OPINION
Published on February 17, 2011 By Big Fat Daddy In Misc

 

It bothers me to see the "Peace Sign" displayed in so many ways everywhere you look. It is on t-shirts, pants pockets, on posters, in advertising, just all over the place. I see it displayed by kids who have no idea the pain and division that symbol generated in this country...it is just a fashionable "retro" look to them. I want to grab them and tell them how offensive it is to me and a heck of a lot like me, but I am just a fat old man that is past the point of being considered relevent in any way. "Lighten up, old man, it's just a ...what?...a symbol..."

The first time I was aware of it, it was the symbol for the "No Nukes" demonstrators in England as they paraded in front of the US Air Bases. I am not sure how it made the leap to the anti-war movement...but some time in the sixties: there it was. Now it is the icon of the sixties and I suppose it is supposed to represent the "freedom" of the time...the "new morality"..."free love"..."sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll"..."make love, not war"..."up the revolution"...but some of us remember other things the symbol stood for: burning flags, draft cards, and bras...runaways on drugs selling flowers on street corners to earn the next hit...dirty feet, hair, clothes and pits and all the assembled aromas that accompany them ...the "F-bomb" prominently dropped in places it had NEVER been dropped before...general rude behavior from young people in the guise of projecting their disdain for anything conventional or authoritative... the riots, the "civil disobedience", and the unbelievably bad treatment they threw at the servicemen.

I have heard it referred to as the "Footprint of the American Chicken". It is hard to argue against that, especially given the way the "peace movement" came to a standstill when the draft ended...even though there were still lots of wars in the world. Others have said it has satanic connotations...it doesn't, except for what wannabes have ascribed to it. The fellow who apparently designed it, in England around 1958 or so, combined the semaphore positions for the letter "N" and the letter "D" ( Nuclear Disarmament). That is his story and he is sticking to it.

In any case, in this politically correct world we live in, it is a no-no to offend the folks who killed 3000 Americans on 9/11, but no one gives a hoot about offending millions of Americans who put their lives on the line to protect the rights of those who spit on them, called them names, and did their best to ruin the country.

Am I alone here? Am I being too sensitive? Is this just fashion...or do symbols really mean things? Maybe I am...but one of the things that Vietnam vets learned was to "suck it up" ...don't draw fire...keep your peace because nobody cares what you think. We shook our heads and chanted "Don't mean nothin', man...ain't nuthin' but a thing..." Well...this is a thing I can't sit on any longer. I know there are a bunch of you out there...what do you think? Isn't it time we spoke up? Or don't you care?


Comments
on Feb 17, 2011

You are not alone.  During the 60s I was confronted by it due to my location (military installations as a brat).  I came to know the people behind them and found them to be cowards of the worst kind.  They abused the freedom they had, yet refused to speak out against the totalitarianism that would put them in danger.  They were and are cowards.

It cost Hanoi Jane nothing to get her picture taken on the NV AA Gun.  But had she protested their treatment of citizens while there, she would not have been treated with the kid gloves afforded all cowards of the other side.  She is the face of the sign.  But not that only holder of it.

on Feb 17, 2011

Nope.  You are not too sensitive.  I can't stand ignorant people walking around with peace signs who think they are just a fashion statement.  I don't like them on kids' clothing and I try to avoid buying anything with them.  

I didn't live through the 60s but I still know what it represents and the current batch of idiots doesn't care, doesn't know or doesn't give a damn.

on Feb 17, 2011

Doc:  You are talking about one of the most influential women of the century or some crap like that.  (where is my sarcasm font?)  You're right.

Dana:  You are a good, good girl.