One thing
about being old, is there is little that you haven’t seen before.
I was young
during the Second World war: but I remember the fear; mothers and wives had
star flags in their windows – white stars if you had a love one in the war – a
gold star if your love one had been killed; there was rationing of food and most family
needs; It was a scary time.
The Polio
pandemic. Families were afraid for
their children and themselves. In
Mississippi, my grandmother insisted I stay in the house between noon and four
p.m. – the heat of the day. There was
no rational, but people were panicked and listening to conspiracy theories.
Atomic bomb
drills were held in school, and kids hid under their desk for protection from the attack
we were sure was coming.
I remember
the Korean War. That was a bloody war, under
terrible conditions, against a vicious enemy. Military men suffered greatly.
I was new in
the military during the Cuban Crisis.
People were afraid of mutual destruction and a nuclear presence in Cuba.
I watched
the racial violence of forced integration of the south. The country split between the north and the
south. Southern states determined to maintain Jim
Crow control over black southerners. The
violence against African Americans was on display for all to see.
I served in
Vietnam and witnessed the death and maiming of young military men over
politicians playing election politics.
57,000 men lost for nothing.
I remember
the Rodney King riots. The city burned.
And let’s
not forget 9-11 and the never-ending political war that ensued.
Finally, the Bush financial crisis that left the banks ruined and the stock market in shambles.
I have seen
it all before, but not like this. Now it seems everything is repeating in one disastrous moment:
A corrupt president dividing the country for his personal means.
Racist, bigots and white supremacist emerging into public view.
U.S. military in the streets, activated against civilian peaceful protesters.
A deadly pandemic
panic
An economic
collapse.
And a obstructive Republican Congress and Senate that are refusing to act.
We have survived the other crisis. They came one at a time. I am not sure how this one will play out. There is some thirty-eight percent of our population that seems content to stand by and watch our democracy destroyed.
I was born after World War II so only know the stories, but the rest... yes.... I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I agree there is a definitely different "feel" to what is going on right now. I do not know how to effectively TRY to cope with so much of it right now.... so very many, many horrors occurring simultaneously.
The last image you included... of the tRump supporters.... it so reminds me of the images of the Hitler Youth photos. I just cannot understand how the 30-some percent of folks who are in this group..... how they can be so utterly foolish and/or horrible.
I too have been seriously considering seeing if I can figure out a way to return to smoking my pipes. I would like to figure out a way to do so "occasionally" if that is possible.... but I also realize how utterly damn easy it would be for me to fall back into the pattern of my "normal" of smoking my pipes when I feel like it.... which was typically about 6-8 bowls a day. I do so very sincerely miss them.
Your wife would be pissed at you if you went back to them? How long ago again, did you start to refrain? I think my wife would be a bit disappointed in me, but not overly angry.
PipeTobacco
Thank you for your service. We have endured a lot of crises and our history has made me question at times our values, our decisions and our reckless acts. But never have I questioned the love of our country by our leaders. In over 70 years of witnessing history up close, I fear for Democracy and our survival as a country. Please vote!
ReplyDelete