[SOC] Yeesh, talk about depressing...

[soc@mailman.qth.net]

In a message dated 4/17/2002 5:29:45 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
w2agn@w2agn.net writes:

<< Unfortunately, I remember it well. It was the first time that American 
 soldiers, returning home, some of them minus arms and legs, were spit on and 
 persecuted by the very people, whose RIGHT to spit on them they were 
 defending.
 
 I think it will go down in history as the beginning of the decline and fall 
 of America. >>

 I think the decline can be attributed to numerous things...none of which 
ANYONE in the states will agree on.  each side feels the other side is 
responsible for why things are going downhill...then again, what can be 
defined as downhill? were still far better off than a lot of other countries, 
for now.  but i agree that theres too many people here wanting to be the only 
representing factor in the USA and that makes it hard for any of us to find a 
common goal of societal happiness. ive made myself clear on what i feel about 
politics in general so i will steer away from that...but regardless of any 
motivation behind war, whether it be oil, money, political geographical chess 
games or drug importation for subsidies (i only suspect the last one), i 
rarely accept a governments explanation as to why we need to engage our young 
people into a war.  
  However, i will never disrespect a combat veteran, ever...i cant imagine 
someone assuming that the simple soldier was responsible for the entire war, 
but then again, it was a very confusing time for everyone...especially for 
the soldiers.
  Its another case of the public doing what the television told them to 
do...if they didnt sit down in front of Walter Cronkite (W2GSD by the 
way...my ham topic link) every night and hear about the horrors of war in 
reality, they would have probably been a little bit more accepting of the men 
and women coming home.  it was also the first time that the proud american 
society saw a daily feed of what war and overflowing emotions were really 
like, and the manner in which young people were being sent was frightening to 
most of the nations 17 year olds. its hard being told youre the biggest and 
the best, then seeing your guys getting their ass kicked on tv in the comfort 
of your livingroom. 
 Ive only been to one Vietnam protest as a boy, we were threatened with 
violence by the police, also another spot of tension. i also remember 
watching the war footage on tv. as i grew up, i had Vietnam vets as roommates 
from time to time...sitting and drinking with these poor sods got dangerous 
at times. one buddy of mine was in the 101st airborne, he told me horror 
stories i wont relate here...but that guys head is all jacked up. he didnt 
sleep in his room, he slept on the floor of the laundry room and would exit 
the house silently through the window. this guy would freak anytime someone 
touched him, and he was very capable, anytime i sparred with him, i had weird 
scars and bruises on my body, then i had to talk him down calmly for my own 
safety because this guy was a genuine badass...he had done some heavy things 
and now sits in prison for murder, i think. my heart is also heavy knowing 
what war did to this survivor who often wished he hadnt come home at 
all...this was a wonderous place to him as a 17 year old, he got drafted and 
felt wars breath on his neck, it changed him forever...he came home to an 
alien landscape, he never recovered. the only thing i could do for him is be 
cool with him, drink with him and try and release that pressure valve a 
little at a time. unfortunately, despite my friendship...he was too far gone.
  The kids at home were getting drafted before they even had a chance to 
enjoy being a teenager. this was innocence lost...many saw it as a chance to 
stand up for their nation and went eagerly, those were the ones that usually 
turned out ok afterwards. but it affected everyone in weird ways...hard to 
not have lived in that time and try to analyze it by only what you've seen on 
tv and in books.
  I was too young to get drafted, fortunately. but i saw what it did to 
people here, and i saw how society tried to recover...you want to talk about 
drug use??  the 70's were the most insane time of all because it wasnt a 
peaceful state of mind as it was in the late 60's in regards to ones approach 
when doing drugs...it was more escapism, much like today, and lots of it! 
  Disco dancing and cocaine were attempts to stomp an awkward feeling back 
into the dust, it was a fusion of different walks of life just trying to get 
on with it.  if you dont understand punk rock, it was formed out of the 
frustrations of kids seeing what happened to society in general...and the 
mindless gyrating of coked out sex fiends.  most of the original punks from 
the mid 70's are now in their 50's (real punk died long ago, IMO).
 Things have changed quite a bit, but the basic foundation of generation 
gaps, misunderstanding and social anxiety remain intact.  it would be foolish 
to blame any of societys ills on a genre of music, drug usage, or ones 
political leanings.  we only have our preferences and opinions...and when we 
leave here, they stay here.
  As for myself?  what can you expect...my mom was a left wing activist, 
feminist and a genius with an IQ around the 190-200 range. dad wasnt stupid 
either, hes a conservative, republican rightwinger with some serious brains 
and a military tour in southeast asia under his belt....mom is a very cool 
and laid back person, dad is a distant and closed off alcoholic, you do the 
math...me?  im just a second class street philosopher. :-)   peace   dit dit.

73...Adam, N7YA
SOC 143  FP#86
www.NDUS3.com
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