Stayin'_VVG Alive_JJ The_AT 1970s_MC2 and_CC the_AT Last_MD Days_NNT2 of_IO the_AT Working_JJ Class_NN1 Introduction_NN1 :_: Something_PN1 's_VBZ Happening_VVG to_II People_NN Like_II Me_PPIO1 At_II only_RR twenty-six_MC years_NNT2 of_IO age_NN1 ,_, sporting_VVG long_JJ sideburns_NN2 ,_, slicked_VVD back_RP hair_NN1 ,_, and_CC mod_JJ striped_JJ pants_NN2 ,_, autoworker_NN1 Dewey_NP1 Burton_NP1 could_VM barely_RR contain_VVI his_APPGE rage_NN1 over_II the_AT state_NN1 of_IO politics_NN1 or_CC his_APPGE frustration_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE job_NN1 in_II the_AT spring_NN1 of_IO 1972_MC ._. 
Dewey_NP1 loved_VVD nothing_PN1 more_DAR than_CSN customizing_VVG and_CC racing_VVG automobiles_NN2 ,_, transforming_VVG old_JJ parts_NN2 into_II dazzling_JJ metallic-flake_JJ creations_NN2 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 could_VM barely_RR tolerate_VVI his_APPGE job_NN1 at_II the_AT Wixom_NP1 Ford_NP1 plant_NN1 just_RR outside_II21 of_II22 Detroit_NP1 where_RRQ he_PPHS1 felt_VVD sentenced_VVN to_II a_AT1 trivial_JJ role_NN1 in_II assembling_VVG them_PPHO2 ._. 
Satisfied_JJ with_IW his_APPGE pay_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 widespread_JJ movement_NN1 across_II the_AT heartland_NN1 fighting_VVG the_AT mind-numbing_JJ tedium_NN1 of_IO industrial_JJ production_NN1 ._. 
Reflecting_VVG the_AT broad_JJ discontent_NN1 on_II the_AT floors_NN2 of_IO the_AT nation_NN1 's_GE factories_NN2 ,_, some_DD of_IO which_DDQ grew_VVD into_II open_JJ revolt_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 remarked_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 hate_VV0 my_APPGE job_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 hate_VV0 the_AT people_NN I_PPIS1 work_VV0 for_IF ..._... 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ kind_RR21 of_RR22 stupid_JJ to_TO work_VVI so_RG hard_JJ and_CC achieve_VVI so_RG little_DA1 ._. "_" 
Politically_RR ,_, Burton_NP1 identified_VVD himself_PPX1 as_II a_AT1 committed_JJ New_JJ Deal_NN1 Democrat_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ livid_JJ over_II plans_NN2 to_TO bus_VVI his_APPGE son_NN1 across_II Detroit_NP1 in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO conform_VVI to_II the_AT Supreme_JJ Court_NN1 's_GE idea_NN1 of_IO racial_JJ integration_NN1 --_NN1 policies_NN2 driving_VVG his_APPGE politics_NN1 quickly_RR to_II the_AT right_NN1 ._. 
Like_II the_AT nation_NN1 as_II a_AT1 whole_NN1 ,_, Burton_NP1 was_VBDZ simply_RR being_VBG torn_VVN in_II too_RG many_DA2 directions_NN2 at_RR21 once_RR22 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 figure_NN1 in_II transition_NN1 ,_, the_AT type_NN1 of_IO person_NN1 journalist_NN1 Pete_NP1 Hamill_NP1 had_VHD in_II mind_NN1 when_CS he_PPHS1 wrote_VVD "_" The_AT working-class_JJ white_JJ man_NN1 is_VBZ actually_RR in_II revolt_NN1 against_II taxes_NN2 ,_, joyless_JJ work_NN1 ,_, the_AT double_JJ standards_NN2 and_CC short_JJ memories_NN2 of_IO professional_JJ politicians_NN2 ,_, hypocrisy_NN1 and_CC what_DDQ he_PPHS1 considers_VVZ the_AT debasement_NN1 of_IO the_AT American_JJ dream_NN1 ._. 
