Is there a way to automate simple repetitive tasks in mainframe terminal window?

I have never tried it myself, but you might want to look at x3270 and specifically s3270 and possibly tcl3270.

You could use a scraping tool, like IBM HATS, or you could use some of the IBM Java TN3270 classes to talk to the mainframe.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.