For those "youngsters" out there from us over 40
I was born on 16th April 1970 to two loving parents of Welsh , Scots (dad's side) and Irish (mother's side) descent .
I grew up in Whittier , which is a suburb east of Los Angeles ; it was primarily a middle class and lower middle class city .
My memory and recollection has always been my strong suit (albeit , fading with time) , with my earliest memory being the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake ; and , even though I was but 10 months young , I recall that quake quite well !
With this preface in-mind , here's what I recall from my youth that none of these youngsters today --or for the last 20+ years-- had to "deal with" :
1.) First , Second , Third and *gasp!* Fourth Stage smog alerts ! The 4th stage alerts were rare even in my youth , being a thing of the late 60's and earlier (excluding Riverside and San Marino... lol ) .
2.) 99% of the gasoline sold for normal consumption was leaded . NO ONE wanted to use that low-octane "White Gas" garbage !
3.) At least 75% of regular cars had AM-only radios ; FM reception was an expensive luxury (besides , FM stations were only playing Underground Rock , Long-Play Rock , Jazz and Classical).
4.) Vacuum Tube testers at supermarkets and drug stores .
5.) Black & White television reception . That's right !
6.) Hard-wired remote controls for t.v.
7.) Cable t.v. was restricted to "On-TV" , "SelecTV" or "Z-Channel" .
Michelle Obama , et al. , like to talk about "childhood obesity" , and its cause known as the kids' poor diets .
Let me tell you something , Missus Obama : kids' diets haven't changed one iota since day-1 ! It's the lack of physical activities , motor skills and restrictions-from-freedom which make today's kids "obese" , not to mention the unnecessary stresses that they're subject to on a daily basis !
Give me the days of leaded gasoline , black & white t.v. , freedom from predators , neighbourhood / community (regardless of ethnicity , finances , culture ... all of which are GOOD "differences" !!) , 2-parent households , and "emancipation from mental slavery".:D:D:D:D:D:D
