Is Superman Dead?

Give the short video below a chance, it isn't what it first appears to be. One of the greatest concepts of American culture has always been heroism. Born, I'd argue, by our traditional emphasis on individual rights and freedoms empowering any one individual to rise up above and beyond that which is markedly average.

From certain founders, to named pioneers, fictional characters like Paul Bunyan and other figures, mythic or real, America has always defined itself through its heroes. That's why, though young, we've always put forward more of them than any other contemporary culture. Yes, a John Wayne, half-real, half-myth, would figure into that equation, too.

Conversely, socialism, communism, neo-Liberalism, the Democrat Party of today, they are not just non-heroic in nature, they are anti-heroic. There is no room for the hero in an America driven by a Leftist ideology. Be it a President, Christ, a cowboy, or a Pat Tillman, they must tear it down. It is also why you won't find today's Leftist media celebrating the heroism of any one soldier too loudly, or for too long.

To do so would be to credit individualism above collectivism, to celebrate excellence over mediocrity. To do so would be to support American ideals and values they are dedicated to destroying. And most of the idiots don't even know why they do or don't do it, so little insight into, or understanding of traditional American values have they.

The last sitting Democrat President to understand this was John Kennedy when he said,

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

You will not find a single popular Democrat, nor many Republicans with the insight, vision and courage to sincerely ask the above questions today. As Liberalism opposes any one individual being held up heroically above the masses, it also opposes any one Nation being exalted in a similar manner.

If Superman dies, or is already dead, then so is the America so many of us have come to know, respect and even love.

Comments

[lenglish]

Superman committed suicide. The second one fell off his horse, was paralyzed and died later.

[Sgt.York]

What's up with the hero worship? It's rather childish but it does fit right in with the authoritarianism that 50% of the Republican Party has degenerated into. It's always those who have never served in the military who espouse these romanticized hero concepts. About Kennedy's comment - it's garbage. It turns the entire concept of a free and democratic society into little more than Stalinism where citizens serve the state rather than the state being a compact between citizens to serve their interests. By the way, Individualism rather than authoritarianism or militarism is what the Republican Party stood for before the Neo-Cons took over.

[scarshapedstar]

What, Superman's bigger than Jesus?

[Dan Riehl]

"What's up with the hero worship? It's rather childish"

From someone posting as Sgt. York? Yes, the far right has its imbeciles, too.

http://www.worldwar1.com/heritage/sgtayork.htm

[templar knight]

The real Alvin York, not that dufus that just posted, along with Audie Murphy, were two great Americans, heros of the first order.

And very small Sgt. York, what the hell is up with the authoritarianism meme? You liberals keep repeating it, over and over, and you remind me very much of another man in the totalitarian stripe, who repeated lies over and over and over. He started a World War that cost the lives of tens of millions, and one that decimated the West. The seeds of this war are now reaching fruition.

[Buzzy]

Dan, you're bumming me out dude. Yeah it's true but damn. There can be no heroes in our culture anymore, the proud nail always gets pounded down hard. We've had to hear how JFK cheated on his wife and I doubt that FDR could get elected as dogcatcher with leg braces and a wheelchair. Too sad.

[TheSpartan]

Dude, it's a comic book.

[Bob's Unit]

Nice, Dan. I think the theme was altruism. It's a trait we don't see in our leaders much these days. But, I'll say this and never back down from it no matter the argument: I think George Bush comes as close to altruism as any president we've had since Lincoln.

.
Spart,

Go look up 'metaphor'. You sound like a moron with zero insight.

[Bob's Unit]

I should have said, "Sgt.York and Spart,..."

"Hero worship..."? Can anyone be that stupid?

[imaginewhirledpeas]

What makes you think Lincoln was altruistic?

[TheSpartan]

I understand mataphor just fine and it's still just a comic book. You're probably the type that flips over a burning flag.

[Phoenix]

Peas,

Because he didn't really want to be president. He also, very much like Bush, managed to carry on the job of governing the country despite immense pressure from both sides of his cabinet.

Have you read any of Paul Johnson's works? One, "Intellectuals", is about twenty-five of history's most famous or infamous 'intellectuals'. (I put it in marks because Johnson profiles the 'thinkers' - not the intellectual in constant pursuit of knowledge.) Johnson has an uncanny knack for profiling beyond 'what' each intellectual did and going into 'why' he did what he did and what this 'why' had to do with making these men gain such fame. There were only a few presidents of our country listed, but Lincoln was one of them. Without question, the reader comes away realizing that the one thing these intellectuals did NOT have, and how that thing caused their success or failure as worldly great thinkers was an understanding of human nature. It is clear, crystal clear that Lincoln had that understanding in spades. Johnson also notes in his book on American History where he does detail all the presidents, that one of the reasons Lincoln encountered so much hassle from those he worked with was because they did not grasp the enormity of what happens when leaders ignore the nature of the human animal, his spirit and intrinsic drives. Any great leader who has managed to turn a country from chaos to success has had the ability to understand human nature and to use that understanding in making sometimes edgy political decisions. Vaclev Havel, my Top Tier hero, is such a man.

[Phoenix]

Sigh. I can't believe you teach, Spart. I'd ask for my money back.

You're an embarrassment to the profession if all you can say is: "Dude, it's just a comic." Or to say to me that I flip over a burning flag. No, I don't, as a matter of fact. I have a problem with someone shitting on it. But, hey, what the hell... it was just poop. I should rethink myself.

And you don't know metaphor anymore than you grok the difference in sentiment and arrogance.

[Buzzy]

It's just a comic book?

[Zifnab]

Dan realizes that Superman isn't a real person, right?

[moldy]

I agree with Dan. Superman, Paul Bunyan, the soldiers who heroically rescued Jessica Lynch, John Wayne, they're all good examples of American heroism.

[Buzzy]

Doesn't make his death any less sad Ziffy.

[Phoenix]

Dan realizes that Superman isn't a real person, right?

Posted by: Zifnab | Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 11:55 PM

Zifnab realizes that God isn't a real person, right? Zif realizes the G.I. Joes figures he played with when he was a boy were just plastic dolls that wore weird uniforms....nothing else...no, nothing like using them to play war a be heroes. Zif realizes that all famous fiction characters who are models of any great discourse aren't real, right? Zif realizes that all the characters in a movie mean nothing, right? None of these examples matter because they're fake. yeah.....