Somehow, we've placed sports and Hollywood figures at the pinnacle of achievement and idolatry in this world, and found them to be worthy of every second of media coverage available. No matter how convoluted their lives are, kids long to emulate them as they grab the spotlight on Monday night, making the long run for the winning touchdown, hitting the game winning home run, or walking the red carpet at the Oscars.
Yet, the real heroes of this world are not playing sports. They don't make millions in salary and don't endorse designer clothes. They have to fight to get a decent raise in salary, fight for medical coverage following injuries sustained in the line of duty, work twenty or more years for a retirement persion, are often disabled and can't work within the first few years of their career.
These are the real hereoes of our society. Our armed forces, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS and first responders. They work for low pay in many cases and lay their lives on the line every day. The media doesn't arrive in time, nor take time to show them rushing into burning buildings to rescue a child or an elderly or handicapped person, nor are they there to see the split second decisions made by a police officer under fire. Yet they will second guess that officer over and over again, about whether he made the right decision to fire his weapon, even though they were never there.
Our military stands between us and oppression, tyranny and a world that would take away our freedom. Those of us who served to keep America free know firsthand what lies on the other side of that thin line of defense. Unfortunately, most don't have a clue, nor do they take the time to acknowledge the selfless acts of the men and women, who defend them and their way of living each and every day.
Sports are an important part of society and it's certainly not wrong to look up to a quality, clean living sports figure. But remember who the real heroes are. Running down the field against a group of men on Sunday afternoon in Chicago doesn't make you near the hero as running across a road with your men under fire in Baghdad to save a life of a fellow Marine or soldier, or maybe just to get to the other side to save all your lives.
3 comments:
I couldn't agree more. We all need to remember who the real heros are and you can be sure they aren't the ones making a million dollars a year.
Although I have only read a few of your blogs so-far, from what I have seen, you are right on the money.
However, I feel that your "Worshiping The Wrong Heroes" blog needs amending.
First of all, Teachers need to be included near the top of the unsung heroes list. There are many obvious reasons for this which I won't go into now.
Also, your praise of policemen needs to be re-thought. While I agree that they should be included as a general group, they have long forgotten who they work for and their use of EXCESSIVE force without warrant, has to be reigned in before there is widespread public hostility and total defiance to their 'authority'.
Their casual use of tasers on cripples, children and the elderly has to be STOPPED.
I am a baby-boomer. When I was young, police, nearly always were your friend and really were there to 'serve & protect'. They had my respect and compliance. Now they are mostly just bullies who warrant contempt and a major dose of their own medicine.
leffel9
Don't "broad brush" all police officers due to the misconduct of a few, any more than we would characterize all teachers as sexual perverts due to the misconduct of a few who also make the news in a sensational manner.
Misconduct of any authoritarian figure is reprehensible and those persons should be held accountable. After all, persons in authority are held to a higher standard that a regular citizen, and rightfully so. When persons act above or in breach of their authority, they deserve to be stopped and disciplined; if that means arrest, so be it.
As for teachers being near the top of the list, in many ways I agree. We all owe a lot to teachers for helping us all be what we can be, in bringing out our potential and helping shape our future. Without them we'd be in sad shape. Thanks for bring that point across.
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