the past is a foreign country

If you go back and read the debates over the various civil rights acts, the "separate but equal" controversy, the miscegenation controversy, and so on, they seem quaint now. I know we still have a long way to go on racial equality, but to think there was a time when some people actually argued that allowing black people even nominal equal rights would destroy American civilization. What were they thinking?

One step towards dismantling that came when Truman desegregated the armed forces. Just like that, with an executive order. No "don't ask, don't tell" crap.

Gradually, we're turning towards a world in which discriminating against gay people in the way we used to discriminate against blacks is as unthinkable. We can't get there soon enough.

Did you know there was a time when you could only watch TV shows at the moment the station chose to broadcast them? Did you know there was a time when to make a copy you had to use carbon paper? Did you know there was a time when all phones were physically connected with a wire? Did you know there was a time when music recordings could only be heard on scratchy vinyl? Did you know there was a time when some people didn't have health care?

I'm hoping for a time when the last of these questions seems as unbelievable as all the others.

That is all.