And we could have had THIS:
Well, folks, we got THIS is the White House:
We got our 'magic negro' into the White House. Our 'white guilt' is assuaged. The world loves us now!!
NOT
It's enough to make you cry
Posted on 10/06/2009 9:46:02 AM PDT by Pitcairn
Is Obama a disaster zone? Of course he is. Let’s cut through the crap, shall we?
The SOB has never had any experience. And, but for the failed phrase “Compassionate Conservative,” we would never have been where we are today.
What the hell does America have to show for its liberal agenda? Can anyone stand up and affirmatively tell us?
An educational system occupied by apologist leftists? The ideal of community values now epitomized by a lack of gang bangers saying “trick or treat” on Halloween? The concept that “family” is a couple of homosexual men with a child and “nice landscaping?”
Are we kidding ourselves?
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.politicalcastaway.com ...
Generation Reagan ping
Bump for later read.
Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.
Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details and previous articles.
Back in the 1950s and 60s the “black family” was still a family.
Add this Xer
If it has “Generation-X” in the title, it’s likely to be a work of whiny self-absorption tying all sorts of profound truths about the unfairness of life to what TV shows the writer watched when he was a kid and full of blame and resentment directed toward others on account of one’s own problems. This article did not disappoint.
Morris Massey did some Value Training videos, What you are is what you were back then, among them that basically says the values of society when you were 10 years old are the values you will hold for the rest of your life. What are the values of today’s 10 year olds going to be. Will they be called generation O? or 0?
bttt
You think it’s bad now, wait until the godless, media-saturated millenial/Y-generation comes to power.
I’m an X-er, and I saw this coming during the 90’s when the Clintons were winning elections by a landslide. X’ers are the last thread that was remotely influenced by traditional parentage. Most X’ers have gone off the reservation, and those of us who remain will be just a remnant of religious faith, family values, and American tradition.
There literally needs to be an existential crisis for this trend to be reversed in any meaningful fashion.
We might get it, anyway.
A totally canned, boring reaction that we often see thrown out there when a message cannot be refuted with any meaningful substance.
Why not try again but, this time, dazzle us with your myopic rose-colored glasses.
Oh yes. Please tell us what we are all missing when looking at the world today from your, obviously, superior view.
I think all of us born after 1950 are in a way in the same generation, having grown up in a world of an oppressive mass media popular culture. Even so, we are all individuals, and there will be those in “Generation Y” and beyond who will prove resistant to the toxic socialization of popular culture.
The author put his whole piece in a bad light with this peculiar reference. What does this even mean?
Add me to the Xer list please. Born in 1980. God do I miss the Gipper. We haven’t had actual leadership in the White House since he left it.
There are enough “us versus them” situations in the world without creating and/or dwelling on an artificial division based on pop sociology nonsense. None of us in this world asked to be born at a certain time and there is no virtue or vice involved with the date on a birth certificate.
A lot of valid points in here, intermingled with some interesting rants. What most concerns me is that the author talks about his upbringing in a normal American household with all of the perks and memories that many of us have about growing up in America.
Where I have issue is when the author says “Screw you, America”. I won’t place the burden of America’s ills on this writer but I will say that his attitude is part of what is wrong with America and how we got to the point we are today. America IS a great country with great, wonderful and compassionate people. It is worth defending and fighting for and, rather than giving America the finger for the changes we are undergoing today, we ALL need to fight back and take America back from those who want to destroy our country.
But, when things get tough, if we all pick up our toys and go home, America, the land we love, suffers and changes character. We can’t change things for the better if we all adopt the “Screw you, America” attitude; it makes us bystanders at a train wreck.
Gen X ping. DOB 1967. And, yes, I miss Reagan.
Oh, sure there will always be a remnant, but that remnant will become increasingly marginalized until they are cast as mentally ill or irrational or hopelessly out of touch, or at worst, the enemy.
The only thing that Compassionate conservatism did was the Prescription drug bill that shifted drug insurance to Medicare and away from big company retirement plans.
What "Compassionate Conservatism" did NOT do was:
That being said, it amazes me that race—and even just using a derivation of the word—is such a prickly button to employ.
Is the word “interracial” some sort of pejorative? And, moreover, is the concept beyond the scope of dialogue at all?
But, as an aside, how society decides to order itself is up to the individuals that make up society. At least, that is what I thought the Constitution was supposed to provide for.
And is it not permissible for honest commentary to use words that may spur discussion?
I hope its not that bad, yet. But, then again, maybe it really is.
I agree. The constant quotes from TV shows that seem to be the stock-in-trade of the Xers is really bizarre.
It’s fiction, dudes...
Upon further reflection, I see I treated the article in a superficial manner without reflection upon the actual content. The piece itself did not deserve such shallow dismissal. But my knee-jerk reaction to the Generation-X mention was triggered by seeing so much writing associated with that term being a broad brush assault on us who happened to have been born between 1945 and 1964. I’ll try next time to make more than a superficial reading before I shoot off my mouth.
While I can agree with some of the basic tenets, way too foul. Especially ironic when waxing nostalgic about a society with higher values.
the mmm mmm mmm generation ?
