>DA> Neither LBJ's social legislation program (Great Society) or the 1960s
 >DA> Sexual Revolution by themselves can be held totally responsible for
 >DA> the decay of the `American Empire.'
 > 
 > Totally, no. The CATALYST, most definately.
 > 
Well it is your country and all. And you did live the 60s however it is much 
too simplistic in terms of cause and effect to point the finger of blame in 
such black and white terms to only two factors given the dynamics of the 60s 
- and the events leading up to the social changes in the previous decades. A 
catalyst perhaps but not the cause.
 > Nope. It was a direct result of the relief of pressure brought about 
 > by the first truly effective birth control, the pill.
 > 
 > The Cold War and the vietnam war were vastly over emphisized by the 
 > press. If Bosnia drags on as it very well may, then it will be 
 > effected the same way.
The birth control pill and social programs akin to the US's Great Society 
also made their way north of the 49 but alas the Sexual Revolution did not. 
Nor have we seen urban decay which in part is due to the lack of 
overpopulation in our urban centres as compared to the larger American 
cities. Crime, drug usage, homeless populations, disease, etc. all seem to be 
fueled (catalysed as it were) by population density - driven by 
overpopulation coupled with forces of dispair and helplessness (e.g., war, 
poverty, etc.). And it is the overpopulation of humans on the planet that has 
been shown to have a direct and indirect negative impact on the environment - 
just to bring the topic back online.
 > I AM a member of that generation. Believe it or not the percentage 
 > that followed that creed was a small minority. It's the media that 
 > makes you want to believe it was rampant.
 > 
 > I have never done illegal drugs and never will. Life alone is more 
 > than enough turn-on for me.
I too lived the 60s albeit as a youngster in my preteen years and early 
adolescence (born 1957). And I agree that the media did overinflate the drug 
usage but neveretheless it was a `turning point.' As compared to prior 
decades, drug usage was rampant in the urban centres. But on the other hand 
many if not most did not participate. But if one considers the martini 
drinking and tranquilizer popping generation of previous then perhaps we were 
all dulling ourselves in one way or the other to escape.
Kudos to you for staying clear of drugs! I myself had experimented with soft 
drugs (marijuana and hashish) in my twenties but have been clean for some 
years now. I like to be in full control and fully experience life without a 
dulling high. Life per se is the best high - a natural high! But alas not all 
drugs are illegal. Consider alcohol, stimulants, etc. They are as damaging 
and destructive as the so-called illegal drugs - and also intefere with the 
natural high. Legal or illegal is NOT the dividing point. It is how something 
interferes with ones ability to cope and properly function and be a risk to 
other members of society.
But enough said. You sound cool and together so I wish you the best. We may 
disagree on some issues but we do agree on others. What more can one ask for 
:)
Cheers... Daniel :)
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