[jmcarter]

Well the thread has drifted a bit but suppose the dialogue about how different generations have far different perceptions is pertinent. Today we’re witnessing ceremonies honoring the life of our 41st President. Part of the greatest generation who leaves a legacy of service and responsibility to country, family and others. Many of my generation grew up in a raging Cold War when warning sirens were for far more grave events than tornadoes. We remember the Cuban missle crisis and when JFK was mourned. We were directly affected by the Vietnam war and the erosion of trust in our institutions. So perhaps we do view subsequent generations as “soft”. With the exception of those impacted by post 9/11 conflict they’ve largely escaped much of what we dealt with so often. The muscle car era sure was a great time for us though, a distraction from weightier events and one we want to continue. Sometimes we can be a little fierce in holding onto a passion that helped us and don’t think social media and other such “activity” is a worthy substitute. And while change is a certain and even healthy thing it can’t abandon the backbone that made NHRA great, otherwise it will simply fade away to be replaced by some VR fad that will in time run it’s course as well.

Don’t subscribe to much of the global warming hyperbole. Nature can sweep us aside in a flash. But do believe we’re stewards of this earth and thus admire Teddy Roosevelt, who shared John Muir’s view that if a single dollar could be earned by stealing from the earth people would line up to do it. Along those lines George H.W. Bush shepherded the Clean Air Act. That kind of stewardship is one of the “core values” that Roosevelt and Bush shared. Great presidents both.