Here is the problem... many of us don't see the young protesting... perhaps they believe they have a new way
and would love for the old foggies to go away. And for anybody conscious of the history of this country this generational
conflict is very familiar

Back in '68 the adage was... don't trust anybody over thirty.

It is back.

But in the midst of ipods and computers and all this new technology the youth is missing certain constants of US History and I must say... we failed you... since nobody teaches history any more.

The politics of direct action that was part of the sixties (and the draft was a big component of it) was not exclusive to the sixties.

Direct action, petitioning the government and marching is as old as the country. It didn't start in 1968 or with the Boomers.

The Suffragists did it as well. Heck it took over two generations for women who believed in the Seneca declaration to get the vote. The Suffragists didn't give up though, and they marched until they got it.

Labor organizers risked prison and death in the 1920s, either by being shot during the demonstrations, or faced jail time for organizing... the forty hour week was bought with the blood and tears of the labor movement who again didn't stay home, but got in the faces of those who didn't want them to organize. And when I hear, but you don't get it... I work... these workers pulled 12 and 14 hour shifts... of the most grueling type of work... so you will have to forgive me if I understand, but think this partly an excuse for a country... not only you, that has grown fast and lazy and apathetic.

The civil rights movement also saw direct action... and massive civil strife... as well as hoses, billy clubs and dogs and people were killed.


There are those, including a presidential candidate, that are telling us... we need to abandon the sixties... what they are telling you is that you need to abandon the politics of direct action and taking to the streets that brought the labor movement, womens vote, civil rights and other social events thoughout our collective history.

That is what they are telling you...

And yes... don't trust anybody over thirty... historically we've heard it before and not just in 1968. This talk has been present in one form or another almost from the begining.

Don't put down your I-POD, but buy Howard ZInn's A People's History of the American People in audio book form, and listen to it. Don't be afraid of learning how the history of this country refutes the let's stay home attitude... and perhaps we will need to take to the streets once again and march against billy clubs and machine guns. I sure hope we can sing through the whole bloody mess once again (My apologies Mr Guthrie)