What constitutes a Hero?

In my part of the world we recently received word that a local man/contractor had been killed. Some want to list him as a hero. An ex-marine, turned contractor...a euphamism for mercenary.

Is this a hero, or a hired gun that should be revealed as such? Why call them contractors, a term that most people translate as innocent by-stander. They aren't building bridges or hospitals, they are wearing bullet proof vests and shooting at will.

He's a former marine, he chose to contract. He wasn't killed during his active US service he was killed while receiving at least three times what his marine comrades received, while performing under Executives Orders that held him above military or civil law.

http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=219378

 

Are you upset because he got paid more money to risk his life?

 

I am upset that his true employment as a mercenary is never pointed out. And yes why should his life be worth more than service personnel, enlisted by and accountable to the US government.

 

We tear down our heros nowadays whatever the pedigree.

If we had real heros then there would not be a vacum that elevates a "contractor" to such a status.

 

A little information on the Security firm he worked for:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/28/AR2007072801407_pf.html

By the way they are no longer in business.

 

It's disrespectful to be upset over a person's circumstances surrounding their life choices when they are dead because of them, especially when you can't understand their choices and try to find a value for their life based on class levels and nationalistic measuring stick.

Hopefully you will grow beyond criticizing the dead after the fact and actually grieve for the greater ignorance and plight in the world that are still left breathing.

 

I'm going to say some stuff that some people probably won't agree with, but it is just the way it is, not necessarily my opinion. Gardener, you were in the military, you may be able to relate. There is a satisfaction that many soldiers feel when they serve. It is not killing as some would think. It is a feeling of commraderie, working with the men (and women) next to you to accomplish your objective. I have seen this same feeling from people that have been involved in professional sports. It's hard to explain if you've never felt it before. You may think of it as a feeling of worth, and honor. Giving everything you have, your life, for the people around you. Knowing they are going to do the same for you.

I have several friends that have gone PCM after their enlistment was up. Their reason? Money. The amount of money they can make is very hard to turn down when you have experience in the field they are hiring. Who wouldn't want to make 5-6 times more doing the same job, without a boss that is taking orders from somebody that makes their decisions on politics?

I don't agree with PCM's in active combat. I think they are effective, but it is crossing a line that I don't think the US should be across. I have no problem with them providing training or consulting however. There is a lot of knowledge in seasoned combat veterans that can be utilized in training active duty military. The other problem is that the salaries are so lucrative in contracting that it is pulling much needed Special Forces operatives from the US military and others. There are also some contractors that are hiring some pretty ruthless soldiers. These guys are in it soley for the money. I have seen some of these Chileans that are absolutely heartless individuals. These people are operating on the ground in Iraq, representing the United States. A Chilean national who couldn't care less about the image of the US. That is not right.

In the first Gulf War there was a ratio of about 1/100 contractors to US soldiers. This Iraq War there is a ratio of 1/10. This is a problem that needs to be addressed.

My definiton of a hero is somebody who risks their own safety for the well being of another. IMO, yes, some PCM's are heros.

 

An individual who saves a nation, organization or establishment.

Reason why I think Mario Lemieux is a hero.

 

What makes a man, Mr Lebowski?

 

Thanks for your thoughtful post Wacky. You appear to be the only one that understands my misgivings.

 

Hero is nothin' but a sandwich

 

*shrugs*

Is anyone who dies fighting really a hero?

 

jesus killed the idea of heroes centuries ago. martyrdom, sacrifice, and platitudes are the fad these days.

And why should you care if they call the guy merc, marine or hero? whats it to you?

 

If i died fighting to save your life would i be a hero?

 

That, pretty much sums it up. That being the highest form of heroism. But there are heros in all walks of everyday life too. But you all knew that anyway.

 

That, and a pair of testacles.

 

Because it diminishes the relevance of the word.

 

What does the word hero mean to you? Might it be possible for a person to reasonably believe a contractor (a merc is generally believed to be an individual fighting for profit in a war/conflict in which the nation they are a citizen of is not involved, american contractors in iraq do not fit that definition) who was their neighbor/friend/family died a hero fighting against a great evil? What makes your "hero" more relevent than theirs?

 

also, you have nothing to say about the character of the men who chopped off the fingers of the men whose character you are questioning?

The whole story is about 4 americans and an austrian who were kidnapped, had their fingers cut off (and who knows what else has happened to them) while their families pray for their safe return and your question is about whether they should be called heroes or not?

damn those americans and their high-speed internet solutions, damn them...

 

Crescent Security has more of a past than what you have read:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/28/AR2007072801407_pf.html

Doesn't sound much like high-speed or technological support to me.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/22contractor.html