Continuing along Buchanan’s article today; WHO IS YOUR HERO? Alternatively, is your hero today the same as it was 20 years ago? Or, perhaps you have no heroes, cuz that’s all bullshit?
I learned much English via comic books. Really. So, it’s no surprise that as I child I loved Superman. He also came from a foreign place, and was handsome and strong. Lol
During my middle years as a Christian I greatly admired Brother Lawrence, a 1600’s era monk in France. He worked most of his life in a kitchen, and then later as a shoe cobbler. I practically memorized his small book, “The Practice of the Presence of God”. He believed that everything, no matter how mundane, could be a medium of God’s love. The task mattered less than motivation behind it. He wrote, — “Nor is it needful that we should have great things to do. . . We can do little things for God; I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of him, and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself in worship before him, who has given me grace to work; afterwards I rise happier than a king. It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.” I wanted to be just like that.
I don’t have any heroes at the present time. Although, Thor comes close. He defeated the Ice Giants, and now we have Globull Warming.
No need to read the below thoughts on heroes … just answer the damned question!
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I must admit, I am sick and tired of the way the world today uses the word “hero” because it is used so freely, without thought. Every dead cop suddenly turns into a hero. Every dead soldier is a hero. Was Sullinger a hero for landing the airplane safely on the Hudson River … or, was he just doing his job? Listen to what George Carlin has to say about this in the excerpt below, from his book – “When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops”. (A hilarious book.)
“The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said that changing the name of Newark Airport to Liberty International Airport would be a way of honoring “the more than 3000 heroes who died for their country in the World Trade Center.” Pardon me for pointing this out, folks, but stock traders, clerks, receptionists, cooks, waiters and building maintenance people in the World Trade Center didn’t die for their country. They died because they went to work. Not one of them would have shown up for work that day if you had told them they would die as a result. Try to get your heroes straight. Not everyone who died in 9/11 was a hero. Hero is a very special word, that’s why we reserve it for certain special people. … If everyone’s a hero, then the word doesn’t mean much anymore. And sooner or later we’ll have to give the real heroes (the heroic ones) a new name, to distinguish them from the rest of the pack. Too bad “superheroes” is already taken; it would have been perfect. But relax, folks, if I know us, “megahero” can’t be too far over the horizon. Although to be honest, I kind of like the alliteration in “hyperhero.”
It wasn’t always this way. “Hero” is an ancient Greek concept. A hero was a mortal who had done something so far beyond the normal scope of human experience that he (or, she) left an immortal memory behind him when he died, and thus received worship like that due the gods. Oftentimes, these heroes were great benefactors of humankind, such as Hercules, who killed monsters or, Asclepius, the first doctor. However, they also included people, such as Oedipus and Medea, who committed heinous crimes. In other words, a hero was always extraordinary and expanded people’s sense of what was possible for a human being. Heroism was tightly linked to morality.
Soooo … heroes help define the limits of our aspirations. Our ideals (courage, honor, justice, etc.) define us. In turn, we largely define our ideals by the heroes we choose. Our heroes are symbols for us of all the qualities we would like to possess and all the ambitions we would like to satisfy.
A person who chooses George Washington as a hero is going to have a very different sense of what human excellence involves than someone who chooses Lil Wayne. The ideals to which we aspire greatly determine the ways in which we behave. What kind of behavior would you expect from a person who listens to, and wants to emulate, these craptastic lyrics — “Baby, can I be the worm in ya apple butt? I’ll suck the front of dat pussy from da back of ya”. Thugs and hoodlums? Exactly.
Speaking of George Washington as a hero, what is a common retort, especially from libtards? “YEAH, BUT … BUT … HE OWNED SLAVES!! AAAARGH!!!!”. I understand their cynicism — sort of — because they view this as a betrayal of ideals. But, cynicism is too often merely an excuse for not doing anything.
What these people lack is an understanding about the limits of human nature. They mistakenly expect heroes to be Gods.
But, the frailties of heroic people make them more like us. Therefore, what was possible for them … IS now more possible for us. They stumbled, they wavered, they made fools of themselves, they did stupid shit. Yet, they rose and accomplished deeds of triumphant beauty. Instead of being a reason for scorn, they should be a beacon of hope because we too have great human frailties. And if our heroes overcame similar frailties, then we just might be inspired to do the same.
A society without heroes is one that produces small, selfish characters preoccupied with comfort and security, advancement, promotion and self-interest, and who will not live or die for something greater than themselves. When you think about it, that fairly accurately describes the world we live in.
Where have all the heroes gone??
