Karrie:
This thread rocks.
There seems to be a clear distinction here between the hero as someone who does a heroic act, and the "celebrity hero" - imagine a sports figure - someone who is called a hero merely because they are famous. Some folks might even think of - gasp! - Paris Hilton as their "hero."
Of course we have to have people to look up to, the extraordinary life that motivates us to try harder, and I see nothing wrong with that. Antoine de St Exupry and E.B. White are two of my literary heroes. They inspire (goad?) me into being a better, more disciplined writer.
Ought we scrutinize a politicians life when they run for office? Only if they run on their reputation or they base their campaign on "family values." Do they live now as they would like all of us to?
Senator Larry Craig is a good example, if only the most recent. Co-author of the military "don't ask, don't tell" anti-gay witch hunt policy, it was right and good for the press to report on his gay behaviour. His hypocrisy illuminated his politics.
If a politician runs on policy and ideas, and defends those policies and ideas on their own merits, without an appeal to authority or character, then you are right, we should keep our noses out of their personal business.
When was the last time an American political candidate didn't make a very public display of their piety? When was the last time a Canadian conservative (regardless of party) candidate didn't talk of the importance of leading a disciplined, moral life? As soon as they do this, we get to see if they walk the walk - their personal lives have been made fair game by their own words and actions.
Pangloss
This thread rocks.
There seems to be a clear distinction here between the hero as someone who does a heroic act, and the "celebrity hero" - imagine a sports figure - someone who is called a hero merely because they are famous. Some folks might even think of - gasp! - Paris Hilton as their "hero."
Of course we have to have people to look up to, the extraordinary life that motivates us to try harder, and I see nothing wrong with that. Antoine de St Exupry and E.B. White are two of my literary heroes. They inspire (goad?) me into being a better, more disciplined writer.
Ought we scrutinize a politicians life when they run for office? Only if they run on their reputation or they base their campaign on "family values." Do they live now as they would like all of us to?
Senator Larry Craig is a good example, if only the most recent. Co-author of the military "don't ask, don't tell" anti-gay witch hunt policy, it was right and good for the press to report on his gay behaviour. His hypocrisy illuminated his politics.
If a politician runs on policy and ideas, and defends those policies and ideas on their own merits, without an appeal to authority or character, then you are right, we should keep our noses out of their personal business.
When was the last time an American political candidate didn't make a very public display of their piety? When was the last time a Canadian conservative (regardless of party) candidate didn't talk of the importance of leading a disciplined, moral life? As soon as they do this, we get to see if they walk the walk - their personal lives have been made fair game by their own words and actions.
Pangloss
