Why shouldn't Obama be considered a hero?

[CreekDog]

hero:
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

He's smart, he's accomplished, he works extraordinarily hard and he's done much of this to further our ideals.

He's a role model who exemplifies hard work, good sportsmanship, honesty AND admitting one's own mistakes.

He worked hard to win the presidency back for my party and my ideals.

Certainly he's a hero to me in much the same way Hillary is to many in my family. He is a hero for what he has done and for what he represents. Of course he is a human being with flaws and faults, but that said, he is quite a human being.

And I don't see anything wrong with that.

[ZombieHorde]

1. He's no Gary Gygax, but he's OK. nt

[rpannier]

5. Damn straight nt

[Captain Hilts]

2. No reason he can't be a hero. Who said he isn't? nt

[CreekDog]

3. People here bemoaning "hero worship"

I don't know anybody who worships Obama. I know plenty that think he is a hero to them.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Well, some of that stuff makes my blood sugar jump too.

It doesn't mean he isn't a hero.

[Bucky]

4. He's no Liberace, but he'll do

[rcrush]

7. Can he teleport to Mars? Or does he have a power ring given to him by little aliens?

He has to have an underground cave with his bat gear.

[damonm]

29. Actually...

He's a mutant who, after his parents were murdered, was rocketed away as a baby to escape his dying planet. When he arrived on Earth, he was simultaneously struck by lightning, bitten by a radioactive spider, and doused in toxic chemicals. After mastering his instruction in the Mystic Arts at Hogwarts, he was then given a weapon of great power by benevolent aliens from the future.

All true - I saw it on the intertubes. :silly:

[rcrush]

35. No you see I would have believed you but you mentioned Hogwarts.

Everyone knows Harry Potter isnt real.

[damonm]

37. True, but Hogwarts IS...

[sniffa]

I'm waiting for him to play for an NBA team

Then he'll be a real hero.

[leftstreet]

8. Er...don't heroes have to save people first or something?

[CreekDog]

14. that's only one definition

a hero may also simply be a role model.

[dbmk]

39. Hundreds of millions saved from John McCain don't count?

:)

[FailureToCommunicate]

58. I'll bet a lot of people felt saved by Obama the community organizer. As can-

didate, Obama saved the Democrats from being same old same old LOSERS! And as president he has already - in how many days?- saved many of us from continued numb loathing of our "elected officials". Being able to say "Remember the 'Reign of Error'?"
instead of "Oh God, four more years of McSame McBush lite" Obama is a hero for saving our collective, nearly extinguished, sense of HOPE. He's just great in my book. And Michelle? Wow! Don't even start about how terrific she seems...

[FrenchieCat]

9. I think that he has carried himself heroically while folks were calling him

all kinds of names like unpatriotic, socialist, communist, and questioning his truthfulness in reference to his his religion and his wife's love for her country!

Unlike those assholes calling him those names, he didn't call names back or sling mud.

So the fact that he didn't choose the same low road that his opponents does make him better than they.

Whether he is a "hero", I'm sure for the young downtrotten to whom he has shown there is a way out of a particular life through education, he is......

I'm sure to many Black folks, of which I am one, he is a hero, because of all that he had to endure (having to wear the flagpin, the fabricated birth certificate/citizenship issue) compared to others who just weren't questioned in the same way that he has been.

In the end, Barack Obama is a self made man who got to where he got to via hard work, earnesty and intelligence. That is something that should be admired in anyone's book, unless one's book is already full.

[elocs]

10. The word "hero" has been applied to widely and used so casually

that it certainly does not have the meaning it once did, but Obama could be considered a hero of old.

[Starry Messenger]

11. Can he stop time?

[JVS]

12. He's the "God of Peace"

;-)

[sandnsea]

13. They're great role models

I wouldn't put he or Michelle in hero category yet, but they're terrific role models. I think some people just think they're too superior or too cynical to admire anybody. Their loss.