Brother Lawrence, eh? Interesting. My hero since I first encountered him at age 15 has been Han Shan, aka Cold Mountain, Montefrío in Spanish. Han Shan was a seventh-eighth century hermit poet of a decidedly taoist-zen outlook on life. The first poems of his that I read were translated by Gary Snyder and I read them because Jack Kerouac had dedicated his novel The Dharma Bums to Han Shan. I was a great fan of the beatniks as an adolescent and so impressed with taoism and zen that I majored in Chinese studies. That interest has been lifelong. Anyone who might care to read an excellent translation of Han Shan with some interesting biographical info as well might get a copy of The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain translated by Red Pine, aka William Porter.
Brother Lawrence has more in common with Han Shan’s great friend Shih Te, who lived in a monastery and whose poems are included in the book mentioned. I have their portraits flanking my desk. Within my limits, I try to live a Han Shanesque life and have been at it for quite come time.
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.
Bob Dylan
I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
Christopher Reeve
My great grandfather, and others like him. Put on a boat by himself and sent to America at the age of 13 by himself. Got here, made something of himself and sent most of the gain to the future. Self interest that benefits others too, took risks, made mistakes, kept going. I don’t know how they did it – they just did.
My Granddad….he was a WWII veteran who fought in the South Pacific. He was a man of great integrity . I never heard him say a curse word until the last few months of his life ( it’s a funny story about the first time I heard him say a bad word ). He never spoke ill of others and was a dedicated worker,family man and most important a man of God .
Anyone that can eat 53 pieces of sushi at one sitting and not get the shits.
What else would you call someone who goes beyond heroism but a transhero? Caitlyn is my transheroine…
It was only 48. And I’m feeling mighty fine. Might even go back tonight for moar.
Mankind has a knack of producing many more anti-heroes (Hitler, Napoleon, Marx, Attila, Genghis, Nero, Mohammad, Saddam, Hussein the Great Fraud, etc) than Heroes (Socrates, Jesus’ Disciples, Charlemagne, Martin Luther, Columbus, Clara Barton etc) but all will be judged by the greatest Hero, Jesus. If you agree, you should pass the test that counts most but if you think Jesus is a fantasy or fool, you will find out otherwise the hard way. Watch some NDE videos and see who awaits all humanity.
NDE?
Non-Destructive Examination?
Nebraska Dept. of Education?
How will that help?
Watching things unfold as they have over the past couple of years has eroded all remaining resistance from saying openly that that Jesus dude is looking pretty hot.
Watching things unfold as they have over the past couple of years has solidified all remaining doubt from saying openly that that “Christian” church is looking pretty cold.
My grandfather .Fought with the first wave on D day thru the Battle of the Bulge all the way to the outskirts of Berlin.A good man who loved his family and country.The thing that bothers me the most is I didn’t realize how important he was until after he had died.
If you had sense enough to Google NDE, 10 of the first 11 searches netted Near Death Experience. Let me guess, you flunked out of Warlock University.
So, great. Lots of people see Jesus with their NDE.
Lots of people also DO NOT see Jesus with their NDE.
What does that prove, one way or another?
My father is still my one and only hero.
I like Ike
@Tim
— “What does that prove, one way or another?”
That even Jesus ducks out of social engagements sometimes.
Stephen Hawking..in spite of life’s limitations, one overcomes. Maybe all of our intellects would benefit when detached from the physical
Most real heroes are unsung, like my Uncle Dee. WWII at the front in France, dug in a foxhole with live fire overhead, and his two buddies hit and writhing in agony with gut shots. Desperate to find the medics and get help, he raised up and a German machine gunner was waiting.
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George Washington is my answer.
But speaking of Segways, the little woman and I did a Segway tour of Minneapolis today. How many people on TBP have a Segway driver’s license? I’m guessing zero to none. Here’s my finest moment on the tour.
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Llpoh- I will never eat sushi again, ouch. I hope Stuck sees this.
“M.I.A. says:
I like Ike.”
Me too, buddy.
Llpoh if you had the Ability to read an X-ray you would know in an instant that pic is bullshit!
SSS how’s your water holding out? Would you like to discuss our conversation from years gone? I really hate always being right!
I have no heroes, never have. I can remember my father quoting Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”.
Everyone is flawed to some degree, and that’s the way I see everyone, some better than others, and no one perfect.
Having said that I have to say that the older I get the more I realize what an amazing person my father was. He arrived in this country in1929 a teenager alone with very little money (stolen from him right away), he came with hope to find work and build a better future. He arrived two months before the start of the great depression and that was only the beginning of the hard road that would test his character and determination.
As I was growing up he would tell us children about the difficulties he faced and as children we had no appreciation for what we were hearing.
