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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What was wrong with what he said? Americans are so close minded. Please grow up. Remember people it is an opinion!! Freedom of speech. Ring a bell?
Oh I agree. The TV commentator has that very right as does the rest of the populace when they call him an idiot. The commentator does have to right to voice his opinion but that does not mean he is necessarily correct about any and all views he expresses. If someone is wrong about something, they need to be called out on it.
That's just the problem Mark. Who says he wrong? You? Right or wrong doesn't matter. I happen to agree with him but that doesn't mean what he said was the gospel. Anyone with half a brain could see the logic in what he was saying. What's worse, his analysis or the mob that seeks to justify war and call killers or anyone who's ever been associated with the war machine heroes? He threw not one stone but people are asking that his livelyhood be taken away and that he be banished from the pages of history over an opinion. Which happened to be a very good one but unfortunately it was misunderstood by those who continue to walk around with permanent blinders on. Those people are the real idiots if u ask me. Having to apologize over an opinion, over what may even be true just to keep a job and satisfy the mob?? That my firend is unAmerican no matter how you slice it.
Forty years ago we were called murderers, pigs and baby burners. I am very glad the service men and women of today are receiving the respect they so deserve. These are people who have put their lives on hold to serve their country and protect our rights and way of life. Are they all hero's, no. To me a hero does something so extraordinary that it's almost hard to believe, up to and sometimes, including, the sacrifice of their own life for the safety of others. THANK YOU to each and every one of you for protecting me and my family.
I agree with Chris, flag waiving and marching bands – all of it is just a way to make people feel good about going to war
I see several people commenting on Freedom of Speech... and then bashing those who have died fighting to protect the very country that gives you that right... very sad indeed.
Anyone who chooses to put their life on the line for something we would all agree is worthwhile is a hero. Whether you are police officer, fireman, emergency medical staff, military personnel or other similar roles, you are a hero. For example, think about the people that ran into the World Trade Center, not away from it. We would all agree that their actions that morning clearly made them heroes, but my point is that they were heroes before that call came in... they signed up, went through the training and were ready to perform as needed. What direction were you running that day?
Our military personnel have signed up... when the call comes, they are ready to lay their life down... you can say they are just following orders, but nobody gave them the order to sign up. Ponder how your life (and others around the world) would be different without those who stood up in the Revolutionary War... without the efforts against Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito. Not all wars have been good or just, but to bash those in the service after that fact is a convenience they provided to you.
Brett, signing up to do a job does not make someone a hero. Not all jobs in the military require people to put this lives on hold or in danger. Many people make the military a career and I admire them for it, but it does not make them heros. A hero is someone who does something knowing that they are putting themselves in danger, but they are doing it because someone else is in need of rescue or because they alone are in a position to make a difference to the safety of others. Alvin York, Audie Murphy were heros from WWI and WWII. The firemen in the World Trade Center and the passengers on Flight 93 were heros because they did something to help or prevent knowing that their own lives were in jeopardy. Getting up and going to work...be that work is in the military or as a civilian does not make some a hero. If their job is one which has the capacity for self sacrifice, then they are to be admired. But it still does not make them a hero.
I'm with Mr. Hayes on his first comment. Yes, I served back in the Cold War chasing Soviet Submarines from an airplane. No, I never did anything remotely heroic during that time ( 21 years ). Heroes save the day, repulse the enemy, save their buddies or the innocent non combatants. Service personnel I have talked to tell me that the real heroes are the ones that didn’t come back or left chunks of themselves behind. Support the Troops by all means, honor them as patriots but do not cheapen the word Hero.
I served for twenty one years in our Air Force, including a tour in Southeast Asia,69-70. I do not consider myself a hero.
So glad he said it. I'm so sick of the word "hero" being used for every military veteran. Tim McVeigh was a veteran. Lee Harvey Oswald was a veteran. If every veteran is a "hero," what do we call those who actually do heroic things? Superheroes? No, that's taken, too. We also have lots of heroes who never served in the military, but served our country just as faithfully and well. Steve Jobs, anyone?
