The Long, Hot Summer of 1967: A Forgotten Season of Riots and Urban Unrest Across America

Ammo.com ^ | 8/18/2020 | Sam Jacobs

[Intar]

At that time I was otherwise out of the country... while communists tried to kill me.

Let's pray that Communists don't try to kill us all over here...

[Williams]

It’s not forgotten by me and it’s why I know that our cities will remain damaged from the latest rioting For at least 50 years.

[Shark24]

In the 71-74 timeframe, we were advised to wear civilian clothes when flying commercial versus our uniforms. I will defer to tet68 on how it was earlier. Note: I went to college on a ROTC scholarship for 1975-78. Always wore my uniform on drill days (Tues/Thurs). Had no issues. Sat in the front of the class too. Good times. :)

[bboop]

The very encouraging thing about the Summer of Love and Riots is that - Richard Nixon, calling on the Silent Majority, won by a landslide. People were sick of the riots; the Dem Convention was total chaos, and by November every single voter was livid.

We just got back from a road trip from LA/ through Idaho and Montana, to the Dakotas, returning via Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and Utah. ALL we saw was Trump signs everywhere - not a Biden sign to be seen.

[Karliner]

I agree. Just aggravating I have no idea how to beat these people back in to the bushes.

[katana]

Some of us remember. Our semi-suburban / semi-rural neighborhood resounded with the sound of residents warming up their household firearms. Sounded like the 4th of July, but in the afternoon.

Ah, memories!

[Nicojones]

Huge difference. In 1967/68, the democrat mayor of Chicago gave the police the order to shoot live ammunition at rioters in order to stop them. Now the democrat mayor and the DNC supports the rioters and their party created this video - https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=c9nTxOMtbEI

As you can see from that video, we are far worse off.

[Fiji Hill]

In 1967, Los Angeles also had a Democrat mayor—Sam Yorty—who was more conservative than most Republicans at the time.

[tet68]

I came home the summer after Tet. I was not spit on,
but coming through LAX the looks would have killed.
It was all wiped away when a Korean vet bought me a
beer in the lounge.

I dreamed of the summer of love but just didn’t fit in.

Once on perimeter guard, sleeping on a cot in a bunker
I dreamed I was in San Francisco at a love in but then
got confused and thought I was dreaming about sleeping
on a sandy cot in some bunker while rats ran about over
head. Still find it difficult to sleep when hot.

I never forgot the kindness of that Korea vet or a totally
strange family who took us into their house in Seattle
when our flight back to Nam was delayed. They treated
several of us as though we were family. Sadly I never
got their names.

[tet68]

I’m 75 now so they may try but I won’t go alone.
I have no children, agent Orange, but worry about
the nephews. What a life they may have to face.
This scenario is one I would have thought crazy
even as much as ten years ago but now it’s plain
they are in the wire.
I knew nothing of politics when I returned but I
have studied those who tried to kill me and I recognize
them now.

[Shark24]

Beautiful. Let me share. I returned from Kunsan, Korea in April 1973, the same time as the last POWs where being brought home. When I landed at Travis, I saw people waiting for an aircraft, turned out to be the last group of POWs to return. I put my gear in a storage locker and went and welcomed those POWs home. Got to see that classic swirl and hug from POWs to wife that is shown in videos. One of the best moments of my life. God bless!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aEKdKAjfdg&t=22s

[BunnySlippers]

I don’t know how old the author is....but, having lived through it [I was born in 49] ....this is much worse.

Yes, people burned down school buildings....or tried to....but this is pure hate and many individuals are being targeted.

Lots and lots and lots of businesses have been destroyed, burned, looted here in LA. Restaurants and dept stores....

[tet68]

It started with occupied school buildings now we
are up to occupied cities...
It doesn’t end well.

[Bonemaker]

“Are Portland, Seattle, and Chicongo 2020 better or worse than the rioting cities of 1967?”

That’s a very good question.

1967 and 1968 saw a lot more people killed and at least an equal amount or more of looting and city destruction. However, the police weren’t near so constrained as they are now and the full impact of the education system rot had not taken over. I think what is going on now is far more dangerous due to years of brainwashing kids and the communist takeover of the democrat party. The American people as a whole hated the crap of the 60’s but the % now is much, much less that do. We are in for rough times. IMHO.

[foreverfree]

Bump

[MoochPooch]

As you can see from that video, we are far worse off.

Back then, society was still run by adults. The Democrats were adult.

Now, the ones running the show are either wimps or children in adult bodies. We are dangerously stunted.

[oh8eleven]

Me too. Thx for serving.

[HIDEK6]

Ditto.

[dfwgator]

I was told if I voted for Goldwater, we’d have riots in the streets. Well I voted for Goldwater, and damned if they weren’t right!

[dfwgator]

Who Needs the Peace Corps? - The Mothers of Invention

What’s there to live for?
Who needs the Peace Corps?
Think I’ll just drop out
I’ll go to Frisco
Buy a wig and sleep on Owsley’s floor

Walked past the wig store
Danced at the Fillmore
I’m completely stoned
I’m hippy and I’m trippy
I’m a gypsy on my own
I’ll stay a week & get the crabs & take a bus back home
I’m really just a phony
But forgive me ‘cause I’m stoned

Every town must have a place
Where phony hippies meet
Psychedelic dungeons
Popping up on every street
Go to San Francisco

How I love ya, how I love ya
How I love ya, how I love ya Frisco
How I love ya, how I love ya
How I love ya, how I love ya
Oh, my hair is getting good in the back

Every town must have a place
Where phony hippies meet
Psychedelic dungeons
Popping up on every street
Go to San Francisco, hotcha

First I’ll buy some beads
And then perhaps a leather band to go around my head
Some feathers and bells
And a book of Indian lore

I will ask the Chamber Of Commerce
How to get to Haight Street
And smoke an awful lot of dope
I will wander around barefoot
I will have a psychedelic gleam in my eye at all times
I will love everyone
I will love the police as they kick the shit out of me on the street

I will sleep
I will, I will go to a house
That’s, that’s what I will do
I will go to a house
Where there’s a rock and roll band
‘Cause the groups all live together

And I will join a rock & roll band
I will be their road manager
And I will stay there with them
And I will get the crabs
But I won’t care