In 1982 this was a real anxiety in everyone’s closet – and at the tender age of 11 I was getting a daily reminder:
My home was underneath the route that the B52s out of KI Sawyer Air Force Base took daily. There were always a couple in the air at any given time. They’d fly a route over the North Pole and circle back. Always ready to launch their weapons if necessary.
So two or three times a day we’d hear the distant sound of jet engines. Looking up, we would see the silhouette high in the sky – probably about the size of your fingernail.
We were all convinced it was only a matter of time.
Back in the day, getting a pamphlet from the government listing all the things we had to prepare if we heard the warning sirens go, i.e. mattresses, water, food, barricades, etc. etc. At the bottom of the pamphlet there was an estimate of how long we’d have after the warning – 4 minutes. Yup.
We have spent trillions of dollars on delivery systems and patrols, generated millions of tons of toxic waste, and now have salvage yards of at least 30 year old unused weapons.
for many of us coming of age in the 80s that “matter of time” was an absolute BELIEF, and some built their lives around it; school, location, not having children… there were indubitably people in the 50s 60s 70s who did the same?
sparklite over 5 years ago
Sadly, I find this comic strip did not age well.
biglar over 5 years ago
In 1982 this was a real anxiety in everyone’s closet – and at the tender age of 11 I was getting a daily reminder:
My home was underneath the route that the B52s out of KI Sawyer Air Force Base took daily. There were always a couple in the air at any given time. They’d fly a route over the North Pole and circle back. Always ready to launch their weapons if necessary.
So two or three times a day we’d hear the distant sound of jet engines. Looking up, we would see the silhouette high in the sky – probably about the size of your fingernail.
We were all convinced it was only a matter of time.
Omniman over 5 years ago
After what we did to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we knew just what to worry about.
mattro65 over 5 years ago
I’m old enough to remember air raid drills. Crawl under your desk, curl up and kiss your butt goodbye.
Diat60 over 5 years ago
Back in the day, getting a pamphlet from the government listing all the things we had to prepare if we heard the warning sirens go, i.e. mattresses, water, food, barricades, etc. etc. At the bottom of the pamphlet there was an estimate of how long we’d have after the warning – 4 minutes. Yup.
PoodleGroomer over 5 years ago
We have spent trillions of dollars on delivery systems and patrols, generated millions of tons of toxic waste, and now have salvage yards of at least 30 year old unused weapons.
Honorable Mention In The Banjo Toss Premium Member over 5 years ago
I can see Norma Nuke working behind the bar in some dive. Raspy voice, “Whadya havin’, honey?”
randomrobot over 5 years ago
for many of us coming of age in the 80s that “matter of time” was an absolute BELIEF, and some built their lives around it; school, location, not having children… there were indubitably people in the 50s 60s 70s who did the same?
Sisyphos over 5 years ago
Ahh, Norma, you’re a bit long in the tooth now. and your young rivals from China and Russia are ever nearer.
MAD remains….