Dewey_NP1 Burton_NP1 may_VM not_XX have_VHI been_VBN the_AT typical_JJ disgruntled_JJ worker_NN1 of_IO the_AT 1970s_MC2 ,_, but_CCB the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 believed_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 came_VVD pretty_RG close_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 proved_VVD to_TO be_VBI an_AT1 able_JJ ambassador_NN1 to_II the_AT newspaper_NN1 's_GE professional_JJ middle-class_JJ readership_NN1 interested_JJ in_II the_AT increasingly_RR exotic_JJ state_NN1 of_IO disaffected_JJ blue-collar_JJ America_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 first_MD surfaced_VVD in_II a_AT1 New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 article_NN1 on_II industrial_JJ discontent_NN1 at_II the_AT Wixom_NN1 plant_NN1 in_II 1972_MC ._. 
Shortly_RR thereafter_RT ,_, a_AT1 reporter_NN1 selected_VVN him_PPHO1 to_TO explain_VVI to_II an_AT1 incredulous_JJ readership_NN1 the_AT reasons_NN2 for_IF northern_JJ workers_NN2 '_GE support_NN1 for_IF back-lash_JJ populist_JJ and_CC presidential_JJ candidate_NN1 Alabama_NP1 governor_NN1 George_NP1 Wallace_NP1 ,_, to_II whom_PNQO Burton_NP1 had_VHD turned_VVN because_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE opposition_NN1 to_II busing_VVG ._. 
The_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 returned_VVD to_TO interview_VVI Dewey_NP1 during_II the_AT fall_NN1 1972_MC campaign_NN1 ,_, the_AT 1974_MC midterm_NN1 elections_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT presidential_JJ contests_NN2 in_II 1976_MC and_CC 1980_MC ._. 
Smart_NP1 and_CC well_RR spoken_VVN ,_, Burton_NP1 had_VHD a_AT1 demeanor_NN1 that_CST merged_VVD proletarian_JJ and_CC mod_NN1 ,_, greaser_NN1 and_CC beatnik_NN1 into_II a_AT1 synthesis_NN1 of_IO optimistic_JJ sixties_MC2 unrest_NN1 and_CC claustrophobic_JJ seventies_MC2 resignation_NN1 that_CST would_VM be_VBI hard_JJ to_TO sustain_VVI as_II the_AT decade_NNT1 unfolded_VVD ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, Burton_NP1 noted_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 received_VVD my_APPGE fifteen_MC minutes_NNT2 of_IO fame_NN1 four_MC times_NNT2 ._. "_" 
The_AT media_NN attention_NN1 lavished_VVN on_II workers_NN2 like_II Burton_NP1 was_VBDZ part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 broad_JJ blue-collar_JJ revival_NN1 in_II the_AT 1970s_MC2 ,_, as_CSA working-class_JJ America_NP1 returned_VVD to_II the_AT national_JJ consciousness_NN1 through_II strikes_NN2 ,_, popular_JJ culture_NN1 ,_, voting_VVG booths_NN2 ,_, and_CC corporate_JJ strategy_NN1 ._. 
Making_VVG sense_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ Newsweek_NP1 called_VVD the_AT "_" far-ranging_JJ ,_, fast_RR spreading_JJ revolt_NN1 of_IO the_AT little_JJ man_NN1 against_II the_AT Establishment_NN1 "_" bordered_VVN on_II a_AT1 national_JJ obsession_NN1 ._. 
Fortune_NN1 ,_, along_II21 with_II22 countless_JJ other_JJ magazines_NN2 and_CC television_NN1 news_NN1 features_NN2 ,_, recognized_VVD the_AT workers_NN2 of_IO the_AT early_JJ seventies_MC2 as_CSA "_" restless_JJ ,_, changeable_JJ ,_, mobile_NN1 ,_, demanding_VVG "_" and_CC headed_VVN for_IF "_" a_AT1 time_NNT1 of_IO epic_JJ battle_NN1 between_II management_NN1 and_CC labor_NN1 "_" given_VVN the_AT "_" angry_JJ ,_, aggressive_JJ and_CC acquisitive_JJ "_" mood_NN1 in_II the_AT shops_NN2 ._. 
