Subject: FW: A soldier's responds to MJ's death...
Can I get an AMEN??
The death of Michael Jackson at the age of 50 is sad for many of his fans, but this soldier has a very valid perspective on the subject.
This is written by a young man serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting.
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 villian 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 Amercian 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 so 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
Copy & paste to friend: (Click inside box; Ctrl + C to copy; Ctrl + V to paste)
|
|
read more blogs!
Blogs by luvshorses644:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wisdom of a Soldier.. nuf said... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RainSongSpirit
|
Jul 16 @ 11:42AM
|
|
AMEN sista hipsta 
|
|
American_Woman
|
Jul 16 @ 12:12PM
|
|
|
AMEN
|
|
weldingkat
|
Jul 16 @ 1:00PM
|
|
True, Michael Jackson was an entertainer, but he was a top notch performaner since the age of five through 2009. Whether a fan or not most everyone remembers something about their life at the time when "Thriller" came out as it was new, fresh and groundbreaking for it's time. The man gave 45 of his 50 years to the world as an entertainer with singing and dancing and spetacular shows. In many ways, he set the bar higher for those who follow.
So of course much of the world mourns the loss of his existance. We felt the same loss when any of the great peformers passed away, MJ just being a recent example.
However, that does not take away from or downplay the incredible sacrifice many of our men and women in the armed forces have made on our behalf, furthering our safety, security, beliefs and ideals. Certainly, there is no greater sacrifice and nothing that is said, written, or done can properly thank and honor these brave people for what they have given us.
To me, they are two different things entirely, and neither minimizes the other.
The problem is in the current media system which determines what is to be aired solely based on ratings. Giving hours, days and months of MJ memories draws more advertising dollars than listing soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice - and that is where our society and corporate media houses have gone bad - we have forgotten what is important.
I have always believed that every member of the armed forces that is killed or seriously injured in an "action" or a "war" should have his or her name revealed on the evening news followed by a moment of silence out of respect for and to honor their sacrifice.
So I too give you an "Amen".
|
|
|