My Generation
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As a baby boomer, I read Scott Griffin’s letter (Feb. 15) with great interest. As I waded through his sarcastic drivel, I took exception to his demeaning an entire generation.
Like many boomers I raised a family, paid my taxes, obeyed society’s laws, served my country during the Vietnam War and went to school while holding down a full-time job. After toiling in the work force as a loyal and trusted employee for more than 40 years I was rewarded with a pension, which — coupled with life savings — has provided me with a comfortable lifestyle.
Every generation has its good and bad points, and Mr. Griffin’s generation, whatever that is, will be no different. If you are dissatisfied with current events, you need to do what all generations have done before you. Get involved in your community, be current on the issues that will affect you, and above all, don’t forget to vote.
Now, if you will excuse me, I am taking my two new knees out to the golf course and then back home for a well-deserved nap.
Paul Cottam
Southern Pines
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Comments
ProudYankee 3 months ago
Mr. Cottam, I too am a "boomer", and I think you missed the point of the original letter. Our generation has been the most self-important, self centered, greedy generation our country has seen. Not every boomer is guilty of these things, many have made outstanding contributions to society. A select few discovered that it was more profitable for them to shift money aroud than actually produce anything, and that led to the decimation of manufacturing in this country. Our parents built this nation into a manufacturing powerhouse in the world, and we have destryed that.
The notion of "I deserve it" was developed by the boomers. Our parents earned what they had. we just think we are entitled to it.
Our coutry would be well served if the boomer generation took some time to try to emulate some of the "Greatest Generations" values, and repair some of the damage they have done, in their headlong rush to aquire ever more wealth and materiel goods.
JimHeim 3 months ago
There is a train of thought that comes down to us through the ages that the new generation is worse than the ones who went before. Attacking boomers is the latest incarnation.
I think they have all been right and humanity peaked as Cro Magnons and have been going downhill ever since.
moonchild7 3 months ago
"Our generation has been the most self-important, self-centered, greedy generation our country has seen." I disagree quite a bit. The baby-boomers have actually been the most EDUCATED generation the world has ever seen. Also the richest. We helped to change our society by bringing about civil rights, womens rights, sexual rights, anti-war proclamations and an over-all important move to modernize ourselves. Now while there has been quite a bit of turmoil there is no way we can be blamed for all of it. Our parents grew up during the depression and were very poor. So, naturally they were hard workers, savers and were mostly conservative. Up until 1980, my parents/grandparents were all Democrats. Then they voted for Ronald Reagan. I've been voting since 1972 but it wasn't until 1992 and Bill Clinton that my voice was heard. The "Greatest Generation" had been "in control" for a very long time. Most of my friends and other people I knew back in the 70's worked 2 or 3 jobs to get thru college and all of my friends have a college education. Some had parents to pay their way. But what we most importantly did was to get educated. That doesn't excuse greed and selfishness and I still am at a loss trying to understand it. I don't think it's been an "entitlement" generation, rather one that knew that "manual labor/unskilled labor types of employment were not going to be either the way to get ahead or to improve our country. But inequities began to develope rather quickly since 1980, between those who were better educated and those who were not. And of course there have been those to take advantage of that, and there always will be. We have to learn from our mistakes and make the changes that are needed to keep us from falling into an abyss.
Arestorer 3 months ago
moonchild7; Im not sure if I agree with you, I can hardly comprehend what your saying...
Its a little early for a Nooner, isnt it??
dustyrhoades 3 months ago
Arestorer, are you propositioning MC7?
