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Aug 9, 2004 Red Adair died yesterday. What does that mean to us? It means that one of the originals, and true superheroes, has passed on. And I thought I would go on about his heroic acts, but thought about it some. Here was a very smart man, going out to oilfields where a well was shooting fire into the sky. Blazing heat would scorch the air and melt flesh. You could feel the eat 100 yards away. He never went in blind, and without a plan. He kept everything in control, and did it with no serious injuries to himself or his men. Now, this kind of bravery was not selfless; there was monetary compensation. And he was paid well. So, I thought, "Isn't a hero defined as one that acts selflessly?" Sure. And then, "Aren't those soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan heroes?" Well, that depends. I am sure that everyday, those men and women sent over seas perform 'acts of heroism,' but all of them cannot be heroes to everyone. Certainly not to the Muslim Extremists that welcome their own deaths in the name of the Koran and their people, or their families. (To be told that you will be forever considered a martyr or hero, if you take your own life and those of the enemy, is not selfless). What our soldiers have become are tools of the president. This is nothing new. George W. Bush even used our forces in a taunt, saying if Saddam Hussein did not turn over WoMD (and let inspectors have complete access), and relinquish power, 'we' would be forced to invade. Welcome to the game knights, you have now become pawns. If you are not a chess piece, can you still be a hero? Red Adair cannot speak for himself, but in his situation, I can doubt his superhero status. He not only did it for love, he also did it for money. Can a hero work this way? Greg Kinnear's character in Mystery Men did it for money. And he had PR. It is just a long list of items Americans cannot do without some monetary repense. Or, when someone is willing to pay for it -- ie., the Anna Nicole Show, then let them. I suppose the media rules this country, backed by the Republicans, and the rich. Does this make me sound like a bad person? Or like Michael Moore? Well, I want Bush to apologize to me for speaking on my behalf. ------------ About the author: Jim Cripps has been writing and lamenting for over 20 years. He has put a dent into the Web, and hopes collateral damage to be imminent. Email: jimcripps@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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