Should say I’m referring to my daughter – forgive me,brain not in gear today.

I don’t think anyone’s suggesting young people today have it easy – if anything,it’s the complete opposite.The point is that,in simple terms,we had a more ” natural ” childhood.I know from personal experience just how much pressure young people have on them – mainly from time spent in the psychiatrist’s office trying to work out exactly why she was cutting herself to ribbons.But she came through it,and though I wouldn’t relive that time for a million pounds,it was a life-shaping experience for both of us .Young adulthood can be a very hard time,but try not to take any comments too personally.

” Us older types ” !! Look, I told you already,my HUSBAND is an older type.People who like Nightwish and Linkin Park are Forever Young.Who am I kidding ? When I went to get my senior’s ticket at the aviation fair where I got my flying boat books yesterday I certainly wasn’t asked to prove my age.But they did let me in free because I’m a lady and I thought that only happened in nightclubs ! Anyway I’d much rather be thought cynical than naïve .

You seriously think politicians were once altruistic ?I can’t think of many from my youth that I’d describe as a person of honesty and integrity.Ian McLeod perhaps ? ( See,I really AM that old ).They’ve mostly all just been out for what they can get since forever.

Thanks for the post Steve.It’s sometimes difficult to remember how different life was when we were kids. That’s not to say many things aren’t a lot better now – for instance,my daughter and I communicate a lot better than my Mum and I ever did.Things changed enormously in the sixties and I think that’s largely what’s shaped us today. When I was clanging my hippie bells discipline and particularly self-discipline were to be avoided at all costs.Parents began raising kids accustoned to putting number one first and blow anyone else,and that attitude has carried over to the next generation.

I think the answer to that is – The day politicians put the priority on serving their pockets rather than the nation. How long ago was that?

Even I can’t remember that far back.

As you see ,the final shreds of my own sanity have finally waved goodbye.Sod it ,where’s the chocolate.

I’ve actually been living in the real world for a good deal longer than most people on here,which is why I don’t just meekly accept this sort of thing as ” progress “.I grew up all right without the government worrying its pretty little head about what I was up to 24 hours a day.Oh,and it also managed not to squander my hard-earned taxes on puerile adverts telling me to give children smaller portions,use a hanky if I’ve got a cold,and not to eat my Christmas turkey if it’s still coughing up blood.And the Wagon Wheels WERE bigger.I’m now off to start reading the 3 books I’ve just bought about flying boats,which were around when this country still retained a few shreds of sanity .