6538

Gen X is only now gaining the wealth and positions to make these changes. They’re coming, but Boomers are still holding a lot of the reins. Just look at the vampires in congress - not that many Gen X, but plenty of boomers.

6539

So when Boomers got started what generation do you think controlled congress? Do you honestly think having old farts in congress is something new?

6540

You’re purposefully avoiding the point. Boomers are not supposed to “solve” climate change. They’re supposed to continue addressing the needs of the planet. You don’t get credit because you recycled once and now you’re like fuck whatever and just start filling the landfill. You have to continue the work you started.

Boomers are a large generation. You are aware… like actually know, the years this covers right? You can actually have two generations in the same generation like I do because of how many years the Boomers cover.

6541

Yeah dude, your job is to fix stuff while in charge.

That’s what my job is now. But my job is harder now, because I need to fix climate change with way less runway, and I need to do it while already under a mountain of debt.

And if I don’t do anything? Then yeah, future generations will be right to blame us for our inaction.

6542

I think it is more helpful to focus on the sort of ideas that cause harm (e.g. selfishness, lack of concern for the future). Tarring an entire generation is both unfair and only results in defensiveness.

Plus the factors that drive policy are complex and stretch across generations. As a member of GenX I can’t wait to be blamed for not AI or genetic safety seriously enough.

6543

It’s nice to have someone to blame. Makes you feel better about yourself. Gives you something to talk about with others. And it solves nothing.

I don’t blame you for how you feel by the way.

6544

No, it doesn’t solve anything.

Solving things will mean actually acting like adults and doing the work required to address hard problems, and not just kicking the can down the road.

Cause there ain’t a lot more road now.

6545

You must be referring to the Cuyahoga River. It caught fire many times, starting in 1868. The largest fire was in 1952. I don’t think you can blame boomers for that.

The last fire was in 1969. It led to protests, and helped to start the environmental movement in the US. In response to the fires, the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972. Part of the river bank was designated a Superfund site, cleaned up in 1986, and then in 2000 made into a friggin National Park.

Today the river is far cleaner, and obviously doesn’t catch fire any more. Who gets the credit?

6546

There are no precise dates for when this cohort starts or ends; demographers and researchers typically use starting birth years ranging from the early-to-mid 1940s and ending birth years ranging from 1960 to 1964.

So basically 20-25 years. And your point is what?

6547

You sure have a lot of … emotion for someone who doesn’t blame anyone for how they feel…

My point is you keep acting surprise why this ginormous still in charge group has so much asked of them. Let’s get to the heart of it. The Boomer are big… very large generation. They’ve been in charge for decades. They are still in charge. I think that needs to be repeated again just to it sets right, they’re still in charge. The ball is in their court and they’re dropping it. You don’t get to point to the past and ask why everyone is asking you to do something with the ball sitting at your feet.

6548

No, but your generation has had its 20 years and then some to fix shit, and instead has ransacked the country and set up the rest of us to pick up the pieces. I’m hoping Gen X will do better.

6549

Don’t mistake trolling for emotion. This is a forum and I am aware of the general “Boomers are evil” idea out there. I just like to give people a bad time when it comes up. Timex does it often and I think he would be disappointed if I didn’t butt in with my two cents worth. :)

I think you could argue that Boomers have been in control since 1992, with Clinton’s presidency. So roughly 25 years.

6550

I would.

Besides, avoiding responsibility is kind of your thing, as a Boomer.

ICE BURN

6551

And of course your is the first generation to believe that, and mine is the first generation to be so accused. I only wish I had got a bigger piece of that boomer pie.

6552

They’ve been politically dominant since 1980. Sure they didn’t have their own in office until the early 90’s, but as far as setting the terms of policy? Reagan is absolutely the point.

And they have retained that edge to now. They probably cede some of that by 2020, but saying exactly when that baton passes is tough.

6553

I liked “abiding” better. :)

6554

Nixon.

That and China are about all he did ok with, and I don’t begrudge it. Still, GOP is trying as hard as possible to gut the EPA now, including provisions of the CAA and CWA. Cause business!

6555

It kind of is… I mean, that were you guys gonna do? Say your parents didn’t do enough? Defeating the Nazis and building the US into the dominant industrial power of the century?

6556

It may well be that every generation is defined by the greedy fuckers who backstab their way to power and then abuse it. I can hope that at some point a generation will observe that pattern and try to change it, right?

6557

So would anyone agree that the business of business was business before Boomers took over. I think business interests have run the country for much longer than the interests of anyone generation or group.

No matter who is in charge, it is business that is often running the game.