Day 164

Being labelled a "hero" by news organizations isn't so hard as it used to be. Just this week a few boy scout kids got killed in a tornato and CNN posted photos up on their front page calling them "heroes in death." Is that all it takes now? All one has to do to become a hero is die tragically in a freak accident? How is that heroic?

There's this fear in America of being labelled unpatriotic. Politicians and newspeople, especially, are constantly had to this rigorous standard where everytime they respond to something about a tragedy, or the war, or the troops, or homeland security, they have to make sure be extra patriotic hero-worshippers every time. Now even a few boy scouts, who died (tragically) in a simple unfortunate weather event, are heroic for some reason.

Watch one of Obama's speeches. He is unable, ever, to criticize John McCain's war policies without starting with a paragraph of compliments and praises to McCain for his "years of service" and "heroism" and whatever else. For shame; it is a disappointment to see Obama pandering to the system like that. Why should McCain be complimented for his role in an even /more/ unjust and pointless war from 40 years ago? Military people get far too much credit in that country, and here as well. I may write more on that another day.

I think that to be a hero in death you have to do something to earn the status. I think you have to have really gone out of your way, risked life and limb, to help others. You have to go above and beyond what would ever be required of you morally.

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