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nooner
teufelhunden 3 months ago
Well written Mr. Cottam. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Courseaire 3 months ago
I would say the Pot Smoking, Acid Droping & Drug Ingesting generation of the late 60s & early 70s would be considered the worst. I'm being followed by a moon shadow Moon shadow moon shadow Leaping and hopping on a moon shadow Moon shadow moon shadow And if I ever lost my hands Lose my plough, lose my land Oh, if I ever lose my hands- Oh, if... I wont have to work no more And if I ever lose my eyes If my colours all run dry And if I ever lose my eyes - Oh, I won't have to cry no more Yes, I'm being followed by a moon shadow Moon shadow moon shadow Leaping and hopping on a moonshadow Moon shadow moon shadow
wrich49 3 months ago
Here's a quote: "The world is passing through troublesome times. The young prople of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for their parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness to them. As for the girls they are forward, immodest, and unladylike in speech, behavior and dress."
from a sermon by Peter the Hermit in A.D. 1272
The boomers (including me) grew up in tumultuous times, but for the most part we did the best we could, and we want to leave our children and grandchildren with a world more tolerant, peaceful and secure than the one we inherited. I love and appreciate my parents for their efforts on my behalf and I tried to pass that on to my child and grandchild. Maybe that's the best any generation can do.
JER 3 months ago
We each have our opinions on this subject. Mine is that the "boomers" have pretty well screwed up the works. But we did so with such good intentions: Acquiring the Great American Dream. We used the theory of capitalism as our guide. Everything needed to grow and expand. Bigger was better. Faster was better. Make your money work for you replaced working for your money. Being a conspicuous consumer replaced being a thrifty spender. Credit replaced saving. Our parents ways were the result of what they saw happen to their families during the depression. After WWII, they wanted to try and improve on the life their parents had to live. Then we came along. Our parents wanted things to be better for us and we developed a "entitlement" mentality. We deserved everything they didn't get to have. Today, we see the long term results of that mentality. We have killed and eaten the golden goose. We have no one to blame but ourselves. But many on here will try.
Arestorer 3 months ago
DUSTY; The "nooner' I was refering to was a doobie, not a "quicky"..
dustyrhoades 3 months ago
DUSTY; The "nooner' I was refering to was a doobie, not a "quicky"..
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Wow. Deja vu.
Arestorer 3 months ago
aaahhh okay...Fixin to go"smoke a fag"anyway...Good on ya...
dustyrhoades 3 months ago
Generation X - Your Generation by sham64andahalf
wrich49 3 months ago
I take comfort in the fact that there is nothing wrong with today's teenagers that 20 years won't fix. Somebody wise said that. Sometimes I think back and just cringe.
JimHeim 3 months ago
Pot smoking is bad? Now you tell me.
Thatcher 3 months ago
JimHeim ( 1 hour, 15 min. ago)-- "Pot smoking is bad? Now you tell me." Do you believe pot smoking is good? Please explain. Thanks.
dustyrhoades 3 months ago
Psst, Thatcher.... I think he was making a joke. A wisecrack. A jape and/or a witticism.
Thatcher 3 months ago
DR-- Precisely! ("In exact terms"; "without vagueness"). Which is why I asked JimHeim the question in the first place. Feel free to answer the question yourself if you'd like!
JimHeim 3 months ago
Dusty wins the perceptive reader award .. again!
BigE 3 months ago
Jim, I typically like your thoughtful comments here, but thinking that many in this crowd would get sarcasm, comedy, or satire... well, maybe you are not as intellectual as I thought you were. :P
moonchild7 3 months ago
Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon by maranger123
buskwon 3 months ago
Let's swim to the moon , Let's climb through the tide, Penetrate the evenin' that the City sleeps to hide.
Arestorer 3 months ago
moonchild; I knew there was a dark-side lurking in there....I would share my experiences from the 60's and 70's,,,,,But I dont remember them....I WAS there though....
dustyrhoades 3 months ago
"There is no dark side in the moon, really. As a matter of fact it's all dark."
Arestorer 3 months ago
Thats right ol' wise one..Of course,we on Earth can only see"one-side" of the moon...Seems wierd that it doesnt rotate on its axis....But, I still think our"moonchild"has a dark-side...And you too, Dusty......Dont want you to feel left-out..
