Land of confusion

So I'm reading this stuff about the Russia/Georgia conflict this morning and a shiver runs up my spine, remembering what it was like to grow up in the 80's when "Nuclear Winter" was a regular part of my ten year old vocabulary.

I would sit in the backseat of my parents' car on family trips and make under-the-table deals with God, promising I would stop picking my nose and being mean to my sister if only He would please please let me grow up. I spent sleepless nights obsessing over "The Day After" and almost got hit by a car once walking to school, because my eyes were constantly scanning the flat Long Island horizon for mushroom clouds.

So, yay! I grew up! And America is now safely in the hands of a competent, level-headed leader who would never, ever hit the wrong button and blow up the planet accidentally.

Whew for that.

Wait, what?