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Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts) Mon Nov 19, 2012, 09:19 PM Nov 2012

Has anyone else watched Ken Burns "Dust Bowl on PBS? [View all]

I am so shocked at the magnitude of misery that these people endured. I have heard about the Dust Bowl, and I have read books like "The Grapes of Wrath" that discussed what it was like. But watching this, with pictures and stories of people who lived through it, this is almost too much. Last night, I watched one episode where they had constant dust storms, then they had jack rabbits descend on them and eat all the rest of the green plants, and it kept getting worse. The preview of the next episode showed a horde of locusts. I cannot imagine what these people went through, and I don't know that I could have kept going.

Incredible series, but so depressing. I think everyone should see this----especially the "get government out of our lives" folks. We do not realize how good we have it, even when we don't have it very good.

Anyone else watching?

http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/

58 replies

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Has anyone else watched Ken Burns "Dust Bowl on PBS? [View all] Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 OP

I watched it. texanwitch Nov 2012 #1

Right now, they are dealing with the CCC and WPA. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #4

My father said they planted millions of trees and helped on farms. texanwitch Nov 2012 #5

I wondered if those trees survived Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #6

I hope so. texanwitch Nov 2012 #7

This series talks about all this. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #12

Smart move, pay to make people change. texanwitch Nov 2012 #16

And at the end of this documentary Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #21

My dad grew up on a farm in North central TX ashling Nov 2012 #36

But, the parallels to some of today's issues were so strong it's hard to imagine we won't. In fact, Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #24

And did you notice they started to pay farmers not to grow crops? Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #38

I think Burns was saying that the extreme lack of rain during the 30's was a mini climate change Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #47

I'll have to catch the repeat sometime derby378 Nov 2012 #2

They are repeating some episodes tonight. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #3

It was pretty good, but ashling Nov 2012 #45

Watching now. GoneOffShore Nov 2012 #8

Well, it is done wonderfully Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #10

True. GoneOffShore Nov 2012 #14

This year's extended drought may be an ominous foreboding Zorro Nov 2012 #9

I absolutely hope not. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #11

Since those days, Oklahoma has built over 200 lakes. The water I use every day comes from one. CBGLuthier Nov 2012 #32

I do hope that there is nothing like this again. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #39

'Everyone's' watching, watched first half yesterday, 2d half tonight. elleng Nov 2012 #13

I don't know about "everyone", since Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #15

Its profoundly moving and upsetting. elleng Nov 2012 #17

Ah, yes, everyone at DU Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #18

Not everyone. I was dying to watch this but PBS doesn't stream snappyturtle Nov 2012 #27

I don't know if this will work Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #40

Thank you for trying to help. If I had money I would have cable or satellite so..... snappyturtle Nov 2012 #46

I just watch the whole first episode at that link, it wasn't a teaser. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #50

I haven't tried today! Thanks....I tried on the premier dates so...??? nt snappyturtle Nov 2012 #51

It definitely shows how strong and determined people can be. KatyaR Nov 2012 #19

It sure was hard to watch. texanwitch Nov 2012 #20

Oh, I could not imagine how difficult it would have been Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #22

we watched it here nutsnberries Nov 2012 #23

Yes, I watched it. It was excellent. AngryOldDem Nov 2012 #25

And these were proud people who worked hard Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #41

I don't have a t.v., so can't watch the documentary. luv_mykatz Nov 2012 #26

Big rec for "Worst Hard Time" -- if you've read it, you don't much need to see the film. eppur_se_muova Nov 2012 #29

I can be watched online. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #42

That is what the one gentleman was saying--20 years. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #49

This is probably one of the better documentaries out there, IMO... cynatnite Nov 2012 #28

Beautifully done program SteveG Nov 2012 #30

Yes One of the best documentaries on the subject I have seen. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #31

And the Dust Bowl still has repercussions... kurtzapril4 Nov 2012 #33

That IS comedy gold! Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #43

Yeah, just ask Elizabeth Warren. Manifestor_of_Light Nov 2012 #44

If you're a RWer you don't have to choose! Logic be damned! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #48

Yes. Amazing. The one,,, benld74 Nov 2012 #34

Growing up in California in the 60s Mr.Bill Nov 2012 #35

Caught part of it yesterday; would really like to see all of it Flaxbee Nov 2012 #37

I got to watch it after all. luv_mykatz Nov 2012 #52

Silly me, I should have re-read all of the posts before posting my last reply. luv_mykatz Nov 2012 #53

I was glad to find the link and share it. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #55

I have it taped on my DVR ready to watch sometime this long weekend.. Little Star Nov 2012 #54

This one will tear your heart out. Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #56

I can't wait to see it but I have to wait until my daughter.... Little Star Nov 2012 #57

I will be good to have someone to discuss it with Curmudgeoness Nov 2012 #58