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AZ8theist

(5,339 posts)
Mon Oct 21, 2019, 04:00 PM Oct 2019

In honor of my 1000th post here at DU, I would like to talk about my personal heroes

My Personal Heroes
There are others, but these stand out in my mind.
(in no particular order)

FDR: His policies, in getting us out of the disaster of the depression caused by Republican supply side economics, was an incredible achievement. His speeches daring the ruling class to challenge him were awe inspiring. Oh, and that little matter defeating fascism was pretty brave as well.

Neil Armstrong: The greatest scientific achievement in human history. While he was the first, I think of all of the Apollo astronauts and the courage it took to even go to the moon. On top of a 6.5 M pound controlled explosion, traveling farther into space than any other humans, then landing on the moon in essentially an aluminum can. These men had more courage in their fingernail clippings than the entire tonnage of moon landing deniers and flat earthers COMBINED.

Christopher Hitchens: His writings, his speeches, his debates. Such a brilliant mind. He inspired me to pursue a lifetime of skeptical questioning of long held dogmatic beliefs in our society. A true genius whose work “God is Not Great” will go down in history as one of the great works of literature.

Albert Einstein: Speaking of genius, his work in physics, while hard to understand sometimes, is a true exercise of critical thinking. I had to really work at understanding General and Special Relativity, but it was well worth the undertaking. His effect on our civilization is immeasurable.

Bobby Orr: The greatest hockey player who ever lived. Watching him as a kid inspired me to take up the game and play well beyond high school years. He cemented my lifelong love of the game.

Carl Sagan and Neil Degrasse Tyson: Two of the greatest science communicators of our time. Professor Sagan inspired an entire generation with his Cosmos series. Dr. Tyson has picked up the torch and continued that inspiration through brilliant communication of complex science to average folks.

Barack Obama: In the face of withering criticism and insults, he maintained a grace and dignity seldom seen in our political leaders. But I was most impressed with his intellect. I NEVER want to “have a beer” with the President. I want my president to be way smarter and much more experienced at government than me. Completely opposite of the traitorous imbecile currently “occupying” the WH today.

Hillary Clinton: In the face of 30 fucking years of unending bashing, she displayed a level of dignity, grace, and fortitude not matched by any man I know. How she put up with so much BS and didn't call it quits I'll never know. A truly remarkable person. I donated to her, I campaigned for her, and I VOTED FOR HER. She is my President, not the Russian stooge illegitimately occupying the WH now.

Abraham Lincoln: About the only Republican I could give 2 shits about. Well, not really….His leadership during the most existential crisis in American history was a remarkable achievement. His Gettysburg address will stand for all time as a testament to his greatness as a leader during the most troubling of circumstances. Truly awe-inspiring. (The only other Republican I could 2 shits for was Teddy Roosevelt, who through his tireless efforts on establishing our national park system, preserved for all eternity the beauty of our nation. It’s CRIMINAL that the fuckwit in the WH right now is hell bent on destroying that legacy)

Elijah Cummings: I can’t possibly say anything that will add to the stature of this civil rights hero. His devotion to this country, it’s people, and especially the Constitution and the rule of law will never be forgotten. At a time when we are cynical of our politician’s motives and behaviors, Rep Cummings always displayed the grace and dignity of a true American patriot. Other than Lincoln, I cannot say the same for ANY OTHER Republican I have ever encountered.

Rosa Parks: For giving a giant middle finger to the establishment. She was a badass!!!

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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In honor of my 1000th post here at DU, I would like to talk about my personal heroes (Original Post) AZ8theist Oct 2019 OP
Christopher Hitchens was a total ass. DURHAM D Oct 2019 #1
During a book fair panel discussion, Hitch flipped off the audience oasis Oct 2019 #4
Haters gonna hate. AZ8theist Oct 2019 #7
Nice. DURHAM D Oct 2019 #8
Yes it does. Opinions are like assholes.... AZ8theist Oct 2019 #9
Thank you for sharing! FM123 Oct 2019 #2
Wonderful heroes 🙂 MLAA Oct 2019 #3
Congrats on the Big K. Abe tops my all time favorites list. oasis Oct 2019 #5
:) Very good way to mark your 1000th post. I think most of Hortensis Oct 2019 #6

DURHAM D

(32,596 posts)
1. Christopher Hitchens was a total ass.
Mon Oct 21, 2019, 04:06 PM
Oct 2019

If he was around today he would be Trump's biggest fan.

Were you around and paying attention during the Clinton presidency?

oasis

(49,152 posts)
4. During a book fair panel discussion, Hitch flipped off the audience
Mon Oct 21, 2019, 05:48 PM
Oct 2019

after they booed one of his idiotic responses in support of the Iraq War. He was a pompous ass if their ever was one.

AZ8theist

(5,339 posts)
7. Haters gonna hate.
Mon Oct 21, 2019, 09:35 PM
Oct 2019

Couldn't care less about Hitchins politics.

He was BRILLIANT in his denunciation of religion. Exposed Mother Teresa for the fraud she was...

And if you bothered to read my post, you could have surmised my praise of Bobby Orr would tell you I've been around since the sixties.

Also pretty amazing you can predict what a dead man's opinion would be after his death. You could be the next Long Island Madam!!

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
6. :) Very good way to mark your 1000th post. I think most of
Mon Oct 21, 2019, 05:59 PM
Oct 2019

it might overlap a fair amount with those many of us might make.

I confess I once paid full retail (!) for a Hitchins book and then gave it away in irritation without after the first few chapters. Even though I was passionate on the subject myself, in his direction, there was too much "pricking" social critic and too little philosopher for me. But hey, full overlap would be strange.

In honor of Mr. Hitchins, who will always be with us,

For a lot of people, their first love is what they'll always remember. For me it's always been the first hate, and I think that hatred, though it provides often rather junky energy, is a terrific way of getting you out of bed in the morning and keeping you going. If you don't let it get out of hand, it can be canalized into writing. In this country where people love to be nonjudgmental when they can be, which translates as, on the whole, lenient, there are an awful lot of bubble reputations floating around that one wouldn't be doing one's job if one didn't itch to prick.

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