Some old fashioned smash mouth bar brawling going on over at Smash’s place. What’s it over? What else, Baby Boomers.

Smash sez…

You may be the most insufferable, self-centered, and irresponsible generation in American history. Oh, one-on-one, some of you are tolerable. But as a group, I can’t stand you. You seem to be generationally incapable of moving beyond the past, dealing with the present, or planning for the future.

At this moment, your generation dominates American politics. And just look at the mess you’ve made of it! As a nation we have become so divided, so tribalistic about our affiliations, that it is now almost impossible to have an intelligent discussion about any issue of substance. And it’s all your fault.

While I think that my favorite squid makes some valid points, I suddenly find myself in a bit of a panic in that I’m not really sure to which generation I belong. Then again, I’m not really sure why we tend to feel so compelled to identify ourselves with a specific generation, but we do and I’m feeling a bit lost.

I’ve read where the Baby Boomers are defined as those born from 1946-1964. I was born in 1964, and I do like listening to the WHO, the Beatles, and Led Zepplin so I’m curious as to whether I’m a boomer or not. This is important considering Smash’s wish for all Baby Boomers…

I hope you all die before you get old.

Then again, the definition of Generation X is said to be those born in 1965 and beyond, with many arguing that 1964 was the begining of the GenXers. I’m not a big fan of grunge music though so I can’t help but ask, “Who am I, who, who?”

Like others, I’ve not slept since reading Smash’s post, I’ve got to figure this out so that I can get the right t-shirt, properly aligning myself with those greedy bastards not willing to make sacrifices for the good of others, or with the cynical crowd feeling dwarfed and overshadowed by those Boomers not willing to sacrifice for the GenXers.

Any suggestions?

I wonder if there is a secret handshake for either group, that just might tip the scales for me. Sgt Hook out.

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Posted by Hook @ 2013 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Americana & Soap Box

Sgt Hook:

Sorry, you ARE a Boomer. Yep, I have it on good authority that the Boomer period is from 1946-1964.

But, not to worry, there are unselfish, balanced, normal, good-looking, sympathetic, make wonder spouses, parents and bosses Boomers out here in the real world.

And from reading your blog, I would surmise that you are one of the good ones! Not to worry.

Comment by oahu — 29 October 2006 @ 2109

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Looks like we’re the same age Sgt. I’m in the last year of Boomers married to the first year of Gen Xers. I’ve always heard 46-64 as the age range, though Smash states 46-60.

I guess I don’t quite fit the mold of the entitlement crowd, since I don’t feel this government experiment thing is working out as planned. I’ve also done the self-employment route for the better part of the last 10 years. Needless to say, SS and Medicare are not my friends and the folks I deal with sure aren’t fans of it, either.

Regarding Vietnam, I guess I’m too young (that’s a line I don’t get to use often) to have that be a big issue. I was apparently in 4th grade when it ended and probably had other things to worry about, like Little League.

Comment by MSchienle — 29 October 2006 @ 2109

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…nope…not gonna do it. Not with a 10 ft. pole!

Happy Sunday!

Comment by Pixie — 29 October 2006 @ 2114

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1964?…..you are a baby Baby-Boomer… and we (1951 here) are PROUD to have ya with us!

Comment by Jean — 29 October 2006 @ 2150

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Proud Boomer here, gulp…born in 1958. And here I thought GenX was more from the 80’s…shows you what I know.

Comment by Gypsy — 29 October 2006 @ 2217

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I think Smash is wrong. He is blaming a generation for all the world’s ills. As a “Boomer” yeah, the U.S. (and subsequently the World) really changed when the majority of the populace was a bunch of teenagers. I was on the tail end too. I don’t feel like a “Boomer”. And yet I KNOW I am not a Gen-X.

Now that the majority of the U.S. population is hitting retirement, the world is about to change again. Sounds to me like smashing sour grapes.

