"Heroism" in America

I read this on Instapundit this morning:

ANA MARIE COX reports from YearlyKos:
I saw Joe Wilson get not one but two standing ovations today; he was also called 'a true American hero.' People waited in line for his autograph.

This is in reference to a political hack whose statements concerning his trip to Niger to ascertain whether or not Saddam Hussein attempted to acquire nuclear materials were debunked by none other than the 9/11 Commission.  Apparently blatant disingenuity and outright lying are what passes for "heroism" to a very large number of Americans today. 

Those responsible for the illegal willful leaking and publishing of very highly classified intelligence programs, programs that have very likely resulted in the saving of thousands of lives but have now been irreparably damaged, are also lauded for the courage and heroism of their riskless, felonious actions.

There was a time in America when these people would have been considered anything but heroes.  In those days, a hero would be a man like Pat Tillman, who walked away from a lucrative career in the NFL to serve his country in a mission he believed in, and lost his life in a tragic friendly-fire incident in Afghanistan.  Yet this man is referred to as an easily manipulated fool that, for some imcomprehensible reason, believed the lies of his Commander in Chief, lies that led him to his useless and inappropriate sacrifice.

When words like "hero" are diluted by chronic overuse, we no longer have the lexicon needed to recognize true heroes, and distinguish them from those that are merely basking in an ephemeral limelight.  This bodes ill for our society.

Comments

[Bill]

Hi all: Just please remmber one thing that LIBERALS in this country will never get it right they can't because their on the LEFT, and never on the RIGHT! I am from New Jersey Big LIBERAL state with a Tax & Spend LIBERAL Govner. I was at work the other day and talking with my LIBERAL friends,(by the way no one in the room voted for that tax & spend LIBERAL GOV. yah OK right!) about Iraq. When the talk about Iraq starts Libs go right to how these dump stupid military men and women that have been injured in battle want to go back to Iraq after they heel. About 5 or 6 libs in the room and little old me. I said that these Heros Magnificent Unselfish men and women just want to go and keep their friends safe, and keep this country safe and secure from attacks on this country. Patroitism, Honor, Love of Country, All OF THEM MAGNIFICENT HEROS. Each Lib in the room when this was said started saying we don't understand what your talking about, we can't understand what it is that you mean. And I said, no you don't and You Never will understand you have never had to make a sacrifice for your FREEDOM. They have and you never will understand what "FREEDOM ISN'T FREE" MEANS. One BY One they left that room they left me alone smiling. Don't ever think that a LIBERAL will ever get it right their on the LEFT and they do not LIKE the country that they live IN. The Hate America Croud. - Bill

[T F Stern]

I have to go along with rob's comment; but it was fun to stumble across those comments. I think I might hear sound effects in the background, creaking door hinge and E G Marshall's voice as the show begins... You are on the money when it comes to the word "hero" having been altered to fit with coward or criminal. I liked your article.

[john]

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