Biggest social changes in last 40 years - Page 3

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

Actually, to be completely serious, I do think that it's a problem that people generally get a pass on racism as long as they keep it PC and know how to vocalize it. It was my main problem with Crash--the movie missed what I consider to be the really crucial point, which is that plenty of people are still racist, but in most parts of the US they've learned how to mask it, without actually addressing their racism itself. Still, it's better than nothing.

Originally Posted by kennethpollock

I am not sure about this, but my impression is that most lynchings involved mobs breaking into jails to pull out accused murderers or rapists and give them "mob justice," due to fears that the regular legal processes would move too slowly or some crooked lawyer would get them off.

The most infamous Georgia lynching was that of Leo Frank. He was the Jewish owner of a pencil factory, convicted of raping a killing an employee. He was sentenced to die, but his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment. That is when a mob broke into the jail, seized him and lynched him near Marietta, Georgia. It was later determined that someone else had probably committed the crime.

Originally Posted by kennethpollock

I am 65. A lot has changed in the USA and it is hard to get used to some of them. They include, IMO, in no particular order:
(a) Decline in standards of dress
(b) Decline in manners
(c) More sexual openness and a decline in morals, due to a perversion of women's liberation and the pill, IMO
(d) Less open racism and segregation (about the same, but mostly hidden now) and more political correctness
(e) Death of the inner part of almost all American cities (what little is left in most is mostly government offices and government built structures like libraries, sports arenas, etc.) due, IMO, to white flight and the automobile. This is hard for me to accept. I am an urbanite, but now, except for NY, I have to go to Europe to enjoy the pleasures of central city strolling, window shopping, etc.
(f) Loss of influence of the Church and religion (40 years ago, American ministers would have demanded and gotten the resignation of Bill Clinton)
(g) More gadgets such as computers, cell-phones, etc.
(h) More immigrants (illegal and legal)

Originally Posted by RJman

40 years ago, you would never have met your soul mate ernest. How is he, anway, apart from being b****d?

Originally Posted by m@T

"Hello my name is Ernest, can I take your order please"

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

Actually, to be completely serious, I do think that it's a problem that people generally get a pass on racism as long as they keep it PC and know how to vocalize it. It was my main problem with Crash--the movie missed what I consider to be the really crucial point, which is that plenty of people are still racist, but in most parts of the US they've learned how to mask it, without actually addressing their racism itself. Still, it's better than nothing.

Originally Posted by kennethpollock

"Cartman (usually only addressed by his last name) is spoiled, foul-mouthed, ill-tempered, insensitive, manipulative, sadistic, greedy – and considerably obese (thus giving rise to the pejorative names "fat ass" or "ass master" by which he is often referred). It can also be assumed he is a sociopath as he told the Guidance Counselor Mr. Mackey that he finds people dying funny. Generally speaking, he has exhibited at one time or another every negative trait that can be found in a human being, or expressed a desire to do so."

One problem I have with the forums is that some who do not like the message can think of nothing but to personally attack the messenger. But this attack is wrong. I deny being fat.

Originally Posted by kennethpollock

I think that for many the standard of living is higher, but the quality of life is lower. For example, a person who has a home burgular alarm system has a higher standard of living than one who does not. But if the latter does not really need such a system, he has a higher quality of life.