I heard this pap before - USA headed into the crapper, etc
In the 60s, it was because the war in Vietnam would destroy us
in the 70s, energy was to be our tombstone (Mad Max anyone?)
In the 80s it WAS close thanks to Lil' Jimmy C, but we survived
The 90s -- it was the 90s stock bubbles and all.....
I had occasion to give a ride last night to a younger (late 20ish) man. He need to pick up his beater from the garage - it had just been brought back to life - again.
Right now he is unemployed, but still looking hard, and I'm sure he will find work - its coming on to winter and in Alaska, work is a bit thin this time of year.
This young man is why I, anyway, am certain the US will do fine in the future. A Marine, he was discharged with an 80% disability (one to many close calls with IEDs if I understand correctly) but he is an American.
Forged in the heat and hell of combat (two tours in Iraq) he is of unique material - a strange material of heart and soul -- stronger than carbon tool steel, tougher than armored plate, I can sense the quiet fire burning within him.
These warriors, like the Samurai of old, will be the backbone that carries this Nation forward - thru good times and bad. Why? I guess it's because they won't back down.
I'm a vet myself, and happy to help where I can - for I know the future depends so much on men (and women) like this young man.
It may be sappy - but I can sleep at night because I know this kid, and million more just like him, have got our back here and abroad.
So ya, times may be hard or may get to be hard - but just remember - we have a lot of hard men who can handle it.
/rant
And I, too, come into contact with young people, on a daily basis, who still retain the rugged individualism, work ethic, and sense of duty that were so much more common when I was their age.
Yet what I fear (what I see) is that those young people are becoming a smaller and smaller minority. Thanks to absentee parenting, our children's priorities are being dictated more and more by what passes for 'public education' and the media. And I see no turning back from that trend.
I do agree with you that there will always be a core of 'upright' young people that we can count on, but I fear that there will come a day when they are unable to affect a change because rampant corruption and ignorance will render their voices unhearable.
Thank you for the heartfelt comments.
~ joanie
Allegiance and Duty Betrayed
Reading your comments brings tears to my eyes ASOC. VERY well written and true.
You are right, there are many young men like the one you are talking about. I have had the honor of meeting many of these, Iraq, Afghistan vets who have given so much for this country, and are still willing to give more.
The men and women who are defending this country give me lots of hope for the future. These are tomorrow’s very capable leaders.
you can’t deny there are more leftists now than ever before
McGovern....nowhere near as lefty as Obama only got 37% of the popular vote
Obama will get at least 47% on a bad rainy day
with Obama you get:
Campaigned for higher taxes...unheard of back then as a cmapign promise
Possible gun confiscation
Unlimited abortion.....McGovern was pre-Roe
Homosexual marriage.....in 1972?
No prayer whatsoever in schools?
No creche on public grounds?
Affrimative action?...it has just started in 72
and so forth.
we have gone downhill far and fast, if you don;t see that you must live somewhere special
respectfully