This is your chance to "Speak Out" and submit a post on any subject of your choosing, with a few exceptions. I will then post your item and others will have a chance to read it and comment. Their comments, with attribution, will also be put up on the page. Anonymous posts/comments will be posted ONLY if you can convince me that you could be harmed, in some way, by having your posts/comments attributed. And, be forewarned, I am very hard to convince in this area. One type of post that I can understand your need for anonymity and will respect it is if you are asking for input in a personal matter.
Your submissions can be related to Trivia/Quiddle or on *any* other subjects with these exceptions: No politics, personal attacks, religious beliefs, "causes" or anything-else-I-deem-to-be-unsuitable. Again, I am the sole judge as to what goes up on the site.
I will not accept any post that has been floating around the internet in email or that is already posted on another site. These posts must be of an original nature - your own work - and not something that someone else has done and you are just passing it along.
This is a good place for you to post that short story you have written and would like to share....or something humorous that happened in your family and you think others may enjoy....your most embarassing moment......how you met your SO....an original Quiddle.....something in your life that "touched" you.....a problem you are having and would like some input from others....etc and etc. I think you get the idea. You are also welcome to post any comments/suggestions/complaints about Trivia or Quiddle.
Occasionally, I may post something that I think you might enjoy, but basically this is *YOUR* page and a place for you to "Sound Off"
IMPORTANT: You must state plainly in your submission to me that this is an item you want on the "Players Speak Out" page. Otherwise, I will consider it a personal e-mail to me and will NOT post it. If I have any doubts whatsoever, I will e-mail you and ask you if you wanted this to be put up on the web site.
To submit a post or to comment on any post others have submitted, email me at... darth@pobox.com
You can find back issues, comments and discussions at.......Forum File Cabinet.....
*********************************************************************************************************
Can someone explain to me just how the crew of the reconnaisance plane that was forced to crash land in China are "Heroes" as they are being proclaimed?
The crew were all enlistees, applied for training in their specialties, were assigned to this "spy" mission, and were doing what they were trained to do when they were
forced to crash land. After landing they were, apparently, treated relatively well, i.e., they were not deprived of food - and only in a few instances of sleep - were not
mentally or physically tortured, were not fired upon before landing, and in reality their lives were never in danger. Now, compare this to the "grunts" who were in a
war and were fired upon and were at real risk of losing their lives. I am very happy the crew is back in the U.S. but are they really deserving of more then a "Well
Done" and the 30-days leave they are receiving? I just can not comprehend why the "Hero" label is being given to them. I mean no disrespect, but when we start
bestowing such labels, it (IMNSHO) cheapens the meaning of "Hero" for those men and women who truly deserve it (and in many cases, never received it)
....Just my opinion....Darth
******************************************************************************************************
Just read your posting in the Forum section of the Trivia site. As the mother of a son who is in the Army stationed in Germany, I couldn't agree more.
While my son was in Kosovo he saw things that he says he will never forget and in doing his "job" had to do things he never thought he would do
The same is true for the crew of the plane you referred to. Doing one's job to the best of our ability, with integrity and commitment, should be routine.
That it is not, is really the sad part. Bestowing the designation "hero" for doing one's job, not only cheapens the word as you said, but makes it seem
something extraordinary.
There are heros in every profession; most go unrecognized and unheralded.
Better we should take a moment individually and thank the heros in our lives and at our jobs, than spend energy glorifying men and women who
happen to get their names in the papers. I, too, respect the crew members and am grateful that they are safe. Just trying to bring some context and
perspective to the whole episode
..........Submitted by Philly.........
*****************************************************************************************************
I started to write a reponse to this question, which included me being from the old school, and how a hero used to mean one who saved lives.
Then as I started to write the response I realized the word "hero" has taken on new meaning in this day and age. Blame it on Bette. "You Are the
Wind Beneath My Wings". Hero has taken on a new whole meaning. You inspire me- you guide me- you let me know what I should be doing to do
the job right, but encourage me and guide me each step of the way, but most of all you encourage the inner self.
In that context the crew were heroes for all of them did their jobs as they should have. Mom's can be heroes according to Bette's song, Grandmom's too.
I am a hero cause I let my Granddaughter sit in the back of our pick-up truck today in the old recliner, as we bought two new ones today, and let her have
her burger there. I let her imagination roam wild, though I was thinking "Beverley Hillbillies" the whole time. She thought she was "hot stuff" especially when
I let the tailgate down to get a better picture. Been awhile since I had to let the tail gategate down. Inadvertently I riped my thumbnail half off. It bled and
bled and is still very sore. Wounded in action - hmmm! I think not!
