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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Jan. 14, 2005
/ 4 Shevat, 5765
I'm a member of Generation Jones
By
Tom Purcell
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Finally, I have my own generation Generation Jones and it was my generation that handed President Bush a second term.
According to Jonathan Pontell, a sociologist and author, a large chunk of Baby Boomers are not Baby Boomers at all. Those of us born between 1954 and 1965 have little in common with the first wave of boomers, but nobody has articulated this fact until recently.
When boomers were indulging in drugs and free love, we were doing our homework. While they were driving around in VW Beetles and protesting the Viet Nam war, we were watching The Brady Bunch.
The boomers had reason to be idealistic, you see. Shortly before they were born, American might defeated great foes in the Great War. Our economy was booming. The future was theirs to take and run with, and, boy, did they party hearty along the way.
Our chance finally came. As we entered college, we sought to leave our own mark, but the party was over. During our lives, the idealism of Kennedy gave way to the Nixon fiasco. We had little to be idealistic about and even less desire to protest. The first wave of boomers left the country looking like the muddy grounds of Woodstock after the concert was over.
Reagan was president when I entered college and we were as practical as he. We re-embraced simple American values hard work, thrift, worrying about the future. Few were idealistic when I was at Penn State in the early 1980's. Most kids studied engineering and accounting in order to get ahead. If anyone staged a protest, only two or three people showed up, and they came to sell hot dogs.
After college, my generation remained in the shadow of the first wave of boomers. They continued to set the trends. One trend was to abandon their youthful idealism to cash out in the 1980's and 1990's. To grab that money, the marketers created most products, movies and television shows just for them.
But something had been happening all along. My generation had been waking up. We realized we had little to do with the first wave of boomers. And as we enter middle age, we have begun speaking up. We're tired of being force fed the leftovers of the boomers ahead of us. We're tired of being hidden in the shadows.
Which brings us to the 2004 election. According to Pontell, while the pundits were looking at traditional voting patterns and trends, virtually all of them overlooked the most significant one: the Generation Jones trend.
In every swing state, the folks born between 1954 and 1965 went for Bush by sizable margins. We went for Bush for one simple reason. Kerry was THEIR candidate, the kind of fellow that made the first wave of boomers swoon.
He talked from both sides of his mouth. With an air of superiority, he lectured us on Republican greed and the country's need to sacrifice for the poor, while he lived in mansions. He reminded us his initials were JFK, too, and that he had an idealistic vision for America's future.
But we didn't buy it. We made our voice heard in huge numbers 53 million Americans are part of Generation Jones, and many of us went for Bush. He has his peccadilloes, to be sure, but his values were more closely aligned with ours.
Interestingly, female voters in the Generation Jones era were the biggest factor in Bush's win. Whereas women in all other age groups favored Kerry, the Jones women went for Bush. As a result, in every swing state that Bush won, Generation Jones was the deciding factor.
I'm happy to learn that I'm no longer a boomer and that I have my own generation to hang my hat on now. It took us awhile, but just because middle age is overtaking us doesn't mean we can't enjoy a good party.
The Bush inauguration might do the trick.
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© 2005, Tom Purcell
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