[dr_who_2]

I think the hyphenated Americans garbage started in the 70's or earlier. Blacks changed the official named of their ethnic group a few times before the "African American" label. Of course there was "native american" and "hispanic american" as well, and I don't think those phrases came about in the 80's. Not that a "homogenous" society is all that wonderful, assuming there really is such a thing in a country of our size.

[MoochPooch]

The 70s were definitely a transitional period into open liberalism. Yeah, I know, it actually began in the 60s, but liberalism really didn't manifest itself till the 70s, with the open sex & drugs & whatnot. It was a pretty heady time, though, as you said, pretty awful.

I disagree, though, about the culture. Most of the movies & music were quite good. Even though -- in retrospect -- they were left-leaning, they had a certain intelligence & integrity. Compared to the garbage in the theaters now, they make me absolutely nostalgic.