CMDR_Dave
Redneck
+66|7056|Missoula, MT
No idea who wrote this, but it sure rings true for me...even though I wasn't born before 1970 but in the 70's. 

Running with Scissors
If you were born before 1970, we’ll call you, a survivor. Chances are you were born to mothers who smoked, and drank, ate blue cheese, and the first years of your life, were more than likely spent, in a hand me down crib, spruced up with colorful lead paint.

We had no childproof lids on our medicine bottles, no childproof cabinets, outlets or doorknobs. Our automobiles had no seatbelts, or air bags, and riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm summer day, was a special treat.

We drank water from a garden hose, not from a bottle, we shared a soft drink with four of our friends all from the same bottle, and no one died. We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren’t over weight because, we were always outside playing.

We’d leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back, when the streetlights came on. We’d spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps from the woodpile, then ride down hill only to find out we forgot the brakes. No one was able to reach us all day, and that was ok.

We didn’t have Playstation, Nintendo, X-box, and 99 channels on cable T.V. No video taped movies, no surround sound, no cell phones and no personal computers. What we did have, were our friends.

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke our bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from the accidents. We made up games with sticks and tennis balls, ate worms, and contrary to popular belief, they didn’t grow inside you. We played baseball in a vacant lot, and held little league tryouts where not everyone made the team. Those who didn’t, learned how to deal with disappointment.

The idea of our parents bailing us out of trouble when we broke the law was unheard-of, because our parents sided with the law. We crossed our eyes and they never stuck. We said the pledge of allegiance with “One Nation Under God”, and never thought twice.

We rode our bikes, to far away places, and never wore a helmet. We cut our hands on metal ice cube trays in the summer, and in the fall, burning leaves in your backyard was normal.

Our generation has produced some of the best risk takers, problem solvers, and inventors, ever. Surviving all of that, makes one want to run, with scissors.
Ryan_Mercury
"It's Recharging!"
+19|7034
Heh, when you can spill hot coffee on your dumb self and sue McDonalds for a million dollars over it just because there wasnt a "Warning: Contents Extremely Hot" text printed on the cup, and win the lawsuite, there is definately something wrong with today's generation.
Burning_Monkey
Moving Target
+108|7052
I don't think that was sensitive enough to the needs and wants of today's generation.  It makes them feel inadequate and should be changed.  Also, any reference to 'god' should be removed to allieviate any hard feellings on the part of some one of a Buddist faith.[/sarcasm]
bluehavoc8686
will frag for food
+11|7054|Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Yeah I was born in the 80's and most of that still applied to me because my parents weren't over-protective loosers who kept their kid in a bubble. When I was younger, I was locked out of the house most days in the summer time. It didn't matter, I was out all day anyway. When I was old enough to get a cell phone, I hardly used it. Sure I play games, but I also stay active and I barely watch 2 hours of t.v. a week.

...Then again, I'm so sick and tired of hearing how the baby-boomers are the greatest generation of all time. I find most middle-aged people very full of themselves. I ask a lot of them "So dressing in fashionable burlap while smoking pounds of grass and listening to folk-rock makes you a leader even though the majority of you sold out on your liberal values, took corporate jobs and effectively destroyed most of the environment for my generation and future generations?"

I'll tell you who was a great generation. The WWII generation who dealt with depression, war, polio, etc. and didn't bat an eye. Sure a lot of those old foggies are a little off their rockers now, but they have a right to be damnit! I have a hell of a lot more respect for them than the drug-addicted radical youth of the late 50's and 60's who are damn lucky frankly that the job market was expanding when they were through playing politics and they all had ample opportunity to succeed in America. I just went through the college application process last year and I love listening to parents tell me that all they had to do was fill out an application and wa la, they got in while I was sweating bullets over where I would go to gain higher education.