TV shows are like part of the landscape in a painting. Minor incidentals compared to the true issues of life common to all of every age.
The Clintons didn’t win in landslides. Don’t ever forget that truth - they never reached even 50%. Thanks to Perot - for whom more conservatives (being more open-minded than lock-step liberals) voted than liberals.
I feel like 1 of the last myself. Not all - not nearly - GenX/GenReagan were raised by asshat Hippies; many as me were raised by what is apparently now called the “Silent Gen” of people who came of age in the ‘50s, NOT the screwed-up ‘60s. They were not only of a better “culture” but were more mature by age when having us, so I think there is still a bedrock of solid background there.
My parents are still married (45 years), too. I was raised to LOVE America, praise God, and treat others with courtesy (which I think I falter on more now, especially since I have really had it with the commie Hippie-types) - and also have fun and freedom, not wringing hands over stuff like falling off a bike and hurting heads, or falling out of a P/U truck bed or the moonroof (front-seat, standing) of my parents’ car on a back road, or going TorT without parents. Things were fun and free. Wind in my hair, no trappings.
But it is disingenuous to believe that values do not define and shape generational belief systems.
And, oftentimes, divergent belief systems lead to conflict—including conflict between those of different ages.
QED
But it is disingenuous to believe that values do not define and shape generational belief systems.
And, oftentimes, divergent belief systems lead to conflict—including conflict between those of different ages.
QED
But it is disingenuous to believe that values do not define and shape generational belief systems.
And, oftentimes, divergent belief systems lead to conflict—including conflict between those of different ages.
QED
Actually the “bad light” started with the word “cr@p”.
Foulness isn’t necessary.
I too was struck by the “interracial”, but I wonder if it is like me, who is sick of the subtle prods to accept Mexicans who won’t simply speak English (watch how many kids’ shows promulgate speaking Spanish).
Loss of manufacturing - fascist (i.e., control of business) regulations building over a century, including allowing communist-based unions to do what they want and demand (as all commies do) more money for less work.
“Workers” basically caused their own demise.
However, there is an element of rage and bitterness that demanded a bit of cathartic release. Moreover, while admittedly rough in some spots, there is some value in the tone and choice of words that assists with the message being conveyed.
Make no, mistake. I am angry and frustrated. And sometimes it is necessary to get a little primitive on the wording.
Moreover, I am not sure how persuasive the WSJ and other outlets are in really making a point. Plus, that gets a little boring to read every day.
That being said, will work on tone a little better next time around.
And we could have had THIS:
Well, folks, we got THIS is the White House:
We got our 'magic negro' into the White House. Our 'white guilt' is assuaged. The world loves us now!!
NOT
It's enough to make you cry
That's true, but I think that much of this generation dividing is too fine. I think that the real division is roughly being born before or after 1950, before or after TV. My older brother was born at the start of World War II and my age group has much more in common with all those groups born afterwards than with my brother's relatively unspoiled generation.
Though I think all the post TV generations are roughly similar, you might be on to something about a new malevolent influence of culture far heavier than that faced by us who graduated high school in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. I certainly do not envy the young these days.
It's certainly fine for the illegal immigrants to cry about oppression or the proverbial cultural bogeyman “The Man” and the “Vast Right Wing Conspiracy” and the “racists” and the “sexists” and the “anti-gays” and “misogynists” and the other various well-accepted cultural and political scapegoats for every little self-important special interest group in America. And they certainly seem to be getting what they want.
Frankly, I am sick of it. So my point about “Screw you, America” is directed at these people. I, like many others, are sick and tired of carrying these people around, playing tiptoe so as to to “offend” them, and then watching as they have slowly destroyed any semblance of the America I need.
So you know what, let these people do all of the heavy lifting for a while. Perhaps, it is my time to bitch and moan and complain for a change. The days of wasting time so that these special interests can just game the system and have the nerve to claim special status is over as far as I am concerned.
Its a cultural war now. Gloves off.
The days of the gentleman fighter are over.
This isn’t a matter of race in general, it’s a question of the specific word “interracial.” It is not a pejorative, strictly speaking, but it has negative connotations because it’s hardly ever heard except in the context of interracial relationships/marriage - which is indeed, in a sense, “beyond the scope of dialogue” since mainstream society has long since (thankfully) realized it should be a non-issue.
The word looks even more conspicuous in this case since it’s following directly on the heels of a reference to homosexuality.
The question is what kind of discussion the use of the word wasn’t meant to spur. I honestly am at a loss as to what the author of the piece was trying to communicate by using that word.
Should read “WAS meant to spur.” Apologies for the typo.
And whether it is segregation or integration, it's time for the government to get out of the race game.
It is time for American culture to stop shoving this stuff down our throats.
Like the Boy Who Cried Wolf, this incessant racial sensitivity examination has long since lost any real integrity. It is largely an annoyance that I feel sure others also see as intrusive and offensive per se.
Good way of saying it.
Until this moment, I had not made the connection that you were yourself the author of the piece. I found it among the new threads, not realizing it was posted in the Bloggers & Personal section, and I usually take no notice of bylines. I apologize if the oversight on my part, which caused me not to understand your attempt at clarification, made my posts appear obtuse or combative.
