PrintMarch 7, 2009
Living in the Age of Whatever
I never liked hippies.
Even before I turned 13 in 1970, I sensed that something was wrong with those dysfunctional baby boomers. Their dress, hair, hygiene, manners and habits were all wrong. In high school, those who emulated the hippie lifestyle smelled bad and rarely made sense. When oily hair, bloodshot eyes, and green teeth were hip, I wasn't.
Sometime after the 1970s, hippies and their soiled boomer offspring changed whatever from a pronoun and adjective to an interjection of indifference or begrudging compliance. This was understandable not because indifferent compliance is good for a nation, but because normal children quickly tired of the disingenuous blather coming from their parents, schools, churches, and politicians. Their well-developed narcissism didn't have time for the real world.
Rather than question why Republicans fought Democrats for a century to guarantee rights for slaves and their progeny, students were taught that whites should be ashamed and blacks were entitled. Fuzzy math, multiculturalism, and self-esteem were in - excellence, morality, and history were out.
During the next 30 years, America's hippie progeny had all the answers to America's toughest questions:
Should we download music for free?
Whatever...
Should banks loan money to irresponsible people?
Whatever...
Should students cheat on tests?
Whatever...
Should marijuana be legalized?
Whatever...
Should police investigate corruption?
Whatever...
Should Bill Clinton lie during a court-ordered deposition?
Whatever...
Should prisons close to avoid overcrowding?
Whatever...
Have scientists proven that man causes Global Warming?
Whatever...
Does Islam threaten the Western World today?
Whatever...
If we close Guantanamo, where will we house America's enemies?
Whatever...
Despite being the most corrupt mayor since the 1930s, less than ten percent of our residents will re-elect Antonio Villaraigosa.
Whatever...
Ten percent of all Californians are unemployed.
Whatever...
Americans have lost over 50 percent of its wealth since Barack Obama was elected.
Whatever...
Iran and North Korea are developing atomic weapons and building intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Whatever...
Barack Obama's so-called Stimulus Bill contains more than 8000 earmarks weeks after he promised that his bills would contain no earmarks.
Whatever...
Despite his having less executive experience than a Dairy Queen assistant manager, Americans elected, as President, an "articulate black man" whose third world wealth redistribution scheme resonates especially well in the Age of Whatever. In my affluent Hollywood Hills neighborhood, For Sale signs pop up like weeds near unwashed Priuses adorned with blistered Kerry/Gore and Obama/Biden stickers. People who expected to retire last year never will and people who didn't have lost their jobs. Businesses are closing, home prices are falling, employment and our economy is shrinking and taxes are climbing. Business owners are laying off employees and shrinking their businesses to hide under Obama's $250K/year income tax cap. Faced with few prospects, even illegal aliens are going home.
During a recent weekday ride to Newport Beach, traffic was so light that I used cruise control for most of the ride - even as I passed LAX. Depression and unemployment reduce freeway traffic, pollution, fatalities, and the need for new highway maintenance. After 40 years of being very unhip, I'm now very pleased that I washed my hair, brushed my teeth, and never attended college. I find work easily and I have guns and ammo if LA's emergency lines are busy. Bad economies are good for self-reliant people.
For America's hippie progeny and baby boomers who disagree, I have one word:
Even before I turned 13 in 1970, I sensed that something was wrong with those dysfunctional baby boomers. Their dress, hair, hygiene, manners and habits were all wrong. In high school, those who emulated the hippie lifestyle smelled bad and rarely made sense. When oily hair, bloodshot eyes, and green teeth were hip, I wasn't.
Sometime after the 1970s, hippies and their soiled boomer offspring changed whatever from a pronoun and adjective to an interjection of indifference or begrudging compliance. This was understandable not because indifferent compliance is good for a nation, but because normal children quickly tired of the disingenuous blather coming from their parents, schools, churches, and politicians. Their well-developed narcissism didn't have time for the real world.
Rather than question why Republicans fought Democrats for a century to guarantee rights for slaves and their progeny, students were taught that whites should be ashamed and blacks were entitled. Fuzzy math, multiculturalism, and self-esteem were in - excellence, morality, and history were out.
During the next 30 years, America's hippie progeny had all the answers to America's toughest questions:
Should we download music for free?
Whatever...
Should banks loan money to irresponsible people?
Whatever...
Should students cheat on tests?
Whatever...
Should marijuana be legalized?
Whatever...
Should police investigate corruption?
Whatever...
Should Bill Clinton lie during a court-ordered deposition?
Whatever...
Should prisons close to avoid overcrowding?
Whatever...
Have scientists proven that man causes Global Warming?
Whatever...
Does Islam threaten the Western World today?
Whatever...
If we close Guantanamo, where will we house America's enemies?
Whatever...
Despite being the most corrupt mayor since the 1930s, less than ten percent of our residents will re-elect Antonio Villaraigosa.
Whatever...
Ten percent of all Californians are unemployed.
Whatever...
Americans have lost over 50 percent of its wealth since Barack Obama was elected.
Whatever...
Iran and North Korea are developing atomic weapons and building intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Whatever...
Barack Obama's so-called Stimulus Bill contains more than 8000 earmarks weeks after he promised that his bills would contain no earmarks.
Whatever...
Despite his having less executive experience than a Dairy Queen assistant manager, Americans elected, as President, an "articulate black man" whose third world wealth redistribution scheme resonates especially well in the Age of Whatever. In my affluent Hollywood Hills neighborhood, For Sale signs pop up like weeds near unwashed Priuses adorned with blistered Kerry/Gore and Obama/Biden stickers. People who expected to retire last year never will and people who didn't have lost their jobs. Businesses are closing, home prices are falling, employment and our economy is shrinking and taxes are climbing. Business owners are laying off employees and shrinking their businesses to hide under Obama's $250K/year income tax cap. Faced with few prospects, even illegal aliens are going home.
During a recent weekday ride to Newport Beach, traffic was so light that I used cruise control for most of the ride - even as I passed LAX. Depression and unemployment reduce freeway traffic, pollution, fatalities, and the need for new highway maintenance. After 40 years of being very unhip, I'm now very pleased that I washed my hair, brushed my teeth, and never attended college. I find work easily and I have guns and ammo if LA's emergency lines are busy. Bad economies are good for self-reliant people.
For America's hippie progeny and baby boomers who disagree, I have one word:
Whatever...
