Heroes are Exceptional, not Typical

Article: Too Many Heroes

I believe there are certain professions in our society that are essential, but often unsung and taken for granted.  Sometimes these professions are dangerous.  Some of them have poor salaries.  Some require strange or long hours.  All of them are dedicated to providing for the well being of our society.  Professions that come immediately to mind are Fire Fighter, Doctor, Nurse, Paramedic, Law Enforcement Officer, and Soldier.  All these professions are noble.  All require sacrifices, often with little reward.

But that doesn’t make these folks heroes.

A hero is someone who exhibits unusual character and behavior that is considered inherently admirable and atypically self-sacrificing.  Simply entering a vocation and donning a uniform does not make one a hero.  Heroes must go above and beyond the norm.  A hero is not typical, but exceptional.

The author in the above article writes:

If it looks like an altruistic act, then it IS an altruistic act. And so, we take the actions of a few and impose that quality on everyone that looks like them. So all soldiers, police officers, and fireman become heroes because of what a few of their brethren did and this denigrates and diminishes the actions of those few brave souls when their individual behaviors are extrapolated out to anyone who looks like them or wears the same uniform.

The firefighters, police officers, and volunteers at the World Trade Center on 9/11 were all heroes.  As others were running away, these extraordinary men and women ran toward danger, risking their lives, to help save others.

Mother Theresa risked violence, disease, starvation, persecution, and personal hardship to care for the poor.

Jason Dunham, an American Marine in Iraq threw himself on a grenade to save the lives of his two fellow Marines.

Deborah Johnson, RN, was knocked down and injured when shots were fired into a crowded street.  Despite her wounds, she ignored the danger to herself, crawled to the four shooting victims, and administered first aid, saving three of them.

These people are heroes.  At great personal risk, they placed the needs of others ahead of their own.  Where others ran from danger and hardship, they ran to the people in need.  Some came out unharmed.  Some were injured.  Some lost their lives.

Calling someone a hero simply because of their chosen career lessens the value of the title.  It takes honor away from true heroes.  Heroism requires exceptional behavior.  Like respect, the title of “hero” is earned, never given. 

God Bless America

On Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, at 8:46am, America woke up to fund ourselves at war.

Since that infamous moment, our lives have changed.  The US went on the attack against terrorism.  Up until that moment, we thought terrorism was someone else's problem.  It was something that happened in Greece, Israel, or France.  It occasionally touched us, but never with any real teeth.  The events of 9/11 made us finally take our heads from the sand.  We began to realize that we, like the rest of the world, were vulnerable.

Following 9/11, we have initiated many changes in culture and policy.  We have adopted the Patriot Act, strict TSA guidelines, new security measures, and a greater acceptance of CPLs.  We have invaded two countries and toppled their governments.  We have chased terrorists in half a dozen other countries, clipping their wings and greatly reducing their ability to harm us.

Our reaction to 9/11 has been somewhat controversial.  I personally don't support the Patriot Act or the new TSA guidelines.  I don't believe the Iraqi war was intended to fight terrorism.  I don't believe our efforts in Afghanistan are currently related to terror.

I believe there is one thing I think we will all agree on, however.  9/11 reminded us that, our differences aside, we are all Americans.  We can fight among ourselves, but we will not allow anyone to harm our American brothers and sisters.  We may be divided along political and social ideals, but we are united in this.

We Are America.

Wink at the Moon

Video: Conspiracy Theory : Did We Land on the Moon ?

Scientific Response to the video: Conspiracy Theory: Did We Go to the Moon?



Neil Armstrong died last week.  Armstrong was a real American hero.  He risked his life to advance American exceptionalism.  He dedicated his career to acquiring specialized skills and knowledge, and to maintaining excellent health so that he could serve us by advancing technology and by starting the incredible task of exploring the final frontier.  It was a sad day when Armstrong died.  To honor and salute him, and in compliance with the Armstrong family's request, my kids and I went outside during the Blue Moon and gave it a wink.

There are people who claim the Lunar Mission was a hoax.  They point to certain points they claim prove the landing occurred on a Hollywood set, rather than the giant planetoid we see in our sky most nights.  They have a list of things they expect to see in Lunar photos and video, then cry conspiracy when their expectations are not met, regardless of the logical, scientific explanations for the supposed "discrepancies".

Our world is not filled with conspiracies.  It's nearly impossible to get enough people to cooperate and keep quiet enough to make a conspiracy succeed.  Even a small leak or mistake will be jumped on by legitimate news media looking for the "kill" of a major news scoop.  Credible sources will come forward, opening the door to countless others who will seek their moment of fame by coming clean.  Think Watergate...

