General Discussion

CBHagman

(17,554 posts)

26. The nation goes forward and the nation slips backward.

Thu Jun 4, 2026, 11:43 AM

6 hrs ago

I would not frame it as a relentless march backward. That wouldn't be true, and it wouldn't be fair to those who need to know things can and do change for the better.

Yes, many of us lived through the hellish violence and losses of the 1960s and beyond. Yes, 2026 is a grim time, and there's a multi-pronged assault on our rights, our institutions, the rule of law, and any and all professional and ethical standards.

But progress and backlash have always been part of our story. I fear that people will become too discouraged and fall into learned helplessness if they see our story as a death spiral and not a journey.

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erronis

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Highlight:

June 4, 1968: When America truly started going down the wrong track [View all] Chasstev365 9 hrs ago OP

That's what it felt like to me. Thinking about it now brings those feelings back. Biophilic 9 hrs ago #1

Then we topped the whole decade off with Kent State. The 60s were truly over. Walleye 9 hrs ago #2

Yes, not just one assassination or event but the culmination. End of an era. txwhitedove 8 hrs ago #6

I've been saying that for at least 50 years CanonRay 8 hrs ago #3

I would say, after Nixon, there was a chance to right the ship. harumph 8 hrs ago #4

When they let Nixon skate for the good of the country. Blue Full Moon 7 hrs ago #12

I think the assassination of MLK, Jr. had even more impact. yardwork 8 hrs ago #5

I Disagree. In Terms Of Civil Rights, Of Course. But RFK Was Going.... ColoringFool 7 hrs ago #11

I will disagree with that. Most of the delegates were chosen in the backroom rurallib 7 hrs ago #16

no mokeyz 6 hrs ago #23

I agree. intheflow 5 hrs ago #28

I felt that way at the time.. mountain grammy 8 hrs ago #7

Actually, RFK was shot in the early a.m. of June 5, & pronounced dead on June 6, which is the usual date associated.... ColoringFool 7 hrs ago #8

Was it Eastern or Pacific time? 12:31AM or 12:32? Chasstev365 7 hrs ago #13

Sixties Peak unweird 7 hrs ago #9

That would be a great topic for a time travel story Unwind Your Mind 7 hrs ago #10

A lot of things changed in the 90s videohead5 7 hrs ago #14

Yes! Chasstev365 7 hrs ago #15

Ken Starr's ascension was a real turning point for this country. (eom) StevieM 5 hrs ago #29

..... markie 7 hrs ago #17

😢 Chasstev365 7 hrs ago #18

I was getting ready to post that song. wnylib 45 min ago #33

Wow...disappointing! electric_blue68 32 min ago #35

That was a bad day for me BeneteauBum 7 hrs ago #19

The 1971 Powell Memo finished kicking us off the cliff. Ralph Nader's assessment of what we've lost. jmbar2 7 hrs ago #20

I would say it began with the assassination of President Kennedy dlk 7 hrs ago #21

Yup! mokeyz 6 hrs ago #22

I remember it all..... 😔 electric_blue68 6 hrs ago #24

Thanks for sharing your vivid memories of those horrible times. erronis 56 min ago #31

Oh, hey, thanks. electric_blue68 52 min ago #32

My brother volunteered in RFK's office during the campaign. appleannie1 6 hrs ago #25

The nation goes forward and the nation slips backward. CBHagman 6 hrs ago #26

I am willing to be contrarian on this point. NNadir 5 hrs ago #27

Bush/Florida 2000 created Trump DemocracyForever 4 hrs ago #30

Yep, the ruling class took over completely from that point. BlueTsunami2018 41 min ago #34

If Senator Kennedy hadn't become President, and remained on politics; he still would have been an Active Voice for... electric_blue68 14 min ago #36