OT; What happened on the way to the new century?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2018: OT; What happened on the way to the new century?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 04:51 pm:

Sorry to be so OT, but I've been listening to some Big Band tunes from the '40s (not because of the music thread, I was listening before it was posted) and I really became aware of the changes in society and the world.
Back then we were all in a fight to stop a very aggressive and repressive regime from taking over much of the "civilized" world--if not all of the world. One song really struck me: "When the Lights Come On Again" (all over the world) with lyrics hoping for a time when the only thing falling from the skies are rain and snow, and when a kiss doesn't mean good-by, but the start of love. Paraphrasing the lyrics here; but not their message. Back then we really thought that we could live in peace, and raise families with both parents and we'd all get along together.
Then there was "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" and, "I left my heart at the Stage Door Canteen." Maybe we were naive, and yes, there was a lot more open prejudice in those times, but there was also a very solid value system in place, one that seems to be sorely missing nowadays. It is not the same world that I grew up in, and maybe that's why we yearn to take our Ts out on a side country road and just putter along at a relaxed rate.
The lack of reference to our past in young people today was brought home when our theatre showed "Casablanca" and the presenters felt it necessary (and they were right) to explain the Nazi invasion of France and the Vichy government as well as the Free France movement. This was all "common knowledge" to my generation, and maybe I had a more personal knowledge as my father spent the war in France and my Great Uncle was a General in the Flemish underground.
And then I thought about the times I grew up in, with student riots in Berkeley and at Political conventions--I don't think any of this is taught as history to today's students. But, at the same time, what about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s? Yes, it was mentioned to us, and the importance of contour plowing and crop rotating, and other conservation measures--but until I recently saw a documentary on it, I had no idea of the vastness of it, nor the longevity of the dust storms--one reaching clear to Washington DC! (which is when the congress woke up to the real needs of the people suffering).
Just some random, sobering thoughts to ponder. Time to go spend time with the T!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Stokes on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 05:01 pm:

Quite right about the need to explain Vichy France (and Vichy territories) - that seems to be largely forgotten.

I don't think it is too strong to say that the French have always hated the English.

And yes, Casablanca was a major turning point in the war, even if it wasn't a battle. The future direction of the war was decided.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 05:29 pm:

There has always been a persistent streak of anti-intellectualism in American culture. Young folks are stunningly ignorant of history, but they don't own a monopoly on that. Some of the stuff I see passed around on Facebook by old people who should know better is absolutely jaw-dropping in its historical misinformation, often backed up by phony "quotes".

Please excuse the president's strong language.
:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Eckensviller - Thunder Bay, ON on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 06:57 pm:

I remember when the Internet was becoming a widespread thing and was in nearly every house, my parents and the parents of all my friends were telling us not to believe a single thing we see on there. I didn't realize they only said that because twenty years later they themselves would believe every word they read online without question.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Andreasen on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 08:37 pm:

This is a model T forum. PLEASE don't get me started....and perhaps banned. I like it here! (bites tongue even harder...)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By dale w on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 08:50 pm:



AND THEY WONT STAY OFF OF MY LAWN!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 09:32 pm:

That's why people ask me is my T is a '46! Or is it a "Model A" They don't know about things before they were born. However, neither did I. We had a Captain Mingei, a veteran of the Civil War come to visit our school assembly when I was in Elementary School. Now a World War II vet is about the same age he was at that time and our children don't know much about that war either.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Glowacki on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 09:44 pm:

I miss the America I grew up within the 1950s and 60s


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Fischer - Arroyo Grande, CA on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 10:15 pm:

I would suggest that it is possible to have the best of both worlds -- 1950's and 2000's at the same time. You just have to chose the right place to hang out. The Model T Forum is such a place.

Take a look at Darel Leipold's thread on his upcoming bypass surgery. On one hand he has all the advantages of 21st century medicine, and on the other hand he has a great support group offering him compassion, support, advice, and prayers just like friends in the 1950's.

Dick Fischer
Another "always an optimist"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Thomas on Saturday, March 03, 2018 - 11:15 pm:

Dick Fischer : what he says + 1


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Stokes on Sunday, March 04, 2018 - 05:13 am:

Well said, young Dick!


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