, but it took them SEVEN YEARS to do it! Personally, I don't feel like waiting until 2009 to end this fiasco.

Mass protests don't work because they're focused in urban areas. Since the media doesn't report on them, they DO NOT AFFECT 75% of the population. Without popular support, all of the opposition on the planet isn't going to do jack diddly squat. You can sing kumbayah and stage your feel good sit-in's all you want, but until you reach the mass of the American population with your message NOTHING is going to change.

The American majority is never going to respond to a mass march, where 10,000 people are screaming 500 different messages. To reach them, you need to deliver ONE unified message through a focused channel. We NEED those protesters to show that the message has support, but without a message the protests accomplish nothing.

[TrogL]

32. We geezers willingly pass the torch

I was involved in activism in the 60's and 70's. I'm old and tired now.

[ClayZ]

36. I (1950- ) will pass too and KEEP MINE LIT...

Let it shine!



Beat the swords to plowshares!

[indie_voter]

33. 1964 here. While those of us over 30 are important

I hope the young, the 18-29 year olds are paying attention. They need to be part of the solution, in droves.

I had children late, so my kids are barely in school. My niece and nephew however are approching draft age. I can remember how worried my mom was as the Vietnam war dragged on, she was afraid my brother would be drafted. Fortunately he missed it (he was born in 1959).

My brother and his wife are now worried about their children. I fear I will be too in 13 years.

We need the young to awaken, I am hopeful they are.

[walldude]

35. 1963 here I have no generational name

Too late to be a boomer and too early for X. However, I'm mad as hell and ready to fight!

[CANDO]

52. You are indeed a boomer.

I've seen many times the boomer generation explained as those being born from 1946 through 1964. I'm part of the last guard, 7/3/64.

[omega minimo]

58. Nah, they moved the bar: 1960......'62.........'64

The generation b/w BB and X remains unrecognized.

[ariesgem]

65. We're called "Generation Jones"

http://generationjones.com/index_old.htm

[omega minimo]

90. Interesting. So the "Silent Generation" spawned the "Invisible Generation"

"Boomers are mostly the offspring of The World War II Generation, Jonesers are mostly the offspring of The Silent Generation, and Xers are mostly the offspring of the Boomers."
B-)
This fact reflects the very different formative experiences of each generation. Admittedly, determining generations is complicated, an inexact science, with inevitable blur on the edges. Nonetheless, broad accurate generalizations emerge with careful analysis. The three generations differ in many ways. One major difference is that Boomers tend to be idealistic, Xers tend to be cynical, and Jonesers tend to be a balance of idealism and cynicism. Attitudinal research bears this out."
B-)
"The predictable cycle of one generation's fringe style becoming the mainstream style of the next generation is visual illustration of the existence of Generation Jones. Fashion history tells us there had to be a separate generation between the Boomer hippie fringe and today's Xer mainstream.

Mainstream Boomers dressed in a traditional, straight style. The tie-dyed, bell-bottomed, long-haired(men and women), etc. look was the province of the small(but highly visible) Boomer hippie counterculture.

This hippie style became the mainstream look of Jonesers. Generation Jones had two main fringe subcultures—punk and rap. The main common denominator of punk and rap was a sense of pastiche—the mixing together of seemingly disparate styles.

This became the dominant fashion ethos of Xers. Not just the ascendance of body piercings, tattoos, etc., but an overall sense of sartorial anarchy, the "anything goes" pastiche in contrast to the mainstream look of Jonesers.

 B-)


I'd like to read the "original editorial" from the SF Examiner in 98-- do you have it? The link doesn't work.

The definitions mention but downplay the political influences......

 




 

[tlsmith1963]

76. Also 1963

I consider myself a Boomer, although we are the ignored Boomers. We were Punk Rockers instead of Hippies. But I'm with you. We have to get this country away from the sick, insane people who are running it.

Tammy

[OneGrassRoot]

84. '63 and mad as hell here, too........ n/t

[nonconformist]

34. Born in 1973 and ready. nt

[DELUSIONAL]

38. Go for it kids!

We had the best intentions in the late 60s and early 70s -- Earth Day and all.

We did stop an evil war.

But now we've see the worst of our generation take over.

Go for it -- I pass the baton and will be supporting you all.

[Dora]

42. It's our responsibility to act collectively and individually - NOW. n/t

[bmbmd]

43. Godspeed, lildreamer.

May it be as you say.

