This post on Boing Boing led me to a wonderful gallery of high resolution images on the American Legion Web site. In the gallery are hundreds of posters used during World War II to encourage civilians to change their daily routines to aid in the war effort. The individual, who originally posted the link, suggested the posters are, “relevant to a peak oil, global heating world…” I agree. And ours is a country again at war, despite the fact that no similar sacrifices have been demanded of most of us, nor have we been asked to cooperate or conserve.
Folks who attempt to conserve resources or who endeavor to be more self-sufficient are often dismissed as childish, naive or even un-American. These posters remind us that many of the practices we would now describe as green were one called patriotic. Meanwhile, wastefulness and unbridled consumption, once tantamount to aiding the enemy, have now been elevated to national virtues.
Excellent point, way excellent. But I think there wasn’t as much double agent stuff back then. Now a days it is hard to really know who is with you and who isn’t (though they should be). Who puts their cause above their social standing? Which of us does the right thing just because it is right? And who poses to get invited to all the right parties? It’s a hazy shade of grey.
John McMasters
I love these! Great post!