How many idiots think Billy Bishop not a hero?

Billy_Bishop · 16 May 2001, 03:49 AM

From the American Heritage Dictionary:
HERO:
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 celebrity. 4. The principal male character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation.

Personally, I have a problem with "Heros of Medicine". I don't see how ANYONE can be a hero unless they've risked life and limb in shall we say a "noble" effort. Whether that be to save the life of someone else, or if an act of heroism in time of war.

No, Lou Gehrig is not a hero. But then I'm not sure how to define his actions. He was definitely a great baseball player. And it was a tragedy that he was afflicted with such a disease. But I'm not sure you could call him a hero.

If you want to refer to him as a "shining example", well there you got me. That he certainly is.

As for Mr. "Englishman", since when are we not to feel comfortable about expressing OUR OWN OPINIONS??? I could have sworn that's why we kicked out King George and his lot back in 1781, so we could express our opinions, and not have to worry about getting tossed into jail for doing so.

Ah well, you can please all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but NEVER all of the people all of the time. - I forget who said this.

VBR,

Al Lowe

16 May 2001, 05:14 AM

OK, so I expressed my opinion, just the same as you. I wasn't bigoted was I? I didn't get personal, did I?

Why did you feel that it was neccesary to do a bit of Brit-bashing? Do you feel proud of yourself? In fact, it's quite ironic that in suggesting that we are allowed to all express our opinions, you found it neccesary to argue against mine without actually commenting on it either way.

So perhaps you feel that it's OK to express an opinion, so long as it agrees with your own. There are obvious points to make about that, and using a similar attitude to the one expressed in your previous message- but I won't lower myself to that level.

Please console yourself with the fact that you've really pissed me off! I wouldn't mind, but it's my first time here.

16 May 2001, 05:23 AM

Hey Al, He's got a point. That was a bit "rum".

James

Ginger. · 16 May 2001, 06:01 AM

One Englishman to another,grow a thicker skin old chap,or you'll soon be Fokker Fodder,you're over the Lines for real this time.Stop snivelling and get back in formation.If you last long enough you will learn something from these lads.

16 May 2001, 06:29 AM

Oh, so I'm snivelling now, am I?

I think I understand now. I might learn something if I agree with everyone else's opinions, but, because perhaps I don't know as much as the collective, I have to keep my gob shut. Or is it that because I don't know as much as the collective, that I'm deemed not to have an opinion?

Terribly sorry, I made the mistake of thinking this was a forum.

mike_baram · 16 May 2001, 06:44 AM

It is a forum. But, just as in that great American pastime, FOOTBALL, don't expect to avoid getting hit when you're on the field.
Go Niners!

16 May 2001, 07:08 AM

>>Ah well, you can please all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but NEVER all of the people all of the time. - I forget who said this. <<
Al, 'Fool them' I think, not 'please' them. I also forget who said it but I'd bet my bottom €uro cent it was a politician....
Regards, JohnTB.
p.s. Is it just me or does this forum sometimes remind anyone else of the school playground!?

Michael · 16 May 2001, 09:16 AM

Since I have two young boys (11 and 7+) I have some expertise in this area.

Take it from me - schoolyards are MUCH better behaved than Forum.

"A hero is an ordinary person who for some fraction of his/her life behaves in an extraordinary (in the good sense) way."

"Most heroes believe that what they did was ordinary."

Michael

16 May 2001, 09:21 AM

Al
You were not able to freely express an opinion when a Mr. McCarthy was around. What a negation of democracy that was.
King George was not English, he was a Hannovarian as were his troops. Washington the victorious General was English as were his troops.
As a matter of interest, how long have your ancestors been in the States?
VBR
Peter S.

leo · 16 May 2001, 10:06 AM

As a amatter of fact, not all of GW's troops were English. There were large contingents Of Irish and Germans in hid ranks. The Germans in the British service were Hessians not Hanoverians. George I and George II were surely German, but George III was a self proclaimed Englishman.

All ye who enter here be prepared to be pissed off and pissed upon.

leo