I do honestly believe heroes are made when one is willing to face an enemy or obstacle, that is an immediate danger to them, for the good of the rest.
I certainly wasn't a hero today- just a good Grandma.
........Submitted by Piccadilly........
****************************************************************************************************
I have heard this very same comment made by others, and while I don't disagree that the crew of the spy plane were treated much better than many other
enlisted men and women, I don't believe it makes them any less heroic. Rather than saying these crew members do not deserve to be called heroes, I believe
the actual problem is that we do not treat our other heroes with enough fanfare. Obviously, these folks were more in the public eye, and they conducted
themselves with decorum and did the US proud. Plus, the Herculean efforts to safely land the plane, combined with the clear thinking of the crew to destroy
any sensitive material before it landed in Chinese hands was worthy of praise. I've heard that most of what was left in the plane was "Made in China" anyway,
a truly sad statement if there ever was one
........Submitted by Har................
***************************************************************************************************
I believe I agree with you on this one. Being in the "Hero" business - being a Fire Fighter - I have seen great acts of bravery and sacrifice, and oft they
have gone unrecognized. Even those times when recognition is given, the "Hero" blows it off saying, "I was only doing my job."
In the case of the EP-3E "Reconnaissance" plane, I suppose that the mere fact that the pilot regained control of the plane after it was struck is commendable.
But then again, he was only doing his job. Landing a plane loaded with highly classified and secret equipment, in admittedly "hostile", if not "enemy" territory,
IMHO, should be a court martial offense.
But, our lovely media made heroes out of the crew the same way that they made a hero out of Scott Brady, the Air Force pilot that got his ass shot out of
the sky over Bosnia. It is kind of amazing how the (media) tail wags the (political) dog.
It is interesting how the press is ready to crucify Commander Waddle for a screw-up while taking some political hack's buddies on a joyride at government
expense, but want to make heroes out of pilots that get their planes knocked out of the sky. I think they should have gone after the politico who sent the sub to
sea,, but it is the skipper that will pay the price.
........Submitted by CeltRbt...........
***************************************************************************************************
Hello Darth.....as a Canadian I am most pleased to see this subject discussed by American citizens and will pay attention to the answers,
however this not being an open forum we may not see the true wave of common sentiment.
There seems to be a distinct attitude that screams arrogance in this whole affair. Why is the new president flirting with War, creating this
situation (as Commander in Chief) and then threatening overtly to sell weapons and ammunition, provide the resources to instruct these horrors, to the Tawanese.
It's quite easy to sit back and say this has nothing to do with us over here but it is the young who once again make these huge sacrifices so that
the FAT and RICH sit cosy protecting their fortunes.
Always, these are personal opinions.
........Submitted by Oiseau.........
*****************************************************************************************************
I have thought alot about the term "Hero". I looked up the word in
the Merriam Webster online dictionary and one of the terms listed is
"one who shows great courage".
In my humble opionion, the men and woman on the "spy mission" were
doing their job, yes. But didn't they show great courage by landing
in "enemy teritory"? They had no idea how they would be treated there
but the plane with all 24 souls aboard landed safely. Yes, they were
doing their jobs but they had to go beyond the call of duty that day
they were hit by the Chinese plane. It never hurts anyone to have a
hero or heroes doing their job. Those young people had no idea what
their future would be and knew that diplomatic relations would either
get them out or make them stand trial for their "doing their job".
Is it so bad to have something to cheer about in this era of such
terrible things like the Oklahoma bombing, and the school shootings?
Hitler killed himself 56 years ago today and took the life of his wife
Eva Braun. Let's put things in perspective here. Heroes are needed
and life is too short to worry about if they were just doing a job or
not. Give praise and move on. Does it really hurt anyone?
.......Submitted by Char44............
*****************************************************************************************************
Perhaps we do make heroes out of the wrong people (as CeltRbt and others commented). However, I think the saddest thing is that most of the
time people have to die to be recognized. Dana Scott (sister of Rachel Joy Scott who was murdered at Columbine High School) spoke at my school
today. Her family now travels the country speaking out not about the terrible tragedy (it has been glorified enough), but about the good things they
have seen God do through a horrible situation. The stories I heard today were not about her last moments, but about all of the small things she did
every day which few noticed. The sad thing is that if she were still alive, I doubt anyone would know her name. She, and everyone who takes time
to practice "random acts of kindness" are true heroes.
........Submitted by Valleygirl.......