There is no Moon conspiracy.  Armstrong was a hero.  An American hero who walked on the moon.

Dogs are Better than Cats

It's been said that dogs have masters, cats have staff.  Dogs are loyal, obedient, and reliable.  They are easy to train, desire to please, and can help protect your family.  They love to work and play, and can earn their keep.  Cats are the ultimate narcissists.  Yes, they are soft and furry, when they allow you the privileged of stroking, scratching, and massaging them, but they are also aloof, lazy, and labile.

Please don't take this wrong.  We have a cat.  I like our cat.  When she is in a joyful mood, I enjoy playing with her.  Stroking her fur is relaxing.  Watching her chase toys and bugs makes me laugh.  But the cats we've had in my lifetime have never captured my heart like my dogs.  I don't have a dog right now, but I still have fond memories of Misty, Tipper, and, dearest of all, Kirstie.  I miss my Kirstie...

Dogs really are man's best friend.

Disarm the Police?

Read article here: NYPD: 9 shooting bystander victims hit by police



Last Friday, a disgruntled employee, in a city that has all but made guns illegal, used a gun (illegally) to kill a former colleague.  When police engaged the criminal, he pointed his gun at them, so they shot him... along with NINE INNOCENT BYSTANDERS!

NYC already has some of the most draconian gun laws in the country.  The criminal in this incident violated several of them.  As a result, one person was killed.  Police responded legally, and not only was one more person killed, but several others were injured.  Who's guns were more dangerous?  The criminal's?  Or those of the police?

I used to compete in PPC, a shooting sport developed by police to encourage the development of shooting skills.  Competitions were generally organized by police and held on police ranges.  Private citizens competed directly against police officers.  And we were better.  Every department had skilled shooters who would score with our best, but the average officer's shooting skills were far inferior to those of the average shooting enthusiast.

If gun control advocates believe the presence of a firearm is inherently dangerous, why do we arm police?  How is a gun in the hands of a police officer somehow safer and more beneficial than one in the hands of a private citizen?  Are police officers more responsible?  More ethical?  More rational?  In my experience, they're certainly not better trained.  Friday's incident supports that observation.

I'm not suggesting we disarm police officers.  What I am suggesting is that gun control advocates consider the possibility that their position on firearms is based more on emotion than fact.  To consider the very real possibility that their solutions to gun violence are ineffective.  To admit that they may be wrong.  

Wisdom Through Failure

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." -- Dale Carnegie

"Before success comes in any man's life he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps, some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit. That is exactly what the majority of men do." -- Napoleon Hill

"Don't be afraid to fail. Don't waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failures and go on to the next challenge. It's OK to fail. If you're not failing, you're not growing." -- H. Stanley Judd

We have all heard that success comes from refusing to submit to, and be defeated by failure.  We are told to strive on when we experience setbacks.  We are to ask those who have succeeded for their wisdom of success.  We should look at the failures of others to discover and avoid their mistakes.

All of these things are true, but, perhaps, a bit cumbersome.  There are certain people in the world who are able to help us avoid learning all these lessons for ourselves.

To truly avoid mistakes and achieve success, we should not only look at mistakes that led to failure or choices that led to success.  We should look for people who have achieved both the wisdom of failure and the thrill of success from the same source.

We can learn about how to avoid divorce by asking a divorced spouse about what he or she did wrong, but the answer will be jaded by the person's desire to protect his or herself from the pain of true introspection, even if they have gone on to a successful second marriage.  We can look at a successful marriage, but the couple will be unable to advise on challenges they have never experienced.  If we want to have a successful marriage, we should look for a couple who has experienced failure, then rebounded to success.  A couple who has divorced, or come close, then reconciled and restored their marriage will have an intimate understanding of how to avoid marriage pitfalls and promote success.

The same is true in business.  Some wisdom can be gained by talking to someone who has experienced bankruptcy, then succeeded in the next company.  But imagine the wisdom gained from going bankrupt, then digging your company out of financial failure and leading it into real success.

Failing, then trying again is not the same as success achieved from refusing to accept failure.  We can learn tremendous insight from the rare individual who has turned failure into success.

Stop Living Life Through a Camera

Go to a school, music, or dance performance.  A sporting event or a kids' karate belt test.  A birthday party, 1st communion, or a graduation.  Look at the parents.  How many are watching and experiencing the event?  How many are instead watching their cameras, more interested in recording the event than experiencing it.

I admit, I've been guilty of this too.  But then I've put down the camera and watched.  There is no comparison.  Experiencing life first hand and creating real memories is so much better than recording life for later viewing.

Setting up a video camera and forgetting it is fine.  Taking a few stills to trigger memories is great.  But for the most part, we should put down the cameras and experience our lives.