[Occam Bandage]

15. I'm not sure I'd call him noble quite yet. Smart, certainly. Hardworking, certainly.

Good at crafting a public image, absolutely. Noble? Time will tell.

[Two Americas]

16. he can be

No problem.

The problem arises when people demand that we must all see things the same way, and cannot write any dissenting or critical opinions without being attacked as "disloyal" or not "supporting" the administration.

[Chulanowa]

22. It's not that much of a problem, really

I'm amazed that so many *ahem* "Speakers of truth" think that when people argue with their often ridiculous "criticisms" that they're being censored and attacked.

It's like Sean Hannity registered a few usernames while nobody was looking :)

[Two Americas]

24. it is a big problem

It is a big problem - it is now the greatest threat to the success of the new administration and the party, in my opinion - and your post illustrates the problem well. You have managed to sneak in a set of highly prejudicial insinuations into your observations, that can only lead to any and all critics being dismissed or ignored, and that is a clear and obvious insult to and attack on hundreds of people here.

[Chulanowa]

27. And your posts illustrate mine as well

What I see is someone whining because we don't fall over and kiss the ground tread upon by "critics." You seem to expect total agreement with all your criticisms of obama and his administration, whatever they may be. I don't really know what htye are, as you've failed to provide any examples of what you're talking about.

The thing is, while I'm sure there is room for plenty of legitimate criticisms, most of the ones i've seen are idiotic.

Obama is a homophobe because of his economic stimulus package.
Obama is a sexist because John Kerry holds a foreign relations position.
Did you hear, Obama is throwing rodeo clowns under the bus!

Ironically, the people suffering the most from "Obama worship" and demanding everyone see it their way, are the people making these fucking "Obama is batboy!" posts and claims.

Further, whether legitimate or no, people arguing your criticism doesn't mean they demand you conform to them. It's not censorship, it's not an attack. You are not Daniel and there are no lions.

[Two Americas]

28. say what?

I did not use any such prejudicial and insulting language.

I am not whining, I am not asking anyone to "kiss the ground tread upon by critics," I have never expected total agreement with anything I have said and have always welcomed discussion. If you find something I said to be "idiotic" point it out and we can discuss that. By the way, just because you disagree with someone's opinion, that does not make it "idiotic."

Where has anyone said "Obama is a homophobe because of his economic stimulus package?"

Where have they said "Obama is a sexist because John Kerry holds a foreign relations position?"

Or are those parodies, meant to ridicule and defame any and all critics of anything the administration does?

I do not understand what could warrant this insulting and malicious attack.

[damonm]

32. Well...

"By the way, just because you disagree with someone's opinion, that does not make it 'idiotic.'"

Well, if someone disagrees with ME, they MUST be an idiot, because there are only 3 types of opinions:
(1)Mine
(2)Those that agree with mine
(3)The stupid ones

That's just how it is. Deal. :silly:

[LWolf]

17. As long as he's not a national hero,

but a personal hero to some, I'm fine with that.

I don't consider him a hero.

But then, I consider very few public figures over the course of human history to be heroes.

[CreekDog]

25. How many of your heroes have gotten as many death threats as Obama?

something to consider i think.

[PretzelWarrior]

30. huh?

and these two thoughts connect how?

[CreekDog]

36. it took courage for him to run for president

and keep running despite the threats.

[LWolf]

49. Two points:

1. I obviously define "hero" differently than you, since death threats aren't part of what makes a hero to me.

2. While I believe that there are plenty of heroes out there, I don't have any personal heroes.

[CreekDog]

50. as for what makes a hero to you --you don't have any

sounds like nobody is a hero to you.

and courage is a heroic quality --and to keep going in the face of death threats (which happened before he ever got secret service protection) is courageous.

[LWolf]

51. There are some people who are heroes to me.

Politicians just aren't included.

I find those people who have no economic or political power, who spend their lives working for the betterment of others without seeking notice or personal gain for it, to be heroes.