As_RG many_DA2 big_JJ contracts_NN2 expired_VVD ,_, inflation_NN1 ate_VVD up_RP wage_NN1 gains_NN2 ,_, and_CC workers_NN2 challenged_VVD the_AT rules_NN2 of_IO postwar_JJ labor_NN1 relations_NN2 ,_, the_AT country_NN1 witnessed_VVD the_AT biggest_JJT wave_NN1 of_IO strike_NN1 activity_NN1 since_II 1946_MC (_( which_DDQ was_VBDZ the_AT biggest_JJT strike_NN1 year_NNT1 in_II all_DB of_IO U.S._NP1 history_NN1 )_) ._. 
In_II 1970_MC alone_RR there_EX were_VBDR over_RG 2.4_MC million_NNO workers_NN2 engaged_VVN in_II large-scale_JJ work_NN1 stoppages_NN2 ,_, thirty-four_MC massive_JJ stoppages_NN2 of_IO ten_MC thousand_NNO workers_NN2 or_CC more_RRR ,_, and_CC a_AT1 raft_NN1 of_IO wildcats_NN2 ,_, slowdowns_NN2 ,_, and_CC aggressive_JJ stands_NN2 in_II contract_NN1 negotiations_NN2 ._. 
Like_II so_RG many_DA2 other_JJ observers_NN2 of_IO the_AT seventies_MC2 labor_NN1 scene_NN1 ,_, Time_NNT1 magazine_NN1 connected_VVN the_AT seventies_MC2 '_GE unrest_NN1 to_II the_AT battered_JJ ideals_NN2 of_IO the_AT Depression_NN1 decade_NNT1 ._. 
"_" Blue_JJ collar_NN1 workers_NN2 ,_, "_" the_AT newsmagazine_NN1 reported_VVD ,_, "_" are_VBR gaining_VVG a_AT1 renewed_JJ sense_NN1 of_IO identity_NN1 ,_, of_IO collective_JJ power_NN1 and_CC class_NN1 that_CST used_VMK to_TO be_VBI called_VVN solidarity_NN1 ._. "_" 
Despite_II the_AT frequent_JJ analogies_NN2 to_II Depression-era_JJ militancy_NN1 that_CST often_RR cropped_VVN up_RP in_II coverage_NN1 of_IO the_AT nation_NN1 's_GE "_" blue_JJ collar_NN1 blues_NN2 ,_, "_" the_AT workers_NN2 bursting_VVG upon_II the_AT national_JJ stage_NN1 in_II the_AT seventies_MC2 were_VBDR hardly_RR the_AT stock_NN1 proletarian_JJ character_NN1 of_IO the_AT 1930s_MC2 popular_JJ imagination_NN1 ._. 
Nixon_NP1 's_GE Class_NN1 Struggle_NN1 H._NP1 R._NP1 Haldeman_NP1 ,_, Richard_NP1 Nixon_NP1 's_GE chief_NN1 of_IO state_NN1 ,_, called_VVN it_PPH1 the_AT president_NN1 's_VBZ "_" long_RR philosophical_JJ thing_NN1 ._. "_" 
As_CSA Washington_NP1 sweltered_VVD in_II the_AT hot_JJ July_NPM1 of_IO 1971_MC ,_, a_AT1 year_NNT1 before_II George_NP1 McGovern_NP1 would_VM receive_VVI the_AT Democratic_JJ nomination_NN1 ,_, Richard_NP1 Nixon_NP1 gathered_VVD his_APPGE advisors_NN2 together_RL to_TO explain_VVI the_AT core_NN1 premise_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE domestic_JJ political_JJ strategy_NN1 :_: winning_VVG working_JJ men_NN2 to_II what_DDQ he_PPHS1 1iked_FO to_TO call_VVI the_AT "_" New_JJ Majority_NN1 ._. "_" 
Few_DA2 issues_NN2 in_II domestic_JJ politics_NN1 stirred_VVD his_APPGE passions_NN2 more_RGR deeply_RR ._. 
