What did you do in the war Daddy?

One of the advantages of getting older is having seen, read, and heard much more just based on time. And right or wrong, one forms perspectives based on age and their experience. Here’s one perspective.

The “cultural revolution”, usually associated with the “baby boomer generation” in America, is over and washed up. Like a wave washing upon humanity, so the “cultural revolution” washed up and receded, and a new wave is preparing to wash ashore again. The “cultural revolution” changed many things … its self appointed and elected leaders are legends in their own mind. And many good and poor things did happen. Implementing civil rights, and tolerating political correctness are examples of both. There are so, so many more examples of both good and poor that they are better left to history books. So many decisions implemented during the “cultural revolution” often resulted in changes decades later. Examples are the introduction of the birth control pill, and the combined decisions of General Motors’ management and union leaders. How the “cultural revolution’s” decisions played out is full of surprises, even in 2007. As always, there is good news, and bad news.

One thing this old American is pleased with is the attractiveness of America to immigrants. Having an illegal immigration problem is a good problem, not a bad problem. And our American attractiveness existed before the baby boomers, and still exists now, so we have at least one example of something greater going on than one generation’s influence on America. Having lived years in the third world, I recognize how difficult it is to uproot one's family and leave their culture and extended family to go to a place so full of uncertainty. Yet it is still happening. I mention this idea as part of our future, how ever it plays out, again.

What did you do in the war Daddy can be a future tense term. As the old wave of “cultural revolution” washes out to sea, and the new wave of governing America washes in, what is it to be? For sure, expect really important decisions to take decades to take effect on America. After all, that is what has played out today from the past.

Old time Americans, like me, have lost a little idealism while gaining an appreciation for being more practical. Even I can be cynical about old time failed socialist ideas of Hillary Clinton as taught by her mentors during her youthful years, and even mentioned by Barack Obama. Even I can be cynical about those who seek continuous cultural revolution as compared to those who prefer to take the time to implement the cultural revolution’s achievements to date, and add balance. Even I can decide my individual vote, when added to others, is just as powerful as ideas, in the end.

What did this author do in the war, Daddy? First I was a Marine, but used Bob Dylan and Carly Simon as idea poets. Second I was ruthless about stomping out racism, which occurred both ways, by the way. Third I share the idea of now published Ralph Peters that most people think because he is a retired military person he is some kind of Attila the Hun. In my version of his words, while he is probably to the right on foreign policy, he probably to the left in domestic policy. Good on him. He’s a Daddy in the war, too.