Boomer generation let us all down

musicismylife78

I look at them now as a bunch of sell out yuppies. They set out in the 60's to change society and the world. They wanted to stop the war, end patriarchy and wanted to get women more equal in society, they wanted to end the destruction of mother earth. They felt that the world was made of people like their parents generation who were more worried about work and money. They were searching for making a difference as opposed to making loads of loot.

Then they all turned yuppie and sold out. I cant think of many former hippies who are now still preaching as they did in the 60's. John kerry certainly isnt making a major fuss about the current war as he did in the 1960's and 1970's when he threw his medal in Washington over the fence. He sold out, you really think the john kerry of 1970 is the same kerry now? hell now.

My parents sold out as well, they took jobs. Their jobs aren't political, and talking to them they arent into selling all furniture and moving to India. They are into buying cars, tv's, phones and other useless crap. Especially now, you see many people many parents like Cindy Sheehan suggesting that they will not rest until the war is ended and all troops are home. Not my parents, and not the boomers. They dont care.

The majority of senators and Congressman, and the last few presidents have been Boomers. You dont see them trying to stop the imprisonment of African Americans, or trying to stop police brutailty, or trying to save the environment, or trying to bring all troops home. Boomers dont care. They care about Medicare, and Social Security but thats it.

I am in many ways ashamed to be an American and ashamed to identify as a modern day Hippie, the old hippies give it a bad name.

Our generation has it way harder than generations past:
-40 countries in a matter of years will have nuclear capabilities ((in the 60's they only had to worry about one country Russia)

-Global Warming (True it was ongoing in the 60's, but our generation will live to see its wrath and outcome most analysts predict its effects will show itself in the next couple decades).

-Rising U.S. debt (passed on, and on the previous generation didnt pay it off, guess who has to pay for it now)

-Doctors bills, medical bills, treatment bills of returning Iraq War vets. (Analysts say that the returning Iraq Vets have higher rates of mental illness than in previous wars)

-Our generation will most likely be the first generation to see the extinction of many species (salmon, polar bears, all fish, all trees etc...)


My question is what the hell happened? Why did the hippies turn their backs on their ideals, and get jobs and not care about what happens in the world.

I dont think the boomers give a damn about anything that happens to our generation. Who the hell do you think sent troops to iraq? Who the hell is cutting down all the trees? It aint our generation!!

Its becoming clearer and clearer that the only solution is revolution, a complete restructuring of society, and kicking out all boomers and getting 20 year olds in office who would be more likely to vote for our generations ideals. Or another option is to wait for the death of all boomers, I dont see them doing anything to help us. They are hurting our world. The problem with waiting for all their deaths is that it is wasting precious time. If most scientists predict all North Pole ice is gone by 2040, and all fish are extinct by 2050, and global warming effects the world completely in 20 years, waiting is killing us and does no good.

The revolution must start now. We as a generation shouldnt let down the next generation, like our parents did. We can and will change the world.

Every generation gets a chance, one shot to change society, to start the revolution. Our parents tried and failed. They are liars. Our generation is already starting to crumble, the school shootings are a good example. The WTO riots in 1999 in Seattle were all our generation and prove our generation isnt a bunch of apathetic idiots, our generation had an effect on that date.

Yet that cant be all our generation has to say and do, right?

Come on y'all lets take our world back!

We only get one shot at this, are we really willing to just sit by and watch everything happen? Are we willing to let salmon get killed off?

When this thing starts going, the revolution, I will be there, smiling, holding garden tools, tearing up the concrete and roads, ripping all that up.

Our world is being murdered, are you really willing to just sit there, and do nothing? We must save mother earth, because we have to.

SET IT OFF!!! RISE!!!

miller8966

Dude honestly....you need to find a job or get a girlfriend.

soulsinging

Cheguevara6 wrote:

My parents sold out as well, they took jobs. Their jobs aren't political, and talking to them they arent into selling all furniture and moving to India. They are into buying cars, tv's, phones and other useless crap.

yeah, heavin forbid they take a job that allows you to have a computer and sit online ranting about the man. way to do something. im sure we can kickstart an entire solution from the 15 people who frequent the pj bsg board's political forum. lemme guess... 16?