Although_CS his_APPGE team_NN1 would_VM go_VVI down_RP in_II history_NN1 most_RGT famously_RR for_IF the_AT crimes_NN2 of_IO Watergate_NP1 (_( which_DDQ barely_RR emerged_VVD in_II the_AT 1972_MC campaign_NN1 season_NNT1 )_) ,_, in_II the_AT summer_NNT1 of_IO 1971_MC they_PPHS2 believed_VVD they_PPHS2 were_VBDR brewing_VVG a_AT1 permanent_JJ realignment_NN1 in_II the_AT political_JJ cauldrons_NN2 of_IO the_AT White_NP1 House_NN1 --_JJ one_PN1 that_CST would_VM finally_RR bring_VVI an_AT1 end_NN1 to_II the_AT Roosevelt_NP1 coalition_NN1 ._. 
"_" When_CS you_PPY have_VH0 to_TO call_VVI on_II the_AT nation_NN1 to_TO be_VBI strong_JJ --_NN1 on_II such_DA things_NN2 as_CSA drugs_NN2 ,_, crime_NN1 ,_, defense_NN1 ,_, our_APPGE basic_JJ national_JJ position_NN1 ,_, "_" Nixon_NP1 declared_VVD to_II the_AT assembled_JJ political_JJ wizards_NN2 gathered_VVN about_II him_PPHO1 ,_, H._NP1 R._NP1 Haldeman_NP1 ,_, John_NP1 Ehrlichman_NP1 ,_, George_NP1 Shultz_NP1 ,_, John_NP1 Connally_NP1 ,_, and_CC Charles_NP1 Colson_NP1 ,_, "_" the_AT educated_JJ people_NN and_CC the_AT leader_NN1 class_NN1 no_RR21 longer_RR22 have_VH0 any_DD character_NN1 ,_, and_CC you_PPY ca_VM n't_XX count_VVI on_II them_PPHO2 ._. "_" 
Nixon_NP1 always_RR detested_VVD the_AT eastern_JJ elite_NN1 ,_, whom_PNQO he_PPHS1 saw_VVD as_RG impotent_JJ and_CC effete_JJ ,_, and_CC envisioned_VVD the_AT working_JJ class_NN1 as_II the_AT only_JJ constituency_NN1 with_IW the_AT "_" character_NN1 and_CC guts_NN2 "_" to_TO meet_VVI the_AT many_DA2 crises_NN2 of_IO the_AT day_NNT1 ._. 
"_" When_CS we_PPIS2 need_VV0 support_NN1 on_II tough_JJ problems_NN2 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 declared_VVD ,_, "_" the_AT uneducated_JJ are_VBR the_AT ones_NN2 that_CST are_VBR with_IW us_PPIO2 ._. "_" 
Because_CS the_AT president_NN1 felt_VVD that_CST the_AT deepest_JJT reservoir_NN1 of_IO character_NN1 in_II the_AT nation_NN1 consisted_VVN of_IO those_DD2 who_PNQS "_" offer_VV0 their_APPGE back_NN1 and_CC their_APPGE brawn_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 rejected_VVD the_AT proposals_NN2 from_II many_DA2 of_IO his_APPGE advisors_NN2 to_TO do_VDI what_DDQ Republicans_NN2 were_VBDR supposed_JJ to_TO do_VDI :_: attack_VV0 organized_JJ labor_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 explained_VVD that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ "_" vital_JJ that_CST we_PPIS2 continue_VV0 to_TO recognize_VVI and_CC work_VVI with_IW &lsqb;_( workers_NN2 &rsqb;_) and_CC that_CST we_PPIS2 not_XX attack_VV0 unions_NN2 which_DDQ represent_VV0 the_AT organized_JJ structure_NN1 of_IO the_AT working_JJ man_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II Nixon_NP1 's_GE class_NN1 analysis_NN1 ,_, workers_NN2 were_VBDR the_AT counterpoise_NN1 to_II the_AT eastern_JJ establishment_NN1 for_IF which_DDQ he_PPHS1 had_VHD nothing_PN1 but_II bitter_JJ contempt_NN1 ._. 
