What makes someone a hero?
It seems like it's a simple question, but MSNBC host Chris Hayes caused a firestorm when he said on Memorial Day weekend that he was uncomfortable calling people heroes just because they served in the military.
"Why do I feel so uncomfortable about the word 'hero'? I feel uncomfortable about the word hero because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war," Hayes said Sunday on MSNBC. "I don’t want to obviously desecrate or disrespect the memory of anyone that’s fallen, and obviously there are individual circumstances in which there is genuine, tremendous heroism, you know, hail of gunfire, rescuing fellow soldiers and things like that. But it seems to me that we marshal this word in a way that is problematic. But maybe I’m wrong about that."
Hayes' remarks immediately sparked a backlash, with some saying it was inappropriate to say such things about those putting their lives on the line to fight for their country.
Hayes issued an apology Monday, saying he understood why people were angry that someone who had never served or dealt with the cost of wars would make such a statement. His apology reads:
"On Sunday, in discussing the uses of the word 'hero' to describe those members of the armed forces who have given their lives, I don't think I lived up to the standards of rigor, respect and empathy for those affected by the issues we discuss that I've set for myself. I am deeply sorry for that.
"As many have rightly pointed out, it's very easy for me, a TV host, to opine about the people who fight our wars, having never dodged a bullet or guarded a post or walked a mile in their boots. Of course, that is true of the overwhelming majority of our nation's citizens as a whole. One of the points made during Sunday's show was just how removed most Americans are from the wars we fight, how small a percentage of our population is asked to shoulder the entire burden and how easy it becomes to never read the names of those who are wounded and fight and die, to not ask questions about the direction of our strategy in Afghanistan, and to assuage our own collective guilt about this disconnect with a pro-forma ritual that we observe briefly before returning to our barbecues.
"But in seeking to discuss the civilian-military divide and the social distance between those who fight and those who don't, I ended up reinforcing it, conforming to a stereotype of a removed pundit whose views are not anchored in the very real and very wrenching experience of this long decade of war. And for that I am truly sorry."
Hayes' remarks beg the question: Who exactly is a hero? We'd like to hear from you. We'd like you to sound off in the comments below or hit the button below to send a video comment to iReport. Do you think Hayes was out of line in his comments? Do you understand what he was saying?
Must you have served in combat to be a hero? Does enlisting alone make you one? Should that word be reserved for the military? Or does it apply to people who put themselves above others?
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It's a word, folks. These knee jerk emotional responses to someone discussing the meaning of a word may have been useful in the caveman days but they are inappropriate today. If this topic causes you emotional pain then you should go to school to learn something to get you away from your primitive past.
It's the person, the person "BOB", who never did a heroic thing in his sissy azz msnbc life. Never did he protect us in a military way ! He's a arrogant, foolish, know-it-all nobody. Yes I'm saying this "PUNK" needs his useless punk azz KICKED. My Father almost died in France during ww2, my uncle Joe nearly lost both of his legs in Korea, I, thank God, was in the US NAVY during the Viet-Nam era, (never went to nam!) for all that have died from 1776 to 2012, I call this punk out . You"ll get yours, thats a guarantee. Too many vets know about this !!
There are no doubt levels of heroism. Swearing an oath and putting on a uniform knowing full well that once you do you will be expected to fight and possibly die in order to defend your country and its people seems heroic enough for me.
Sure there are those who go above and beyond that but they're all heroes none the less.
What about those service members who do not really care – who went into the service because it pays the bills and nothing more (and yes, as a former military wife, there were plenty of people who served who were in it for the pay/education...not so much to be a hero)? What about the service members who disrespect the United States by treating others without dignity – like the Iraq prisoners who posed with nude prisoners, or burning of holy books? Are they still hero's too?
I think that we forget that there are hero's among us every day – the doctor that healed a sick child, the firefighter who saved a family – putting his/her life on the life..the teacher who took an at-risk kid under their wing to help create a new life for that individual – these are all hero's that we forget about...Who is celebrating these people?
I disagree. Certainly not all but many join the military because they have nothing else they can do. The military goes after a certain type of person for a reason. They don't get the best and the brightest. I don't think anyone who joins the military is a hero, there are certainly heroes in the military, but again, not everyone in the military is a hero.
I have no problem with Mr. Hayes' statement. The word hero is being flagrantly tossed around. World War I and II – yes, military people did serve their country – since then, our country has not truly been in jepardy. Unfortunately, the military personnel of today are not fighting for "our country". Yes, we had a right and duty to retaliate after 9/11 – unfortunately we learned nothing about that part of the world, especially after the disasterous war Russia tried to fight and lost miserably. Our troops fight when and where they are told to. They need to be brought home Now, before we lose any more.