Cheguevara6 wrote:

I am in many ways ashamed to be an American and ashamed to identify as a modern day Hippie, the old hippies give it a bad name.

good point. nothing says revolution and values like a bunch of rich suburbam white kids reeking of patchouli and pot.

Cheguevara6 wrote:

The WTO riots in 1999 in Seattle were all our generation and prove our generation isnt a bunch of apathetic idiots, our generation had an effect on that date.

what effect would that be? i saw a bunch of idiots get arrested and the WTO proceeded with business as usual. they didnt make a dent.

Cheguevara6 wrote:

Are we willing to let salmon get killed off?

im sorry, but that's just too funny.

soulsinging

miller8966 wrote:

Dude honestly....you need to find a job or get a girlfriend.

the latter. he probly wouldn't be so angry if he got his rocks off once in a while.

cincybearcat

I find it funny that he thinks people that get jobs are worthless.....

harmless_little_f***

Cheguevara6 wrote:

Are we willing to let salmon get killed off?

I'm certainly not! I love Salmon, and I want more to be smoked... and in my belly! I agree with you Che, fight!!! Bring it!!!

As they say in the UK, Mr. Guevara, on yer bike.

THC

While you are pretty radical in a lot of what you say...I myself have said many times that The Boomer Generation had given up on many of the ideals they had originally fought for.

Its funny...I have two friends who are of that generation...and who are still hippies...wearing tie dies and all that...and they do still stick to those values....and when they come into contact w/ many of the boomers who have 'given up' (for lack of a better word)....these people are almost repulsed. It makes them uncomfortable that people in their late 40's are still talking about peace and love.

harmless_little_f***

Cheguevara6 wrote:

The WTO riots in 1999 in Seattle were all our generation and prove our generation isnt a bunch of apathetic idiots, our generation had an effect on that date.

Dude, wake up and smell the Seattle Starbucks.

Our generation is typified by apathy. You're probably one of these guys who thinks 'grunge' was all about political activism, right? It wasn't. However much we like to think otherwise, it was a bunch of miserable musicians who sang about it.. fair enough. There's nothing wrong with that, but they weren't all Eddie Vedders. Grunge was the Nu-Metal or Emo of our generation.

We are screwing alot of it up for our kids, just like they did, and just like the next generation will if we don't do something about it.

cincybearcat

I just keep wondering just how much worse the national debt would be if no one took any jobs...........

musicismylife78

harmless little, I do think grunge was all about political activism. Wasnt that what they were rebeling against? The hairmetal of the 1980s?
I think its pretty obvious grunge was about activism, we all now pearl jam is political, so was Nirvana, look at the insert of Insesticide with the message that Kurt wrote to racists, rednecks, homophobes and sexists. Soundgarden was political as well as was Alice in Chains.

Grunge was about changing the world and a generation expressing itself. Whether you want to agree with the label and stereotypes inherent in "generation X", thats fine, but, you have to agree that Smells like Teen Spirit, often called the anthem of our generation wasnt about how Kurt's parents wouldnt take him to get the newest toy from the toy store in Aberdeen, and its wasnt about how Kurt didnt turn in his math homework at school in time. Of course not, it was the anger of a generation, a rage.

I think there is a video of Tori Amos discussing our generation and Smells like Teen Spirit. She said that this generation isnt overtly political, they dont have to say "Down with the system", they do that more subtle. But the anger of it is still there.

I disagree "We" arent screwing up anything. Babyboomers as I pointed out are our elected officials, and Presidents. They control corporations and Buisnesses. I dont know too many 20 year old office holders. Our generation isnt in control of the political system or the whole social structure, thus the point of my post. When we come to that realization, you have two choices which I outlined in my first post. One, you wait for the boomers to die off, or two you start the revolution now and kick them all out now.

Name the 20 year old members of our generation who are owners of corporations who are killing the planet? Name the 20 year old members of our generation who are members of the senate or congress and sent kids to die in this war in iraq? For that matter tell me the 50 year old white male boomer congressman/corporation owner who gives a damn about our generation?

Grunge was the awakening of a generation, a generation that was enraged and pissed off at the way the world was being run. This anger manifested itself in the school shooting of the late 90's and continues today, in Abu Ghariab, in Iraq, in the horror stories of returning Iraq war vets.

