Craig Garber

1968

Last night, my son and I watched a DVD I’d ordered a few weeks ago called “1968.” It was a documentary hosted by Tom Brokaw, about the tumultuous late 1960’s, which culminated in the Chicago riots, the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, and deaths of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy in 1968.

There were two different theories put forward in the documentary. One was that the 60’s were a unique time for cultural change and awakening. Things like the civil rights movement, women’s rights, questioning and resisting the war, and introducing more free-thinking into pop-culture and society, paved the way for great changes and great thinkers.

Another thought was that, essentially, this was a good plan gone awry. There was too much excess, too many drugs, and the stability of the counterculture leaders surely needed to be questioned. That the anti-establishment divided and polarized Americans and things have never been the same, since.

Like may baby boomers, I’ve always romanticized this era, but mostly because of the music which was developed during that time. I’ve always been passionate about music and so these are the memories that come to me when I think about the 1960’s. Of course, being one of the younger boomers (I was born 11/1963), I really didn’t have any kind of a “real” perspective on things, either.

Since tomorrow is July 4th, America’s Independence Day, I thought it would be a good time to get your feedback on some of these issues.

What’s your opinion on things? What lasting imprint did the late 1960’s leave on America?

If it was positive, let me know your opinion why. If it was negative, let me know what you believe could have been done different, so the results would have been different.

Post your thoughts and comments here on my blog.

Have a great 4th, and a relaxing weekend, and I’ll see you on Monday.

Oh, this weekend I’ll be putting the July issue of my Seductive Selling Newsletter together — http://www.kingofcopy.com/ssnl. One of the columns in it is called “Little-Known Copywriting Secrets From The King’s Treasure Chest.” If you have a copywriting question you want an answer to, post that on my blog as well — and maybe it’ll get addressed in this month’s newsletter.

Now go sell something, Craig Garber

P.S. Make ’em ALL say “Yes!”: http://www.kingofcopy.com/seductive

If you enjoyed this, pass it on to a few of your friends and business associates, and if you have any comments about this message, PLEASE — leave them here on my blog — I want to know what you’re thinking!:

Here are ALL the King’s products: http://www.kingofcopy.com/products

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7 responses to “1968”

  1. Steve Avatar
    Steve

    Craig,
    Having just signed up for your SS Newsletter, your comments about the 60’s rang a bell. In 1968 I turned 20. Graduated from Highschool in ’66 and immediately joined the Army. Germany for 18 months, then to Vietnam. I turned 20 on a patrol in the jungle.
    The 60’s are a very pivotal point for my generation. We had the best music, the best cars (57 Chevy Belair) and the best that the post war lifestyle had to offer. I personally think that 1968 was the most intense year of my life. Take into account all of the things that happened that year alone, and we are still alive and kicking. Life was both good and bad, depending on which end of the stick you were holding. Don’t forget the following year. 1969. I listened to the “One small step” radio transmission on a small transister radio in Vietnam. Rock N Roll morphed into Psychodelic Rock, then Acid Rock. We buried our heroes, took a deep breath, and continued our lives. To quote Dickens, “It was the worst of times, it was the best of times”. I’m grateful I was there. I wouldn’t take a million dollars for that experience, but I wouldn’t give you a nickel to do again.
    Steve McCullough
    http://www.macteesinc.com

  2. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    In 1968 I was in the US Army. The most damaging social change to come out of the 60’s was the “flower children” embraced communisim as they tore down the social values that made this country great. The one big mistake was not arresting Jane Fonda, put her on trial for treason and a public excecution.

  3. Gymbeaux Avatar
    Gymbeaux

    My memories are negative. I chaned my taste in music from rock to country because the music changed during this period. I was also in the U. S. Coast Guard and I can assure you wearing the uniform of your country during this period of time was NOT a good thing in certain parts of the country like New York City. People despised people in uniform and unfortunately some attitudes have not changed. Regardless of other’s attitudes, I was and remain very proud of my service to America. The 70’s were not much better.

    Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown

  4. Johnny Avatar
    Johnny

    I am sorry but the people have every right to act that way towards a terrorist. America has been terrorizing the world since the first invasion of iraq in world war one. Brittian has been occuping or fighting iraq 45 of last 80 years. Big business got rich off The third reich and nazis.The Rothchilds and warburgs and all there buddies run the world and fund this monster of a nation big business has created. Research Things like bildeberg and CFR. Its crazy and it makes sense. They screwed up in the 70s with nixon and that cabinet is back and they are doing it right this time. They are giving you money instead of taxing you and no draft. Get real they turned this into a fascist state with fear. Thats what the nazis did. Guess who they learned it from! Wake up craig or you may not have any of your freedoms left.
    O no you waited too long they are already gone.

  5. Tim O'Keefe Avatar
    Tim O’Keefe

    I think the 60’s brought much good and much bad.
    Like a wave I think society rises and falls socially and culturally.

    I think as I heard Tom Brokaw once say much of todays fighting of Left and Right is just an extension of the 60’s never quite resolving itself.
    http://www.houseblogger.com/houseblogger/2007/11/tom-brokaw-and.html

  6. jackmargicooper Avatar
    jackmargicooper

    Craig:
    Looks like you kind of opened up a can of worms. Reading the posts so far I see fear, hostility, gratitude, and love.
    I was in Vietnam, discharged before things got real bad. Was torn inside from the loss of friends and family in Vietnam.
    I also turned to country music, (still love it), got married to my childhood sweetheart, our 1st child was born.
    So all the things I mentioned above that I have seen in your posts I relate to.
    One thing I can’t relate to is Johnny’s post. I love this country, I respect all the Military that has served, an died, for us (including Johnny).
    Things aren’t always milk and honey, but I belive we live in the GREATEST country there is on this earth and we do MUCH more good than harm, we are generous well beyond any other nation, we can look at the rest of the world and laugh with them and we can cry with them.
    Better shut this off as getting long, but one last thing for Johnny.
    You have it very good here and I’m sorry that you are so bitter, but if you don’t think you have it so good I’m sure you can leave anytime.
    But try to write some of the things you stated in your post in some other countries and you may lose more than your FREEDOM.
    Jack
    http://www.healthyliving-wellness-diet.com

  7. Craig Andresini Avatar
    Craig Andresini

    Craig,

    I was 8 at the time and I do remember the senseless murders of Dr King and Bobby Kennedy. In Baltimore, as with many cities, Dr Kings assasination brought riots and much fear for a little kid wondering if the rioters would come into our neighborhood after learning our neighbors furniture store was burned and looted.

    My dad was a fireman who put in a lot overtime battling the many fires that were set in the city. I know my mom worried that something could happen to him but I don’t think he did. As a WWII vet he faced much worse.

    Beyond this it was a good time for an 8 yr old and the world as I understood it. I don’t have the perspective of the other posters who were serving our country at the time. I have the utmost respect for them as I do for those currently serving.

    I firmly believe we do have the privilege of living in the best country on earth where, if one doesn’t share that belief they have the right to not only gripe and complain about it but are also free to find somewhere else to go and live.

    http://www.RetireYourLoan.com

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