The question has been asked, what are the crew of the Columbia?
Are they heros, victims, or martyrs?
We live in the age of the Anti hero. Think about it. Who are the kids of today emulating? What examples are the children actually following? Who gets face time on the evening news or has their own show? How many people can name any of the last five soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor?
What is the difference between heros, victims, and martyrs?
A Hero does what has to be done, for others, without regard to the risk.
A Victim is done to, with no choice involving risk.
A Martyr places themselfs at risk, knowing death is the probable outcome, to accomplish their aims.
Everyone who has flown in a shuttle knows they are riding a column of fire knowing they have a good chance to survive. Their goal is to advance mankind.
The firefighters in the WTC on 9-11 di not know they were not going going home that day, but knew death was a possibility. Their goal was to save others.
Soldiers in combat know others are actively trying to kill them. Their goal is to stay alive and keep the people back home safe.
The people in the WTC on 9-11 didn't know the airliners were going change their lives. Some chose to help others get out. Others chose to help themselfs.
Some people try to change the way things are by straping on a bomb to kill others because they believe they have no other choice.
What about the poor wage slave who works a mindnumbing job to support some children, knowing his personal dreams will never be fulfilled?
Would you call the Columbia crew victims, martyrs, or heros?
We have enough Howard Sterns, Anna Nicole Smiths, Timothy McVeys and Monicas.
What we need are a few more like:
Rick D Husband, Col
William C McCool, Lt Col
Michael P Anderson, Lt Col
Kalpana C Chawla, PHD
David M. Brown, Commander
Laurel Clark
Ilan Ramon, Col
They knew what happened with the Challenger, and having a few more good examples for the kids to follow can't hurt.
Time to let someone else up on the soapbox.
Are they heros, victims, or martyrs?
We live in the age of the Anti hero. Think about it. Who are the kids of today emulating? What examples are the children actually following? Who gets face time on the evening news or has their own show? How many people can name any of the last five soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor?
What is the difference between heros, victims, and martyrs?
A Hero does what has to be done, for others, without regard to the risk.
A Victim is done to, with no choice involving risk.
A Martyr places themselfs at risk, knowing death is the probable outcome, to accomplish their aims.
Everyone who has flown in a shuttle knows they are riding a column of fire knowing they have a good chance to survive. Their goal is to advance mankind.
The firefighters in the WTC on 9-11 di not know they were not going going home that day, but knew death was a possibility. Their goal was to save others.
Soldiers in combat know others are actively trying to kill them. Their goal is to stay alive and keep the people back home safe.
The people in the WTC on 9-11 didn't know the airliners were going change their lives. Some chose to help others get out. Others chose to help themselfs.
Some people try to change the way things are by straping on a bomb to kill others because they believe they have no other choice.
What about the poor wage slave who works a mindnumbing job to support some children, knowing his personal dreams will never be fulfilled?
Would you call the Columbia crew victims, martyrs, or heros?
We have enough Howard Sterns, Anna Nicole Smiths, Timothy McVeys and Monicas.
What we need are a few more like:
Rick D Husband, Col
William C McCool, Lt Col
Michael P Anderson, Lt Col
Kalpana C Chawla, PHD
David M. Brown, Commander
Laurel Clark
Ilan Ramon, Col
They knew what happened with the Challenger, and having a few more good examples for the kids to follow can't hurt.
Time to let someone else up on the soapbox.