Thinking back to growing up in the 50s and early 60s, when a nuclear war that would devastate nations seemed to be just around the corner, it would have been a real boost to have such a dream .. to believe you could live to be old. Yeah that would have been bliss…
Now if I could just go back into the past and beat the holy shinola out of my younger self and get him to get his head out of his fourth point of contact my life now would be so much better.
Some who have commented here seem to think Civil Defense was/is a joke – or worse yet, stupid. I assure you it is not.
The whole point of the 1940s/50s CD lessons (the active participation in drills) was to convince parents NOT to succumb to the natural instinct to their child’s school and "sweep them off to ‘safety’, but instead to shelter in place until the major risk of fallout had passed.
If you have in your area a ‘worst road’ that is WAY too narrow for the volume of traffic it must carry during Rush Hour, go out some day and park (out of the roadway perimeter) where you can watch for an hour. Watch the arrogant, frantic behavior of those who want everyone else to let THEM get by, just because they are so important or in such a rush.
Then close your eyes and imagine that stream of bumper-to=bumper traffic being 10 X heavier. Terrible, right? Then imagine it being another 10 X heavier. Awful. People using their vehicles as rams to push others out of their way, not caring about damage or injury. Now imagine it being 10 X heavier still. Chaos. Complete anarchy.
But wait! There’s MORE! Expert CD analysts estimate that the traffic densities on major highways out of a strike area would be 10,000 X as heavy as the ‘normal’ Rush Hour traffic. That is why the ‘shelter in place’ training was so important.
But for it all to work, the parents HAD TO BE CONVINCED that their kids would be ‘safe’, and ‘protected’. Thus the drills, the instructor training, the supplies. And no – for the most part it was NOT wasted. In my town, the school system took keeping the supplies fresh and up-to-date was taken very seriously. Expired consumables were rotated out regularly, sent to shelters for immediate distribution.
Hello Everyone 3 months ago
Is Kate back down the Rabbit hole? At least she’s happy.
What’s Kate’s dog name, by the way? I don’t remember many stories with him/her. Does it talk like Lucy?
Cheers!
Bilan 3 months ago
Did the older Kate just tell her to be more like Danae?
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member 3 months ago
Thinking back to growing up in the 50s and early 60s, when a nuclear war that would devastate nations seemed to be just around the corner, it would have been a real boost to have such a dream .. to believe you could live to be old. Yeah that would have been bliss…
Uncle Kenny 3 months ago
I had hoped for a longer arc with this one.
dflak 3 months ago
Looking at this from the other side: enjoy your children while they are young. Once they grow up they will be adults for the rest of your life.
Old Time Tales 3 months ago
Now if I could just go back into the past and beat the holy shinola out of my younger self and get him to get his head out of his fourth point of contact my life now would be so much better.
mokspr Premium Member 3 months ago
Did anyone else look at that last panel out of context and think “Hmm, Senocot ad”?
mistercatworks 3 months ago
And there you go, right back in Kansas. :)
poppacapsmokeblower 3 months ago
I love it
[Unnamed Reader - fe9964] 3 months ago
Where was this when I was growing up….not that I would have listened….oh wait I get it now~
kathleenhicks62 3 months ago
Being OLD is certainly not bliss!
lisaegray 3 months ago
Can someone explain this one to me? I don’t get it…
Otis Rufus Driftwood 3 months ago
Okay, I find this ending confusing.
AZfroggie 3 months ago
AHA! I was right, the old lady is Kate!
JoeMartinFan Premium Member 3 months ago
Still hoping for an explanation comment…
anomaly 3 months ago
Excuse yourself when you ‘poomph’, dear.
Cactus-Pete 3 months ago
That’s impressive that they’re whistling sixteenth notes.
mike256 3 months ago
I found this series of strips just amazing – thanks Wiley
SrTechWriter 3 months ago
Some who have commented here seem to think Civil Defense was/is a joke – or worse yet, stupid. I assure you it is not.
The whole point of the 1940s/50s CD lessons (the active participation in drills) was to convince parents NOT to succumb to the natural instinct to their child’s school and "sweep them off to ‘safety’, but instead to shelter in place until the major risk of fallout had passed.
If you have in your area a ‘worst road’ that is WAY too narrow for the volume of traffic it must carry during Rush Hour, go out some day and park (out of the roadway perimeter) where you can watch for an hour. Watch the arrogant, frantic behavior of those who want everyone else to let THEM get by, just because they are so important or in such a rush.
Then close your eyes and imagine that stream of bumper-to=bumper traffic being 10 X heavier. Terrible, right? Then imagine it being another 10 X heavier. Awful. People using their vehicles as rams to push others out of their way, not caring about damage or injury. Now imagine it being 10 X heavier still. Chaos. Complete anarchy.
But wait! There’s MORE! Expert CD analysts estimate that the traffic densities on major highways out of a strike area would be 10,000 X as heavy as the ‘normal’ Rush Hour traffic. That is why the ‘shelter in place’ training was so important.
But for it all to work, the parents HAD TO BE CONVINCED that their kids would be ‘safe’, and ‘protected’. Thus the drills, the instructor training, the supplies. And no – for the most part it was NOT wasted. In my town, the school system took keeping the supplies fresh and up-to-date was taken very seriously. Expired consumables were rotated out regularly, sent to shelters for immediate distribution.
eddi-TBH 3 months ago
I thought so. Kate is a smart kid. Of she’s a smart adult. Danae may have a lot more growing up to do though.
keenanthelibrarian 3 months ago
It’s a relief to just be yourself, see?
Laurie Stoker Premium Member 3 months ago
This story was wonderful; especially the ending! ❤️❤️❤️
lnrokr55 3 months ago
Most boring repeat ever !