This is written by a young soldier serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting and he's right.
We need to get our priorities straight!!!
Okay, I need to rant.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddence," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military;
"So that others may live..."
Isaac
P.S.- "So that other's may live.. ." was also the creed of the Air Rescue & Recovery Service during Vietnam & is still today.
3 comments:
Thank you for sharing that Paul. I am so thankful for the young men and women who are willing to serve us by serving their Country. Their service has always meant a lot to me and even more now having a son who serves.
Thank you for caring about our Armed Forces and the sacrifices they make.
Crystal
Paul,
MJ did more than just entertain. Did you know he is in the Guinness Book of World Records for donating more to charity than any other celebrity in history?
I'm a veteran of the US Navy, so I agree with you about the greatness of people who serve their country. I don't, however, think that means that people who serve in other roles are any less significant. MJ built hospital burn units, he bought beds and supplies for hospitals, he donated countless millions of dollars to charities and he did it in every country that he visited. Regardless of anyone's personal feelings about MJ, there is no denying his giving to others.
I'm not an MJ fan or anything. I question many of his choices in life. No other person in history was so well known in so many countries, except for Jesus Christ. So, I understand the hoopla that was made in death about his life.
I understand the celebration of his life, but I don't agree with naming holiday's or making congressional proclamations about him. I think, in many ways, MJ was misunderstood and also very naive.
Again, I'm not a fan of MJ. I just didn't feel like, after reading your "rant" that you had a complete picture of his giving.
Troy, thanks, you are right, I did not realize all that MJ did. I'm not one for bashing people, but the hoopla over him had really gotten to me. I knew as soon as I heard him die that it would be all over the media for weeks. Call me a prophet, but I totally avoided TV and radio for the weeks after his death.
Again, thanks for clarifying. Not really wanting to bash MJ, I still love Thriller, but I am continually amazed at the lostness of our society. The world's worship of this man, who was an entertainer, astounds me. If just makes me feel bad for all the unsung heroes like EMT folks who never get a thanks. Thanks!
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