It's like the word journalist. It's thrown about to cover such meaningless drivelers as Chris Hayes, Ed Schultz, Rachel Madcow. Definitely overused. I know lets call them heroes.
Steve jobs didn't serve the country idiot!!! he made money selling electronics. I would destroy every iPhone iPod and iwhatever if it meant that my former team leader could come home alive. im gonna find your grave after you die and spit on it
Chris Hayes should not have to apologize for anything. The word hero has been grossly overused and now everyone is a hero which means that no one is a hero. Heros are those who go above and beyond the call of duty not those who are just doing their jobs. By the way, I voluntered to serve my country by enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. I received an honorable discharge and my service does not make me a hero. I just did my job.
What makes a journalist? I don't feel comfortable calling Chris Hayes, Ed Schultz, Rachel Madcow or any of the other MSNBC misfits journalists. No heroes and no journalists, what a sad country.
A Progressive clown pundit on MSNBC saying something stupid and offensive to America, now that's a new one!
Progressive huh. As opposed to what? You?
chris hayes was simply being honest and the poor guy gets raked over the coals. i guess a paycheck is more important to him than integrity. and im not sure i blame him for that.
i mean no disrespect to true heroes. people who truly risk or have given their lives for others. but we toss the term "hero" around WAY too loosely these days. many people i've know who went voluntarily into the military did so because they didn't want to go (or couldn't get in) to college and figured the military was a better choice than mowing lawns or working at mcdonalds.
being in the military or dying in the military doesn't by default, qualify you as a hero. for many its simply a culmination of an ongoing series of bad life choices.
as a society we need to grow up and be honest with ourselves. everything is not ok, everyone is not equal and sometimes bad stuff happens and not always "for a reason"
No, but if you move toward Duty, Honor, and Country...maybe you'll be a lot closer to 'Hero' than Chrissie ever will.
This guy needs to be picking up dog poop in a city park somewhere.
Sounds like Hayes has made a long overdue point. One has to respect the men and women who join the military and serve the country but their service doesn't make them a heroes. The word "hero" is overused to the point of making it meaningless.
Lets hope MSNBC stands behind Hayes....he's great at what he does!
Chris Hayes is one of the greatest journalists in the media today. He always makes sure both sides are represented on his show which already makes his show better than most in the news today. And he addresses issues that others shy away from and he does so with class and respect for all.
completely agree with you and with him.
The MSNBC guy is trying to knock the level of patriotism of everybody down to the level of Sissy Barack Obama who was to cowardly to fight anybody-not even join any of the US Armed Services. Obama followers have to degrade everybody else for Obama to SEEM better.
You are so right. If only Obama had been like Dubya and Ted Nugent. Oh, wait ....
Sure, same as those other sissies- Bush and Cheney, who also never served and actually had their fat cat families obtain deferments for them. But, as many conservatives do, I'm guessing you just don't remember it that way.
Let me guess. You still voted for George W. over John Kerry. One avoided combat by joining the National Guard and the other served, was decorated and had his war record attacked because such service was politically inconvenient.
No Dave, he is trying to RAISE the level of hero to someone who has actually done something heroic. We all take chances in life and put ourselves into dangerous situations, but that does not make us heroes. I spent my military time at a desk job. I would be EMBARRASSED if someone compared me to a combat veteran, calling us both heroes. Why not just give everyone a Medal of Honor and then we'll all be Special.
Let's remember that George W. Bush served in the National Guard....and was AWOL a good bit of the time. Cheney received 6 deferrments because he "had other things to do". No military service for Romney, Perry, Cain, Gingrich. So what's your point? When everyone is called a hero--it means nothing. You know, like in kindergarten when EVERYONE gets a Gold Star.....
Yeah. I suppose that none of us measure up to those war heroes Bush and Chaney.