Many of us have known people we consider true heroes and many of us have witnessed acts of true heroism. In my line of work I have seen people take chances with their own safety to help others. My wife and I are heavily involved with the USO and veteran's organizations and we know some true heroes from these associations as well. If you have been around heroic people and witnessed heroic acts I believe it makes you more sensitive and aware when you are in a hero's presence.
I have not known many true heroes who are or were blowhards who believe that they were born with better than the rest of us with some sort of superior command presence. They have mostly been more along the lines of the hand that seems to come out of nowhere when you really find yourself in trouble. Our country really is in trouble... Col. Lakin was that hand that came out of nowhere and tried to help. The force that he confronted was too big to be beaten by him alone; if enough others had come forward to help the battle might have been won. That his actions have not yet had the desired result does not diminish what he did in the least.
I am skeptical that Centurion has had much exposure to true heroes or witnessed true acts of heroism. Maybe he has bought into Hollywood's and the Main Stream Media's view of heroism. Maybe he thinks that sports players, actors, editorial writers, and politicians are the heroes in our society. I say this because if he can't recognize a true hero such as Col. Lakin then he might not have much experience with true heroism.
I have known and still know some people who I consider true heroes. They are typically not the people society recognizes. They can be of any age, sex, race, religion, or even political affiliation. Often their heroic actions are never noticed by anyone and they receive no recognition. Most true heroes aren't looking for the spotlight. Some of them are found by the spotlight and some of them fade under the pressure and the scrutiny of the spotlight.
I mostly feel sorry for Centurion because if he can't recognize Col. Lakin as the true hero that he is... Centurion must live in a very small world with some very dim horizons. Many people who refuse to acknowledge heroic acts do so because they know inside that they are the cowards. Col. Lakin’s heroism is not diminished because a short sighted coward like Centurion will not acknowledge his sacrifice.
Thanks for ignoring FR posting etiquette and failing to ping me. I, too, have seen heroes in many walks of life, both on the battlefield and off. Lakin is no hero, just a misguided fool. If he had talked to an attorney with the slightest bit of competence, instead of one with a political agenda, he would have known that he had no chance and that the birther issue would never get its day in court. I do hope that he gets a chance to put his life back together.
You, and others, are most welcome to search my posting history on the Lakin case, as well as others on matters military and political. You will encounter responses from JimRob that may surprise you. My consistent point in this case has been that soldiers and officers have a duty to follow legal orders and the orders Lakin received were certainly legal. The military must remain a nonpolitical, disciplined force obedient to its chain of command and not some unruly commie union mob like we have seen recently in Wisconsin. But, I doubt that you could understand that distinction.
All of this has nothing to do with Obama, who demonstrates everyday that he has fairly earned his reputation as the worst President in the history of America. Those bright bulbs out there who want to connect a defense of military integrity and discipline with a love for Obama can continue to demonstrate their limited cognitive skills.
Of course, the debate over Lakin takes place within the larger birther brigade discussions. Obama and his supporters are quite pleased at the willingness of the birthers to carry his water. They are missing the real point. None of us know where Obama was born, but I believe that the odds favor a Honolulu birth. The real issue, is not his place of birth, but rather what version of birth certificate, passport, draft registration, school records existed at what point in time and what that information would tell us about his early life. What evidence do we have that Barack Obama Sr knew Ann Dunham for any longer period than 15 minutes? When did Barack the Younger adopt that name and why? Did he ever take the steps to restore his citizenship, his legal name, his U.S. passport, or he is still legally Barry Soetoro with a ghost written autobiography that creates a BHO myth. The answers to these questions would have kept him out of the White House in the first place and will ensure that he is not reelected. But, instead folks entertain themselves with some Kenyan hospital fairytale. By obsessing over the birth issue, they are missing the real story.
Well, I’ve rambled on long enough and I wouldn’t want to make you late for your rendezvous with all of your hero buddies at the State Capitol in Madison. Have fun.