Carrie, I understand in part what you are saying. However, you tell my son. That according to you, his being blown out of a moving vehicle and shot while trying to get to his fellow service members, who were trapped in that vehicle while it burned, in the service of his country that he and the 2 that died that afternoon are not heroes. Because you don't agree with these wars does not make current service members sacrifice less heroic… You may want to tell that to the mothers of the men who died that day as well…
If our military forces aren't fighting for America now, then for what country are they fighting for, my dear little "AIRHEAD" ?
this is about memorial day you idiots. the day we remember those who have died defending this country. they are heroes. period. chris hayes sucks and needs to hang himself along with all the rest of you liberal pukes
I don't think Chrissie had to apologize for just being who he is, another worthless, self-absorbed, libturd moron. Oooppsss! Should I feel sorry for saying that??
No need to feel sorry. Like Mr. Hayes, you will be judged on your words: "libturd moron". However, unlike Mr. Hayes, no one will expect someone with your savvy to apologize. You'll simply be dismissed as another jerk on the Internet.
I'm sure that you have also condemned Ann Coulter for smearing Max Cleland, Joe Walsh for disrepecting Tammy Duckworth. defended Paul Reichoff over at FreeRepublic, where they talk about him like he's garbage? How about the organized Swiftboat campaign against John Kerry? Or is it OK when it's coming from a wingnut? The selective outrage is nasueating.
I can not believe that Chris Hayes would say such a thing. Anyone that has given their life for America to keep their freedoms is a hero in my book. So many people can sit here in their comfy home and say how bad the war is or isn't but that doesn't take a way from the fact that they left their family and friends to ensure our safety. Having been a over seas before and seen first hand what service members have to go through, so you can sit there with your coffee and judge other people having your worst day when you don't get your order right at McDonalds, these heroes should be given the honor and memorial they have earned as heroes. I forever will be thankful for our armed servicemen and women.
It is human nature to move away from pain and towards pleasure.
I served for 15 years and met a number of heroes. The problem I had, which is why I didn't reenlist, is that bozos who had just signed up after 9/11 wanted to be treated as instant hereos when they hadn't done a damn thing to earn it. No, just serving in the armed forces does not make one a hero, take it from a non-heroic, just normal guy who is proud to have served along side real heroes.
Chris Hayes was correct to begin with and, other than offending the sensibilities and sensitivities of some, there is/was no need to apologize. The term "hero" is applied much too easily... heroic acts are acts of "supererogation," acts that are "above and beyond the call of duty." While I sympathize and mourn with those who have lost loved ones in these senseless wars, I do believe Hayes was correct.
Question: when is someone like Hayes going to investigate and question why it is that we send our "children" to fight these wars. Of the 58,000+ U.S. casualties in Vietnam, over 25,OOO were 20 years of age or younger! What are the figures in Iraq? in Afghanistan?
Oh, CNN, can you also include sailors, airmen, and Marines? This shouldn't just be about soldiers.
A hero is someone who has a positive impact on the lives of those around them. Someone who is so selfless that their acts are not acts of charity or recognition, but acts they would perform even when no one is looking. a hero is someone, anyone, who willingly and selflessly put others before themselves. I have met many heroes; Police, firefighters, emergency workers, teachers, coaches, parents, and soldiers.
I challenge you, the American people, to look at your life and find your heroes. The unnamed, unannounced, and unacclaimed heroes are the ones who make the biggest impact on our lives. Then take the time to thank them. A thousand little thanks from the people around them, is far better than a holiday or national recognition.
The word 'hero' is overused. Much like the word 'miracle'.
While a military member may be a hero to their family and friends, are they truely heroes or are they patriotic? Medal of Honor recipients are heroes. Most Medal of Honor recipients are awarded the honor posthumously.
An apology without merit. Hayes spoke the truth as he sees it, he should be man enough to stand by his belief. Instead he rationalized his twisted thinking with the belief he will win respect from those who have criticized him. And he is just clever enough to achieved his goal, certainly from those who admire his 'intellect'.
what intellect? just because he used some words you havent heard of before he's an intellectual??? your an idiot
So, if you move towards pain with an eye on glory, this makes you a hero.
I doubt that you would know.
He's 100% right, but in this overly PC society, you can't say it. It doesn't make you a hero to serve in the military. Or to be a cop or a firefighter. This nation would be better off not calling everyone in a uniform a hero, "just because." I've met lots and lots of soldiers, cops and firefighters, and let me tell you, they ain't heros. Many are jerks, dumb as a rock, and, in some cases, criminals. For example, the State Trooper in an Alaskan village used to drive the patrol car around at night looking for drunk native women to raip. Some hero. This is just one example of many.
Well said... and true. We have completely diluted the word "hero" and what it means.
Also, just become someone died in the line of duty, that does NOT make them a hero. Maybe it was bad luck, a mistake... people die. The act of dying doesn't make someone a hero.
Having been in the military (Vietnam era), I can honestly say "I was not a hero". And there were a lot of people in the military I would not even call Honorable (hopefully I was, at least my discharge says I was). So, as with almost all occupations, etc. you will undoubtedly find some good and some bad, the military having a higher ratio of good to bad than others. Everybody is an individual, and should be treated as such! So let's get rid of the "blanket" summations of individuals and show the respect that they all deserve as a person..
Those who answered their country's call and were drafted to serve in Vietnem compared to those who draft-dodged were heros, in my opinion.