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A hero is what we may imagine someone to be before we get all the facts.
  • Profile picture of the author domainarama
    In New York it is called a Hero (or, sometimes, a Gyro). In Boston it's called a Submarine. In Philly it's called a Hoagie. Other names are sub, Jackson's gambit, grinder.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    A hero can be a lot of things, and most are unsung...

    - A parent who raises their children to be kind, successful, and responsible
    - Volunteers who deliver meals on wheels, or tutor adults, and so many others
    - Teachers who spend their own money to buy things for needy students
    - Those who adopt rescue animals
    - Those who donate blood

    ...and on and on. Everyday heroes are what make a community strong.
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    • Profile picture of the author Big Rob
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      A hero can be a lot of things, and most are unsung...

      - A parent who raises their children to be kind, successful, and responsible
      - Volunteers who deliver meals on wheels, or tutor adults, and so many others
      - Teachers who spend their own money to buy things for needy students
      - Those who adopt rescue animals
      - Those who donate blood

      ...and on and on. Everyday heroes are what make a community strong.
      I would bet the farm that you have done most, if not all, these things.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by Big Rob View Post

        I would bet the farm that you have done most, if not all, these things.
        Well...

        - I have helped raise a couple of great daughters I believe fit the description I gave.
        - I have volunteered at Special Olympics and a few other things, but not the things I mentioned.
        - I've never been a teacher, although I have written a book used by teachers.
        - We have adopted animals and taken in strays, kept some and found others a home.
        - I've never donated blood.

        Looks like 60% so I guess you're right. When started writing this reply I started with "Nope, not most..." because I wasn't thinking about me when I wrote the post you replied to, and I don't think of myself as a hero. I was thinking of some of the qualities and values I appreciate in people I know whom I consider unsung heroes.

        I guess it makes sense then, that I would have done some of it myself.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    A hero is what we may imagine someone to be before we get all the facts.
    So, ultimately you're saying there are no heroes. This is a surprisingly short-sighted conceptualization for you, TB. (That's actually a compliment, by the way, if you think about it.)
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

      So, ultimately you're saying there are no heroes. This is a surprisingly short-sighted conceptualization for you, TB. (That's actually a compliment, by the way, if you think about it.)
      There's no "Thanks...I think" button here.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Most people we call heroes are those who take action to solve a problem - while others are standing there wondering what to do.

        It's a status we assign - most true heroes don't think of themselves as a hero.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    A hero is what we may imagine someone to be before we get all the facts.
    How about Audy Murphy
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

      How about Audy Murphy
      After getting all the facts, it could become apparent that he was even more of a hero than one imagined.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
        Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

        After getting all the facts, it could become apparent that he was even more of a hero than one imagined.
        This directly contradicts your original statement. You just disproved your own postulate.
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        • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
          Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

          This directly contradicts your original statement. You just disproved your own postulate.
          I disproved your perception of my statement, maybe, but it actually can be interpreted in different ways. "Hero" is an emotional trigger word. It is impossible to get all the facts on anyone or anything. There is always more to be learned.
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          • Profile picture of the author socialentry
            Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

            I disproved your perception of my statement, maybe, but it actually can be interpreted in different ways.
            hmmmmmmmmmmmm

            how about Ghenghis Khan then
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          • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
            Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

            I disproved your perception of my statement, maybe, but it actually can be interpreted in different ways. "Hero" is an emotional trigger word. It is impossible to get all the facts on anyone or anything. There is always more to be learned.
            Your statement, in essence, says there are no heroes. I don't see any other way to interpret your statement to mean anything other than "hero" status is disproven once all facts are available. There's no qualifyer in your statement regarding "hero" status remaining after all facts are revealed. The only qualifyer is whether one is initially considered a hero.

            Then you state Murphy may be more of a hero once all facts are revealed. Your orginal statement doesn't allow for this.

            Using Murphy as an example under your postulate, he may be imagined a hero, but will not remain one once all facts are revealed.

            Then you state he may be more of a hero once all facts are revealed. This is a contradiction of your postulate.

            I don't see where my perception comes into play.

            Stating all facts can never be revealed and there's always something else to be learned makes your original postulate moot because it can't be proven or disproven, thus irrelevant, no?