Sure, the Vietnam War was wrong, but that didn't give them the fuckin right to spit on soldiers coming home. (Thank God my parents weren't not that liberal. Apparently fairly conservative actually.) I don't care if Jane Fonda's new movie (a couple of months ago) with J-Lo was funny. She is a damn traitor in my book and saying sorry 10 times does not erase what she did.

So there are my thoughts. They don't reflect my entire generation's thoughts necessarily, but a lot of us in our late adolecent stages of life (as well as the gen. X folks in their 20's and 30's) are sick and tired of hearing about how we suck and the last generation was so great. You bastards were complete fuck-ups in the eyes of your parents and many of you didn't care until you felt like rejoining society so at least we're trying to make decent lives for ourselves and improve the country and hopefully the world. In other words, you... ain't... so... great!

Have a good fuckin day!
beeng
Get C4, here!
+66|7001

Word to that bluehavoc.
I think generation Y (echo-boom generation.. aka the baby boomers kids) might have an OK go at it.  Generation Y is techno savvy and are not having everything handed to them (as you said its hard to get into college now).  Yes they have technology and information readily available, but things (like jobs, money) come harder now-a-days.  So now you have a very well educated, free culture of young techno-savvy people looking to make a dent in the world.
TriggerHappy998
just nothing
+387|7062|-
Wasn't Running With Scissors the name of a software company that made a game called like Bloodbath or something, and all the ad featured was a tub filled with blood?
bluehavoc8686
will frag for food
+11|7054|Pittsburgh, PA, USA
@beeng: good point, thanks man.

@trigger: that was a cool game for the old days. going along with the original post, nobody thought to ban that game even though the violence was 10x worse than GTA. lol.
karto
I keed :P
+0|6988

TriggerHappy998 wrote:

Wasn't Running With Scissors the name of a software company that made a game called like Bloodbath or something, and all the ad featured was a tub filled with blood?
They still exist...  Postal 2 has been out for quite some time. (If you're easily offended, stay away).
It shows a different approach to the "weak" (percieved or real) ... "kick their ass" seems to be the tagline here. I tried the demo - there was a few hours of fun in it, but chopping peoples head off, pissing on it and using it to play fetch with the dog doesn't provide much entertainment beyond the shockvalue.
I get the impression that it caters to the kind of people who will not only blame everyone for their problems ("fat f##ks are just lazy and greedy"...), but also blame everyone else for their own problems ("I wouldn't be out of a job if it wasn't for those f##king ...").

Or maybe I'm just ranting and need to STFU...

I did like the story though, and it rings true for me as well (also for some of my personal "development"). Its just that when a problem (say overweight) becomes common, blaming the individual fat person seems pretty shortsighted and pointless to me.
But anyway - I'm the kind of weirdo who claims prison is a waste of money that has never done anything to stop crime.
Ryan_Mercury
"It's Recharging!"
+19|7034
Is that the same company that made the game Postal/Postal 2? Which was kick ass by the way
Krauser98
Extra Green Please!
+53|7044|USA! USA! USA!
Ya, I don't know what the whole "70s being a survivor" thing is all about.  My parents were over protective and they did try to spoil me, but that made me want to go out and hurt myself even more...  i.e. "Don't put that fork in the plug!!!"  5 minutes later: "Why did the power go out?  OH MY GOD!"  They hid the matches on the top shelf so I got the magnifying glass to start fires...  when I was four.  My parents said they would get me a car when I was 16, so I got a job and bought one when I was 15 and a half.  The more safety gear they made me wear, the more I got hurt.  The more I was in a "bubble" the more I tried to pop it and see what was outside.