That said, I maintain that the word was very poorly chosen on your part, failing to accurately convey your meaning and conjuring up a number of unfortunate associations likely to give readers pause, thus obscuring the point of your piece. Your snippy responses to those who point out the undesirable implications of the word your mistakenly chose do not change the fact that you communicated your point poorly. If I, through unfortunate choice of words, unintentionally imply that I am a pedophile, does it serve any purpose for me to rant at society for being sensitive about pedophilia?
You used a word with undeniable negative racial associations. You’d be better off acknowledging your mistake, clarifying what you meant, and moving on instead of lashing out at people who drew your attention to the mistake for being too racially sensitive.
As an aside, I’m not sure I understand how your comment about the government needing to get out of the race game is relevant when the part of your piece we were discussing - indeed, practically the entirety of the piece - is actually about the entertainment industry and popular culture, not the government, playing the race game and pushing a liberal agenda.
I refuse to accept that our economy should have always been paying wages competitive with wages paid by Communist China. Or that it must now pay wages competitive with wages paid by Communist China.
Our economy worked and grew paying much higher wages. And unions for better or worse, help bring some of those higher wages about. The free market may have produced some of those wages on it's own. And in fact, I knew of non-union shops 30 years ago that were paying higher wages than their union counterparts.
Several factors have combined to change the way we trade.
I kinda think that we had a choice a while back.: Either to bring people worldwide up to our standard of living, or to drop to theirs. The die has been cast and the choice was made.
I N T E R R A C I A L
Here’s a link to the definition. Looks pretty benign to me, buddy.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interracial
Now, if I had thrown out miscegenation or railed against the Loving v. Virginia case, then maybe you could pin your obviously-desireous “racially-insensitive bogeyman curse” on me.
Let me tell you about race in this country today. Nobody is buying this stuff anymore. Don’t preach to me about what I should or should not promote in terms of racial sensitivity.
The only thing I am promoting is being left alone to live without being told what to watch on TV or where to live or who I want my daughter dating. That’s called freedom of choice and association.
And if that does not line up with your love-your-brother world, then so be it.
One can still love their brother without seeing him at every waking hour of the day and night, you know.
Tone is OK; it’s direct foulness that “stenches” it up. I “close my ears” when I start hearing - much less reading - it.
I am a foul-mouthed person, who knows I have to clean up. But that’s purely in private; I don’t generally cuss in front of people, and certainly not in conversation. But I do let loose alot of anger “under my breath” (not so quiet any more, unfortunately), along with my whole temper especially about commies (yes, these fora make me mad) and the dogs next door, which includes profanity.
I just know I have to stop it even if it’s completely private - but I still don’t like hearing it from others!
“Our economy worked and grew paying much higher wages.”
How was it ABLE to pay higher?
Free Market.
And it’s time to stop thinking of “evil corporations” (e.g.) as just that rather than people who have to make a living too.
Those people are “self-employed”, and they get money the best they can - from some customer. They have every right to associate and otherwise do as they wish, and that should be recognized.
That includes paying what they want.
The “worker” (as if no one else works) has every right to refuse it and go elsewhere.
I'm not knocking the Free Market. I'm knocking so-called "free-trade" agreements and granting "favored nation" status with third world and communist countries that have an excess of cheap labor, and that use trade to buy our manufacturing capacity instead of our products and then compete against us.
"And it’s time to stop thinking of “evil corporations”
I think your preaching to the choir. But government is there to ensure the rules of the free market place are fair. And credit card companies and banks violated the normal rules of the free market with bait and switch tactics that consumer protection arms of government should have slapped their hands for a long time ago. It wouldn't matter if they were private firms or corporations, what they did was wrong, for both consumer and stock holder, and contributed to the current financial crisis.
Free enterprise by it's very nature will push against the governmental rules and constraints. Take illegal immigration for example. Since government didn't slap the hands of the companies that hired the illegals, other companies that wanted to do right, pretty much had to hire the illegals too, or go out of business. When government doesn't enforce the rules, you create a culture where violating the rules is necessary to compete.
"They have every right to associate and otherwise do as they wish, and that should be recognized."
Not sure where your going with that. But No. Businesses can associate but they cannot do as they please in all cases. They cannot collude on prices. They cannot create monopolies, except where they have developed copyrightable processes, and those are time limited. They also should not be able to tell the consumer one thing and then change the deal later, even with a 30 day notice, like the credit card companies did.
That includes paying what they want. The “worker” (as if no one else works) has every right to refuse it and go elsewhere.
And they do. The reason workers were allowed to band together into unions and insist on higher wages, is because bad businesses were not following the rules of the market place and were illegally colluding on the wages that would be paid.
As one of my top 25 very pro free market business school instructors said, "The best place for a union, is down the street. Because the threat of a union helps keep businesses honest."
The way we have implemented so called "Free trade" with third world countries is an out of business scenario with or without unions. It's not just the big unionized automakers that are folding due to the way we have implemented "Free trade".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.