I was always aware,

due to growing up in a military family, living on bases. First major thing I recall is the Cuban Missile Crisis. We kids were all worried we'd be bombed or that our dads would be sent away. JFK's assassination had a huge effect on me and my family. Nixon made me realize our government was far from perfect.

To this day I still march in protests, work for state Dem's at fairs and go door-to-door encouraging people to vote. Last weekend I attended an ACLU Activist Training session. As several of us there said, "I can't believe I'm still having to protest this shit!"