The cleaners came and the place looks fine. I have the windows thrown open and love the fresh air drifting through. Spent a couple of hours clearing a lot of the front garden yesterday; also changed our bed, did several loads of wash, and drove to Manahawkin for various errands. In the evening, picked up Leslie and we joined the peace vigil in Absecon. As ever, it was gratifying to hear the horns blow in response to our group's sign: "Honk For An End To This War."
Earlier, I had had an interesting, very much related experience while I was skulking in the study waiting for the cleaners to finish. I idly picked up one of my old Life magazines (I have a number of them). It's from 1942, 65 years ago, and I raised my eyebrows when I saw who was on the cover: Fawzia, the Queen of Iran at 22, a beautiful young woman who, unfortunately, was unable to give her husband, the Shah, a son. (If I'm not mistaken, the Shah ran through a number of wives. I recall that he died of cancer in New York about--oh, 30 or so years ago.) Then, of course, Iran was our bosom buddy, no matter how wretched the lives of its citizens under the Shah.
I was fascinated by the ads. At least three quarters of them make some reference to the war, asking their patrons to be patient while tires and gas were scarce, telling them wool was needed for uniforms, and touting V-8 vegetable juice as a way to "keep America strong." Believe it or not, the Simmons mattress company admonished readers, "unless you actually need a new mattress--don't buy it! Put the money into War Bonds instead..."
Of course, the magazine is filled with war stories. There's an article about Navy pilot Lt. John Powers, 28, lost over the Coral Sea. It shows pictures of him as a "beautiful but manly" two-year-old and as a teenager taking his sister fishing. It includes his graduation portrait from Annapolis and John as a young flier training in Pensacola. His parents are pictured, too, looking dazed and unbelieving--where could their beautiful but manly little boy have gone?
The contrast between those times, when it was assumed the American people would all make sacrifices on the home front--and now, when this ugly, dirty little action is Iraq is a source of shame and horror for so many--is striking, of course. Can anyone imagine companies urging people to help the war effort by NOT buying their products so they can be directed to the armed forces?
Well, I pored over the magazine for a good hour yesterday and here's the kicker: The date was September 21 yesterday, right? The Life magazine I read was published in 1942. It's dated September 21.