            I'm interested in what you're trying to say. I'm just trying to get there.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    A hero is what we may imagine someone to be before we get all the facts.
    If someone does something heroic and maybe even risks his/her own life doing it, are they any less of a hero because the media dug up some dirt about them?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    A hero is what we may imagine someone to be before we get all the facts.
    Dan, I understand your point, but I think the key word in the original statement is "may." To me, that leaves room for other possibilities. Because we may imagine some to be heroes who are not really heroes, does not mean there are no true heroes. It just means we may create false heroes in our mind.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Dan, I understand your point, but I think the key word in the original statement is "may." To me, that leaves room for other possibilities. Because we may imagine some to be heroes who are not really heroes, does not mean there are no true heroes. It just means we may create false heroes in our mind.
      "May" qualifies who we imagine to be heroes. The rest states there really are no heroes.

      "A hero is" doesn't leave room for the possibility of there being any real heroes when adjoined to the rest of the statement. "Some heroes are" would leave room for other possibilities.

      You might think I'm being pedantic, but I'm analyzing the statement as it was made.
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by hardraysnight View Post

      just look in the mirror
      OK. I'm looking...Now what?

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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    To me a hero is someone that goes out of their comfort zone in an effort to benefit someone else - without the thought of compensation or reward.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Dan, I understand your point, but I think the key word in the original statement is "may." To me, that leaves room for other possibilities. Because we may imagine some to be heroes who are not really heroes, does not mean there are no true heroes. It just means we may create false heroes in our mind.
      I think there are no false heroes. If someone sees you as a "hero", then to that person, you are one. It may be a matter of perception.

      Or a matter of how we each define the word "Hero".

      What I would call "a responsible person" someone else might call a hero.

      I would use it more to define an act. You save someone from a burning building, and they see you as a hero. But you may be a lousy father, or maybe you cheat on your wife.

      To me, you're still a hero. Because you did a "heroic deed".

      To me, you can't be a hero unless someone else is involved, but you could have courage, on your own.

      Some day, I hope to perform a heroic deed, just to know I'm capable of it.

      Interesting discussion so far.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Reminder to self: Stop trying to explain what someone else was thinking.
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  • Profile picture of the author goindeep
    I agree, somehow.

    But at the end of the day, some people take inspiration away from those that do those amazing things in life that can transcend barriers and motivate people to make lasting changes.

    Just a minute ago I wrote about a friend who in my eyes is a hero http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...yday-hero.html

    They don't have to be famous, they don't even have had to have done anything that radical, its the perception that counts my friend.

    Most people sit on their bums their entire lives and wait to see a hero, to be motivated, the heroes are the ones doing the motivating and make the changes for the rest of us.

    Sometimes being a hero is speaking out, sometimes its just chipping away and not making a song and dance about it. Other times it is sacrifice... A mother raising a handful of kids on her own and working two jobs just to pay the bills, a child from a disadvantaged background that lives a life foll of opportunities that society says they where not meant to have lived or people that do things which are unimaginable to the rest of us...

    Recently with the death of Mandela there are people taking swipes at his history, no one is perfect, it's the lasting impression that counts... however unfortunately for some the media can turn it on its head and vice versa.
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  • Profile picture of the author mojoogden
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    A hero is what we may imagine someone to be before we get all the facts.
    Sometimes the term hero is used too loosely but there are true hero's out there and sometimes their heroic acts go unnoticed! Those are the true hero's the ones who do it for nothing more than an act of kindness! It's all in how You look at it! My daughter became my hero last year when in 5th her faith was put to the test at school and she stood up for what she felt was right despite all the peer pressure and negativity! I learnt so much from her. Actions speak louder than words sometime!
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  • Profile picture of the author ErinWalsh
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    A hero is what we may imagine someone to be before we get all the facts.
    We die to each other daily. What we know of other people is only our memory of the moments during which we knew them. And they have changed since then. To pretend that they and we are the same is a useful and convenient social convention which must sometimes be broken. We must also remember that at every meeting we are meeting a stranger." -~ T.S. Eliot

    A hero today, might not be a hero tomorrow. If the person is a hero right now, that is all that really matters.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    One could be a hero (in the sense of having done a heroic deed or deeds) and a schmuck.
    And their "schmuckness" could override my desire to associate with them.