@all you guys pissed off a previous generations:  What your saying sounds very familiar to what your parents were saying when they were your age.  Like it or not, it is true.  I'm not saying it is a bad thing and I applaud you for trying to make something better out of yourself.  I am just saying it isn't uncommon in any generation to break the standards.  I'm a former soldier who left the military to go back to college and I do love it, but I get to sit in a room full of 18 - 19 year old kids (yes, in my eyes you guys are kids, but so am I) and listen to them whine about 'the world'.  I simply don't want to hear it from some stoner who only has money to eat because his parents are eating Ramen Noodles to pay for his / her college.
kilroy0097
Kilroy Is Here!
+81|7058|Bryan/College Station, TX

Krauser98 wrote:

I'm a former soldier who left the military to go back to college and I do love it, but I get to sit in a room full of 18 - 19 year old kids (yes, in my eyes you guys are kids, but so am I) and listen to them whine about 'the world'.  I simply don't want to hear it from some stoner who only has money to eat because his parents are eating Ramen Noodles to pay for his / her college.
Well isn't that the main issue right there. Now that we are wiser and older we realize the crap that we were spouting off when we were younger was just that, crap. We shake our heads at the stupidity of ourselves at a younger age and hope to god that our kids don't do the same stupid shit. Even though they most likely will.

But if there is one thing that many of us feel that I think we are justified in feeling is what Krauser98 said in his last line.

I simply don't want to hear it from some stoner who only has money to eat because his parents are eating Ramen Noodles to pay for his / her college.
How many children really expect to receive money from their parents and how many actually realize the burden of it all? How many get jobs to suppliment their parents and how many get jobs to replace their parents? I am in an unique position due to my occupation to see college students on a daily basis. I see what they do and I hear what they feel about money. I see them with their expensive clothes, cars and toys and then I see them around town at restraunts or the bars. There is way too much money being thrown around for these kids who rarely have any concept of financial control. And this goes to the parents as well who allow this to happen. Financial responsibility starts with the parent. Learning to work for you money starts with the parents. Understanding that your parents can't be there all the time is important. I don't feel or see this quality being instilled in this youngest generation. Each years seems to get worse than the last.

I fear for the future.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis
chuyskywalker
Admin
+2,439|7062|"Frisco"

kilroy0097 wrote:

How many children really expect to receive money from their parents and how many actually realize the burden of it all? How many get jobs to suppliment their parents and how many get jobs to replace their parents? I am in an unique position due to my occupation to see college students on a daily basis. I see what they do and I hear what they feel about money. I see them with their expensive clothes, cars and toys and then I see them around town at restraunts or the bars. There is way too much money being thrown around for these kids who rarely have any concept of financial control. And this goes to the parents as well who allow this to happen. Financial responsibility starts with the parent. Learning to work for you money starts with the parents. Understanding that your parents can't be there all the time is important. I don't feel or see this quality being instilled in this youngest generation. Each years seems to get worse than the last.

I fear for the future.
I think I get to speak for the younger side of this arguement, having just graduated college and a cracking 'ol age of 22.

My parent's didn't pamper me. They provided, but they also pushed. I got into computers, they bought me a computer (once every three years or so). Not only that, but they put me to work at 13 (I opted in, but still) and worked most summers after that doing techy 'fun' stuff. When I hit college time, I didn't get shoved off so some happy go lucky 4 year drunk pot fest paid for by them. No, my ass went to Junior Fucking College for a year, paid for by my good grades and a scholarship. When I told them "I need a degree in Web Design, and this is the only school I can get it at, but it's 70k to get it" you know what they said? "We'll co-sign".

My parents gave me a lot -- and I had to work for every last bit of it. Not everyone in "my" generation is afraid to run with scissors.
kilroy0097
Kilroy Is Here!
+81|7058|Bryan/College Station, TX

chuyskywalker wrote:

I think I get to speak for the younger side of this arguement, having just graduated college and a cracking 'ol age of 22.

My parent's didn't pamper me. They provided, but they also pushed. I got into computers, they bought me a computer (once every three years or so). Not only that, but they put me to work at 13 (I opted in, but still) and worked most summers after that doing techy 'fun' stuff. When I hit college time, I didn't get shoved off so some happy go lucky 4 year drunk pot fest paid for by them. No, my ass went to Junior Fucking College for a year, paid for by my good grades and a scholarship. When I told them "I need a degree in Web Design, and this is the only school I can get it at, but it's 70k to get it" you know what they said? "We'll co-sign".

