Posted by
PDX Dave on Friday, March 12, 2010 12:10:51 AM
In an angry response to a trend in the media to honor heroes who serve in our military, CNN began, in about 2007, to counter with their own version of what a hero is: Teachers, war protesters, community activists, teachers, gay agenda advocates, teachers, government bureaucrats, and teachers. Did I mention teachers?
Beginning with 2008, they began their "Heroes of the Year" program that took nominations from CNN viewers. Since then, there has been a notable absence from their list of "heroes:" Soldiers who put their lives on the live for their country. Their categories are pre-defined, and specifically exclude active duty military.
Their most recent nomination is a man who deserves to be praised, but his selection highlights the fact that CNN just doesn't get it. The man they chose as their newest nominee is Dan Wallrath. Dan is so inspired by true heroes - soldiers who have been disabled in action - that he builds houses for them. For free. Rather than worship his heroes silently and from afar, he channels his feeling of debt to these heroes into positive action. For this, he could also be viewed as a hero. CNN, in choosing him as a hero of the week, could do a lot worse, that is for sure. But, their choice puts a spotlight on their deliberately myopic view of what a hero is.
Dan Wallrath knows what a hero is. He knows who his heroes are. Our active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. The very people whom CNN has banned from the nomination process.
Dan Wallrath is a hero for recognizing as his heroes the very people whom CNN disdains.
The list of who they will accept as nominees for hero status include community activists, environmental activists, equal rights activists..... did I mention teachers? I had a lot of teachers n my life. We all did. A bunch of them were really good teachers. Not one of them was a hero for being a teacher. Not a single one. Teachers are just another in a long list of paid government workers who put in time and collect their paycheck. Not a single one of them rates a "1" the hero scale. Don't get me wrong - I like teachers fine. I also like the cooks that flip my hamburger. They provide a very necessary service. But "hero?" No.
Give me your lowliest latrine-scrubbing PFC, and he will rate higher on the hero scale than every teacher in America combined.
I think Dan Wallrath would agree. He's a hero, but I bet he's embarrassed that he is being recognized above the brave men and women he has dedicated himself to serving.