[Maru Kitteh]

46. Hubby and me are on board! 67" and 68" respectively

It's time to kick some ass.

[stevietheman]

47. 1966 here; Baby Boomers dropped the ball... didn't really follow...

through on what their 60's movement seemed to be about... they didn't change the world, but rather made it even more corporatized. "The man" owns us more than ever before. This is the gargantuan task left to us Gen Xers--dismantling the corporate American empire. And taking it head on won't work. Like the Iraqi insurgents, and like the rebels who ended colonial rule in this country, we're going to have to discover "guerilla" approaches. We should understand by now how the big corporations feed the criminality of this government, even before Bush took over, but greatly worsening under Bush.

We are the generation of the computer geeks. We know "sneaky" ways to get things working the way we want them to work. We can use this experience to our advantage in toppling the current state of affairs. And I would even posit, we're already doing that... look at how well we documented so well Bush's heavy hand in the Katrina disaster. The Internet and computer technology in general is our generation's friend. And we will use it in enabling new political approaches as well as streamlining old ones. We are the masters of the future now. (bwahahahahahaha!) OK... I didn't have to sound evil, but it was fun to do that, mmm-k? :)

[omega minimo]

49. DONT FEED IT YOUR FUCKING $$$$$$$$$$$$$ !!!!!!!!!!

"This is the gargantuan task left to us Gen Xers--dismantling the corporate American empire..... We should understand by now how the big corporations feed the criminality of this government, even before Bush took over, but greatly worsening under Bush."



Sheesh, how simple does it have to BE!! :banghead:

[Cats Against Frist]

56. Thank you.

This is AS simple as it is. So many don't realize.

[omega minimo]

57. Flexing the power would do the trick, seems like

one simple concentrated product/service/corp boycott would wake up both The People and the craporations as to who's really in power here.

Someone on this thread mentioned we NEED A LEADER and I would agree with that if NOT for the complacency, complicity, shell-shocked zombieness of the American people..... as much as I try to accept (this week has been MY wake up call) that people refuse to take charge and wait to be told what to do.... it's not realistic or effective to wait and give up the power we DO have.

Someone else mentioned the perception of mutually corrupt parties as being "the reason many people don't vote." :wtf: Yet ANOTHER way to give away power.

What reason do people have to not recognize their buying power and to continue supporting a corporate regime that is destroying their lives?

[dweller]

59. think you can crack the Diebold scam?

now THAT would be major advancement.

dp

[kainah]

48. outstanding!!!

I'm one of those aging hippies out to inspire the spark in a new generation ... and I'm gonna send this to all the Gen-Xers in our peace group!!

[Jamison]

50. I was born in '76

Our generation is finally starting to come of age to the point that previous generations don't really see us as a bunch of kids anymore. Now is the time for us to start to try to change things in the right direction for our country and all of humanity.

[omega minimo]

51. We would love to hear more.....

"We carry with our Reagan-instilled skepticism the idealistic hope of our parents. "

What IS "Reagan-instilled skepticism"?

Great to see your passion.:hi:

[dpbrown]

53. Thank you, I'm getting so tired.

I'm glad some people have the fire.

[GeorgeBushytail]

54. Spread the word about civil disobedience on the Mall - Bushville, DC 9/11

www.bushville.org

I encourage young activists to engage NOW! We don't want to fight these jerks for years.

Some of us at DU reacted quickly and started the Bushville, DC 9/11 movement. I challenge young activists to outdo us.

I am 53 years old, disabled with epilepsy, and have spent almost all of the past 4 days working on Bushville.

Hit the floor running folks. We don't want to protest for eons before these suckers leave.

FEMA is not a good model for organizing resistance. Come at them from 1000 angles at once.

[Seabiscuit]

60. You are our children, children of the "Hippie Generation". You're in the

right place on DU - with your parents who lived through Vietnam, who grew up with fall-out shelters, rejected Reaganomics, scoffed at the dot-com internet opportunist frauds, and who hopefully taught you to think critically about everything you see, hear, and read.

This country may not recover from its current crippling cancerous leadership before we die, but hopefully your generation will live to see the cure.

[eridani]

61. This crone won't be able to keep up--

--but I'll tag along behind you and continue to rage against the dying of the light.

[blonndee]

62. Revo-headed Gen-Xer here, right with you! n/t

[EC]

63. Phew, the calvery has arrived

the weight does get heavy...I hope your movement spreads...go Gen-X's, we all did a good job raising you all....(I was a bit worried in the 80's), Phew all is well......

