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 his 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 ridence," 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..."

 

This is true... I'm so glad this Michael Jackson ordeal is over with. I didn't even bother turning on the news for the past couple weeks because thats all they were talking about. They only gave Billy Maes and Farrah Fawcet a 30 second clip on the news while Jackson got the whole program. Honestly, who cared if he was a pop icon, their are more important things going on in this country but we as so morally screwed up that we rather mourn over a pop icon rather than mourn over the people who have made our country into what it is.
Once I finish with my degree, I'll be leaving for flight school through the Navy and its hard to believe people care more about a celebrity more than the men and women who are and will be fighting for the freedom of the United States.

 

i remember reading or hearing something that soldiers that come back from the middle east after being injured or have there buddys wounded or killed had a tough time coping with civilian life for this very reason. america is too caught up in the hollywood that they forget they are people dying for them in another place in the world.

one day a soldier could be fightning for his life and the next he could be at home and could turn on the news and instead of hearing about the war its how some celebrity got a DUI or got a boob job. its very sad. god bless all those soldiers who fight for this country

 

Quite a few people take a few days before Memorial Day to place flags on every grave that can be located of passed servicemen and servicewomen....

Memorial Day was set aside to lump all of the fallen together. It's a bigger holiday than some realize, but like we all know:

If it doesn't show up on the news.....it didn't happen.




Bless all who serve and who have served....

 

I thank god every day for the people that are serving our country to keep us all safe. My dad served in the air force and raised me to be thankful for our freedom because of all soldiers that have served and is serving right know.Every time i meet a soldier i shake thier hand and thank them for their service to our country.

 

Jackson was just another overpaid entertainer, he was a freak, I don't care that he died, only sorrow I have for the death of Jackson is for all the people like me that got tired, after the first day of coverage, of the non stop coverage and the fact they made him out to almost God status.

America is a very entertainment driven country, sad as it is its the fact. Real heroes like our military men and women, our police and firefighters do not get the recognition they deserve, for the job they do and for the selfless sacrifices they make daily.

 

What you say is sad but true about the news, and I feel for the soldier who comes home and sees the news like that! But I want you to know that not everyone is more concerned with the pop icons than with the sacrifices made by our military. Most of the people I know have a great deal of respect for the men and women who serve(d) in the military, and those who have given their life for our freedom.
This fourth of July at the park with friends, kicking back on a lawnchair, I couldn't help but remember the reason I was free to be there doing just that. That afternoon some dumbas- band singer made a mockery (intentionally awful singing) of the National Anthem! He got boo-ed loudly by us and others, thought we were going to have to restrain a friend from going up there and ..
I was just furious that that as- could get up on stage during the 4th celebration and do that, with who knows how many veterans there, how many people who have a loved one who died serving..
I complained to my alderman about it (he was at the park too), and also made a complaint at the ticket booth. They said a lot of people already did. My alderman talked to someone in charge of the Independence Day park celebration. There already were a lot of complaints made. The guy said that the band will NOT be coming back again.

I'm just telling you this because for every one who cares more about the death of a pop star, or like that guy in that band, there are many many more people who remember, and appreciate the sacrifice that has been made for us and for our freedom. And I just want to say, Thank You!!! I know they're only words, but they are sincere, Thank You!!

 

Logan,
Right-ON Brother!! Preach on. You are 100% correct. I say "Thank You Sir" for your service to this country. Your location says you are in Iraq, I will assume you are in the service. Stay safe and make it home soon. If we ever meet face to face somewhere at an event or something like that, I will gladly look you in the eye, shake your hand and repeat my thanks.

 

No im a contractor with KBR and ive been here 1 year, 3 months, 1 day, 12 hours, 43 minutes and 20 seconds.......21, 22, 23, 24.....

I'm hoping to be in Afghanistan within 2 to 3 months with Fluor-Daniels.....I figure ill spend another 14-15 months there then come home......MAYBE.....