Generation Wars

There exists since, oh, the late 1960s, a genre of journalism best known, perhaps, as the smart ass school. It follows somewhat in the tradition of H.L. Mencken and claims as its godfather the late, great Hunter S. Thompson of Louisville, KY, who of course founded what today is known as gonzo journalism.

The wise ass school consists primarily of Thompson wanna bes who lack the talent, razor sharp wit and brains of the master. About all they have is what industry poobahs identify as "edge,'' which means we'll print your garbage even if you can't string two legible words together as long as it's patently offensive to a significant portion of the population. This, apparently, is how the Lords of Journalism intend to attract readers.

I came across a prime example of the school the other day when my good friend Michael Woolf recommended to me an article on The Huntington Post by some nitwit named Chez Pazienza, which you can peruse herein.

It is not a great work of art. Basically, his message boils down to this: I'm tired of the Woodstock Generation talking about itself all the time. Why don't they just die and leave me alone. All stated in about, oh, 700 words or so.

Far be it from me to argue with some little piss-ant whose greatest accomplishment, at least according to the short description accompanying the article, is his status as a Guitar Hero. Who could possibly argue with a credential like that?

Let me say, as a member in good standing of the Woodstock Generation, there's plenty to criticize. But it should also be noted that the only thing more boring than the Woodstock Generation extolling its virtues is subsequent generations trying to piss on the parade.

Every generation has its drawbacks, obviously. Who didn't get tired of Tom Brokaw propping up the Greatest Generation, a description that might have some validity as long as you aren't black, a woman, gay, speak with an accent or an Asian who happened to live along the West Coast in the early 1940s.

But the Greatest Generation has a claim, and that's fine. So does Woodstock. Let's see, my generation mobilized to stop an immoral war, started the ball rolling on equal rights for women, fought against racism, started the free speech movement on college campuses and produced music unmatched that people still listen to. And that's just a start.

Pazienza and his generation? Eh, not so much. What, exactly, have he and his gang accomplished?...I'm waiting...There's a couple wars going on. I don't see Pazienza mobilizing. I guess he's too busy playing Guitar Hero.

If this moron doesn't like it, fine. But here's a suggestion -- get off your ass and accomplish something, then you won't have to listen to us anymore.