[NuttyFluffers]

66. 1978. i think on the cusp.

Gen 13? 13th gen since birth of the nation. there's a traditional folktale how the 13th gen of any nation pays the debts of the birth of a nation and breaks the curse of the blood shed in the past -- usually by internal restructuring, or revolution. oftentimes a new nation is born after that.

gen x and gen 13... well, the timing is about right. it's our turn now to take up the torch, whether we are ready or not. and the nation seems to have gone batty accordingly on time. the dreams and values of our nation we aspire to are still noble and right to fight for. so comes the next great crisis of our nation...

[THUNDER HANDS]

70. I think we're Generation Y

I think we're the first or second year of Generation Y, actually. I was born in 1978 also.

[Mutley]

81. I was born 1979. I've never been sure if I'm an Xer or a Yer.

[scarletlib]

67. Go for it!

[fight4my3sons]

68. 1972 here...

ready to fight. My babies can't grow up in this kind of environment.
I hope I did this the right way, it's my first post.

[watrwefitinfor]

72. "My babies can't grow up in this kind of environment."

That's exactly what got me off my ass in 1968. My young sons were spared that immoral war by the skin of their teeth, but now it's deja vu all over again for my grandsons.

From the heart is usually the right way here.
Welcome to DU.

Wat

[fight4my3sons]

80. thank you watrwefitinfor

thank you for the welcome. My sons are all still in diapers (my youngest are twins), I can not just sit around and not stand up for them.

[IndyOp]

74. Welcome to DU -- fight4my3sons

:hi:

With a name like 'fight4my3sons' - I just have to bet that it is going to be great having you around DU!

I remember learning in an animal behavior class that while male aggression is often for show - female aggression is slower to elicit, but once angered her response is more often deadly than that of a male. Come near my 'cubs' and you will leave immediately or die.

We are all fighting for your 3 sons - and for the sons and daughters all around the world. Peace. Food and water. Health. Knowledge. Self-determination. Respect. We have more than enough resources on this earth to care for all and we can do it.

[fight4my3sons]

83. thank you IndyOp

Thank you for the welcome. Thank you also for fighting for my sons and for the other citizens of the world. I used to go to protests while in college. Now I can barely get out of the house with the three of them, but I refuse to just stand by and not have my voice heard. My kids are too young to speak for themselves. You are right about the "motherly instinct." There is nothing I wouldn't do for my children.
By the way I love your picture. I saw him speak in NYC and also in Mass.

[newyawker99]

86. Hi fight4my3sons!!

Welcome to DU1! :toast:

[fight4my3sons]

89. Hi newyawker99

Thanks for the welcome! I am a New Yorker recently transplanted to Maine. Love it here, but miss good ol NY sometimes!

[Toots]

69. Under 25 has a 30% turnout rate ate the voting polls.

:shrug:

[JanMichael]

71. I'm a 37 year old Xer, so?

I think you're talking about the next gen down.

[nonconformist]

94. Under 25 isn't a Gen X'er. nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

73. Another . in 1971. I have been apologizing to my kids for the load we are

dumoing on them. they are only now starting to underrstand in a vague sense what I mean when I say the grownups broke the planet and the sky. I even asked them to grow up to be scientists so they can discover how to reverse the mess.

But I sure will have to work hard on social an poltical fronts so that they aren't handed down any more problems than the ones we are not technologically able to manage yet.


------------------------------------------------------
Ditch Bu$h and save the Gulf: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[OxQQme]

79. Proto-Geezer here. Class of '58

with a few thoughts:
Where have you been? :o)
Shuck off some of those personas that have been instilled by the government mandated 'education system' that teaches separate-ness.
Read "Boomeritis" by Ken Wilber (or any of his tomes of Integrated Conciousness) and the levels of awareness that are possible.
Arise and become the next level of awareness.
Keep the internet(s) alive with plans for the agreed
upon next step. Polls?
How can I help?

[OxQQme]

85. Just got this e-mail

from my uuummm...oh yeah.. 62 year old younger sister after my previous post and thought I'd share it.

My Mom or Grandma used to cut chicken, chop eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't seem to get food poisoning.

They used to defrost hamburger on the counter AND I used to eat it raw sometimes, too. Our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper in a brown paper bag, not in ice pack coolers, but I can't remember getting ecoli.

Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in the lake instead of a pristine pool (talk about boring), no beach closures then. The term cell phone
would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system.