My parents gave me a lot -- and I had to work for every last bit of it. Not everyone in "my" generation is afraid to run with scissors.
I commend you and your ablility to work hard for what you believe in. I am certain there are more of you out there who are getting looped in with many of those in your similar age group that are getting it easy. It also depends on the school you go to I would think. Though Texas A&M isn't an Ivvy League school it certainly attempting to be one in the south. So many its the type of people they are accepting now that is making my viewpoint seem more true than it is. Plus you know the saying, "All it takes is one bad apple to ruin the bushel." and in this case it rings true.

Sorry if I offended you and I should clarify that my observations are based upon my own experiences and by no means extend to every single person in question as I don't have experience with everyone in the world.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis
tF-voodoochild
Pew Pew!
+216|7062|San Francisco

Ryan_Mercury wrote:

Heh, when you can spill hot coffee on your dumb self and sue McDonalds for a million dollars over it just because there wasnt a "Warning: Contents Extremely Hot" text printed on the cup, and win the lawsuite, there is definately something wrong with today's generation.
Except that the lady who sued I am SURE was born before 1970... In fact, she was somewhere around 80 years old, definitely not a part of "today's generation."

I wonder why "a jury of your peers" doesn't take into account age... would be interesting to see if she still won the suit if she had a bunch of other 80 year old people who just thought she was stupid for not realizing that hot coffee from mcdonalds would actually be hot.
chuyskywalker
Admin
+2,439|7062|"Frisco"

tF-voodoochild wrote:

I wonder why "a jury of your peers" doesn't take into account age... would be interesting to see if she still won the suit if she had a bunch of other 80 year old people who just thought she was stupid for not realizing that hot coffee from mcdonalds would actually be hot.
Let's just clear up this example before it goes to far. The coffe was not just "hot" -- it was scalding hot -- ya know, thrid degree - melts your skin, kinda hot. Not entirely ludicrous that she won because coffed really ought not have ever come close to that temp.
Burning_Monkey
Moving Target
+108|7052

chuyskywalker wrote:

tF-voodoochild wrote:

I wonder why "a jury of your peers" doesn't take into account age... would be interesting to see if she still won the suit if she had a bunch of other 80 year old people who just thought she was stupid for not realizing that hot coffee from mcdonalds would actually be hot.
Let's just clear up this example before it goes to far. The coffe was not just "hot" -- it was scalding hot -- ya know, thrid degree - melts your skin, kinda hot. Not entirely ludicrous that she won because coffed really ought not have ever come close to that temp.
She won, but the amount she one was severly reduced.  Most people don't know that.  She ended only winning enough for medical bills and court costs and the like.  Something like $157,000 dollars.  Which is a far ass cry from the millions she sued for and a much more reasonable amount.
bluehavoc8686
will frag for food
+11|7054|Pittsburgh, PA, USA
But it's not even the McDonald's coffee case. It's a-holes purposefully slipping and hurting themselves in casinos to sue or putting dead relatives' body parts in the food to sue. Or suing a teacher at school because Johnny-eight-year-old went out of control and starting hitting everyone and the techer restrained him. That is where the word frivolous comes before law suit.
tF-voodoochild
Pew Pew!
+216|7062|San Francisco

chuyskywalker wrote:

tF-voodoochild wrote:

I wonder why "a jury of your peers" doesn't take into account age... would be interesting to see if she still won the suit if she had a bunch of other 80 year old people who just thought she was stupid for not realizing that hot coffee from mcdonalds would actually be hot.
Let's just clear up this example before it goes to far. The coffe was not just "hot" -- it was scalding hot -- ya know, thrid degree - melts your skin, kinda hot. Not entirely ludicrous that she won because coffed really ought not have ever come close to that temp.
Frankly, if I knew that I was going to have a hot object in my car I wouldn't put it between my legs, whether it was going to cause mild discomfort or third degree burns. This lady was just stupid, and I cannot stand stupidity, especially when it wins lawsuits.
Krauser98
Extra Green Please!
+53|7044|USA! USA! USA!

tF-voodoochild wrote:

Frankly, if I knew that I was going to have a hot object in my car I wouldn't put it between my legs...
Why?  Does it already burn down there?

