Recently, I enjoyed Bartcop's essay on the phrase, "Let's roll..."
Bart is right, this phrase has become, essentially, commercialized and bastardized
by those who should not, and do not know how to, use it. But they certainly seem
to know how to cheapen it and abuse it, essentially urinating on the memory of the
great hero who made it famous.

     This reminds me of, "Hero." While in Atlanta a few weeks ago, standing
in line with my groceries at a Publix, I notice a whole magazine dedicated to "3;"
Dale, the racing "Hero." All you fans out there, don't get me wrong, please don't
bombard me with nasty e-mails. Dale was a talented man. He did what he was
paid to do well, and for that he carried with pride the title, "The Intimidator."
He took incredible risks.

Should he be mourned?
Absolutely.

Should he be remembered and missed?
Yes.

Is he a hero for this?
Well,...

     On that same check out rack there was a tabloid declaring Bush, Jr., a hero.
     OK, so, how does one qualify as a hero?  I'm sure most people would agree
a hero is someone who, despite their failings, sacrifices their own personal safety
to help save others. When their life is at risk, they head TOWARDS the danger
to see what they can do. They do their damnedest, despite how quixotic or even
clumsy their attempts may be. They do their damnedest, despite when their personal
failings get in the way. They certainly don't go into hiding. While soothing those who
suffer is a part of all this, I wouldn't think reading a speech written by someone else
qualifies. A hero continues tilting windmills, despite derision, name calling, lawsuits
and harassment by his or her opponents. They certainly don't send out one of their
inner circle to issue a thinly veiled threat that disagreeing with them is equal to helping
out the enemy, essentially labeling anyone who disagrees with them as a traitor.
They don't create agencies that could very well further this dictatorship like agenda.
They do their job above and beyond the call of duty and continually attempt to do so,
despite the times when their personal failings may intrude. They certainly wouldn't
view their job as an opportunity to take long vacations, especially during a crisis.

     Would a hero lie? Maybe, it depends on the circumstances. Would a hero
always tell the truth? Obviously, not. There are times when telling the truth
can destroy those a hero wishes to save, soothe or serve.

     No, a hero is a person of action, who puts him or herself in the line of
fire with less regard to their own personal safety than for what they
perceive to be the good of others.

     So, like Dale, it's obvious Bush, Jr., doesn't qualify.
     However, there is a man who is closer to the definition...
     ...Bill Clinton.