Heroes

Heroes.

A definition of hero from the online encyclopedia Wikipedia:

A hero (masculine or gender-neutral) or heroine (feminine) (Ancient Greek: ἥρως, hḗrōs) is a person or character in literature who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, displays courage or self-sacrifice—that is, heroism—for some greater good. Historically, the first heros displayed courage or excellence as warriors. The word's meaning was later extended to include moral excellence.

........faces danger from a POSITION OF WEAKNESS

.......courage or self-sacrifice for a GREATER GOOD

........MORAL EXCELLENCE

Was there a greater hero than Jesus Christ?  Yes, he may have had all the powers of the divine, but he chose to live as one of us, to walk among us.  He didn't come as a ruler, a soldier armed with militaristic weapons, someone who dictated his will with brute force.  He was the light of the world, and illuminated us with the spoken word, with the greater power of love and faith, through parables, through healing, through the ultimate act of self-sacrifice.  He did not judge us from afar, or lay in ambush to punish us for our transgressions.  Jesus Christ was a true hero.

Was there a greater hero in modern times than Martin Luther King, Jr.?  Yes, he was not divine.  He was a human being with human weaknesses.  But that did not stop him from constantly putting himself on the line for the rights and dignity of others.  He demonstrated to us the infinite power of non-violent protest and demonstrations.  He moved this country farther on the path of love and tolerance and civil rights, than anyone ever dared dream, and moved it farther than violence and weaponry ever could.  His putting himself at risk finally caught up with him, as he was assassinated by a sniper's bullet. Martin Luther King, Jr.  was a true hero.

Does a hero also speak the truth to a culture that is not always ready to receive it?  Yes, both Jesus,and Martin Luther King, Jr. did that.  And so, admittedly to a lesser degree, but doing it nonetheless, does Michael Moore.  He spoke out about the Iraq War at a time when this country would not tolerate dissenting voices, creating a magnet of hatred for the millions that opposed him.  He walked into the halls of corporate power, without weapons or power or support, and challenged them in a way that had them running and hiding.  He reveals in his movies essential truths that sometimes takes us years to catch up to.  He's taken on the monolithic gun lobby, our broken health care system, and the weaknesses of capitalism.  And his reward has been vilification and death threats, to himself and his family.  It takes courage and bravery to be on the forefront of where we want to go, and where many are not ready to go yet.  Yes, like it or not, Michael Moore meets the definition of true hero.

Michael Moore, although clearly not a supporter of all our military engagements, is a true defender and lover of our soldiers and veterans.  He has done much over the years to support and defend them, particularly relating to veteran's benefits.  Michael has had military members in his family, including an uncle who lost his life in war, cut down by a sniper's bullet.

There have been many, many military heroes over the centuries.  Soldiers who have put themselves on the line to defend their fellow soldiers.  Whether or not the war was popular or just, they have done their all, and deserved to be commended, respected and honored.  

Whatever the front they are fighting on, religious or civic or military, for all those who stand bravely on the front lines, facing those who would resist and challenge, I owe you my respect, admiration and thanks.

You are heroes all.


UPDATE:  I normally don't like to do this, but I want to clarify some things that people have already jumped on.

I am NOT equating Michael Moore with Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King, Jr.  in level of achievement and importance.  He has said some important and courageous things, but I recognize, even though I often (but not always) agree with him, he is a propagandist.  His methods even leave me uncomfortable sometimes, like his pursuit and over-interrogation of an elderly Charlton Heston.  He just sometimes meets the definition of hero that I give. 

AS DO MANY OF US.  First responders, police, medical personnel, soldiers, union organizers, civil rights marchers, those who defend their families and homes....all these and more are heroes, and even more so than most, because their heroism is often not individually recognized and honored.  

If I have not made this abundantly clear in my original post, I humbly apologize.