Courage in the face of danger can be heroic when it has to do with the greater good or the welfare of others. It's not a key characteristic of what I define to be heroism, though.

[mkultra]

61. sounds like a fair statement

everyone should allow you your opinion on the matter. Hopefully you afford others the right.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

57. Fair enough. People are heroes for all kinds of different reasons, depending on your perspective.

Certainly few are so accomplished as to be a national hero, say like Neil Armstrong or Mark Grossmeyer (inventor of "The Clapper").

[silverweb]

18. Absolutely.

And to the critics: admiration, respect, and emulation do not equate to "worship," no matter how demeaning you like to try to be, so stuff it.

[rug]

19. This doesn't help.

"A hero (from Greek ἥρως hērōs), in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, the offspring of a mortal and a deity, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero

[bvar22]

20. If you're the kind of person who needs a hero,

....then Obama is a good one.


My last "Hero" was Green Lantern.

[CreekDog]

26. It's not the need for a hero

It's the realization that there are regular people out there who are heroic in some fashion.

[keepthemhonest]

21. one thread I disagreed with said

what hero do you worship that reminds you of Obama?I am not sure if that is the one that started this whole thing.I do not worship Obama or anyone or thing but Obama can definately be a hero,you are right about that.

[CreekDog]

38. um, i'm pretty sure that was a joke thread

in case you didn't notice the picture of Donny Osmond. :eyes:

[keepthemhonest]

43. shit ,you never know around here

the whole joke thing was lost on me. Some people do worship movie stars and presidents and the like.
I am sure there are some people who do in fact worship Donnie and Marie for that matter.

[GeorgeGist]

23. hero worship

• noun - excessive admiration for someone.

• verb (hero-worship)- admire excessively

http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/heroworship?view=uk

[BlooInBloo]

31. Don't expect much love from the ihateobama forum on this issue.

[old mark]

33. He certainly is to me. he is proving himself every day and I

have real admiration and respect for the guy.
My wife says she is still amazed at what a decent, real human being he is
to be in national politics.

What's wrong with hero worship when there are a few real heroes still around?

mark

[old mark]

34. He certainly is to me. he is proving himself every day and I

have real admiration and respect for the guy.
My wife says she is still amazed at what a decent, real human being he is
to be in national politics.

What's wrong with hero worship when there are a few real heroes still around?

mark

[ClarkUSA]

40. So people who trashed Obama ad nauseum last year or got on board late frown on celebratory OPs now..

What a surprise. Not.

[salguine]

41. It's not "hero" some people are objecting to...It's the living deity status that some people

seem to need to project onto him.

[Jennicut]

42. Abraham Lincoln was a hero to many American people when he died

After watching a documentary about him the other day I realized just how devastating his death was to the American people. People stood by his funeral train and cried when it passed by. I think Presidents can be heroes and used to be but after having ones less then perfect or outright terrible ones in modern times (Nixon, Bush...even Clinton was morally not a hero at times) we have forgotten just how presidents used to be looked up to. To my daughters at ages 3 and 4 Obama is most definitely a hero. They look up to him as a good man, a good father. They never gravitated toward George Bush like that, wonder why...children have a way on picking up whether people are genuine or not. To me Obama is still too early in his presidency to be a hero but if he continues on this path then he will be one. Fighting against McLame and Palin's horrific characterizations and handling it with class made me really take notice of what a good man he can be. I would say I consider our VP, Joe Biden to be worthy of the same status perhaps some day for fighting for the rights of women with the VAWA. I would say we are lucky as a nation to have two really good men as our Prez and VP.

[Lorien]

44. the term "Hero" has been used far too often since 9/11, imho

if Obama CAN turn the economy around or save half the species on earth from climate change then he'll really have stepped up to hero status. Winning an election isn't enough to give someone that title, though. You can certainly call him a "political hero" or "political celebrity" by definition #3:

he·ro (hîr)
n. pl. he·roes
1. In mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods.
2. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war.
3. A person noted for special achievement in a particular field: the heroes of medicine. See Synonyms at celebrity.
4. The principal male character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation.
5. Chiefly New York City See submarine. See Regional Note at submarine.

