"My problem was the examples as well."
The core issue was that Dave S equated deviance with heroism.
Deviance is negative, antinormative behavior, while
Heroism is courageous role modeling, spine, backbone, fighting for what's right.
I disagree with his examples and equating of concepts but it's clear that he does NOT endorse such deviance.
Bottom line: the several of us surely agree that public pervesion and aberration doth not a hero make.
pervesion = perversion
OK, the examples werent so good. I was trying to come up with something that you wouldnt agree with to help make the example it doesnt take courageous action to fight for or stand up for what the common man is demanding. If virtually everone is for something, how courageous an act can it be to defend it. At that point, it could almost become pandering. Maybe better examples would be coming out against slavery in 1856 Alabama or taking part in a civil rights sit-in at a lunch counter in Alabama during the early 60's.
We sure do agree that deviance does not make a hero or make them courageous. Dave S had the right idea with bad examples, and it sure did get a response! :) I have done that before in other areas and spent the rest of the thread trying to say why I said something -- not easy.