proud2BlibKansan
Statement from Chris Hayes
Mon May 28, 2012 6:26 PM EDT
On Sunday, in discussing the uses of the word "hero" to describe those members of the armed forces who have given their lives, I don't think I lived up to the standards of rigor, respect and empathy for those affected by the issues we discuss that I've set for myself. I am deeply sorry for that.
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rfranklin
2. The comments on that page are very revealing...
Once they buy into the "fallen heroes" bullshit they fight tooth and nail (figuratively of course) to preserve that fantasy.
Military service is as real as it gets.
It's the pussies in a drum circle that are living in a fantasy world.
ellenfl
10. yes they do. if you will excuse the analogy,
the uber-patriotism exhibited in some of those comments and on exhibit in this country for the last few years, is highly reminiscent of 1930s germany. i see the point of honoring those who have taken up arms in our defense but, like chris, i feel the same way about using the 'hero' honorific in the case of victims. i think the term 'hero' has been denigrated by its constant application to people who survive a catastrophe or some other victimhood. surviving does not make one a hero. likewise, pat tillman was a victim and, tho' i came to respect the man, in his death he did nothing heroic. however, i believe his mother could be considered a hero by her actions to determine the cause of his death and to hold the military commanders accountable.
similarly, neither the people working in the twin towers nor those on the planes were heroes, but the police and firemen who lost their lives running into those buildings most definitely were. we take away the power of the word by the manner in which we (over) use it.
imo, people get on the hero kick to make themselves feel righteous about war even as they stay far away from it.
when the war in iraq started, i challenged a friend who supported the war to encourage her of-age kids to enlist. oddly, she took great offense . . . even though her husband had been career military.
ellen fl
Tell Obama to send his daughters, you hypocritical scrunt.
--or--
Wrap a jack hammer with barbed wire and shove it up your ass.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002738269
