The 'Greatest Generation' was special, but was it truly the greatest?

[mystery-ak]

August 2, 2021
The 'Greatest Generation' was special, but was it truly the greatest?
By Ned Cosby

Just in time for Christmas of 1998, Tom Brokaw unleashed one of the most seductive books ever written.  In his book, The Greatest Generation, he declared that the men and women who fought for the Allies against the Axis nations were "the greatest generation any society has ever produced." I do not wish to disparage the generation that defeated the Nazis, the Italians, and the Japanese in World War II.  They can stand tall in the assembly of generations, but was it the "greatest generation any society has ever produced""

Born in 1940, Brokaw was in diapers for much of World War II.  He grew up in postwar America, when America emerged as the strongest military and economic force on Earth.  These were heady days for this country, and his hyperbole is almost understandable, but as the current occupant of the White House is fond of saying, "C'mon, man!"

Was Brokaw's "greatest generation" better than the generation that gave us Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams?  What was the fruit of their efforts?  These guys faced charges of treason and a noose if they failed to free America from English tyranny.

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https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2021/08/the_greatest_generation_was_something_special_but_was_it_the_greatest.html

[berdie]

IMO, the folks mentioned were of the same mind set. So perhaps in a way they were all part of the same generation.

I'm scared because I don't see the same values and dedication today.

[cato potatoe]

Sure, they made mistakes ... including FDR, LBJ, and the military-industrial complex.  Socialist experimentation and military adventures were a fact of life in the 20th century, and were allowed to run their course.  But, the absence of the WWII generation was most evident in 2020.  Later generations have not carried the torch, and I'm not sure they are capable. 

[LegalAmerican]

As some have said. 'WHY.... do you want to pull on that thread?"   TOM holds zero interest for me.  Another liar. 

[Wingnut]

As some have said. 'WHY.... do you want to pull on that thread?"   TOM holds zero interest for me.  Another liar.

We would all be speaking German if your side would have won.

[sneakypete]

Who cares? They DID accomplish great things,and they are now dying off. Let them soak up the credit for some of the things they did. It costs none of us not one single thing.

[AARguy]

Compared to WWII generation and the Founders generation, would it be accurate to label today's younger generation, replete with transgenders, kneeling when the anthem is played, growing socialism, out of control government spending and all the rest, the "Most Miserable Generation"?

[Kamaji]

They were the greatest generation because they were ordinary men and women - not the pinnacle of the wealthy elite (like most of the Founders) - who, out of a solemn sense of duty and love of country and freedom, picked up a very difficult cross and carried it to the finish line.

If they had remained in their own little self-centered, isolationist cocoons, the world would have been a much, much, much worse place than it ever became, even in the depths of the 1960s, or the heights of the Cold War.

Maybe they weren't the Greatest Generation ever - I dislike superlatives - but they were certainly, as a generation, on a par with the Founders' generation.

[LegalAmerican]

Compared to WWII generation and the Founders generation, would it be accurate to label today's younger generation, replete with transgenders, kneeling when the anthem is played, growing socialism, out of control government spending and all the rest, the "Most Miserable Generation"?

Correct and no matter what, they will NEVER  be happy.  That is their brain defect.  Studied. Proven. Aways unhappy and have to complain about something.  ANYTHING....then the next thing.

[Absalom]

Hmm.....greatest generation, huh? The level of ignorance is predictably appalling and beyond embarrassment.
Classical Athens is the epitome of unsurpassed excellence; creating and developing the following:
* Philosophy including Deductive & Inductive Logic,
* Science including Botany, Biology, Chemistry, Medicine and Physics,
* History,
* Literature including Comedy & Tragedy, Poetry and the Novel,
* Architecture,
* Geometry,
* Competitive Athletics / the Olympics,
* Representative Governance / the Assembly.

[libertybele]

I never saw them as the 'greatest generation'; I have met many and with that label attached around their necks, they feel that they are owed everything.  I have often viewed them as they rate themselves above all others (as well as being above the law) to the point where many believe they are kings and their rings should be kissed.

[LegalAmerican]

I never saw them as the 'greatest generation'; I have met many and with that label attached around their necks, they feel that they are owed everything.  I have often viewed them as they rate themselves above all others (as well as being above the law) to the point where many believe they are kings and their rings should be kissed.

Wow!  That is how you feel about your parents, grandparents?  Those who fought in WW II?   

[LegalAmerican]

Compared to WWII generation and the Founders generation, would it be accurate to label today's younger generation, replete with transgenders, kneeling when the anthem is played, growing socialism, out of control government spending and all the rest, the "Most Miserable Generation"?

Yes.   

[sneakypete]

I don't know about "The Greatest Generation",but they seem to have been the last American generation to have felt a sense of duty towards America and the American people.

Yeah,there are exceptions even today,but they are few and far between. Mostly we have a "Bleep YOU,ME FIRST!" citizenry these days.