Worshipful coverage of the U.S. military

Not everyone in uniform is a hero. To say otherwise again confirms the thread's premise: that there's a bias to cheerleading in our military coverage.

 

No, but some do. And they don't get good pay, oodles of free time for their "side businesses" and a super pension as part of one of the strongest, most untouchable unions in the country. Nor do cabbies and pizza drivers get adulation and hero-worship.

It's why professional firefighting jobs are perhaps the most sought-after public employee job in the country.

 

I always thought cheerleaders were ditzy.

 

81 firefighters died in 2011. 48 of them from heart attacks.

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/media/press/2012releases/010312.shtm

Since 2007, 52% of fatalities have been to volunteers and 27% of all deaths have been classified under non-incident related.

http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/fatalityData/statistics

Construction workers are many times more likely to die.

http://www.lvrj.com/business/analysis-shows-construction-deaths-slowing-in-u-s-128451228.html

 

Isn't a completely fair distinction that fire fighting involves helping other people in dire circumstances while those other dangerous professions are largely just danger for the sake of business?

 

You could make the same case for Pro Life volunteers.

 

Are there documented cases of pro-life volunteers losing life or limb in the line of duty?

 

Probably not but they are saving lives.

 

Sure, but the "hero" label only seems to get affixed to those who risk their own lives at the same time.

I infrequently hear doctors called "heroes," for example.

 

Should I let Hondo know at some point that my original post was sarcastic?

 

He's rolling.

 

Firefighting involves gourmet cooking and working out prodigiously as well. At least paid firefighting, as I've witnessed by the local fire truck parked at the grocery store, with five guys in there buying 200 bucks worth of food for a veritable Spanish afternoon of feasting.