Do you remember:

“YOU CAN TELL IT’S MATTEL …. IT’S SWELL”?

Yup, seems like a lifetime ago because it actually was.   I was thinking about all the violent messages being sent to kids back then, especially on television….invasion of malevolent outer space aliens, nuclear detonations and resulting mutant blood thirsty creatures scavenging the burned earth, Intercontinental and Submarine launched Ballistic Missiles, high altitude bombers, jet fighters, death ray satellites, massive aircraft carriers, tanks, grenades, machine guns, rifles, side arms, bayonets, knives, etc…..

Naturally, all available in various scaled model action toys.

Gosh, the world hasn’t really changed much when you stop and think about it for a bit.

Maybe the process in which violence is now presented and explained to children has changed and become more politically correct and all that, but it still exists. The availability and acceptance of toy weapons has been greatly reduced.    (Recall a while back when an elementary school student was suspended from classes for shaping food like a pistol? Evidently, in light of the horrendous school shootings that have occurred there has been little tolerance granted in some areas for anything “gun”). Still, the basic world situation has not changed since I was a child with the all too common threats and realities of war, nuclear detonations, sickness, some sort of invasion, diseases, how best to defend yourself in case of the “what ifs?”, etc.. (Remember hiding under your desk in case a nuclear attack occurred while you were at school? LOL!)

ANYWAY, I occasionally rummage through old boxes and re-discover things I had long ago forgotten.   You know, the internet is absolutely amazing.   I couldn’t remember some of the particulars of the “booby trap” toy but after only a few keystrokes – PRESTO!  A long misplaced childhood world of almost make believe brought back.

REMEMBER?

Remember what M.A.D. also stood for?  Mutually Assured Destruction (A SALT [Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty] term…..crap I’m old!)

One last thought:

 

Boys were encouraged to battle & fight

Girls EZ Baked cakes

Parents did the best that they could

While the media helped set the stakes

*****

 

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

 

 

Yeah, OK, that part looked pretty funny also.

Yup, I have gained a few pounds around the waist which undoubtedly contributed to the rope breaking, but in all fairness, the rope was fairly old too.

Yes, that was a connecting two handed upper cut.

Yep, that extra weight probably increased the intensity of the impact to my posterior.

Yes, much better, thank you.

Yes, I am extremely concerned about what is shaping up in the Middle East.  While on the subject of weapons and self defense…..

 

 

I have a daily habit

Of being news informed

Often it is a lonely place

With ignorance appearing “norm”.

 

Almost 17 trillion in debt?    [[[http://www.usdebtclock.org/]]]

Further taxation the claimed sure cure?

Continuing wars, crime and unemployment?

The dumbing down of America for sure.

 

Frightening that our government

Repeatedly provides weapons to those

Who with great hate turn them on US

While OUR RIGHT to bear arms is slowly closed.

 

God Bless America and those who serve.

 

My best to you and yours, Lew