I watched the news about the death of Michael Jackson, the world famous King of Pop, who entertained millions, earned millions, and spent millions. But since he also did some questionable things, that made him a villian to some people. I fully understand how his death has affected a lot of people---his fans particularly, and I also fully respect the masses of people who mourn his death.
But a nagging question is: why is it that when a well-known idol in the entertainment industry, like Michael Jackson, dies, people--both Americans and non-Americans---practically lose their minds with grief? Michael Jackson was a man whose only contribution to the country and the world was to entertain people, yet with his death, the American people have found the need to flock en masse to the stone slab with his name on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and even the US Congress saw the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing. I wonder why? Am I missing something here? A famous entertainer died, and all of a sudden his death is like that of a martyr just because he entertained people for a few decades?
But compare that to the death of a soldier who died to preserve the freedom of millions---[and even billions]; a soldier who, knowing that he/she would be asked to fight in a war and possibly die, yet still raises his/her hand and swears to defend the US Constitution, the United States of America, and the rights and freedom of not only US citizens but also America's allies. Where is the grief over a soldier's death? To my memory in my young life, present and past members of the US Congress have never yet seen the need to hold a "moment of silence" for a soldier who makes the supreme sacrifice, unless, of course, one is a famous general or well-decorated war hero. But still even if a well-known military officer dies, the outpouring of grief and mourning in the nation and the world is nowhere like the one for Michael Jackson.
People do not flock in droves to the grave or memorial of a soldier who died. Large masses of people do not mourn for those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that their [the people's] freedom is ensured. Instead, when a soldier dies, there are, in fact, people who even have the gall to say: "Good riddance!" or "Thank God for IEDs!" And to add insult to injury, even the news media today have absolutely no qualms about portraying soldiers as criminals. But with Michael Jackson's death, there have been page upon page in the newspapers and hours of radio/TV coverage expressing condolence sorrow mixed with "sweetness & praise", yet he has not served a single day to help fight for the freedom of America and her allies but died of drug overdose only.
When did the values of this country get so mixed up that even national leaders and a vast segment of American citizens have become callous to the sacrifice of the good men and women in the military, and people simply arbitrarily "blow off" the death of soldiers, yet throw themselves into a tizzy over the death of drug-addicted pop idol?
If the US Congress sees the need to have a moment of silence for Michael Jackson, why don't they see the need to hold a similar moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan? Why don't they see the need to publicly recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can enjoy their lives of luxury and freedom, which soldiers---both those who are still alive and those who have gone---have sacrificed for and/or died to preserve.
But, of course, a moment of silence for every dead soldier would take too much time because there have been so many who have willingly made the supreme sacrifice. Besides, soldiers are never famous because they do not make millions of dollars by singing, dancing or playing in professional sports. The vast majority of soldiers have never starred in any movie or show to entertain and amuse people, which people willingly pay a lot of money to watch. Most soldiers have never written hit songs which the world plays and listens to over and over for hours, days, and weeks on end. Soldiers, as far as the general public, are only meant to shed blood, sweat, and tears while people have fun and enjoy what they have. To most of the world, a soldier's work is not worth much; much less is the death of one. They may pretend to occasionally praise the military especially on Memorial Day, July 4th, or Veterans' Day, but it is basicallly really a mere jumble of empty words said or written just to be polite.
I am sorry if I have offended anyone, but I needed to say it.
In closing, if it is not too much to ask, I would like to request every resident and citizen of the USA and the world to remember one thing about soldiers: "They serve so that you can have the freedom to enjoy your life of fun and frivolity!"
-A lowly US soldier named Isaac-
But a nagging question is: why is it that when a well-known idol in the entertainment industry, like Michael Jackson, dies, people--both Americans and non-Americans---practically lose their minds with grief? Michael Jackson was a man whose only contribution to the country and the world was to entertain people, yet with his death, the American people have found the need to flock en masse to the stone slab with his name on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and even the US Congress saw the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing. I wonder why? Am I missing something here? A famous entertainer died, and all of a sudden his death is like that of a martyr just because he entertained people for a few decades?
But compare that to the death of a soldier who died to preserve the freedom of millions---[and even billions]; a soldier who, knowing that he/she would be asked to fight in a war and possibly die, yet still raises his/her hand and swears to defend the US Constitution, the United States of America, and the rights and freedom of not only US citizens but also America's allies. Where is the grief over a soldier's death? To my memory in my young life, present and past members of the US Congress have never yet seen the need to hold a "moment of silence" for a soldier who makes the supreme sacrifice, unless, of course, one is a famous general or well-decorated war hero. But still even if a well-known military officer dies, the outpouring of grief and mourning in the nation and the world is nowhere like the one for Michael Jackson.
People do not flock in droves to the grave or memorial of a soldier who died. Large masses of people do not mourn for those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that their [the people's] freedom is ensured. Instead, when a soldier dies, there are, in fact, people who even have the gall to say: "Good riddance!" or "Thank God for IEDs!" And to add insult to injury, even the news media today have absolutely no qualms about portraying soldiers as criminals. But with Michael Jackson's death, there have been page upon page in the newspapers and hours of radio/TV coverage expressing condolence sorrow mixed with "sweetness & praise", yet he has not served a single day to help fight for the freedom of America and her allies but died of drug overdose only.
When did the values of this country get so mixed up that even national leaders and a vast segment of American citizens have become callous to the sacrifice of the good men and women in the military, and people simply arbitrarily "blow off" the death of soldiers, yet throw themselves into a tizzy over the death of drug-addicted pop idol?
If the US Congress sees the need to have a moment of silence for Michael Jackson, why don't they see the need to hold a similar moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan? Why don't they see the need to publicly recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can enjoy their lives of luxury and freedom, which soldiers---both those who are still alive and those who have gone---have sacrificed for and/or died to preserve.
But, of course, a moment of silence for every dead soldier would take too much time because there have been so many who have willingly made the supreme sacrifice. Besides, soldiers are never famous because they do not make millions of dollars by singing, dancing or playing in professional sports. The vast majority of soldiers have never starred in any movie or show to entertain and amuse people, which people willingly pay a lot of money to watch. Most soldiers have never written hit songs which the world plays and listens to over and over for hours, days, and weeks on end. Soldiers, as far as the general public, are only meant to shed blood, sweat, and tears while people have fun and enjoy what they have. To most of the world, a soldier's work is not worth much; much less is the death of one. They may pretend to occasionally praise the military especially on Memorial Day, July 4th, or Veterans' Day, but it is basicallly really a mere jumble of empty words said or written just to be polite.
I am sorry if I have offended anyone, but I needed to say it.
In closing, if it is not too much to ask, I would like to request every resident and citizen of the USA and the world to remember one thing about soldiers: "They serve so that you can have the freedom to enjoy your life of fun and frivolity!"
-A lowly US soldier named Isaac-
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