On-Topic Chris Hayes: I'm 'Uncomfortable' Calling Fallen Military 'Heroes'

[Jack Springer]

This guy is a jerk.

It might have been a little better if he would have voiced his idiotic opinion during another time of the year -- but not much.

Hope MSNBC has the guts to discipline him -- if not, hope his advertising sponsors do.

He needs to spend some time in the military.

Chris Hayes: I'm 'Uncomfortable' Calling Fallen Military 'Heroes' | NewsBusters.org

God bless our heros and their families who suffer without them.

 

[Rolyo85]

I don't know this guy, so he might be a giant hypocrite, but out of this context his words aren't entirely without merit.

 

[chance1]

Wow

What a horrible moment

I generally like Chris

Total overthinking here

A shitty moment for him

 

[chrisrobin]

Newsbusters?M

 

[chance1]

^ doesn't take much to get u on your back

 

[maxpowr9]

Defenders of freedom? Sure. Hero is a bit much.

 

[Rolyo85]

Whose freedom?

I would go with patriots. And no doubt there are true heroes among them. Just like in every other profession...

 

[chance1]

Much like Chris many here "thinking way too much"

If he doesn't want to call them heroes then by all means but don't tell us your tortured over thought reason

Sorta poster boy MSNBC too smart for own good moment

 

[chance1]

it actually bothers me when people refer to the military as "defending our freedom" (or way of life, or whatever).

it's pedantic, but has any US soldier fought in a war to defend our freedom since the Civil War? (or the War of 1812 maybe if you're a secessionist)

to the topic at hand... I think it's fair to say that signing a contract and completing basic training doesn't inherently make one a hero.

there are many heroes in the armed services, and let's be honest -- there are some scumbags too. like Hayes, I'd be uncomfortable applying a blanket label of "hero" to anyone who's ever services in the military on that basis alone.

So in wartime yes ?

You want them in immediate danger?

 

[chance1]

Wasn't he talking about those who have died ?

They're not heroes ?

Would you go and do that job ?

I think by definition they're doing the job fighting evil/enemy etc. that most all of us would not do

 

[Rolyo85]

Yeah, glorifying soldiers is not cool with me.

 

[chance1]

^ you should enlist and protect your own behind then

Betcha ur not a fan of police or firemen either

 

[Rolyo85]

Wasn't he talking about those who have died ?

They're not heroes ?

Would you go and do that job ?

I think by definition they're doing the job fighting evil/enemy etc. that most all of us would not do

Or, here's another take - by definition they are fighting and killing other people. Not morally good or evil in and of itself. Are the people who get killed by US soldiers also heroes by definition?

Heroic action is putting others before you. There are many ways to do that. Dying does not make you a hero. Being sent to find someone does not make you a hero. Being a hero makes you a hero.

 

[Rolyo85]

^ you should enlist and protect your own behind then

Betcha ur not a fan of police or firemen either

I'm not a "fan" of any profession. Except maybe doctors. I am more than against bullies, and all those "enforcement" professions breed more bullies than heroes in my experience. It takes greatness of character to be a hero. It takes a randomer with a gun to make a bully.

Now you tell me - which of the two is more likely? Or is this subject somehow sacred? Are we not allowed to discuss this?

 

[archive]

Chance, do you really believe all military members join for altruistic motives?

 

[chance1]

^ not at all but

I know that they're "role" is so that the rest of us can sleep easier - they're protecting the rest of us

 

[chance1]

I'm not a "fan" of any profession. Except maybe doctors. I am more than against bullies, and all those "enforcement" professions breed more bullies than heroes in my experience. It takes greatness of character to be a hero. It takes a randomer with a gun to make a bully.

Now you tell me - which of the two is more likely? Or is this subject somehow sacred? Are we not allowed to discuss this?

Doctors are more heroic than soldiers?

You can discuss all u like

And I get that people are anti war

But the soldiers are not political tools - they're doing a dirty job that is for those who won't - can't

 

[Benvolio]

The Taliban harbored and facilitated the al -Qaeda attack on 9/11. It seems probable that if we leave, the Taliban will take over again and once again provide a base of operations for the terrorists. And we assume, once again, we will be the target of their terror. You may or may not believe that danger, but it is in that context that you must weigh the rectitude of the soldiers intentions and acts.

 

[Rolyo85]

Saving lives is always more heroic than taking them. Which is why some soldiers ARE heroes, but being a soldier DEFINITELY doesn't make you one.

And you keep talking about protecting. Can you remind me of the last time US soldier fought in a war to PROTECT the US citizens? Or are we going the long "war on terrorism is for our protection" route? Because that's some murky territory if you ask me.

 

[Rolyo85]

The Taliban harbored and facilitated the al -Qaeda attack on 9/11. It seems probable that if we leave, the Taliban will take over again and once again provide a base of operations for the terrorists. And we assume, once again, we will be the target of their terror. You may or may not believe that danger, but it is in that context that you must weigh the rectitude of the soldiers intentions and acts.

Which is a rarely accurate point for you, but doesn't really have much to do with heroism per se.