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Heroism and the language of fascism

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by Ps104_33, Aug 7, 2007.

  1. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    Very well. I think you're changing the English language to believe that but I'll agree to disagree on this one.
     
  2. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    Sorry, I missed this post.

    Words are not as subjective as you make them out to be. I'm a Ron Paul fan but I can not make an argument for him being a hero and if I could, then we could all throw this word around willy nilly and apply it to anyone as I think you're suggesting.

    Now, maybe in his 5 years of military service Ron Paul had an opportunity to demonstrate valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger. However, right now (though some conspiracists might disagree) Ron Paul is in no danger and has had no opportunity to demonstrate the characteristics of a hero in danger. Same for our enlistee and spud chucker examples. All they did was enlist, they have had no opportunity to be heroes as they have faced no danger. If you have two men in a fox hole being fired upon and one engages in the fight and the other cowers in a corner are we to honestly believe that both are heroes because they both signed up? Do we take the coward that does not engage and say that's alright Johnny you're still a hero?


    HE''RO, n. [L. heros; Gr. a demigod.]

    1. A man of distinguished valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger; as a hero in arms.

    VAL''OR, n. [L. valor, valeo, to be strong, to be worth.]

    Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; intrepidity; prowess. (Source: Webster's 1828)​
     
  3. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    If you have two men in a fox hole being fired upon and one engages in the fight and the other cowers in a corner are we to honestly believe that both are heroes because they both signed up? Do we take the coward that does not engage and say that's alright Johnny you're still a hero?


    How are we to really know who's cowering, and who's fighting ? Did the cowering guy just get back from another mission ? Has one been in the foxhole for weeks, and another just a night ? Is the guy fighting shell-shocked, and unaware of the danger he's in ? Is he temporarily deaf, and can't hear the explosions around him ? Is he suicidal ? Is he on drugs ? Does anyone really know who acted with valor, save the ones that were there ? And how many instances can you come up with where one guy was fighting, and one cowering ? Can you document some ?

    Shouldn't we just be thankful for all of them ?
     
  4. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Also, I guess it was pretty heroic of Dr. Paul to serve. Even if I respect nothing else about the man, that's pretty cool.
     
  5. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    Thankful sure. Calling them heroes when they do not meet the criteria is akin to giving someone a Silver Star when they got shot by friendly fire. There's that which is truth and that which isn't, no matter how hard you try to push the square peg into the round hole.
     
  6. James_Newman

    James_Newman New Member

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    Maybe they are all heroes, and some of them are double-heroes and some double-plus-heroes. Then we have un-heroes on the other side of the spectrum.
     
  7. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Ane we have thousands who nobody will ever be aware of how actually heroic they really were. And we have recognized heros who have drank themselves to death trying to reconcile their actions.
     
  8. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    And therein is the reason for the overuse of the word "hero".

    The media, the liberal side of it, is the cause.

    They have constantly portrayed the American soldier and Marines in the negative, or looked for stories that will show these servicemen in a negative light.

    Only thing I can say about the writer at this point is: you get F.

    Just my opinion, folks.

    But like somebody said: what does an 800 pound orangutan know, eh ?
     
  9. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    I agree totally, and it beats the fire out of George Bush's and Dick Cheney's service.
     
  10. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    In that last example what are they trying to reconcile? If they committed heroic deeds then what's the problem? Further, alcoholism would be the later danger they would be facing. Courageously, overcoming that danger might be heroic. I'm not sure how committing suicide would be considered such.
     
  11. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Watch Clint Eastwood's "Flags of our Fathers", and you'll get what I'm trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to articulate.
     
  12. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    You mean the Navy corpsman who just couldn't think of himself as a hero ?

    I saw that film.

    Very good film, too.
     
  13. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Excellent movie.
     
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