Alas, Babylon

For some reason, I find myself re-reading books I'd enjoyed decades ago. Pat Frank's Alas, Babylon is a plausible, but disturbing portrait of two things: the American culture of the late 1950s, and the probable consequences of a nuclear war. I was surprised at how well this book still holds one's interest with believable characters in an unthinkable situation. The cultural motifs reminded me of the world I grew up in -- and of the world I grew up dreading. 

In some ways, our nation is far less innocent than it was a half-century ago. Yet we also have been liberated from the realistic fear of instant annihilation. I am praying that a sense of gratitude will eventually begin to bring us to our senses, and incline us to expect even more wonderful things from the God who spared us, despite our national sins. 

Soviet Communism is dead, except on university campuses with their speech codes. At this point, two major rivals contend on the global stage with the Christian gospel: Islam, and secular humanism. Still, "the wall came down" so suddenly, and so quietly. Will we see other major societal transformations over the next few decades that will result in a much better world? 

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In other news, today is the first day for traditional public schools. See The Story of Two Buses. I like the last paragraph:

That’s how it works. Both systems use buses to take the students to school. But the colors are different.

In prison, prisoners sell illegal drugs. Students do the same in school. In prison, the food is terrible. It’s not very good in school – possibly prepared by the same food service company. In prison, there are constant inspections. Guards keep taking roll to make sure everyone is present and accounted for. Teachers do the same in school. In prison, you aren’t allowed to leave without permission. The same is true in school. In prison, bullies run the show. In school, they do, too. But there is a difference. Prison buses are white. School buses are yellow.

This is too extreme. The systems are different. Criminals are convicted in a court of law before they are sent to jail. Students, in contrast, are innocent. Some prisoners can get parole. The average term in prison for murder is under ten years. Students are put into the school system for twelve years. There is no parole.

Be thankful you are not in one of those buses. Either color.