The Ultimate Reality Show - Survivors are US

Preface:

On June 9, 2006 I sat with a very conservative group and listend to a self-professed Democrat / Liberal and nationally recognized "think tank" expert speak. He said, "I'm a very liberal person. I'm a Democrat. I dislike George Bush for a lot of reasons but understand one thing - we're at War. George Bush to his credit has resolve and when you're a War, you need a President with resolve."

I ask you to read the following then tell me - Do we have the resolve we need to protect and perpetuate our country - our freedom?

The Ultimate Reality Show

What if in today’s 24 / 7 media driven, ratings focused and celebrity obsessed world we created the Ultimate Reality Show? Maybe we could call it Survivors R US. What if we attempted the Ultimate Extreme Makeover? What if we transported the current 300,000,000 individuals that occupy our country and our culture / society as it exists today back to 1941 to replace the 133 million folks that were the then occupants of the good old USA? What if we then watched how the future would unfold? What would happen on December 7, 1941 and each day forward?

I’m no historian. I’m convinced evil exists in this world and that there were and are people that wish US and us harm. We weren’t then the recognized economic and military Super Power we are today. In those days individuals in the US lived on the lower rungs of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - most were existing somewhere between survival and security. Today even the “poorest” elements of and individuals in our society have more than the average person had then. Many if not most of us have been spoiled on the higher rungs of the pyramid - seeking our rights and entitlements to social acceptance, self-esteem and self-actualization.

Before we start this game - I offer some quotes and paraphrased thoughts on War: War is hell! “In the face of War all other forms of human endeavor shrink to insignificance. (George C. Scott - Patton)” “The purpose of War is to kill people and break things. Rush Limbaugh” “To the victors go the spoils.” “My plans for war - we win, they lose. (Ronald Reagan)” “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right (Henry Ford)” “If you start to take Vienna, take Vienna! (Napoleon)” War is hell.

Here’s the big question - Would today’s US population win yesterdays WW II? What would happen on the morning of December 8, 1941 and the days that follow if our demographics were different? My best guess, worst fears and questions follow?

1. Partisan bickering would escalate as each party blamed the other for causing the Japanese attack on US. Specifically much blame would focus on the world’s hatred of the “swagger” of our leaders and so all military and political leaders and statesmen would be warned to “be nice” so maybe they’ll like us. The debate over why they hate US would begin.
2. The media and many talking heads would commence the drumbeat of the plight of our destroyed fleet and weak military and suggest we can’t win.
3. The first time this war was fought - kids from across America who had nothing quickly joined the Military to risk everything for freedom. Would today’s youth who have everything be willing to risk it for anything? Would public opinion support our efforts from the beginning to the end? What would happen after the first 1,000 casualties, the first 10,000, and the first 100,000? At what price - victory?
4. Would today’s youth who “connect” with each other by text messaging, IM, and other technology - know how to communicate and fight as one?
5. Would we be allowed to pray for “our boys” and “victory” at every public gathering into the future?
6. Would PETA protest because animals would be killed and maimed training our medical teams to treat battlefield injuries?
7. In yesterday war the “boys” that signed up were Americans through and through - the hyphenated Americans that create our multi-cultural US did not exist. Could / would we now pull together as one?
8. The “boys” that joined the military had hardened bodies and calloused hands because of a life of hard work? How much longer would it take to whip America’s obese and physically inactive youth into shape today? Would they? Could they?
9. Would the media allow for Drill Instructors to slap, yell at, beat on, etc. children to quickly make them men so that they could fight for US?
10. Would the media provide “propaganda” to support our war machine or would they second guess our every effort? Would they hope for defeat?
11. Would some group sue to gain access to the secret records of the Manhattan Project?
12. Would the “green” folks protest the environmental impact of bombs?
13. Would mommas let their “children become soldiers?” Did mommas in 1941 not love their sons and daughters as much as mommas do today?
14. Would General Patton (and others like him) be “drummed out” of his leadership role for slapping or berating a “troop”?
15. What rules of War would apply?
16. Would the courts be buried in lawsuits attempting to stop our spies?
17. Would the people left behind go into the streets to demand an end to the war or would they go to the factories to build the instruments of war?
18. Would all of us sacrifice - real sacrifice - our personal comforts to assure essentials are provided to those in harm’s way?
19. Would the argument rage that our military and this country are racist, sexist, homophobic, wrong, etc. or would we present a united front?
20. Maybe most importantly would be what is in the hearts, minds, and souls of our people as individuals and the generational niches that were transported back to the future? Here’s my guess…

The Greatest Generation would be in line first - aged, bent but never broken ready and willing to do whatever they had to do to help us win.

The Baby Boomers (a.k.a. - the Aging Hippies - the “ME Generation”) - would be as conflicted now as we were when our country last called. Some would fight, some would protest.

The Gen Xers and Gen Y - these folks are the unknown factor in this equation of freedom. In recent years many have “volunteered” to make the ultimate sacrifice. None have ever “had to” make the service choice.

Would we win or lose? Can you speak German or Japanese? Think about it!

Copyright (September 21, 2008) Michael G. Manes
All rights reserved