- This subject is so inviting, yet so intimidating, that
most individuals define it in a manner that "supports" their
already non-heroic view of their lot in life.
-
- In the case of they who would choose to believe "it
is of no consequence" to us, irrespective of any and all evidence
to the contrary, do they have an "intelligent" approach to the
subject? Hardly. They simply fail to even address it at all.
-
- A pity.
-
- My definition of heroism, (as it should be for others),
is a PERSONAL matter. I'll define it simply as: "standing for what
is right" even if--indeed, especially when--to do so means that one
will stand alone and possibly in the line of fire. Accordingly, the hero
"in the REAL WORLD" no longer has a choice. The hero has already
chosen. For the hero, "heroism" is less a choice of life, than
it is more a chosen life...
-
- So, how shall we define "the real world" in
relation to heroism??? This is no easy task. Define the body independent
of the soul and you describe a skeleton with flesh attached to the bone--not
a "person" at all--only a concept. So too, defining the REAL
WORLD without any "yardstick" by which to measure this, so called
"reality" is an exercise in the human tendency toward egocentrism,
the antithesis of heroism.
-
- Accurately defining the REAL WORLD requires a sense of
"where one is" in terms of space, time, culture, and indeed,
it requires a sense of HISTORY.
-
- For Americans, in general, this plainly requires far
too much effort.
-
- The "party line" is far too easy, far too practical,
far too hedonistic, and offers far too available an explanation for almost
any of us to dispute...even when it is our duty to do so.
-
- That we enjoy all the things to which we have become
accustomed, erroneously attributed to some undefined "right"
to luxury, has become the water shed of our time. Indeed, they who authored
the constitution would not have felt the need to mention the "obvious"
if that which was mentioned had, in fact, been so obvious.
-
- The authors not only mentioned the Bill of Rights, they
underscored it...
-
- The importance of that which is less than obvious is
not diminished by virtue of its lacking that quality.
-
- To they who would wait for "it to be a problem"
for them personally: It may well become a problem for you or your children
or your children's children in due time or less. To imagine otherwise is
almost as destructive as failing to recognize that the constitution did
not guarantee any of the "luxuries" to which we have become accustomed.
The constitution never even mentioned them. Yet, it is the loss of these
things that most frightens Americans into complacency.
-
- Americans have become so pampered that the loss of basic
freedoms is beyond our ability to comprehend because to do so would disturb
our "comfort" zone. Americans fear losing "comfort"
so much, that to risk the loss of freedom is nearly perceived as acceptable,
as long as it doesn't mean we'll sacrifice "comfort"
to defend the freedom required to insure that that comfort zone is not
threatened.
-
- This is neither moral nor is it logical. It is pathetic.
-
- Heroism in this REAL WORLD, in America, requires vigilance
and dedication. Not dedication to "comfort" and to luxury, but
to freedom and to liberty.
-
- That's how we became the United States in the first place.
-
- It's how we can best insure the United States that
we leave to our children's children...will still be one that's worth
having.
-
- PS: Still, I am proud to be an American.
-
- Greg
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