We're in a time warp

[AngieBelle]

Talk about history repeating itself! I'm seeing a lot of things that remind me of how things were in the 50s and 60s (or rather how I've been told they were since I wasn't actually around then.) Today, I saw a message written in chalk on the side of the library that said "Mr. Bush, We don't want your war!" And more than once, I've past a handful of people along the streets carrying anti-war signs, just like during the Vietnam war, only on a smaller scale.

Last semester, I took a class that was all about the 1950s in America. We spent at least a few classes talking about the obsession with the atomic bomb and how Americans were so scared of a nuclear war that there were pamplets encouraging people to build bomb shelters and stack up on emergency items. We watched propaganda films made in the 50s about what to do in case of an attack- an animated turtle telling children to duck and cover should something happen along with a catchy jingle to emphasize it. Today, I was thinking just how similar people's fears of atomic bombs were then to modern day fears of terrorism. I think, had I grown up in the fifties, I'd be getting major deja vu!

 

[Towncrier]

I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday AB. You put my thoughts into words a lot better than I could.

As a child of the 50's, I remember being very afraid of a nuclear attack on the US. There were civil defense shelters in every community and fairly constant reminders that we were under constant threat of nuclear attack. I remember the Nike missile batteries that ringed Cleveland. The Cold War was a grim reality of my childhood.

And now my children are facing a new set of fears that seem remarkably reminiscent of my own childhood. The good news is that we survived the Cold War and I am confident that we will survive the current threat of terrorism as well. I have to wonder fears my grandchildren will have to endure.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by AngieBelle
........I think, had I grown up in the fifties, I'd be getting major deja vu!

It has been that way for me, AB. In the 50's, I always wanted my dad to get us a shelter, he said it was not in the budget for us.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

It's bad enough going through this in 2003 so I can't imagine how this must feel for those of you that grew up in the 50's and 60's.

Dodie....the cartoon says it all, unfortunately.

 

[tstobb]

"If all the young people in America were to act as you intend to act, the country would be defenseless and easily delivered into slavery." -- Albert Einstein, in a 1941 letter to a pacifist.

We have been in the lucky minority in this country. I remember travelling thru Europe in the 70s and 80s and seeing soldiers with automatic weapons patrolling the airport in Germany. 9/11 brought us abruptly into the realistic fact that we are vulnerable.

I will not live under a rock but I do have water & canned food packed JIC. I am flying across the country next week - yes, I'm concerned but I will not NOT go.