Earth Day then, now and to come

Happy Earth Day week.

Monday marked the 49th anniversary of Earth Day. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin was a primary force behind the April 22, 1970 celebration.

And a celebration it was, back in the day of tie-dyed shirts, bell bottoms, crowns of daisies, torn jeans and pot smoking. Some things don’t change.

While optimism was the order of that day, festivities took place under the shadow of an unpopular president (Nixon) and a divisive war (Vietnam).

A long and unbroken harmony has not been my generation’s or my elders’ lot.

Forty-nine years ago youth wanted to believe they ruled, Senato...