Poll:- life better now or in 1959?

[damngrumpy]

1959 was no picnic either, we were finally going to a one station music format for
example, up until 59 there were Black music stations and white music stations.
We had the beginning of the civil rights movement, our attitudes were much different, and society didn't outwardly express sex, or liberal attitudes on anything it
seemed. While simple, everyone was repressed. Television today isn't bad, its just
more real than the programming years ago, many people today don't want to face
the reality of what society has created. Today we have much more freedom to do whatever we bloody well please we didn 't really have that freedom in 59

 

[talloola]

1959 was no picnic either, we were finally going to a one station music format for
example, up until 59 there were Black music stations and white music stations.
We had the beginning of the civil rights movement, our attitudes were much different, and society didn't outwardly express sex, or liberal attitudes on anything it
seemed. While simple, everyone was repressed. Television today isn't bad, its just
more real than the programming years ago, many people today don't want to face
the reality of what society has created. Today we have much more freedom to do whatever we bloody well please we didn 't really have that freedom in 59

That sure took a turn when the filthy hippies showed up, with therebegging on the streets, sex everywhere, drugs, they were a menace tosociety, but I guess some will say that the pendulum had to swingfar then settle back somewhere in the middle.I was a young mother when the hippie movement took place, had to putup with them coming up to my car in parking lots, trying to sell meflowers, but they were really begging, I could have joined right in,but I wouldn't touch one of those types with a ten foot pole, andtoday my kids thank me for that.In l959 we didn't hear of drugs, fast forward 5 years, then what.

 

[countryboy]

That sure took a turn when the filthy hippies showed up, with therebegging on the streets, sex everywhere, drugs, they were a menace tosociety, but I guess some will say that the pendulum had to swingfar then settle back somewhere in the middle.I was a young mother when the hippie movement took place, had to putup with them coming up to my car in parking lots, trying to sell meflowers, but they were really begging, I could have joined right in,but I wouldn't touch one of those types with a ten foot pole, andtoday my kids thank me for that.In l959 we didn't hear of drugs, fast forward 5 years, then what.[/quote]

Then...FREEDOM! 8O

 

[countryboy]

</p>
You make a good point JLM, but we can overcome the killing part by'not' buying into many of the negative and harmfull 2009 ideas, andstay with many of our l959 ideas, it can be done, and we can havebest of both worlds.

Absolutely and very easy to do, eliminate street drugs 100% and prescriptions drugs about 80%, don't buy (into) anything advertised on T.V. , spend at least an hour or two every day outdoors, treat others like you want to be treated and turn off the T.V. except when Canucks games are on.[/quote]

A copy of that paragraph should go to every MP and MLA in the country, copies to all media outlets, and (I suppose) social media places like Titter (or is it Twitter?), etc. And then it should be cast in bronze, with duplicates in every classroom in the country, all levels of learning. And maybe add CFL games to the TV item! :lol:

 

[countryboy]

Title: LIFE WAS BETTER IN 1959
Composed by: Countryboy
Inspired by: SAGE MUSINGS FROM THE GREAT MIND OF JLM, Life Advisor Emeritus

Intended for: Mainly young folks but would be a source of inspirational guidance to all who aren't old, wise, or just old farts!

Disclaimer: The reading of this work may be detrimental to the health of readers with exteme and opposite points of view. Side effects may include shortness of breath, increase in blood pressure, heart palpitations, trembling of joints, swelling of certain body parts, violent outbursts, sudden rage, a tendency to spew impolite and vulgar language, and a general sense of unwell-being. On the other hand, it might be just good for you if you can learn something from it and/or have a good laugh. There is scientific evidence available that shows laughter is good for you.
Please ask your doctor if 'Life Was Better in 1959' is right for you.

Roses were red
and life was just fine
When violets were blue
Back in one-nine-five-nine

The drugs were around
but not on the street
The road vendors sold
Mostly things you could eat

TV was still good
And taste wasn't dead
'Cuz Lucy and Ricki
Each had their own bed

The movies had violence
But not like today
When the bad guys got shot
The guts didn't spray

When kids went to play
It wasn't online
Outside was the place
To have fun and feel fine

And food wasn't fast
But we didn't know
Besides it's quite healthy
To eat kinda' slow

We had to eat veggies
That came from real dirt
And if we didn't finish
There was no dessert

Mother made meals
And baked apple pies
And father knew best
'Cuz he was so wise

Dinner was served
Same time every night
We all ate together
The family was tight

Two income families
Were rare in that day
You got to keep much,
Much more of your pay

Taxes were lower
And government smaller
We all got to keep
More of our own dollar

So Mom stayed at home
And Dad went to work
And the kids had their duties
Which they couldn't shirk

The kids were angelic
And not full of sass
If you back-talked to Daddy
He'd kick your sweet ass

The girls had makeup
And nice clothes to wear
No rings in their lips
And tatoos just weren't there

We had cod liver oil
Oh my that was yucky
But we fought off most bugs
And always felt ducky

And treats were just treats
Just once in a while
If you had a Kik Cola
You were drinkin' in style!

