December 16, 2008, - 11:54 am
FLASHBACK: Laughable Most Admired
By Debbie Schlussel
I was going through some old magazines my dad had for patients. He never threw anything out, and I figured I might find some interesting recipes or something. Not a chance. While there was the occasional cool recipe, most of the stuff from the ’70s looked awful to eat. The recipes–and the pictures of them–were dark and drab, and frankly, very plain and old-looking. Like something I might see at a senior citizens home cafeteria.
But there was this interesting item from Ladies’ Home Journal in August of 1976. Look who America’s kids–from fifth grade through high school–picked as their heroes and heroines 32 years ago. Although I’m glad to see that even back then, Ronald Reagan was on the list, he’s only #29. Check out who tops all of the lists–a future double-murderer and armed robber with the singular misfortune of being unable to find any gloves his size that will fit him.
And check out some of the other questionables: Linda Lovelace? In case you didn’t know, she’s the late star of “Deep Throat” and several bestiality porn movies. Hmmm . . . maybe kids really aren’t worse now than they were back then. Charles Manson? The Maharishi? Judge-murderer and communist Angela Davis? Yippie Hippie Abby Hoffman, Racist Gov. George Wallace, and Racist Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver? Oy! Reminds me of when Monica Lewinsky topped the list, and how Oprah regularly does. At least, Neil Armstrong and John Wayne were close to the top. Remember this list the next time they tell you, “It’s only a movie, or it’s only a TV show” or whatever.
Remember these kids were in fifth through twelfth grades in 1976. That means they’re the baby boomer generation, traditionally liberal and hippie-esque, so perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised at any of their, um, “heroes.”
Who is popular at a given time in history tells you nothing about a person’s character or their true worth. Beware the perils of celebrity!
NormanF on December 16, 2008 at 12:10 pm