Yes, that is true. I've seen the pictures from the fairs up there, puny cabbages, squash and punkins. Definitely don't think about growing anything in Alaska.

I would not want to disagree with a dead man especially a dead veteran as the 1/1/69 date suggests but the volunteer army self selects our best men & women to take all the risks while a draft if fairly done (If that were possible) would spread the risks across all levels of society and abilitys. Hard to see that with a draft notice in your hands of course.

Reverse, Do you live outside the bush in Alaska. Also is it true that during the dec 22 - 25 there is no sun?

I'm guessing RE lives in (or near) Willow, Alaska.

It depends how you define the "Bush". If that means do I live 50 miles from anybody else, no. However, its all trees and woodland and the homes, apartments and cabins around the area are widely separated. Very low density obviously. Moose wander the neighborhood quite freely. Snow machines are as common as cars as local transportation.

Since we are below the Arctic Circle, there is no time where the sun totally disappears, but around the winter solstice there are only a few hours of twilight, its not really pure daylight.

Willow was a good guess Ludi. Won't say if its correct, but its the type and size of town I live in. They all are like this around here, anywhere from Moose Creek to Talkeetna. I would say its what most towns were like in the US in size around the late 1800s for the most part.

Reverse Engineer

RE's moose roaming freely.....

How to load a moose at 60 mph (large)

Edit: Converted Url to hyperlink per COC 3.1.2 "Graphic content: " -FL

Actually, the draft my Dad was speaking about was for my brothers. My Dad served in WW2. This was being discussed in the late 60s just before he died.

Our family is big on dinner discussions and the 'boys' (my brothers) were talking about all the reasons their friends were being disqualified from the draft - I remember quite clearly one reason was for being overweight and it was only about 30 pounds overweight. But in listening to the reasons, Dad decided the military was only taking the men who were in top shape, smart, and strong. Leaving the sick, less intelligent, and weak home. I was only seven at the time,, but the draft was having quite a memorable effect at our house.

It was just something we think about in our family from time to time, but doubt we believe it with any conviction.

My husband and I have read whole books on the 'dumbing of America' and all articles we see.

The loss of the ability to think is well worthy of serious examination from every angle - even ones that sound a little bizarre. Although I think it is a mixture of many things.

I think the computer is partly to blame. Everyone talks about how understanding math & science is so critical to our nation's success, but very few occupations even require the knowledge anymore. You just plug the numbers into the computer model, and it spits out all the answers for you.

All the jobs are made to be brainless, and then we wonder why everyone's incapable of using their brains...

JoeW, have you noticed how many people don't want to use their brains?

Curiosity is rare. People don't ask questions much anymore.
They accept what they are being told.

Computers are a two edged sword. They are wonderful if you seek answers.... as long as you can do some critical thinking of your own since answers can vary.

But computers can also give many an excuse not to think. We have met so many people who don't use their computers to research anything! Amazing!

You be the judge...

Miss Teen South Carolina 2007
Americans are NOT Stupid

It's difficult to say when this anti-intellectual movement began in America. Guardian