Comment by SGT Lori — 29 October 2006 @ 2240

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Hook…

As we’re only a couple of years apart, we belong to a number of “generations” if I’m to believe what Wikipedia has to offer on the topic. Better make the print small on the t-shirt…there’s more than Baby Boomer to go on it.

After reading Smash’s post, I’m wondering if he’s gone of his meds like Michael J. Fox for effect. I believe he’s ranting…or maybe pissed after Navy’s loss to Notre Dame yesterday. Hard to say.

In any case, I feel badly about you being up all night last night…because if the chili cookoff went off the way they normally do in Texas, you’ll be up all night tonight as well.

Hang in there, brother!

See you on the high ground.

MajorDad1984

Comment by MajorDad1984 — 29 October 2006 @ 2334

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Thing is, most of the Boomers went about their daily lives just as their parents had done. The dopers, screamers and whiners got the most attention (as usual), egged on and aided by the press. Doesn’t sound too different from today, does it? Both of my kids are Boomers and I’m quite proud of them as I’m sure your parents are of you, Sgt.

Comment by MissBirdlegs in AL — 29 October 2006 @ 2339

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Well shit - he’ll probably be taking me off his blog roll. ‘62 AND a Notre Dame fan. Guess I’m just part of the big problem.

Oh well, I’ll just keep marchin’ to my own drummer. I never was much of a “joiner”.



Comment by Tammi — 30 October 2006 @ 0008

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Well, I am really an old boomer….1947…seen a lot, done a lot….a proud American to be sure. Proud of my kids and my grandkids……especially of my son, a SFC in Mosul at this time…..doing what he does best. And where did he get his morals, his initiative, etc? From his old boomer parents…..enjoy your blog, Sgt. Keep up the great work!

Comment by Kenny — 31 October 2006 @ 0153

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Being a Boomer, class of ‘58, I felt like maybe Smash was painting with an awfully broad brush. Love the guy, but…damn! That was pretty harsh.

Comment by Raging Mom — 31 October 2006 @ 1402

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Anyone who makes it this far down the page of comments must be dedicated indeed.

First, yeah, I’m a ‘boomer’ (1950). Our generation is in charge? Cheney? Rumsfeld? These guys are our presidents FATHER’S advisors. The so-called ‘greatest generation’ helped us out of the Depression and two world wars, then decided (just like the boomers) to just USE IT ALL UP. Who cares that their legacy, and ours is *a mountain of debt and a degraded planet* ? Reagan showed the GOP that you can ‘borrow’ (steal?) a few trillion dollars from your kids, pump up the economy for awhile and declare it ‘morning in America.’ The two GOP administrations since then have borrowed even more. This is NOT typical of any other than these three administrations, according to the White House’s own figures. It’s the credit card Republicans; the borrow and spend Republicans.

Reagan was practically sainted when he died. Great revisionist history, because he was a traitor. That’s right, a traitor. He knowingly sold weapons to our enemy. He admitted it. That is treason. Period.

And my kids generation? Boomer’s kids? You don’t even bother to VOTE! Hey, it’s YOUR future we’re trashing. Stop us (and our parents) NOW, while there’s still some left.

Here’s a vision for how we can turn it all around. Read it, please, VOTE it! Write me if you want the full resolution poster.

http://greendreams.wordpress.com

Comment by GreenDreams — 31 October 2006 @ 1711

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Hook, You’re just an old CUSP! *snicker*

e : a point of transition (as from one astrological sign to another or one historical period to the next) : TURNING POINT ; also : EDGE , VERGE

I just checked and when I looked up Baby Boomer in the dictionary, they had your picture!

And I must say, I’m very proud to have you among us!!

Comment by Texas Gal — 31 October 2006 @ 1807

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Hook–relax. I’m pretty sure Smash is just talking about the whiny libs produced during the Baby Boom.

I can’t imagine he’s talking about us fine, upstanding conservatives who love our country enough to fight for it (literally for the military types, and figuratively for the rest of us who love and support mom, apple pie, and most of all America).

Comment by Lornkanaga — 31 October 2006 @ 1950

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