Re: "Sleeping in Light" - Ten years ago

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:29:14 -0500, thus spake Mike Ross (in article
<h9tji45ouhfhh62ok8agqb7564jpibvq66@xxxxxxx>):

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:38:35 GMT, Amy Guskin <aisling@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


Okay, you get a total pass from me the next
time we disagree about something. :-) You guys are amazingly brave, and I
have nothing but respect and admiration for what you do. When people throw
around the term 'hero' willy-nilly, I always think that firefighters (and
cops) are the ones who really deserve the moniker.

I appreciate the sentiment, truly, but... in that case... can we disagree on
the
term 'hero' then? Please? :-)

OK individual firefighters may do individually courageous things at some
points
but it's 99.99% *teamwork*. We're really not comfortable with this 'hero'
thing... <<

I mean "heroic" in the sense of you _choosing_ to walk into burning buildings
on a regular basis in order to save the lives of complete strangers. If
that's not heroic, I don't know what _is_.

It's bothered me the way the term has been co-opted of late to mean anyone
who is a victim of any really horrific tragedy. They're not; you are.

Having said all that, if you do want to see a hero you don't need to look
further than this guy:

http://www.tunneltotowersrun.org/pdfdocuments/news/ThePriceisRightArticle.pdf

'Some things can't be downsized' as the author says. I ran for him this year
(
http://www.corestore.org/ttt08.htm ) along with literally thousands of other
firefighters from all over the world. <<

Yeah, that guy certainly qualifies for the term. Makes you shiver just to
read about it. But see, that's what I mean about you guys: you _choose_ to
walk headlong into danger. _All_ of you.

(just for entertainment, this was the first of the three fires:


http://bronxallhands.exposuremanager.com/g/11-21-08_mamaroneck_ny_-_2_alarms_-

_31_harmon_dr <<

So...you moved here to the US...and became a firefighter? That must be some
really interesting story.

Amy
--
"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time
- to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;
to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American
Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one;
that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and
doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that
timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can."
President-elect Barack Obama, November, 4, 2008

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: "Sleeping in Light" - Ten years ago
    ... I've just fought three structure fires (one including a ... around the term 'hero' willy-nilly, I always think that firefighters (and ... OK individual firefighters may do individually courageous things at some points ...
    (rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated)
  • Re: OT but incredibly fascinating
    ... >> comparison of teachers, police, ... >> firefighters just do their job, ... DAMMIT, TUD! ... > doesn't make you a hero. ...
    (rec.motorcycles.harley)
  • Re: *OT* American voter, Pat Tillman
    ... I still believe Pat Tillman is a hero although I disagree with his view ... on the war..I believe Hussein violated 17 un resolutions and thats why ...
    (rec.gambling.sports)
  • Re: Watch this
    ... I think the term hero, as it's used today for anybody in any uniform, ... Everybody is not a fucking hero. ... or they may be independent of the command structure (such as ... the photo of the 3 firefighters at WTC is highly over rated. ...
    (misc.transport.trucking)
  • Re: Obama - Wright -the truth
    ... "WuzYoungOnceToo" wrote in message ... Too bad, sorry about that, You're definitely my hero. ... As soon as you encounter something you disagree with you become insulting and verbally abusive. ...
    (rec.gambling.poker)