The lost generation

Not a day goes by that Ol’ Dutch is not amazed at just how inept a good share of the younger generation really is.

Now by younger I mean about 50 and below because that is the age group which failed to learn geography and history and were, instead, taught Social Studies.

And, boy, can you tell it. People seem to have no idea where we come from as a nation and what exactly happened to get us here. Even such recent history as WWII is unknown to them, which is sad given the importance of that war for America.

There is one thing they do know about that war, however, is it involved a man named Adolf Hitler. Well, they don't know his first name, but they do know that he was evil and bring that up when anything they don't agree with happens. (This, by the way, is known as Godwin’s Law. The originator of said law is a college friend of Miss Trixie, so now don’t you see what I suffer with daily?)

Just let some politician suggest controlling our borders and yep, you guessed it. He is just like Hitler. Or maybe cutting taxes. Park your boat too close to the neighbor and you become a card-carrying Nazi yourself as some “Karen” will jump you like a storm trooper on the night of the long knives — a Hitler event.

Or maybe some parent does not want their child taught about alternate lifestyles and suddenly, the Hitler card is rushed front and center.

It's running a close second of course to the race card which is kept handy for any circumstances where a person is losing an argument. Now Ol’ Dutch does agree that there is some racism out there in our nation and certainly the world in general persecutes millions of people for their race. So, there is that. But it cheapens the real issues when it is used for every little reason.

But the Hitler card is just too far out there even for me. For if these people had any idea about history and what Ol’ Adolf did they would not think to compare the atrocities he committed to anyone at least in the America that they know.

And this same lack of basic understanding carries through into so much of their lives as they have trouble spelling, use grammar worse than a sailor’s mate and their math skills resemble a broken abacus adding up firecrackers on the Chinese New Year.

Just this past week Ol’ Dutch was perusing the sale ads and found someone willing to part with a “Hardy Broad.” Now I don't know about you, but I already have one of those so am not really in the market for another. Miss Trixie was quick to point out they meant Hardy BOARD, which is a type of building materia,l but I am not so sure about that. And honestly, what man can’t use one of those anyway?

“Playwood” is also listed quite often, and I have to wonder what kind of wood that may be, but it certainly sounds like a fun time even to Ol’ Dutch.

This week I have also seen “farwood” for sale, and “A State” Sale listed plus a “Grudge” Sale sign. Which I guess is some woman selling her ex-husbands tools after splitting the sheets?

A local restaurant sign recently boasted of “Jalapenis Chicken Poopers” for $3.99; another proclaimed the opening of Kidsexchange, which is a clothing shop, not a surgical ward. To top it all off someone did post that shoplifters would be “prostituted” and who needs to see that? Combine that with the ever-present misuse of your, you’re and their and there and it’s more than a guy can take.

For consolation, I am going to get one of those “roast history” chickens at Wal-mart and call it a day.

With Easter fast-approaching I am sure we will have to suffer through more of this misspelling nightmare and grammatical hell. I just saw a “anal” Easter egg hunt listed locally and let me tell you something, I don’t care who you are that’s Hitler for sure if I ever saw it. 

Kevin Kirkpatrick and his yorkie, Cooper, fish, hunt, ATV or hike daily. His email is [email protected]. Additional news can be found at www.troutrepublic.comor on Twitter at TroutRepublic.