    Heroic deeds are often done without thinking.

    Biz
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    • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
      Banned
      There are loads of heroes in my neck of the woods, and they're all delicious. I intend to be a realistic representation of a pot-bellied pig when I've polished off a tin or two of these beauties this Christmas.



      A hero is someone who starts a thread and will donate any "thanks" he receives to Thunderbird for his 3 year old son. We hear so much about him . . heck . . I feel like it's my own son. Twenty "thanks" winging their way to you now lad!

      A hero (aka as a fool) is someone who keeps posting banal messages throughout WF, despite knowing full well that they are the butt of the joke to everyone. They usually have a false sense of their own importance to the forum, believe their posts to be informative or funny (not), and live in a self contained apartment (known as a single room or bedsit in the UK). They inevitably amuse themselves throughout the numerous twilight hours by spending all their time on:

      1. WF
      2. Porn Sites
      3. Other Forums
      4. Porn sites

      . . . and make full use of a sole index finger for typing, and all digits on the other hand for . . well, you know! Their name usually begins with an "L" and consists of 8 letters.

      A hero is someone who - although busy - contributes vastly to WF with insightful posts on all forums, and particularly with witty repartees on the OTF. Never underestimate the man with a head that resembles a Houston take-off pad for a partial toupee. Did someone mention Claude then?

      A hero is anyone with less than 50 posts who earns a "thanks" from a seasoned member in the OTF. It must have been good.

      A hero is someone who flies in the face of adversity with the truth, tells it exactly as it is and earns WF sabbaticals for his efforts, and spits in the pocket of the moderator. Hello peeps.

      A hero is my computer chair that's had my butt on it for years, never given up on me, and graciously accepts all curry stains, peking duck sauce, and other assorted exotic stains (nudge nudge, wink wink) without so much as a, "I demand more pay for this type of work".

      And then of course there's 'Riffle'. . . .
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      One could be a hero (in the sense of having done a heroic deed or deeds) and a schmuck.
      And their "schmuckness" could override my desire to associate with them.

      Heroic deeds are often done without thinking.

      Biz
      Your post got me to thinking;

      I have someone in mind that I thoroughly dislike. I would never talk to this person, or associate with them in any way. They are repellent to me (No, they aren't on this Forum).

      Let's suppose this man saved a child's life by running into a burning building, and pulling the child out to safety. To me, that man would be a hero.

      If anyone asked, I'd tell them that it was a heroic deed, and he should be commended for it. But it wouldn't affect how I feel about the man. I still would dislike him intensely. I still would never talk to him. But to me, he would still be a Hero, because of his deed.

      And (this is for Dennis, who will think of this question), if it was my child he saved, yes I would thank him profusely, and try to repay the debt. But we would never be friends. the man is separate from the deed.

      That's just an opinion. And I'm perfectly willing to see the error of my ways.


      And then there's Riffle....
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      • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        That's just an opinion. And I'm perfectly willing to see the error of my ways.
        My hero (said with tongue firmly in cheek, whilst picking out a loose piece of pickled onion).

        And then there's Riffle.
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Rob
    You two should tread lightly with our friend Dan.

    He just woke up in his Indianapolis motel room from a whiskey/urban meyer tears cocktail induced coma.

    And he aint a happy camper...
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    • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Big Rob View Post

      You two should tread lightly with our friend Dan.

      He just woke up in his Indianapolis motel room from a whiskey/urban meyer tears cocktail induced coma.

      And he aint a happy camper...

      He never could pitch a 6 berth. Blame it on the boogie.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
      Originally Posted by Big Rob View Post

      You two should tread lightly with our friend Dan.

      He just woke up in his Indianapolis motel room from a whiskey/urban meyer tears cocktail induced coma.

      And he aint a happy camper...
      Then he had to deal with the fustercluck that was the Browns/Patriots game. Only the Browns could lose that game the way they did.
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      • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

        Then he had to deal with the fustercluck that was the Browns/Patriots game. Only the Browns could lose that game the way they did.
        Don't know about that but I had a 6-fold accumulator and only the Pats let me down (on the spread). How the shit can they not give a 10 point lead to one of the worst teams on the planet and not cover it? Beyond me.

        Look no further than Denver or Seattle for the SuperBowl.
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