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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> Hayes' remarks beg the question
No, it doesn't. It RAISES the question. "Begging the question" is a logical fallacy that has no bearing here.
Please. While you are correct that the classical definition of 'begging the question' is that of a logical fallacy, only philosophy majors ever deal with it in its historical context. The modern usage is exactly as presented here. Languages evolve and meanings shift. You can get up in arms about that-and many do, but that's a losing battle and just makes you look pedantic. You may as well complain that gay people are merely happy or that pathetic people are actually empathetic. Move on.
Maybe he was begging for a question.
This man is correct, and if we continue to idolize "military men and women," those people who are comfortable fighting and killing at someone else's direction, there is no hope for our nation. We have no business making wars; in fact, war is a business for the wealthy. I do not fault those who serve, they are usually pushed there by poverty (by design, by the way), but you are not a hero if you kill others, kill children, kill civilians, even if they are another religion. The only way this model will change is if we stop revering (falsely) those who kill and acknowledge the true heroes: Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Jesus, etc.
I agree.... Very well put.
I couldn't have said it better! I had an argument with an old friend on facebook who is a millitary wife. I tried to make the exact same point as Mr. Hayes and was then met with anger and even what seemed to me to be hatred. We need to follow someone, and it is definetly not the U.S. armed forces.
It's people like you the reason that Vietnam Veterans were so disrespected when they returned from the h e l l they were sent to. You are too much of a coward (don't want to say what I really feel because it will get taken off) to join so you diss those brave men and women that do. What a tool you are!!!
Creating an angle in line with some agenda on Memorial Day for making the specious claim that we glorify military heroes in order to justify war was way out of line. Anyone who went into harm's way would disagree, as would the majority of the rest of us. If you wish to be anti-war, great. Most Americans choose war as a last resort. But don't manipulate the service of those who man the walls to underpin your debate. The guy's apology included an admission of his making a mistake which was refreshing and rare. Hopefully his motivation was of his own free will.
After reading so many inane comments I was encouraged by yours. Well said.
A important detail has been ignored in the article as well as many of these comments. Chris Hayes' remark was not targeted at general military personnel, it was specifically that he felt 'uncomfortable' calling anyone killed in action a hero. I believe the backlash is justified, considering it came on the eve of a holiday designated for celebrating those who have given their life for the country. I think protesting war is just as patriotic as supporting it, however treat KIA soldiers with anything less than the highest respect and you deserve all the backlash you get.
I served in the Marined during the Viet Nam war. I was stationed in Okinawa as an air traffic controller. I was never in combat. I am NOT a hero for having done so. Way to go Chris
Richard – you fought for our country. I appreciate your service Sir!
No Marco, he didn't FIGHT for his country. He SERVED his country. There is a difference. But each should be recognized.
It seems to me that afte 9/11 anyone who was in a uniform (military, police, fire, etc) suddenly became heroes just by showing up for work. There was a time when someone (in uniform or not) had to do something heroic to be called a hero. Apparently the bar has been lowered.
Okay but, he's right. I'm sick of seeing media members who are absolutely correct being made to apoligize because what they said just isn't politically correct or popular. The word is overused to a point where it has no meaning anymore. Just being in the military doesn't make you a hero. Sorry folks. I respect you for doing it and you're certainly a better man than me but simply signing up and serving doesn't make you that.
Ah yes.. armchair politicos holding forth....
The Active Duty, Reserve and Veterans of our military is the reason you can make a statement such as yours. However, I don't have to like the statement that Mr Hayes made nor does it make me a bad person to do so. Also, I don't have to buy products from the advertisers that sponsor his show and will not. All the rights that we enjoy to include free speach were paid for by a veteran with his/her blood. I think it showed very poor judgement to bring this up on memorial day weekend. Next time any US citizen is sharing their opinion on a website remember it's was a veteran that gave you that right and it is our current members of our military to preserve it.
Your HERO, is anyone you feel is a hero. My country's HERO'S are the men and women in uniform. My HERO'S are the men and women that served next to me in the United States NAVY for the best 20 years of my life
You mean to say that the Left, who spit on soldiers returning from Vietnam and heaped vitriol and scorn on their heads, is queasy about acknowledging their heroism today? **Shocking**
@Joseph, you need to catch up on your reading. The myth about people spitting on returning Vietnam vets has been soundly debunked.
Here is what I think about this reporter's remarks. "Truth is Treason in the Empire of Lies" – Ron Paul
In my mind, people who work their entire lives, pay taxes, raise kids to be better then they, and try their best to be good citizens – and bring NO attention to this life long sacrifice are the true Heroes.
Ok, definition time. Hero, 1. a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities, OR 2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. Those definitions do not apply to everyone who is in or has worn a uniform. The word hero is reserved for those that actually do something above and beyond the call of duty, not just anyone that puts themselves in a uniform. Tillman, hero. Guys that got bin Laden, heroes. Team that rescued Pvt. Lynch, heroes. SEALs that took out pirates with sniper rifles on a pitching ocean, heroes. All men and women in uniform are not heroes. They are to be respected and praised for their service, but not all have distinction. There are superlatives for a reason and we only cheapen the memory of real heroes by bandying about the word hero too freely.
Very well said
Thank you.
First of all Memorial Day is to honor those who have died for their country, not simply for those who serve in the military. Do I think that all who serve should be called a hero? No, but do not belittle the death of those who have died in combat. Whether or not you support the war is irrelavent. Men and women have died for you! The least you could do is pay some respect. Thank those that have died on Memorial Day and thank those who have served on Veterans Day, trust me it's not going to kill you to show some patriotism.
Yes it just might kill you or someone you love to be patriotic, patriotism is a disease that caused war – war should be something we avoid at all cost but to revere war as you do is to justify war as a solution to problems. Just because they died for their country doesn't make them heros
There is nothing wrong with what Hayes said at all. He's right. Just because you're in the military doesn't make you a hero. Many, many everyday heroes go about their lives daily with no recognition whatsoever. Yes, there are heroic acts in times of war, just as there are acts of cowardice. Stop painting everyone in the military with the same brush, and stop glorifying war. Centuries ago the most honorable death one could have supposedly was on the battlefield, despite the cause. We should be past that now. I honor those who have fallen on battlefields due to our government's choices, but I do not believe war is a solution in the 21st century and more than it was in the 1st century. However, the politicians certainly seem to love it, since they can't seem to come up with any other problem solving tactics.
I would like to thank Russia for heroically backing my massacres.
And of course my soldiers are all heroes.