Our generation was given this world, we didnt do a damn thing wrong

dg1979us

Cheguevara6 wrote:

harmless little, I do think grunge was all about political activism. Wasnt that what they were rebeling against? The hairmetal of the 1980s?
I think its pretty obvious grunge was about activism, we all now pearl jam is political, so was Nirvana, look at the insert of Insesticide with the message that Kurt wrote to racists, rednecks, homophobes and sexists. Soundgarden was political as well as was Alice in Chains.

Grunge was about changing the world and a generation expressing itself. Whether you want to agree with the label and stereotypes inherent in "generation X", thats fine, but, you have to agree that Smells like Teen Spirit, often called the anthem of our generation wasnt about how Kurt's parents wouldnt take him to get the newest toy from the toy store in Aberdeen, and its wasnt about how Kurt didnt turn in his math homework at school in time. Of course not, it was the anger of a generation, a rage.

I think there is a video of Tori Amos discussing our generation and Smells like Teen Spirit. She said that this generation isnt overtly political, they dont have to say "Down with the system", they do that more subtle. But the anger of it is still there.

I disagree "We" arent screwing up anything. Babyboomers as I pointed out are our elected officials, and Presidents. They control corporations and Buisnesses. I dont know too many 20 year old office holders. Our generation isnt in control of the political system or the whole social structure, thus the point of my post. When we come to that realization, you have two choices which I outlined in my first post. One, you wait for the boomers to die off, or two you start the revolution now and kick them all out now.

Name the 20 year old members of our generation who are owners of corporations who are killing the planet? Name the 20 year old members of our generation who are members of the senate or congress and sent kids to die in this war in iraq? For that matter tell me the 50 year old white male boomer congressman/corporation owner who gives a damn about our generation?

Grunge was the awakening of a generation, a generation that was enraged and pissed off at the way the world was being run. This anger manifested itself in the school shooting of the late 90's and continues today, in Abu Ghariab, in Iraq, in the horror stories of returning Iraq war vets.

Our generation was given this world, we didnt do a damn thing wrong

Grunge was nothing more than another direction of rock music. Just because Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden etc etc are political, doesnt mean that everyone who enjoys the music is political, or doesnt mean they share the same views as these guys. The reason it took off like it did was because the majority of mainstream rock music back in the late 80s early 90s sucked, and many of the seattle bands brought about quality music. It had nothing to do with politics, and turned into nothing more than a fashion statement within a few fears.

harmless_little_f***

Cheguevara6 wrote:

Grunge was about changing the world and a generation expressing itself. Whether you want to agree with the label and stereotypes inherent in "generation X", thats fine, but, you have to agree that Smells like Teen Spirit, often called the anthem of our generation wasnt about how Kurt's parents wouldnt take him to get the newest toy from the toy store in Aberdeen, and its wasnt about how Kurt didnt turn in his math homework at school in time. Of course not, it was the anger of a generation, a rage

I don't think the fact that grunge was 'the anger of a generation, a rage' means that it helped anyone. Most of its fans loved it because it expressed their misery; but misery does not change the world. It never has, never will. In fact, Ed Vedder is an admirably honest human because he makes uplifting music these days. Now, that is real 'rage against the machine': positivity and inspiration. Our generation needs to be inspired, not angry.

musicismylife78

yeah but if most of the fans were attracted to the music because it expressed the misery of a generation, is that not political? I was one and still am one of the people drawn to grunge for its expression of anger and its summing up of the anger of a generation.

I completely agree about ed. He is a true hero. Whenever your parents or friends speak of "stereotypical rock stars who party, take drugs and exploit women" we know we can tell that that isnt representative of all rock stars and that ed has resisted all that, and resisted fame for 15 plus years. He truely is an inspiration. His songs changed my life and he is a inspiration to us all.

But I disagree about anger and inspiration. Indeed we need uplifting songs, especially now, but I think they go hand in hand with any angry, rage filled songs. To change society our generation must get pissed off and angry first. You dont change society if you are happy with the way things are going, and you are content with the world. You think Malcolm X or Martin Luther King or whoever were happy and uplifted about the world. No, first they were pissed off.

This sentiment is expressed in lyrics by Rage Against the Machine and The Clash, that anger is a gift and that it should be used to change society.

I think our generation needs both uplifting songs and rage filled songs. Songs to make people angry and start the revolution and songs to soothe and calm and quiet.