When_CS the_AT crises_NN2 hit_VVD ,_, Nixon_NP1 concluded_VVD the_AT business_NN1 and_CC academic_JJ leaders_NN2 simply_RR "_" painted_VVN their_APPGE asses_NN2 white_JJ and_CC ran_VVN like_II antelopes_NN2 ._. "_" 
The_AT so-called_JJ managers_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX what_DDQ the_AT country_NN1 needed_VVD --_NN1 the_AT historical_JJ moment_NN1 beckoned_VVD for_IF what_DDQ he_PPHS1 called_VVD the_AT "_" two-fisted_JJ "_" types_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ in_II workers_NN2 and_CC the_AT labor_NN1 leadership_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT traditional_JJ backbone_NN1 of_IO New_JJ Deal_NN1 politics_NN1 --_NN1 that_CST new_JJ faith_NN1 and_CC renewal_NN1 could_VM be_VBI found_VVN for_IF the_AT Republican_NN1 Party_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 may_VM be_VBI "_" shortsighted_JJ ,_, partisan_NN1 ,_, &lsqb;_( and_CC &rsqb;_) hate_VV0 Nixon_NP1 politically_RR "_" but_CCB in_II the_AT end_NN1 the_AT president_NN1 concluded_VVD ,_, "_" they_PPHS2 are_VBR men_NN2 ,_, not_XX softies_NN2 ._. "_" 
As_CSA Nixon_NP1 theorized_VVD his_APPGE plans_NN2 for_IF the_AT future_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 declared_VVD we_PPIS2 "_" need_VV0 to_TO build_VVI our_APPGE own_DA new_JJ coalition_NN1 based_VVN on_II Silent_JJ Majority_NN1 ,_, blue-collar_JJ Catholics_NN2 ,_, Poles_NN2 ,_, Italians_NN2 ,_, Irish_JJ ._. 
No_AT promise_NN1 with_IW Jews_NN2 and_CC Negroes_NN2 ._. 
Appeal_VV0 not_XX hard_RR right-wing_JJ ,_, Bircher_NP1 ,_, or_CC anti-Communist_JJ ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 sensed_VVD the_AT moment_NN1 and_CC devoted_VVD his_APPGE presidency_NN1 to_II making_VVG the_AT New_JJ Majority_NN1 out_II21 of_II22 such_DA sentiments_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE sole_JJ domestic_JJ political_JJ goal_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO disassemble_VVI the_AT Roosevelt_NP1 coalition_NN1 and_CC to_TO rebuild_VVI the_AT pieces_NN2 into_II his_APPGE own_DA modern_JJ coalition_NN1 ._. 
All_DB else_RR --_JJ the_AT Watergate_NP1 break-in_NN1 ,_, the_AT liberal_JJ domestic_JJ policy_NN1 initiatives_NN2 ,_, much_DA1 of_IO his_APPGE entire_JJ domestic_JJ presidency_NN1 --_NN1 derived_VVN from_II that_DD1 central_JJ principle_NN1 ._. 
By_II the_AT fall_NN1 of_IO l972_FO ,_, Nixon_NP1 would_VM prove_VVI very_RG successful_JJ in_II shifting_VVG what_DDQ FDR_NP1 called_VVD the_AT "_" forgotten_JJ man_NN1 "_" away_II21 from_II22 his_APPGE bread-and-butter_JJ material_NN1 concerns_VVZ to_II the_AT shared_JJ terrain_NN1 of_IO culture_NN1 ,_, social_JJ issues_NN2 ,_, and_CC patriotism_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ not_XX simply_RR just_RR cynical_JJ political_JJ manipulation_NN1 --_NN1 although_CS there_EX was_VBDZ plenty_PN of_IO that_DD1 ._. 
