October of 1962.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

I was only in 8th grade but I remember watching the news and feeling terrified and utterly helpless while waiting to find out if we'd get blown up.

Obviously watching the debt ceiling debate go on with no apparent resolution doesn't raise the threat of literal annihilation.

But I can't help thinking back to that awful feeling of watching helplessly while something awful was about to happen and there wasn't a damn thing anybody could do about it, except for the people in power. And you don't know what they are doing or whether you can trust them.

[Drale]

1. I think I'd take the threat of nuclear annihilation

to dealing with the tea baggers.

[rurallib]

2. I remember that also with the same feeling

back then I felt I could at least throw a rock at some commie.

[valerief]

3. I remember going to sleep at night wondering if we were going to be blown up before morning.

It's been shock doctrine from the cradle.

[catzies]

4. You said it all right there: "It's been shock doctrine from the cradle." I agree n/t

[av8rdave]

5. I was only 4, but could tell my parents were worried

If I still had small kids at home, I wonder if they would sense something similar.

[jberryhill]

6. You know what really sucks, though?

Comparing what should be those elected to work out what is in America's common interest, to a standoff with a foreign enemy having the stated goal of our own annihilation.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. The Teabaggers have the stated goal of the annihilation of our economy.

They want to bring it down with the ultimate goal of drowning the government in Grover Norquist's bathtub. If the economy collapses there will be no money for the social programs they hate. This time it's not a foreign enemy that's trying to do us in, it's members of our own Congress. I just want to puke.

[murielm99]

8. I was a freshman in high school. I will never forget it.

What a scary time.

[JackRiddler]

9. Do I dare say that the 80s probably didn't feel so different?

They had us going with the imminent sudden annihilation from nowhere, too. The reference was always Oct. 1962!