A Soldier's Take On Michael Jackson's Death
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.
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 riddance," 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 others may live..." was also the creed of the Air Rescue & Recovery Service during Vietnam & is still today
I would love for people to leave comments on this so we can have a descusion on it.
Park City Utah
2 years ago
2 comments:
I had no idea Congress had a moment of silence for Michael Jackson. Wouldn't that be something if they had a moment of silence for every soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice? Would it even make the news? And perhaps next time there is a filibuster, they should start reading fallen soldiers' names. That might get them back on track.
It seems sometimes we really do get our priorities mixed up, doesn't it? Why is it that Hollywood has such a strong pull on people? Maybe because we think their lives are so much more exciting than our own. I would much rather have my own "normal", happy life than trade places with any celebrity.
Thanks for posting such a thought-provoking post. I linked to this from my blog.
~Angel
As the wife of a soldier serving his third tour in Iraq. I've had these same thoughts. I have felt bitterness and anger that the media would continue to make such a big deal over Michael Jackson's death.
I am a compassonate person and have remembered MJ's family in my prayers.
Does anyone know how many of our brave men & women have given their lives in service to our country in the weeks following MJ's death? I have attended more memorials than I care to think about in the last 4 years, I have prayed for the loved ones of our heros called home. I've cried tears for children who will never know their mom or dad and for wives and husbands who will never hear the words I love you.
The only thing I can come up w/ is that the death of Americas heros is not entertaining enough. SAD... Our forefathers are surely rolling over in their graves.
Post a Comment