Rather_RR ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ something_PN1 he_PPHS1 really_RR believed_VVN in_II :_: that_CST the_AT people_NN 's_GE natural_JJ political_JJ alliances_NN2 stemmed_VVD from_II their_APPGE values_NN2 (_( and_CC that_CST they_PPHS2 were_VBDR highly_RR exploitable_JJ politically_RR )_) ._. 
"_" The_AT Roosevelt_NP1 coalition_NN1 was_VBDZ just_RR that_DD1 --_NN1 a_AT1 coalition_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 intoned_VVD to_II his_APPGE advisors_NN2 ._. 
FDR_NP1 "_" played_VVD one_PN1 against_II another_DD1 --_JJ big_JJ city_NN1 bosses_NN2 ,_, intellectuals_NN2 ,_, South_ND1 ,_, North_ND1 ._. 
By_II contrast_NN1 ,_, our_APPGE New_JJ American_JJ Majority_NN1 appeals_NN2 across_II the_AT board_NN1 --_NN1 to_II Italians_NN2 ,_, Poles_NN2 ,_, Southerners_NN2 ,_, to_II the_AT Midwest_NP1 and_CC New_NP1 York_NP1 --_NN1 for_IF the_AT same_DA reasons_NN2 ,_, and_CC because_II21 of_II22 the_AT same_DA basic_JJ values_NN2 ._. 
These_DD2 are_VBR people_NN who_PNQS care_VV0 about_II a_AT1 strong_JJ United_NP1 States_NP1 about_II patriotism_NN1 ,_, about_II moral_JJ and_CC spiritual_JJ values_NN2 ._. "_" 
There_EX may_VM not_XX even_RR be_VBI consensus_NN1 on_II what_DDQ "_" those_DD2 moral_JJ and_CC spiritual_JJ values_NN2 ought_VMK to_TO be_VBI ,_, "_" Nixon_NP1 confessed_VVD ,_, "_" but_CCB they_PPHS2 agree_VV0 that_CST you_PPY ought_VMK to_TO have_VHI some_DD ._. "_" 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR ironic_JJ words_NN2 for_IF a_AT1 president_NN1 who_PNQS would_VM have_VHI to_TO resign_VVI in_II disgrace_NN1 two_MC years_NNT2 after_II the_AT election_NN1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 terms_NN2 he_PPHS1 believed_VVD to_TO be_VBI bedrock_NN1 political_JJ truth_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Important_JJ Sound_NN1 of_IO Things_NN2 Falling_VVG Apart_RL "_" The_AT world_NN1 promised_VVN in_II the_AT l950s_FO ,_, a_AT1 world_NN1 apparently_RR on_II the_AT verge_NN1 of_IO realization_NN1 in_II l965_FO ,_, seemed_VVD like_II a_AT1 cruel_JJ joke_NN1 by_II l975_FO ,_, "_" explained_VVD rock_NN1 critic_NN1 Greil_NP1 Marcus_NP1 in_II his_APPGE eclectic_JJ world_NN1 history_NN1 of_IO the_AT underground_JJ score_NN1 of_IO dissent_NN1 ,_, Lipstick_NN1 Traces_NN2 ._. 
"_" Panic_NN1 set_VVD in_RP ..._... so_RR did_VDD the_AT urge_NN1 to_TO seek_VVI revenge_NN1 ._. "_" 
While_CS the_AT punks_NN2 Marcus_NP1 celebrated_VVD went_VVD on_II rampages_NN2 of_IO brilliant_JJ anger_NN1 ,_, the_AT broader_JJR polity_NN1 sought_VVD their_APPGE comfort_NN1 in_II the_AT overstuffed_JJ armchairs_NN2 of_IO nostalgia_NN1 ._. 
