Peggy Noonan: Give Them a Medal

Opinion Journal ^ | 12/21/2001 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

Here are my heroes of September 11. Who are yours?

We wind up the year. It has been full of drama. We now prepare for fun. Christmas is coming, very soon, and whatever religious holiday you celebrate, you've probably got some cheer and downtime coming. And this is good.

[truthkeeper]

The media were heroes? I beg to differ. Also, where are the Flight 93 passengers??

[politeia]

" Paul McCartney. While Rock Hollywood went somewhat Goth and dark in its all-network fund-raiser and tribute to heroes, it was the fireman's son from Liverpool "

This may be an uninmportant comment and not meant to detract from Paul's deeds but other McCartney fans will probably know that Paul's father was not a fireman, he worked for a cotton trader in Liverpool. At least, this is what has been reported in numerous books about the Beatles. Liverpool was an important cotton port and its trade with American ports was supposedly responsible for influencing Liverpool rock groups in the late 1950's.

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

Thanks Pokey, every day spent with Peggy is a day well spent.

[dixiechick2000]

I would add President Bush and the military.

Thanks JH2!

Peggy Noonan bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for sharing your views!!!

[Twins613]

President George W. Bush

A bump in the hope that Jeb can someday present that medal to GWB.

[Askel5]

Thank you ...

[blackie]

Bump !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

The Right Of The People To Keep And Bear Arms Shall Not Be Infringed !!

An Armed Citizen, Is A Safe Citizen !!

No Guns, No Rights !!

Molon Labe !!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...

[F16Fighter]

"No Peggy. Stop inflating the meaning of the word 'Hero'. Medals only for those who were killed or injured trying to save lives other than their own, or who were killed trying to kill the terrorists."

Here, here...

I love Peggy Noonan, but this kind of of broad-sweeping definition of 'hero' and medal bestowment like they were M&Ms does cheapen their meaning.

Whatever happened to a simply pat on the back, and "Thank-you -- job well done..." as acknowledgement of gratitude for duty and an assumed patriotism?

[aruanan]

There are some who made it out of the buildings without injury, who put themselves at great risk helping others to escape. These, too are heroes, by my definition.

Okay, I'll definitely give you that!

[balls]

Right on! Incidentally, weren't the firefighters just doing their job (except for the ones who looted the stores under WTC)? The attention they have gotten has overshadowed the 3000 civilians who died in the towers. I bet there were heroes among them too.

[Straight Vermonter]

This may be an uninmportant comment and not meant to detract from Paul's deeds but other McCartney fans will probably know that Paul's father was not a fireman, he worked for a cotton trader in Liverpool.

Paul's comments during his concert were that his father was a fireman in WWII. I'm sure many people moved from their usual jobs to take on essential wartime roles, especially in Britain. I don't imagine there was much trade in cotton at that time either.

[Little John]

A great post ..... Noonans idea is feel good babble at its worst.

Following the great bravery shown by a few we have begun to see the very worst in human nature. As well meaning as Noonan is , her idea demeans, devalues and insults real hero's.

The last few days the press is full of stories of NY cops and firemen being flown everywhere around the world where there might be a group of 6 or more folks and a TV camera to receive accolades and freebees. It is enough to make Chuck Schumer eat his heart out. I wonder how many or these "heros" were actually at the site or in the buildings before the collapse.

Just knowing someone who was killed does not make anyone a hero. Taking care of your children after a spouse is suddenly killed does not make anyone a hero.... at least not by my definition.

Today's press also reports that hundreds who have worked at the site are now expected to file for their inflated tax free disability pensions due to what they've breathed at the clean-up site. Seems to me that they wouldn't be soaking up the OT that inflates their retirement if they were really being disabled by working there.

Next will be the press articles, (heard two radio stories today) about folks saying their $1.5 million isn't enough. Just watch the slugs start fighting about how they are not getting 'their fair share".

By the time the media is done with this story folks around the world will be so disgusted with what they have seen and read about NYers victims trying to squeeze the sytem for all it is worth that the city's rep will be worse than it was before.

NYers are great during emergencies .... but afterward is another story.

I don't think we should demean or devalue the meaning of the words bravery and hero.

[ken21]

i don't like some of those people that she mentions.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

God Bless you, sir. An honest opinion. LOL

[GretchenEE]

8. Michael Moran. I know it was vulgar; I know it wasn't dignified; I suspect it wasn't sober. But don't you think Mr. Moran, a fireman, got it right when he informed Osama bin Laden that he, Mr. Moran, was from Rockaway, and OBL could kiss his royal Irish ass? It was so old-fashioned ethnic, so old-fashioned Brooklyn and Queens. It was the authentic voice of the old New York, which was newly back in style. It captured what so many of us feel, whether of the Hibernian persuasion or not. And it's always nice to give a nod to royalty.

Priceless.

[TLBSHOW]

bump

[Cardenas]

BUMP!

[afraidfortherepublic]

I would like to add Barbara Olson.