Should I continue this site?

Please vote to the right.

I'm not sure if folks really care about this site.  I hate to go through all the trouble of writing essays if no one is going to read them.  I don't get a lot of comments, so I don't really know how much impact I'm having.  Is it worth it?

Please comment below.

Thanks.

--Rich

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.