I think grunge did help alot of people. It put into words what alot of us felt and still feel about the world. That is a huge help. Pearl Jam's new record does that in terms of the war. Grunge was able in my view, maybe not in your view, to encapsulate the feelings of a large amount of people. It made the feelings of Generation X known to the wider society.

I think my whole point is that the grunge movement was that it was the anger of a generation and it was put to postive use. Nowadays we have school shootings and iraq war vets killing their newborn sons. Those arent positive ways of expressing anger. Ed expressed his anger about the world by making this new record.

Ultimately I think one has to be adaquately pissed off and angry to actually get up and do something about the world.

dg1979us

Cheguevara6 wrote:

yeah but if most of the fans were attracted to the music because it expressed the misery of a generation, is that not political? I was one and still am one of the people drawn to grunge for its expression of anger and its summing up of the anger of a generation.

I completely agree about ed. He is a true hero. Whenever your parents or friends speak of "stereotypical rock stars who party, take drugs and exploit women" we know we can tell that that isnt representative of all rock stars and that ed has resisted all that, and resisted fame for 15 plus years. He truely is an inspiration. His songs changed my life and he is a inspiration to us all.

But I disagree about anger and inspiration. Indeed we need uplifting songs, especially now, but I think they go hand in hand with any angry, rage filled songs. To change society our generation must get pissed off and angry first. You dont change society if you are happy with the way things are going, and you are content with the world. You think Malcolm X or Martin Luther King or whoever were happy and uplifted about the world. No, first they were pissed off.

This sentiment is expressed in lyrics by Rage Against the Machine and The Clash, that anger is a gift and that it should be used to change society.

I think our generation needs both uplifting songs and rage filled songs. Songs to make people angry and start the revolution and songs to soothe and calm and quiet.

I think grunge did help alot of people. It put into words what alot of us felt and still feel about the world. That is a huge help. Pearl Jam's new record does that in terms of the war. Grunge was able in my view, maybe not in your view, to encapsulate the feelings of a large amount of people. It made the feelings of Generation X known to the wider society.

I think my whole point is that the grunge movement was that it was the anger of a generation and it was put to postive use. Nowadays we have school shootings and iraq war vets killing their newborn sons. Those arent positive ways of expressing anger. Ed expressed his anger about the world by making this new record.

Ultimately I think one has to be adaquately pissed off and angry to actually get up and do something about the world.

I think your being overly idealistic about songs kick starting a revolution. Anyone who wants to do their part to help change society doesnt need a song to inspire them. I think its great when musicians write about issues they care about, and Im sure some of their listeners do really take from it. But if you dont really care before hand, then a pearl jam or clash song isnt going to make you all of a sudden care after you hear the song.

harmless_little_f***

Cheguevara6 wrote:

But I disagree about anger and inspiration. Indeed we need uplifting songs, especially now, but I think they go hand in hand with any angry, rage filled songs. To change society our generation must get pissed off and angry first. You dont change society if you are happy with the way things are going, and you are content with the world. You think Malcolm X or Martin Luther King or whoever were happy and uplifted about the world. No, first they were pissed off.

Don't get me wrong. I believe in the rightness of anger as well, and it IS right to express all emotions through song, including anger, depression, rage, etc. All I'm saying is that if you think all of that actually spurred our generation on to REAL, MEANINGFUL social action in the world, you're mistaken. Just like Emos, fans of grunge were most of the time just sitting at home drinking, smoking weed, playing the Amiga 500 and waxing lyrical about revolution and changing the world. Just like every other youth generation before them. Minus the Amiga 500.

Ebizzie

If you take your initial post and replace each instance of "sold out" with "grew up", it's a pretty funny commentary.

Cosmo

Tell you what... when you get to be your parent's age... get back to me.
...
And Generation-X (Gen-X), was proclaimed to be the 'Slacker' or 'Brand-X' Generation... mostly because the majority doesn't want to do anything except live at their parent's house well into their 20s and sometimes... beyond. And if you are so riled about your current political landscape... then why are you NOT going to the polls in droves and making the change yourself?
WHY? Complacency. Or Slackerocity.
...
I'm not saying the stuff about Gen-X'ers is true... just like all of the stuff you say about the Boomers is true. Yeah, a lot of it is true, but not in the stereo-typical fashion in which it is stated. A lot of the Boomers went to college to avoid Viet Nam and used those degrees to get jobs and make money... money to buy houses that their kids can live in til they are 34. The Hippies turned into Disco Coke whores to AIDS fearing Yuppies. The Viet Nam anti War movement for many of that generation... a fashion statement.