For_IF years_NNT2 Ford_NP1 autoworker_NN1 Dewey_NP1 and_CC his_APPGE wife_NN1 Ilona_NP1 held_VVD annual_JJ parties_NN2 in_II honor_NN1 of_IO one_MC1 of_IO the_AT first_MD popcorn_NN1 blockbusters_NN2 of_IO the_AT l970s_FO ,_, George_NP1 Lucas_NP1 's_GE rock_NN1 'n'_CC roll_VV0 nostalgia_NN1 tour_NN1 ,_, American_JJ Graffiti_NN (_( 1973_MC )_) ._. 
Although_CS made_VVN in_II the_AT seventies_MC2 ,_, the_AT film_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT inauguration_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 decade_NNT1 's_GE love_NN1 affair_NN1 with_IW the_AT "_" Happy_JJ Days_NNT2 "_" of_IO the_AT fifties_MC2 (_( though_CS set_VVN in_II l962_FO ,_, arguably_RR the_AT last_MD year_NNT1 of_IO the_AT "_" fifties_MC2 "_" )_) ._. 
As_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 teetered_VVD on_II what_DDQ Francis_NP1 Wheen_NP1 calls_VVZ the_AT 'pungent_JJ melange_NN1 of_IO apocalyptic_JJ dread_NN1 and_CC conspiratorial_JJ fear_NN1 "_" of_IO the_AT seventies_MC2 ,_, Lucas_NP1 created_VVD a_AT1 mythic_JJ ,_, comic_JJ book_NN1 community_NN1 of_IO youth_NN1 untainted_JJ by_II parents_NN2 ,_, war_NN1 ,_, civil_JJ rights_NN2 ,_, or_CC protest_NN1 ._. 
Cruising_VVG on_II the_AT strip_NN1 in_II a_AT1 hot_JJ rod_NN1 ,_, searching_VVG for_IF the_AT blond_JJ in_II the_AT white_JJ T-Bird_NP1 ,_, listening_VVG to_II the_AT Wolfman_NN1 spin_NN1 disks_NN2 and_CC drag_VV0 racing_NN1 was_VBDZ all_DB there_EX was_VBDZ to_TO be_VBI concerned_JJ about_II ._. 
On_II the_AT last_MD night_NNT1 of_IO cruising_VVG before_II heading_VVG off_RP to_II college_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC on_II21 to_II22 Vietnam_NP1 ,_, urban_JJ riots_NN2 ,_, Watergate_NP1 ,_, and_CC energy_NN1 crises_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT assemblage_NN1 of_IO characters_NN2 provide_VV0 the_AT audience_NN1 with_IW what_DDQ they_PPHS2 want_VV0 most_DAT :_: permission_NN1 to_TO forget_VVI ._. 
Lucas_NP1 's_GE successful_JJ exploitation_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE audience_NN1 's_VBZ longing_VVG for_IF safety_NN1 and_CC predictability_NN1 made_VVD American_JJ Graffiti_NN 's_GE "_" effacement_NN1 of_IO history_NN1 ,_, "_" as_CSA Fredric_NP1 Jameson_NP1 argues_VVZ ,_, the_AT "_" inaugural_JJ film_NN1 of_IO postmodern_JJ nostalgia_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT music_NN1 (_( fifties_MC2 rock_NN1 'n'_CC roll_NN1 )_) and_CC the_AT setting_NN1 (_( Modesto_NP1 ,_, California_NP1 )_) serve_VV0 to_TO convey_VVI a_AT1 mood_NN1 but_CCB not_XX a_AT1 history_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 style_NN1 disembodied_VVD from_II conflict_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 recent_JJ past_JJ unconnected_JJ to_II the_AT present_NN1 ._. 
Yet_RR not_XX completely_RR so_RR ._. 
The_AT James_NP1 Dean_NP1 like_II character_NN1 ,_, John_NP1 Milner_NP1 (_( Paul_NP1 Le_NP1 Mat_NP1 )_) ,_, visits_VVZ a_AT1 foreboding_NN1 car_NN1 graveyard_NN1 strewn_VVN with_IW totaled_JJ dragsters_NN2 ._. 