And most went to church
Of one kind or another
We had to behave
Or embarrass our mother

For she took such pride
In all of her kids
But if we got out of line
She'd knock off our lids!

Yes M'am and Thank You
Were words always said
Instead of “F-off”
Or “piss off, f***-head!”

The weekly allowance
Was a quarter or two
Enough for a cola
And other treats too

So was it all good
And perfectly fine?
Oh no, it had hardships
Quite far from divine

But we learned many things
That helped us along
Like manners and values
And the beauty of song

For life isn't all
About just buying things
Like computers and toys
And junk like face-rings

So as we progess
If that's the right word
I hope we don't end up
In a big tub of turd

For selfishness can
Lead to trouble and more
It's even been known
To cause the odd war

If we really want peace
And harmony too
We might want to start
With the right thing to do

Be kind to all others
Pay respect to their needs
And try all the time
To do a good deed

So listen to wise folks
Like ol' JLM
His advice is quite simple
It's like a rare gem

And if you look back at life
In two-oh-five-nine
You might just be longing
For twenty-oh-nine!

For most are just human
Especially old farts
We like to remember
How we got all these smarts!

 

[SirJosephPorter]

"Give me science any day, with all its limitations."- I think logic trumps science any day.

Logic and science are not mutually exclusive, JLM. Science makes use of logic. Logic is a tool, like mathematics. Both are used to solve problems in science and technology.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Fresh Start (for me)...
In 1959, life was good. All the baby boomers had been born so schools were being built everywhere, families were sitting down to dinner every night (together), cars looked good, the future was full of promise, and pretty much everything was just ducky.

Indeed, life was good, family used to sit down to dinner every night. At the dinner table, the boy in the family says, dad, I am thinking of becoming a doctor. Father says,

“Way to go son, I am proud of you. Go for it, we will help you financially all we can. Go out in the world young man, knock’em dead.”

The daughter says to her parents, dad I want to become a lawyer. Dad says,

“Are you crazy? You are nearing 20 years now, isn’t it about time you got married? Go out in the world young lady, find yourself a nice man to marry.”

Yes indeed, those were the good old days.

“Hey boy, where is that coffee, what is taking so long. Really, these nigg*rs are getting more and more uppity every day."

Yes indeed, those were the good old days.

 

[countryboy]

Indeed, life was good, family used to sit down to dinner every night. The boy in the family says, dad, I am thinking of becoming a doctor. Father says,

“Way to go son, I am proud of you. Go for it, we will help you financially all we can. Go out in the world young man, knock’em dead.”

The daughter says to her parents, dad I want to become a lawyer. Dad says,

“Are you crazy? You are nearing 20 years now, isn’t it about time you got married? Go out in the world young lady, find yourself a nice man to marry.”

Yes indeed, those were the good old days.

“Hey boy, where is that coffee, what is taking so long. Really, these nigg*rs are getting more and more uppity every day."

Yes indeed, those were the good old days.

Did your Dad really talk like that?

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Fresh Start (for me)...
In 2009, people are overloaded with high tax burdens, commuter stress, information overload, side effects from all the meds they're on, and the future looks less than bright to many.

1959 is the hands-down winner - life was better then!

People are also healthier, wealthier, living longer, are earning more and are more prosperous, more compassionate. Future looks bright, we are on the horizon of perhaps the biggest technological revolution yet, nanotechnology. I am eagerly looking forward to the next 20 years.

1959 a winner? Not by me.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Did your Dad really talk like that?

Not my dad, countryboy, we didn't have servants. I am simply describing the attitudes prevalent in those days.

 

[countryboy]

People are also healthier, wealthier, living longer, are earning more and are more prosperous, more compassionate. Future looks bright, we are on the horizon of perhaps the biggest technological revolution yet, nanotechnology. I am eagerly looking forward to the next 20 years.

1959 a winner? Not by me.

Well then, you obviously haven't read post #698 yet. It's chock full of facts that offer a different viewpoint.

 

[countryboy]

Not my dad, countryboy, we didn't have servants. I am simply describing the attitudes prevalent in those days.

Oh, I see.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Glad we got through the "detour". I have a theory lol::lol::lol::lol that will perhaps be satisfactory to everyone, S.J. included - life was better in 1959, life is easier in 2009. Ironically the easiness is killing us.

You are right JLM, the detour was a pleasant enough chat.

OK, so we are agreed that life is easier today. As to life being better in 1959, I will say this much. No doubt it was better according to you, but not according to everybody (certainly not according to me).

Especially ask the blacks in Southern USA (or indeed, anywhere in USA or Canada) or career minded women or gays, they will say that life is most certainly better, much better today.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Absolutely and very easy to do, eliminate street drugs 100% and prescriptions drugs about 80%, don't buy (into) anything advertised on T.V. , spend at least an hour or two every day outdoors, treat others like you want to be treated and turn off the T.V. except when Canucks games are on.

And how do you propose to get rid of the drugs, JLM? As to TV, do you turn the TV off, except for Canucks game?