JimHeim 3 months ago
If the moon didn't rotate on its axis, there would be no 'far' side. As it happens its rotation exactly matches its orbital period so that the same side faces us at all times.
dustyrhoades 3 months ago
Y'all have obviously not listened to that album on headphones a couple of hundred times.
Thatcher 3 months ago
Seems like we may have returned to the "is pot smoking good" stage. Other than that, this thread is totally awesome. Dude...
wdd101st 3 months ago
I see that there is some disagreement here, that is nothing new. The problem is that most of you are missing the main points. Each generation wants to leave their children better off then they were. Some have said that the best generation was the "greatest generation." What was the difference between the 2? The greatest had a world war that killed millions. The boomers did not have one. The greatest had problems with civil rights. The boomers tried to do right by all races. The greatest did not have great numbers of drug addicts. The boomers did and still do. The greatest had moral values they tried to live by. The boomers believe in sex, drugs and rock and roll. Not trusting anyone over 40. Being against authority. The greatest fought against dictators. The boomers elected one. In the greatest day the father worked to provide for the family. The mother was home caring for the children. The children believed in their parents. The boomers have welfare for those not wanting to work. The boomers have found that in order for the family to survive is for both parents to work. This left the care of the children and their moral education to others. The boomer children do not respect their parents and think they are the problem with the world.
Yep, the greatest generation was better.
moonchild7 3 months ago
The Greatest had a world war. The Boomers had Vietnam. The Greatest were racists, homophobes and sexists. The Boomers made civil rights and equality a cornerstone of our existence. The Greatest had massive problems with alcohol and cigarettes. The Boomers went searching for more than a quick drunken high and black lungs. The Greatest had pre-marital sex just like all other generations and have been lying about it ever since. The Boomers believe in sex, drugs and rock n' roll because we're not hypocrites and we've tried to find out the full meaning to this life instead of just vegetating. Women Boomers had to go to work to make sure that if her husband either died or left her she wouldn't be in the mess the Greatest Women found themselves in when their husbands dumped them for Trophy Wives. Boomer women have been Mothers and Breadwinners. Boomers have been more philanthrophic than any other generation in history. And last but not least wdd101st The Boomers have had the most open and trusting relationships with their children than the Greatest could have ever dreamed of. The world has been a better place because of the sacrifices of those from WWII but it's also a much better place because of the Boomers steadfast belief : "Do Unto Others as you would have them do unto you."..... "CAUSE OUT ON THE EDGE OF DARKNESS, THERE RIDES A PEACE TRAIN, OH, PEACE TRAIN TAKE THIS COUNTRY, COME TAKE ME HOME AGAIN."
buskwon 3 months ago
NC House bill 577
Thatcher 3 months ago
Thank goodness there's a Peace Train. I hope it doesn't run on gasoline. Or coal. Is this a fully electric "Green" peace train? Or a hybrid that catches on fire?
nothingspecial 3 months ago
MC7, the boomers have the greatest prison population of perhaps any other generation and claim to have no clue to why that is? While an elephant walks around bumping into everyone. The elephant's name is the destruction of the Family, the pushing of Christianity into the closet and everything else out of the closet. The boomers presided over the loss of wisdom and character for the sake of "Don't make waves, man, chill out."
Thatcher 3 months ago
Or nucular (that's for the folks who (a) thought Bush was dumb, and (b) think Obama's smart). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlKIfz.... Thanks to Obama, we are all corpsemen.
wdd101st 3 months ago
MC, in case you don't remember, Vietnam involved on a few countries while WW2 involved most of the world.
" The Boomers went searching for more than a quick drunken high and black lungs. " They went in search of a way to escape the real world. If it feels good do it. Of course MC you would know all about that. The fact that the drug trade has grown to the point of where thousands of people die every year in Mexico alone because of drugs. How many more are killed in America either by the drugs or because of the drugs.