"_" The_AT whole_JJ strip_NN1 is_VBZ shrinking_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 laments_VVZ ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 appropriate_JJ epitaph_NN1 for_IF the_AT exact_JJ moment_NN1 that_CST the_AT oil_NN1 embargo_NN1 was_VBDZ brewing_VVG ,_, bringing_VVG an_AT1 end_NN1 to_II a_AT1 wave_NN1 of_IO car_NN1 culture_NN1 ._. 
The_AT symbol_NN1 of_IO America_NP1 's_GE strength_NN1 was_VBDZ becoming_VVG the_AT symbol_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE decadence_NN1 ._. 
For_IF Dewey_NP1 Burton_NP1 ,_, American_JJ Graffiti_NN captured_VVD "_" the_AT last_MD time_NNT1 the_AT world_NN1 was_VBDZ ran_VVN right_RR ._. "_" 
The_AT combination_NN1 of_IO design_NN1 ,_, manufacture_NN1 ,_, power_NN1 ,_, influence_VV0 ,_, speed_NN1 ,_, pay_VV0 ,_, glory_NN1 ,_, purpose_NN1 ,_, reward_NN1 ,_, and_CC power_NN1 all_RR made_VVN sense_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT disorganized_JJ culture_NN1 of_IO post-l970s_NN2 capitalism_NN1 ,_, fifties_MC2 auto_NN1 culture_NN1 was_VBDZ Dewey_NP1 Burton_NP1 's_GE Archimedean_JJ point_NN1 ,_, the_AT position_NN1 from_II which_DDQ all_DB the_AT world_NN1 might_VM be_VBI made_VVN sensible_JJ ._. 
His_APPGE own_DA custom_NN1 hot_JJ rods_NN2 function_VV0 as_II the_AT material_NN1 embodiment_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 alternative_JJ world_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ one_MC1 person_NN1 who_PNQS ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 captured_VVN in_II a_AT1 cultural_JJ bell_NN1 jar_NN1 and_CC protected_VVN from_II the_AT upheavals_NN2 of_IO history_NN1 ,_, unified_VVD the_AT late_JJ postwar_JJ blue-collar_JJ narrative_NN1 :_: one_MC1 time_NNT1 rock_NN1 'n'_CC roll_VV0 rebel_NN1 ,_, Elvis_NP1 Presley_NP1 ._. 
To_II many_DA2 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 gaudy_JJ joke_NN1 by_II mid_JJ decade_NNT1 ,_, but_CCB if_CS the_AT majority_NN1 of_IO white_JJ working_JJ people_NN got_VVD their_APPGE vote_NN1 ,_, the_AT real_JJ working-class_JJ hero_NN1 of_IO the_AT postwar_JJ era_NN1 would_VM not_XX have_VHI been_VBN Bruce_NP1 Springsteen_NP1 or_CC John_NP1 Lennon_NP1 (_( both_DB2 of_IO whom_PNQO were_VBDR too_RG serious_JJ to_TO carry_VVI the_AT title_NN1 )_) but_CCB Elvis_NP1 ._. 
Yet_RR it_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX the_AT man_NN1 who_PNQS once_RR kicked_VVN down_RP the_AT nation_NN1 's_GE doors_NN2 of_IO sexual_JJ mores_NN2 and_CC square_JJ taste_NN1 in_II l956_FO ,_, who_PNQS freed_VVD the_AT teenage_JJ body_NN1 ,_, and_CC performed_VVD the_AT synthesis_NN1 of_IO the_AT nation_NN1 's_GE racial_JJ dialectics_NN2 but_CCB who_PNQS ,_, by_II the_AT time_NNT1 of_IO the_AT l970s_FO ,_, had_VHD become_VVN a_AT1 beacon_NN1 of_IO safety_NN1 ,_, whiteness_NN1 ,_, and_CC postwar_JJ affluence_NN1 ._. 