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Ooooooooh Anna................he did say can, but I don't think he meant necessarily so.

i didn't say I can, JLM. I said that like any scientific theory, evolution can be proved wrong by a single observation. Can be proved wrong does not mean will be proved wrong.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

1959 was no picnic either, we were finally going to a one station music format for
example, up until 59 there were Black music stations and white music stations.
We had the beginning of the civil rights movement, our attitudes were much different, and society didn't outwardly express sex, or liberal attitudes on anything it
seemed. While simple, everyone was repressed. Television today isn't bad, its just
more real than the programming years ago, many people today don't want to face
the reality of what society has created. Today we have much more freedom to do whatever we bloody well please we didn 't really have that freedom in 59

Quite so, damngrumpy. Old timers make a big deal of the fact that those were the peaceful, quiet times. Sure they were, but it was the peace of the graveyard.

It was peaceful because everybody knew their place on the totem pole, nobody dared rebel. It was peaceful in the sense that North Korea is peaceful today. There is a strict hierarchy, with the Communist dictator on top, his favorite lieutenants second in command etc. and so on down the line. None dare rebel.

It was same in the good old days. White man was on top, white woman the second, then black man. As to gays well, the attitude was the same as is prevalent in Iran today. According to Iranian president, there are no homosexuals in Iran. Same way, 50 years ago probably most people would have said that there are no homosexuals in their town.

Peaceful and quiet indeed. Is it unsettled, in flux, ever changing, far from quiet today? You bet it is, and may it stay that way.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

That sure took a turn when the filthy hippies showed up, with therebegging on the streets, sex everywhere, drugs, they were a menace tosociety, but I guess some will say that the pendulum had to swingfar then settle back somewhere in the middle.I was a young mother when the hippie movement took place, had to putup with them coming up to my car in parking lots, trying to sell meflowers, but they were really begging, I could have joined right in,but I wouldn't touch one of those types with a ten foot pole, andtoday my kids thank me for that.In l959 we didn't hear of drugs, fast forward 5 years, then what.

That is how every civil rights movement starts, talloola. They have to do something outrageous to get noticed, so that their movement attracts the attention of the society. How did the Feminist movement start? By burning bras. Burning bras by itself did not achieve anything, but it sure got them noticed.

Later on the hippy movement matured, many of their tenets became mainstream (sex, environment, freedom to do as one chooses etc.). then such outrageous tactics were not necessary. I remember one prominent hippy leader became a stockbroker, another became a Fundamentalist Christian.

It was the same with Feminist movement. Now that it has gone mainstream, you don’t see anybody burning bras, do you?

 

[countryboy]

Adn how do you propose to get rid of the drugs, JLM? As to TV, do you turn the TV off, except for Canucks game?

Sorry to intrude on this one...just wanted to offer my thoughts as I'm awake anyway.

How do you get rid of drugs? Check out Singapore. They don't have any there. They have a death penalty for possession of illegal drugs. Like freedom and most other things, a drug-free society has a price. Just depends how much you're willing to "pay" to fix problems. If drugs aren't a problem in Canada, I wouldn't worry about it. What's that old expression...either sh*t or get off the pot! Actually, another one I like is, "Either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way."

The other way might be to focus a police task force (a big one) on cutting off the routes into the country, shutting down the distributors and dealers, and helping the users kick the habit.

Those are only a couple of suggestions...I'm sure there are many more and better ones out there.

Oh, and as for the TV thing...yes, just shut it off. That's a fairly simple thing to grasp, isn't it? And then decide what the kiddies can watch and make them stick to it. I realize that would limit their freedoms but that's how it goes when you're trying to show them what's good (or not) for them. Just another price to be paid. If you extend freedom in line with the proven ability for the recipient to handle it, you'll end up with much better results. Heck, you might even find yourself on the way "back to the future." Imagine, 1959 happening in a 2009 timeframe! The thought is exciting.

 

[countryboy]

That is how every civil rights movement starts, talloola. They have to do something outrageous to get noticed, so that their movement attracts the attention of the society. How did the Feminist movement start? By burning bras. Burning bras by itself did not achieve anything, but it sure got them noticed.

Later on the hippy movement matured, many of their tenets became mainstream (sex, environment, freedom to do as one chooses etc.). then such outrageous tactics were not necessary. I remember one prominent hippy leader became a stockbroker, another became a Fundamentalist Christian.

It was the same with Feminist movement. Now that it has gone mainstream, you don’t see anybody burning bras, do you?

No I don't and, being a traditionalist, I think we've lost something there! I used to like those gatherings a lot!

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Well then, you obviously haven't read post #698 yet. It's chock full of facts that offer a different viewpoint.

No counrtyboy, I had not read that when I responded. A great bit of poetry, you sure have hidden talents (assuming it was composed by you). However, I can appreciate good poetry without necessarily agreeing with the message of it.

In fact, that is the case with Gilbert and Sullivan. Gilbert can only be described as a right wing nut even by the standards of 19th century. And his right wing nutty ideas keep cropping up in the operas from time to time. But while I enjoy the operas tremendously (great, soul lifting music, crisp, sharp lyrics, gut splitting humour etc.), I don’t have to agree with their message. It is the same with your poetry.