You blame the Boomers who blame their Stepford Lives of the 50s and so on... Your kids are going to blame you for all the shit that happens on your watch... Welcome to the Generation Wars.
I think that if you DO something about the situation, no matter how insignificant it may seem... at least it is DOING something. So... DO something. Not to please me or to be a leader of your generation... do it because it is the right thing to do. There are many cross-generational things you can do... go out with the Surfriders and pick up trash on the beach or voluenteer your services for AIDS Walks or Breast Cancer 10Ks... you will see a lot of Old Fuck Boomers out there doing shit.
Activism isn't synonymous with Anarchy or Protest... It's about doing something to effect a change... even if it is tiny and insignificant in the big picture... It's about doing something... not just complaining about it.
...
peace... love...

norm

Cosmo wrote:

Tell you what... when you get to be your parent's age... get back to me.
...
And Generation-X (Gen-X), was proclaimed to be the 'Slacker' or 'Brand-X' Generation... mostly because the majority doesn't want to do anything except live at their parent's house well into their 20s and sometimes... beyond. And if you are so riled about your current political landscape... then why are you NOT going to the polls in droves and making the change yourself?
WHY? Complacency. Or Slackerocity.
...
I'm not saying the stuff about Gen-X'ers is true... just like all of the stuff you say about the Boomers is true. Yeah, a lot of it is true, but not in the stereo-typical fashion in which it is stated. A lot of the Boomers went to college to avoid Viet Nam and used those degrees to get jobs and make money... money to buy houses that their kids can live in til they are 34. The Hippies turned into Disco Coke whores to AIDS fearing Yuppies. The Viet Nam anti War movement for many of that generation... a fashion statement.

You blame the Boomers who blame their Stepford Lives of the 50s and so on... Your kids are going to blame you for all the shit that happens on your watch... Welcome to the Generation Wars.
I think that if you DO something about the situation, no matter how insignificant it may seem... at least it is DOING something. So... DO something. Not to please me or to be a leader of your generation... do it because it is the right thing to do. There are many cross-generational things you can do... go out with the Surfriders and pick up trash on the beach or voluenteer your services for AIDS Walks or Breast Cancer 10Ks... you will see a lot of Old Fuck Boomers out there doing shit.
Activism isn't synonymous with Anarchy or Protest... It's about doing something to effect a change... even if it is tiny and insignificant in the big picture... It's about doing something... not just complaining about it.
...
peace... love...

Well said, Cosmo.

Ahnimus

I don't think they sold-out. I think they just got old and too many responsibilities. That's why they have kids to continue the fight.

I never wanted to have children until recently. I want to have someone to teach and someone to carry on the good fight. Of course, when I'm 45 and they are 20 they are going to tell me I'm full of shit and useless, but that's cool too.

soulsinging

Cheguevara6 wrote:

I disagree "We" arent screwing up anything. Babyboomers as I pointed out are our elected officials, and Presidents. They control corporations and Buisnesses. I dont know too many 20 year old office holders. Our generation isnt in control of the political system or the whole social structure, thus the point of my post. When we come to that realization, you have two choices which I outlined in my first post. One, you wait for the boomers to die off, or two you start the revolution now and kick them all out now.

Name the 20 year old members of our generation who are owners of corporations who are killing the planet? Name the 20 year old members of our generation who are members of the senate or congress and sent kids to die in this war in iraq? For that matter tell me the 50 year old white male boomer congressman/corporation owner who gives a damn about our generation?

guess what? all those people who listened to grunge? climbing the corporate ladder right now. the outraged 20-somethings who ARENT ruining the planet and running corporations? havent been promoted yet. give them 20 years, they'll be right up front and so will you. it's easy to talk about not getting a job and revolution when you're a teenager posting on your mom's computer. but once you start having to pay bills, your che guevera wannabe revolutionary verve will die out plenty quick.

soulsinging

Cheguevara6 wrote:

Our generation was given this world, we didnt do a damn thing wrong

not yet. we'll get our chance, dont worry.