"Boomers have been more philanthrophic than any other generation in history." The rich 1% have it is true.
" "Do Unto Others as you would have them do unto you."..... " You quote the Bible ? Now that is a laugh. The liberal boomers have no belief in the Bible. You've made that clear many times. But wait, you would have us believe that the 1% that have amasted great fortunes believe in that ? I thought the flower children believed in less government, more personal freedom and battling the man.
Yukonjohn 3 months ago
wdd101st, While we see this alot alike, we disagree. I think you are right, we were the sex, drugs, and rock and roll generation. That said, I dont know if that is all bad. We are getting elderly now, and most of us have lived. Everyone is going to die someday, but those deaths you meniton in Mexico could be cured today if we were to legalize drugs. The war on our south border would end tomorrow, the Afghanistan war would end tomorrow. Without the profits from ILLEGAL DRUGS, these third world countries would be paupers. Let them eat dirt. People in developed countries that want to do drugs, drink, smoke cigarettes, have sex out of wedlock, they are all going to do it anyway, damned the legality of it. Adults should be able to do as they please with their lives and bodies.
moonchild7 3 months ago
nothingspecial, where'd you come from? Do you keep up with any current events? 'Don't make waves man, chill out". Wasn't that the BEACH BOYS in 1962? Surfer Dudes NEVER grew up. The Boomers grew up quite quickly constantly living with the idea of TOTAL ANNIHILATION at ANY MINUTE from NUCLEAR BOMBS, then an assasinated President, race riots in the streets, burning cities, Anti-War demonstrations, etc., etc., etc. But we survived, learned GREAT lessons, got a college education, and began careers that moved America to the for-front of the WORLD. Although, what happened next is up for debate. From the Federal Bureau of Prisons, January 2012: Average age of prison population, 39 (also known as Generation X), 48.9% of the prison population are in prison for Drug related offenses; while the MOST VIOLENT CRIMINALS, Murderers, Rapists, Burglars, Extortionists, SEX OFFENDERS are only a total of about 21%!!!!!! Very disturbing. DRUGS NEED TO BE LEGALIZED!!! But then all of that court, cop, judge. lawyer, parole officer, guard income from those "Criminals" would go BYE-BYE. I did not quote the BIBLE but rather a purported quote from JESUS CHRIST. The message that was put forth from the most probable exhistence of this RABBI are the WORDS to LIVE BY. "I thought the flower children believed in less government, more personal freedom, and battling the man." Yes, wdd101st that was back in the 60's and 70's. Our record has been so-so. The Capitalist PIGS have proven to be quite powerful and relentless. Steve Jobs got a little confused about what the message was supposed to be. But many of us went to work for the government instead and have tried to make it better. So-so on that one too. FREEDOM? Now that has improved tremendously in some ways but again, sadly not in others. And the Repubs want us to go back to the 1800's?!!! People died very young and many of our citizens had absolutely NO FREEDOM. That's a sickness of an incomprehensible proportion..
moonchild7 3 months ago
Oh I also forgot to mention that it was THE GREATEST GENERATION who created those "DRUG LAWS" (that I think are UNCONSTITUTIONAL) which have incarcerated a record number of people and they also have supported many of the DICTATORS who have been guilty of EXTREME HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS and other WARZ. What's so GREAT about that?
buskwon 3 months ago
mc7 , very well said , although I dissagree when you said DRUGS NEED TO BE LEGALIZED, I don't think we should legalize lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) , or phencyclidine (PCP) or crack or cocaine or methamphetamime (METH) or (ICE) or heroin or any other hard addictive drug , I do believe we should legalize Marijuana , It has many medical benefits and no harmful side affects, It is non addictive and would bring in millions of dollars into NC, I would urge all NC citizens to help pass NC house bill 577. Together we stand , Divided we fall.
nothingspecial 3 months ago
Sorry MC7 very behind on current events related to date that phrase was used. I defer to an expert.