[Numba6]

45. The Obsession About Obama's Hero Status plays

into the strategy of hate from the last year, to denigrate Obama on a personal basis and dismiss anyone supporting him as wackos and crazies – that Obama supporters "have drunk the Kool-Aid."

It was then, and is now, a snarky tool to marginalize us out of respectable debate, whether w/ Republicans or between Democratic factions. It derides Obama supporters, saying, "If Obama supporters don't bash Obama on every and any pet issue that might come up from anyone, why, it's because they're just stupid hero worshippers."

It's labeling any praise for the President as fatuous hero worship, just like before the election any support for Obama wasn't from reason, but because these peoples is just plain CRAZY.

We can't have legitimate ideas, we can't support Obama cause we understand what he's doing, we can only be doing it from mindless hero worship

Unfortunately it wasn't just the Republicans following this strategy, it started in the primaries (not unlike how "Willie Horton" was first brought up by a Democrat against Dukakis in 1988).

& it became a set piece for the media to trot out whenever they felt like it, when anything happened that could be twisted into this easy story -- that he's "arrogant" and "too cool" and "disrespectful" and just not the right kind of Negro – that UPPITY candidate/president MUST be shown his place.

It's all part of http://loomisnews.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/the-klan-ternet-right-wing-hate-mongers-exposed/"> the background racism of this country, but for the last year it's had specific partisan target

NOW THE MEME IS BACK (again&again&again on the DU board) while the President has been in office FOR JUST ONE MONTH, with a faction of "progressives" deriding and abusing anyone who finds much to like about President Obama, because, clearly, there's just SO MUCH wrong about Obama.

The Republicans aren't playing it as much in public (except to the grassroots) because they recognize the President's high approval ratings.

But it's a strategy tailor made to help Republicans start whittling away at Obama's approval rating. Join in if you want to, denounce Obama supporters as mindless boobs. It's very easy to do, it's not too crowded in their tiny party, they're desperate for people

& they're clearly not too picky.

[azmouse]

46. Nicely said!

Welcome to DU. :)

[Jackeens]

47. Best. Post. Ever. (Well, in my short time here!). Brilliant. n/t

[roughsatori]

56. Excellent Post: Thank you. NT

[EraOfResponsibility]

60. POST.OF.THE.YEAR!!!!!

some people hate to see others being happy with a politician, and actually ENJOYING him! They have no joy in their own lives, so they have to try to spread their doubt-filled misery to others.

[leftofthedial]

48. because george bush and his unka dick are not in prison.

a real hero always gets the bad guy.

[liberalsince1968]

59. Bingo.

[sunnybrook]

52. I agree about Obama being a hero

But sucks that a hero is described as a "man." I know, a female can still be a "heroine." Or "waitress" or "actress" or "empress" .....

[Beacool]

53. If he's a hero to you, then he's a hero.

It's a personal thing, he's not a hero to me. To me he's a good politician with a gift for oratory, who is now our president. I'll wait to see how he performs as president in the years to come before making a final judgment.

;-)

[AyanEva]

54. I think the term is accurate but it depends on what situation you're applying it to

For instance, I think many of us in the Black community consider him a hero. He's given a lot of people someone to look up to where they may have had no one before and he's provided inspiration and is a source of pride. A lot of us feel like we've been lifted up just a little bit more and a door's been opened that was closed for the longest time. It could be argued that Obama is responsible for moving an entire community forward another step. I think that counts as a hero.

Have his actions made him a national hero in terms of total government and societal reform? (did that make any sense at all?) Maybe not just yet but I think he's on his way.

[RBInMaine]

55. We splash the term "hero" around too frequently.