Ten years after my father died and because I was retired I was able to travel to the small town in the Philippines where my father was born. I got to visit the house he grew up in, I walked the land he walked on as a child, and walked along the path he would take to school. Seeing where he came from, the enormity of what he accomplished in his life began to be clear.
Shortly after I returned from that trip my sister gave me an audio CD my father had recorded before he died were he talked about his life. One of the things he talked about was how as a young teenager he would sit and contemplate his life and his future if he stayed in the Philippines. He said he saw no future for himself if he stayed there. He then decided he would find a way to get to the United States. He goes on to describe how he formed his plan and how he carried it out. That story in itself is fascinating and even more so when you remember he was doing all this on his own when he was still a teenager. He was clearly an above average individual in intelligence, drive and determination.
Using any metric he was a very successful person. The story of his life is a fascinating one and my sisters and I have often talked about how his story would make a great novel, but I’m not a good writer so that will have to fall on my sisters to make that happen.
In any case I don’t have any heroes but if I had to pick one it would without doubt be my father.
Llpoh posting bullshit, SSS thinking the southwest has plenty of water and Stuckeeeeeee wondering who my hero? Ok, ok it’s fucking Steve Miller let’s move on, like that’s important, fuck me dead!
Newbies look up SSS thumbed down the Great Visionary Sensetti over water in the Southwestern U.S. Why? Because years ago I spoke words of wisdom to To him concerning the lack of and or the coming water shortage to his land of cactus and golf courses. He dismissed me, can you believe it? Yes he did, Damn I hate being right, but it’s soooo easy if you have an imagination and the ability to reason. Oops, that leaves a whole bunch of regulars to the category of irrelevant here on TBP.
ASIG- I think your dad just became my hero too. Great story , thanks for sharing with us.
I have watched maybe 5 hours of you tube video of nothing but street scenes of everyday life in Manila which I find captivating. Very crowded city but friendly, ladies with umbrellas to fend off the intense sun and jitneys racing up and down the streets. I would love to visit that city.
SSS- Does one really have to have a license to drive a segway or are you off your meds again?
Senstti
I watched a episode of House MD just two nights ago and that is exactly how a parasite looked on a X-ray. What do you think it is if not worms?
B, google image 2 X-rays 1. abdominal X-ray and then 2. chest X-ray. Look for land marks from a normal X-ray to this bullshit, then get back with me and we can engage in an intellectual conversation where X-ray’s are concerned.
B there’s gonna be a whole lotta missing anatomical landmarks when you do the comparison.
Sensetti
I’ll take your word for it, I had no idea you were in the medical field. Maybe I won’t give up my love of sushi just yet. Heh
B you’re also one cool personality here on TBP! But ………but you spelt my God Damn name wrong? It’s Sensetti, it’s Irish, from the Deep South, where blue eyes and blonde hair Americans walk around unpologetic. Oh …. Fuck it …. Carry on
B, I chop wood for a living,….. but hang with individuals that can put your ass back together after you’ve had a couple large caliber rounds drilled through your chest.
Sincity… Jesus suggested I give you this “a” off my back.
Sorry dude- I can’t spell for shit and that includes my own name. I’m from the south and I never heard the name Sensetti before.
Razzle, Jesus talks to me 24/7 as a matter of fact we b talkin about the end of your days at this very moment. Leave your contact number with Admin so he can confirm with the readership you took the celestial journey. Dumbass Mother Fucker, Fuckin with JC’s best friend.
It’s ok Sincity. I’ve got your back. You have important typos people make to be concerned about.
Jesus loves AC/DC when them boys take the stage he can’t stand still !!
http://youtu.be/iuUoHFLSiRQ
Razzle, dazzle me with your brilliant intellectual insight. You’re here why? You’re point is?
If only parents who freaked out over AC/DC being satanic knew what their grandchildren were going to become…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTHbY9mVYAM
I’m here to do unto others as they do unto others.
For whom do the bells toll? Why… It’s Razzle
Being ironically snarky with someone for misspelling your name immediately after a post where they spelled it correctly isn’t worth beating yourself up over.
Snark attracts snark.
I have some heros……………Citation, John Henry, Count Fleet, Secretariat, Seabiscuit, ,Man O’War, and Ruffian. That Ruffian……… thew most awesome 2yr old ever………..I nearly cried when she died. They were winners, they were majestic, they were strong and they never did evil things.
Razzle, why in the hell are you posting your family videos in the middle of an AC/DC tribute. How are your personal family videos relevant to AC/DC fans that live here on TBP?
Oh… ok… fair enough. Originally you wanted this thread to be a tribute to being snarky about trivialities so I played along.
Then I thought you might like hearing from some kindred spirits who are also highly concerned about what people call them.
Either way it’s all just leading us down a forum cliche.