We all took gym, not PE... and risked permanent injury with a pair of high top Ked's (only worn in gym) instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built in light reflectors. I can't recall any injuries but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now. Flunking gym was not an option... even for stupid kids! I guess PE must be much harder than gym.

Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the national anthem, and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention. We must have
had horribly damaged psyches. What an archaic health system we had then. Remember school nurses? Ours wore a hat and everything.

I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself. I just can't recall how bored we were without computers, Play
Station, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital TV cable stations. Oh yeah... and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have been killed!

We played 'king of the hill' on piles of gravel left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mom pulled out the 48-cent bottle of Mercurochrome
(kids liked it better because it didn't sting like iodine did) and then we got our butt spanked. Now it's a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then Mom calls the attorney to sue the contractor for leaving a horribly vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat. We didn't act up at the neighbor's house either because if we did, we got our butt spanked here too and then we got butt spanked again when we got home.

I recall a kid from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front stoop just before he fell off. Little did his Mom knows that she could have owned our house. Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a goof. It was a neighborhood run amuck.

To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a dysfunctional family. How could we possibly have known that? We needed to
get into group therapy and anger management classes? We were obviously so duped by so many societal ills, that we didn't even notice that the entire country
wasn't taking Prozac! How did we ever survive?

LOVE TO ALL OF US WHO SHARED THIS ERA, AND TO ALL WHO DIDN'T- SORRY FOR WHAT YOU MISSED. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING "

[OxQQme]

88. Oh, and one more thing

It's good to have open eyes for any im-moral event, but if you expend energy throwing rocks at 'the beast' then you've not the energy to go beyond throwing rocks and kicking sand.
Not saying that some new un-discovered energy source isn't within your possibilities.

[carpetbagger]

91. Not a chance.

If you take the 30-39 or the 30-44 age group, you'll find that we are consistantly either the biggest supporters of Bush, or are in a close race with the "Silent" or "Eisenhower" generation, those who grew up as teens in the 50's and who are now 60-70.

Most of us are entirely consumed with materialism. I bet we're the generation that cuts the social threads when they get too cumbersome.

Also, religion in our generation has nearly completely ceased to be any kind of source of thoughts of kindness to strangers.

[OxQQme]

92. Yes, there are

those described, carpetbagger. I've encountered them at the peace type assembleages that I've attended. Very scary. Do you think they are the majority?
Induced consumer materialism would be a more accurate way of describing that problem. Do you think that this way of thought is taught in our school system?
'Nationalism' creates an 'Us vs Them' mindset.
How would you teach "No Man Is An Island" ?

[carpetbagger]

95. Answers to questions...

I think that if you add up the number of people who are looking out for number one, from the RW and LW and apolitical camps, it's a majority. The things that resonate in the blue states, at best, are enlightened self-interest. The red states now see JR Ewing as the good guy. I'm not going to say that even the generation when there was a consensus towards social improvement, etc., maybe from 1932-1964, that it wasn't enlightened self-interest. However, in that period, leaders in public life were able to project the themes that were seized upon for selfish motives onto objects that were not representative of self-interest.

Induced consumer materialism is taught in schools. Not by teachers, not even by product placement schemes, etc., but by the massing together of children who have absorbed the messages of their society.

Nationalism comes in many flavors. Some of those produce wonderful results, when the urge for a people to be the best leads to progress in art, science, humanitarianism, etc. Our current nationalism is one of fear and rage. The results of that on both the nation and the objects of the nationalism have been demonstrated by history. Ain't good. I think Generation X has learned from childhood this type of nationalism. Many of our first memories of international affairs can be summed up by the words "Ayatollah assahollah", and that was before Reagan.

How do you teach no man is an island? National leadership and cultural mixing are usually the two best means. We have none of the first, and the latter occurs in the blue areas (cities, inner suburbs, tech/education towns, etc.)

[OxQQme]

96. The Media IS the message

Thank goddess (and Al) for the internets.
Imagine being a citizen without an internet connection.
Or the desire for one.
Those people are the voter base.
Propagandized by the military/industrial corporate owned MSM.
As Randi said, "General Electric doesn't make it's money from selling light switches and bulbs."
Fear is a very effective sales tool.
As is Manifest Destiny.
Both taught in basic education.
Dump the SAT's. Teach reason. Teach compassion and empathy.

My age places me, pre-teen, under a school desk on my knees, covering my head with my arms during A BOMB drills.
Wrapping my house in cling film and duct tape seemed like another 'under the desk' moment.