@chuy & others: Sorry if I pissed you off, wasn't the intention.  I know that there are those out there who do work hard for their tuition and othe expenses.  Unfortunately, you guys are too busy working to go out and be the loud obnoxious people the other kids are being.  Being the youngest of four I got told that I didn't need to go to college after 3 went (two to really expensive private artsy colleges) and only one got a degree.  The other two just wasted away the money that might have paid for mine.  So I joined the Army thinking someday I might go back to school...

At this time I would like to thank all you taxpayers for paying for my tuition (even though this semester I have to pay for it, because darned Katrina needed to be funded, oh well, I'll just say I donated $2500+ to aid victims) and for supplying me with the money I need to pay bills, eat, live in a house, and drink beer once in awhile.  Thanks Taxpayers!
tF-voodoochild
Pew Pew!
+216|7062|San Francisco

Krauser98 wrote:

tF-voodoochild wrote:

Frankly, if I knew that I was going to have a hot object in my car I wouldn't put it between my legs...
Why?  Does it already burn down there?!
Uh, no... just that I prefer to not have hot things near one of the most sensitive areas of my body. Just common sense really. Doesn't matter if it is going to cause third degree burns or just feel like a hot shower, still not something you want to happen while driving.
BladeRunner
Member
+5|6963|UK
Being a bit of an old giffer who was born in the early 70s the original post brought a very nostalgic wash of something-or-other all over me.

Sweet
v1l2u5
Member
+1|6993
Every gen gets spoiled more then the previous gen, because parents always want to give their childen more/better then they had it.
SrA_Shady
Slimshady -- The Real Medic
+0|6979|Sumter, South Carolina
I'd have to tend to agree with bluehavoc...

Im just extremely happy by parents did act like a bunch of fucking morons, they're from that generation too.  Luckily my mom or dad never spit on a soldier, otherwise I think i'd have to slap them.  And if I ever see anyone spit on a soldier who comes home from Iraq, I will most likely be going to jail becuase i'll probably put their sorry suck ass in the fuckin hospital.

No, I dont agree totally with whats going on in Iraq, but you know what?  As an airman in the USAF, if I am told to go over there, i have to go, and I have to do what I'm told when I get there.  Thats what every single soldier, airman, sailor and marine has to do.  ANd being told what to do usually includes putting your nuts on the chopping block on a daily basis, all so some fat fuck or some pot smoking cock sucker can sit over in the states on their big fat or stoned ass all day, never having to worry about where the next bullet might come from.  THen when the solider comes home, said fat fuck spits on him for being 'one of bushes cronies?'

Just let them do it in front of me... there'll be fuckin hell to pay.

Sorry to go off on my soap box.. im just a little passionate about the subject.

Shady
Scorpion0x17
can detect anyone's visible post count...
+691|6980|Cambridge (UK)

SrA_Shady wrote:

No, I dont agree totally with whats going on in Iraq, but you know what?  As an airman in the USAF, if I am told to go over there, i have to go, and I have to do what I'm told when I get there.  Thats what every single soldier, airman, sailor and marine has to do.  ANd being told what to do usually includes putting your nuts on the chopping block on a daily basis, all so some fat fuck or some pot smoking cock sucker can sit over in the states on their big fat or stoned ass all day, never having to worry about where the next bullet might come from.  THen when the solider comes home, said fat fuck spits on him for being 'one of bushes cronies?'
If it so fucking bad, why the fuck do you do it ?
SrA_Shady
Slimshady -- The Real Medic
+0|6979|Sumter, South Carolina
If you have to ask that question I truly hope that you havent signed up to serve your country

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