To continue on the subject of heroism, I found an article and video from CNN on a car crash from way back in September that also occurred in the Logan area. The crash was from a car pulling out in front of a motorcyclist. The man on the motorcycle tried to get out of the way but it resulted in a crash. The motorcycle spilled gasoline, which soon ignited. The motorcyclist was trapped under the BMW and the ignited motorcycle. However, all was not lost. Some good samaritans came to the rescue. These everyday people gathered all together to lift the BMW off of the poor man trapped beneath. For more information on the crash read CNN's article. A video captured the heroic acts of the bystanders:
The video depicts the courageousness of the many bystanders who came to the rescue of the motorcyclist. The policeman was originally going to get a jack to lift the BMW up, but then he realized that the citizens planned on using manual labor to lift and move the car. Keep in mind that the car was on fire. These are more examples of heroes. They don't have super suits or powers, yet they completed a super act-lifting a car off of an injured victim. Perhaps that's what makes them a hero, the fact that though they have no more capability than you and me they saved an innocent man from a horrible fate. So what is it that makes them heroes?
Monday, January 2, 2012
Heroism: The Eight Angels
This past Saturday in Logan bystanders came to the rescue of a family whose car had crashed into the a river. In the car was the father, one four-year old, and two nine-year olds. To avoid a crash with another vehicle the father put on the brakes. Unfortunately the car slid and rolled down the embankment and into the icy river below, according to KSL's article on the Logan crash. A video of the news was also included,
The video tells the full story of the crash on Saturday. The heroic acts done by the bystanders made the father of the children exclaim, "I'm confident that there were angels watching over us from above. But I also know there were eight angels in the water with me."
What does it take for one to be considered a hero? Was it the fast action by the helpers. Or was it the fact that though they had no relation to family in the car they were willing to jump in to the river in the middle of winter to save them. Sitting here I believe that I would naturally have come to the rescue the people, but who knows? Do we all have potential to be a hero or are there few who are born to be heroes? Perhaps is what you are taught as you grow up. Instead of an "every man for himself" idea, theses bystanders believed in the value of "putting others before yourself".
The video tells the full story of the crash on Saturday. The heroic acts done by the bystanders made the father of the children exclaim, "I'm confident that there were angels watching over us from above. But I also know there were eight angels in the water with me."
What does it take for one to be considered a hero? Was it the fast action by the helpers. Or was it the fact that though they had no relation to family in the car they were willing to jump in to the river in the middle of winter to save them. Sitting here I believe that I would naturally have come to the rescue the people, but who knows? Do we all have potential to be a hero or are there few who are born to be heroes? Perhaps is what you are taught as you grow up. Instead of an "every man for himself" idea, theses bystanders believed in the value of "putting others before yourself".
"Free"dom of Speech
The other day while I was watching The Colbert Report, "The Word" caught my attention. Colbert was talking about how in Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has issued a new law that makes protestors pay "$50 per hour per Capitol Police Officer". This new law was issued in response to cost of a protest in February of last year. The protesters in Madison, Wisconsin we fighting against collective bargaining rights. Stephen Colbert takes a humourous view on the issue in "The Word-Let Them Buy Cake":
He plays on the fact that almost everything seems to cost something. As he said, "Freedom isn't free, so it's logical that freedom of speech would cost money." This appears to severely contradict our right to protest. How will people get their thoughts and opinions known if they can't afford to say them. Now Colbert gives the idea that you can advertisements to pay for your right to protest, but realistically...how? Is it real freedom if we can't afford to take part in it?
The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
He plays on the fact that almost everything seems to cost something. As he said, "Freedom isn't free, so it's logical that freedom of speech would cost money." This appears to severely contradict our right to protest. How will people get their thoughts and opinions known if they can't afford to say them. Now Colbert gives the idea that you can advertisements to pay for your right to protest, but realistically...how? Is it real freedom if we can't afford to take part in it?
Monday, November 14, 2011
Penn State Riots: Just or Just Idiocy?
Over the weekend my good friend alerted me to the news of the riots at Penn State. On November 10th a riot broke out at Penn State. For background information, it's helpful to read "Penn State Students Clash With Police in Unrest After Announcement" from the New York Times. Basically, Joe Paterno, the former football coach, was fired. His former assistant coach has been arrested for sexually abusing young boys. Paterno was fired because he didn't go to the police when a witness came to him about an incident of sexual abuse by the assistant coach in 2002. Students took the downtown streets in a mad riot to protest the firing of Joe Paterno. The students protested saying the board of education "tarnished a legend" and "is an embarrassment to the school."
Jon Stewart provides a comical, opposing viewpoint:
He draws a connection between religion (Catholicism) and football at Penn State. The Pope is much like the Coach and the services are the games on the weekends. This is pointing towards the sex abuses scandals that plague the Catholic Church. However it also illuminates the obsessive love of competition and sports in America.
Americans thrive on the Sunday football games. It's an American past time! These students that protested at Penn State show how deep that love is. They turned over media trucks and jumped on cars simply because their football coach was fired, thus jeopardizing their season. The riot exemplifies the crazy adoration Americans have for sports and competition.
How does competition affect your life?
Jon Stewart provides a comical, opposing viewpoint:
He draws a connection between religion (Catholicism) and football at Penn State. The Pope is much like the Coach and the services are the games on the weekends. This is pointing towards the sex abuses scandals that plague the Catholic Church. However it also illuminates the obsessive love of competition and sports in America.
Americans thrive on the Sunday football games. It's an American past time! These students that protested at Penn State show how deep that love is. They turned over media trucks and jumped on cars simply because their football coach was fired, thus jeopardizing their season. The riot exemplifies the crazy adoration Americans have for sports and competition.
How does competition affect your life?
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