As the last remnants of the World War II Generation in America rushes to learn the new technology needed to communicate their knowledge and concerns to the “youngsters” who’ve made a mess of the freedom they inherited, the world situation is worsening by the hour. Even the old Vietnam War Vets who had to wipe off the spit of disgust from their ignorant countrymen upon returning home, are frustrated, angry, and drowning in despair while they watch world events unfold and fight the ignorance of those who can’t see what it all means. As for the “youngsters” who will soon have their own mettle tested, too many of them will fail that test for which there will be no “make-up” tests available. Their education, or lack thereof, has not prepared them to pass it, but those in charge of that education had better be looking for their own foxholes soon.
For so long, most of America has had a ho-hum attitude about world events. We are encouraged to tolerate the intolerable in a growing climate of government “zero tolerance” – figure that one out and you get the grand prize of the day! The Cold War gave those of us with a brain some pause, of course, but for the most part, Americans didn’t want to hear about the trials and tribulations in other parts of the world. Now, however, the world has moved in on us, and suddenly everyone has something to say.
Listening to the garbage that is so often spouted by the sheep as they stand up to wipe the sleep from their eyes and get in line to be herded, we find much mindless blather about giving more aid to the poor people of the world so they won’t hate us, or accepting blame for causing all the strife in places that can’t watch sports on color television or go out for a McBurger Whop before catching the latest animated feature film from Disney and the like at the local IMAX. They worry about an America that “allows” people to own guns, drive SUVs, drink whole milk, talk openly about God, complain about big government, or own land that some committee doesn’t dictate the use on. They also worry that one day it might NOT be legal to kill babies they don’t want, but refuse to prevent, through responsible management of their sex drives. Heaven forbid that they ever are asked to protect their own families from the growing criminal elements in society – that is what 911 is for! That’s the telephone number – not the date! They have issues, these sheep, but they haven’t a clue what they really should be worried about.
Instead of encouraging the “old-timers” to talk about their life experiences, the youngsters had rather lock them away in the controlled environments of old folks’ homes and pay token visits far too seldom. Instead of bestowing dignity and caring for their own with personal attention and sacrifice, people excuse their inhumanity with rationalizations that the old folks “need” constant medical care. So? There are many of these “technical” procedures that do not need the medically qualified to handle. Keep on searching for that fountain of youth youngsters, you’ll need it one day when YOUR offspring are picking your own nursing home! Meanwhile, listen to the old folks tell their tales of the “real” Depression and the indignities of war. You might learn something that will help you pass the test after all.
Send your kids off to college campuses so they can learn how to be even better sheep than you are. Tolerate the declining moral climate that the old folks would have taken a strap to, as you accept that all kids will experiment with drugs and sex because the government tells you so. Cart your girls off to abortion clinics and send your sons to sensitivity training so you can remain unencumbered and unaffected by testosterone rage. Give away the last of your children’s hope for a future with freedoms you’ve enjoyed in exchange for a warm, fuzzy feeling of bogus security.
Take a last look at the world through eyes not clouded with media bias, though, and you might see a reason to rethink your position at the center of the herd. How secure do you really feel with the powder keg of Kashmir sitting in the midst of a burning fuse of the worst terrorist network the world has ever seen? How secure are you in the “peaceful” intentions of Islamic fundamentalists who only want you dead and can make it happen whenever they wish? Have you reserved your place in the bunkers of the world’s shadow governments, or did you get a busy signal when you placed that call? Have you made peace with your God given humanity, or do you still have a few chapters left in your self-improvement course? Have you removed all the real American History books from your library yet, or is it not too late to look up some character descriptions of people whose mettle passed the test with flying colors so many years ago?
Take stock of your situation and sell high, because you just might not get another chance to collect on your human worth. “These are the times that try men’s souls. . .” and test the mettle of their intentions. Will you pass?