1957 vs. 2011

[simba20]

You know, in 1987 (approx, I know I was in middle school which was from Fall of 1987- Spring 1990) I was one of those nameless victims, who got burned by McDonald's coffee.

My mom used to drop me off at school, and once a week, if we (my older brother and I) got up early, she'd get some McDonald's for us on the way (it really was a treat as McDonald's was in the opposite direction of me and my brother's schools).

I was about 12 and on this one morning she hands me the coffee ( I am in the backseat) to add her cream and sugar for her, as she was driving. So I hold the coffee between my legs and behind to add the extras when she hits a bump and the coffee spills on my thighs. I screamed, because it was REALLY hot, but we didn't think any damage had been done, other than some wet pants.

So I get to school and by lunch my thighs are killing me. I go to the school nurse and tell her what happened. She gets some ointment for me to apply and when I pulled down my pants (which were jeans -- see where this is going) I had peeled skin coming off as well. I had to call my mom and go home, as my thighs could not take the walking around.

My mom felt soooo bad and apologized profusely....it was a little after this that the McDonald's case came out. But, it never occurred to us to be litigatious, just put the coffee in the cup holder ( although upholders weren't as common in cars back then) and let it cool next time around. My mom still brings this up from time to time.

 

[jp24]

Exactly. I cannot believe the short sightedness of the OP and those that laugh at this. Acklander, you called it.

Those of you that laugh and scoff, you are really showing your prejudices. I am shocked. By tolerating that behavior, we are condoning your viewpoints. I am not. I was not going to get involved in this, but I decided to take a stand and tell you that this is inappropiate and offensive. If we were within earshot and my child heard your off color joke and all that it implies, you better believe I would raise a stink.

Really, you think that in 1957 all kids in highschool had the same options open to them? In 1957 segregation was still in full swing and the Civil Rights Act was not signed for another SEVEN years. The federal government HAD to get involved, because until then private businesses and public services could discriminate - and they did. Think about that - we had to have a FEDERAL LAW enacted less than 50 years ago to officially say that all people should be afforded the same rights (and, it could be argued, some still do not have equal rights).

Let's not even get into the gun toting teenagers. You can keep your gun, locked and safely stowed. That is not infringing on your rights, it is protecting mine and ensuring I don't get killed. They go both ways, rights and responsibilities.

Please, save your energy. Don't feel sorry for my kid growing up today. She is doing just fine and has way more opportunity than 60 years ago, thank you very much.

Here's what I got out of this post - blah, blah, blah, the world in 1957 is evil and more government infringing on us the better because we can't make the right decisions for ourselves, which explains why you would complain if your daughter ever heard an off-color joke. I mean, our children must be taught that the world is all puppy dogs and rainbows.

Further, if you think that mandating that we lock up our guns protects YOU from being killed, nothing could be further from the truth. It actually increases the chance that you will be killed.

I think a lot of you are missing the point, it is not saying that the 50's were perfect, it is saying that people were able to handle things more reasonably back then--common sense prevailed more than political correctness. The mindframe that this email is alluding to shows up here every single day. Someone's child has issues at school and there is always a handful of people telling that person to "go to the school board" over a simple issue that should be handled with the teacher-at most. EVERYTHING is a major issue these days. Sometimes the best course of action is no action yet there are so many people here that think you have to micromanage every aspect of their children's lives. THAT is what this is talking about.

I do have to say, though, the people on the whole today are far less "community" oriented then they were even 20 years ago. People are much more all about themselves then they are about the greater good. It's all about how much can I get for ME or my kids and forget the rest of the people.

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. Today's society is so me oriented. Well, unless someone attacks our country...then we all pretend that we're united for a common cause.

 

[tlbwriter]

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. Today's society is so me oriented.

And as others have pointed out, America in the 1950s was also very me-oriented, as long as "me" was a white male. Otherwise you were SOL. It's not astonishing to me at all that some people are nostalgic for that way of life. Must have been very nice to know you didn't have to compete with Pedro and Mary.

 

[punkin]

Here's what I got out of this post - blah, blah, blah,

Nice not to have to listen to different opinions. No wonder you are nostalgic for 1957.

 

[jp24]

And as others have pointed out, America in the 1950s was also very me-oriented, as long as "me" was a white male. Otherwise you were SOL. It's not astonishing to me at all that some people are nostalgic for that way of life. Must have been very nice to know you didn't have to compete with Pedro and Mary.

It was different. But today's society is definitely more selfish. Give me mine, screw you and yours.

 

[jp24]

Nice not to have to listen to different opinions. No wonder you are nostalgic for 1957.

Way to quote on a slant. I did listen. That's not all I said about that post. But thanks for playing.

 

[Uncle Remus]

And as others have pointed out, America in the 1950s was also very me-oriented, as long as "me" was a white male. Otherwise you were SOL. It's not astonishing to me at all that some people are nostalgic for that way of life. Must have been very nice to know you didn't have to compete with Pedro and Mary.

But back then everyone knew their place, nowadays everybody wants a piece of the pie, it's just UnAmerican, I tell ya.

