A Soldier’s Take On Michael Jackson’s Death
Oh my gosh my dad sent this to me in an email a little bit ago and it’s exactly what I’ve been talking about since the whole Michael Jackson death. Yes he was an entertainer (and even one that I listened to, sang along to & even tried his famous signature move on more than one occasion) and sure it’s sad he passed away but seriously why haven’t people cared as much about our soldiers that are dying for our freedom as they have about MJ (or any celebrity for that matter)? Soldiers – men and women – are selfless enough to put their lives on hold, say goodbye to their friends and family, ‘normal’ as they know to put their lives in danger for us….for US people. Hello! That’s a hero!
Anyways here’s the email:
This is written by a young soldier serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting and he’s right.
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 villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn hi s 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 American 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 to 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
P.S.-”So that other’s may live…” was also the creed of the Air Rescue & Recovery Service during Vietnam & is still today.
1Nicole Dean
wrote on 15 July 2009 at 13:29
Can I hear an AMEN?!
Amen. And, thank you for saying what was in my head that I couldn’t express. There are heroes everywhere who haven’t been celebrated, dead and alive. And, our soldiers and firefighters, police men and women — ((sigh))
Thanks much for this.
Nicole Dean’s last blog post..Weird Niche: Birds, Bird Diapers, Bird Costumes
2Admin
wrote on 15 July 2009 at 13:39
Nicole – Thank you so much for your comment. It seems that talking about this is a bit controversial (maybe that’s not the correct word) because it’s brought up lots of talk. I’m just still so flabbergasted that so MANY people look at MJ as an idol, etc. I don’t get it. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I just really wish that the public would show more appreciation for our true heroes than what recognition they do get! It saddens me that these people (like you said firefighters, police, soldiers) are selfless enough to put themselves on the line for US but there isn’t much respect paid to them when they are wounded or worse yet killed.
Oh I could go on and on about this subject. Sigh.
3Michelle
wrote on 15 July 2009 at 15:01
I feel the same way. I was hanging out with my dad at one of the local pubs when Jackson died. It was all anyone talked about. I want to know why anyone “really” cares. I think it is far more important to honor our veterans, civil service, etc, passed or alive. I actually have been to Washington D.C. and looked at The Wall there. It is staggering. There should be more monuments to our heros, the real ones not the “icons”. Glad you posted this.
Michelle’s last blog post..What To Cook Wednesday
4Admin
wrote on 16 July 2009 at 4:22
Michelle – I understand people being sad that he died. He was after all a great entertainer for many many years. But it’s just been so commercialized and over talked about and blah blah blah. It’s like give it a rest peeps! I want to go to Washington D.C. and view the wall! I can’t imagine how amazing but yet sad it would be to view that.
5Jenny
wrote on 19 July 2009 at 17:22
I think this country is a country full of morons. I don’t mean to offend anyone by this but it’s true.
They don’t care about the soldiers fighting to keep the towel wearing shit heads out of our lives. I guess they could care less if they had to spend the rest of their lives in a sheet. They care more about where their next tv show or movie is coming from and if a celeb, or even a pervert pedophile in fancy clothes kicks the bucket, well…the world is just over then.
I’m not rascist, I swear. I just know where my priorities are.
Jenny’s last blog post..Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
6Alaina Frederick
wrote on 22 July 2009 at 18:15
SERIOUSLY!!!
I keep asking my husband what is the big freakin deal. Tributes to MJ, a sales pitch guy, etc – they were one person. I am sad for their families and friends but at the same token society as a whole is taking it way out of proportion.
What about all the men and women that are dying daily for us – hundreds and thousands every year. What about them? What about having memorial services broadcast for hours on TV for them…
7Tammy
wrote on 22 July 2009 at 23:08
as you know I wrote about this topic on my blog, armyhousehold6.com, I just love the fact that you get to hear it from a serving member of the military.
I think its important to acknowledge the sacrifices law enforcement, firefighters ,etc make for our communities. It certainly makes a difference. However, without the awesome power of our military (past and present) we wouldn’t have the rights/privileges that we have grown accustomed to. : )
Just one active duty deployed soldier’s wife’s thoughts…