I just saw the beginning of a 1980s retrospective on the National Geographic channel. Jane Fonda had a brief clip in which she said, I hated the Eighties. They were the worst decade of my life. Somehow, my opinion of that turbulent decade, maybe the last time we as Americans were allowed to ever feel good about our wonderful country, just improved. Gee, little princess, the world didnt quite turn out the way you and your pals imagined and wanted it; things got BETTER, and without your help. Cry me a freaking river. Too darned bad, Hanoi Jane. The Eighties, for those too young to remember or those who choose to think differently, may have been the last time wed see actual bi-partisanship in public life, where once in a while people who didnt like each other, whose viewpoints were diametrically opposed, still could find common ground once in a while to put the public good first. Yes, kids, its not just a fairy tale. There were giants in those days, men and women who could bang empty heads together, say, You dont always win by having the other folks lose, and get them to do the right thing. As in other previous decades, they were imperfect (especially the conservatives), a lot of bad things happened on their watch, but until then and rarely after, there was such a thing as putting the people first. Those who are close to my age, maybe a bit younger, maybe older, may see things differently, and thank goodness we have the right to disagree and still get along. But thats how I see it.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 04:35:05 +0000
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