 

[FireDancer]

Does over analyzing everything or trying to find the hidden meaning behind a light hearted post that wasn't supposed to be taken seriously every get tiring?

No wonder everyone thinks they were bullied, even on this thread we have imaginary victims.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Does over analyzing everything or trying to find the hidden meaning behind a light hearted post that wasn't supposed to be taken seriously every get tiring?

No wonder everyone thinks they were bullied, even on this thread we have imaginary victims.

Get out of my head...I don't like it.

 

[jp24]

Does over analyzing everything or trying to find the hidden meaning behind a light hearted post that wasn't supposed to be taken seriously every get tiring?

No wonder everyone thinks they were bullied, even on this thread we have imaginary victims.

Nah, it makes for great entertainment. The part that is the most entertaining is when people try to make a point by quoting part of a post, not the whole thing. As for imaginary victims, that's because there are very few people that have the ability to argue their point of view effectively, so naturally they play the victim to a tee.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Nah, it makes for great entertainment. The part that is the most entertaining is when people try to make a point by quoting part of a post, not the whole thing. As for imaginary victims, that's because there are very few people that have the ability to argue their point of view effectively, so naturally they play the victim to a tee.

Yes...or they reach SO FAR from the topic to try and prove their point, that the ORIGINAL point becomes POINTLESS.......wait WHAT? I give up today

 

[Uncle Remus]

Does over analyzing everything or trying to find the hidden meaning behind a light hearted post that wasn't supposed to be taken seriously every get tiring?

No wonder everyone thinks they were bullied, even on this thread we have imaginary victims.

Given you are in your early 30's, I can understand you don't remember how it really was.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Given you are in your early 30's, I can understand you don't remember how it really was.

I don't think anyone is arguing that those issues where definately alive and well then.

I think it is just silly that everything has to be a debate...Even if it IS offensive to someone, they should recognize that it isn't always meant to be and just let it go KWIM?

Ugh...now I'm on the verge of debating

 

[FireDancer]

Nah, it makes for great entertainment. The part that is the most entertaining is when people try to make a point by quoting part of a post, not the whole thing. As for imaginary victims, that's because there are very few people that have the ability to argue their point of view effectively, so naturally they play the victim to a tee.

I know you are but what am I.

Here is what I took out of the OP:

People were able to handle things by themselves back in the proverbial day. We didn't need action committees or no tolerance policies that are just lazy boilerplate policy making. Situations were looked at and dealt with with common sense and not an agenda, at least not the limited scope of situations in the OP. It has nothing to do with other aspects of society like equal rights or the job market. Being nostalgic for certain elements of a time in history doesn't make you nostalgic for all the other elements of that society.

Now, put back on your tin foil hat because I'm sure they will be coming for you shortly.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I don't think anyone is arguing that those issues where definately alive and well then.

I think it is just silly that everything has to be a debate...Even if it IS offensive to someone, they should recognize that it isn't always meant to be and just let it go KWIM?

Ugh...now I'm on the verge of debating

Yeah, I'm with ya on that one, I remember back in the good ol' days when women 'n children were property.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I know you are but what am I.

Here is what I took out of the OP:

People were able to handle things by themselves back in the proverbial day. We didn't need action committees or no tolerance policies that are just lazy boilerplate policy making. Situations were looked at and dealt with with common sense and not an agenda. It has nothing to do with other aspects of society like equal rights or the job market. Being nostalgic for certain elements of a time in history doesn't make you nostalgic for all the other elements of that society.

Now, put back on your tin foil hat because I'm sure they will be coming for you shortly.

Like gas at 21 cents a gallon, now those were the good ol' days!!

 

[wvjules]

It appears that NOTHING can posted on the DIS anymore without controversy and wadded panties.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

It appears that NOTHING can posted on the DIS anymore without controversy and wadded panties.

Right??? If people would JUST STOP WEARING THEM in the first place...

 

[FireDancer]

Like gas at 21 cents a gallon, now those were the good ol' days!!

Exactly.

Cheap gas = good. Jim Crow = bad.

Individual responsibility = good. Separate water fountains = bad.

It appears that NOTHING can posted on the DIS anymore without controversy and wadded panties.

I'm just glad we haven't seen the hidden disability card played. Little Johnny would never be allowed to bring his "you're about to lose your grasp on reality hippopotamus" to school back then.

 

[jp24]

I know you are but what am I.

Here is what I took out of the OP:

People were able to handle things by themselves back in the proverbial day. We didn't need action committees or no tolerance policies that are just lazy boilerplate policy making. Situations were looked at and dealt with with common sense and not an agenda, at least not the limited scope of situations in the OP. It has nothing to do with other aspects of society like equal rights or the job market. Being nostalgic for certain elements of a time in history doesn't make you nostalgic for all the other elements of that society.

Now, put back on your tin foil hat because I'm sure they will be coming for you shortly.

Stop it! You're actually making sense on here. The problem is that when the boilerplate policy making came about, people stopped using common sense...which wasn't all that common in the first place.

Right??? If people would JUST STOP WEARING THEM in the first place...

I'm currently commando.