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Contributing to the debate: The Right Opinion: American heroes unjustly dishonored
We should not be overusing the word hero to express our esteem for anyone who is simply doing something they chose as a profession. That accolade should be used only when someone is truly extraordinary, going beyond what would be expected, putting oneself at risk above and beyond what is necessary to overcome some exigency. These Navy Seal warriors, who have attained the rank of Petty Officer, which is the rank of a noncommissioned officer from whom there are high expectations, did only what was expected: capturing a terrorist. The hero overuse diminishes the honor that should be bestowed on those who actually accomplish feats that are far beyond what is usual, normal, or customary. These men are valorous as any man or women who face an enemy in combat, but a hero, no.
Petty Officers McCabe, Keefe, and Heurtas have not been convicted of anything, yet. Furthermore, Representative Ted Poe introduced House Resolution 977, honoring these men for their capture of Ahmed Hashim Abed. The resolution has been referred to the Armed Services Committee. So, it looks like they are to receive the honor this article expresses they deserve.
Additionally, these men chose to decline a non-judicial resolution of their case, and instead chose to go before a special court-martial. They claim that they did no harm to the prisoner in their charge. The charges against them are considered comparable to a misdemeanor.
So, in their valor, America has not let them down, and unless they have violated Just Law mandates or military law, their careers will not be impeded.
The article’s tone is that Abed’s accusation should simply be ignored
But, how can it be ignored? How can it reasonably be declared that the accusation by Ahmed Abed and the investigation that ensued be considered metaphorical equivalent to spitting in the face of freedom?
It is precisely because America pursues justice for all that Ahmed Abed’s accusation is being adjudicated.
American values, to which we aspire, must follow a course that is inclusive of our dealings with all the world’s people, nations, friends or foes alike.
It is precisely because of our values that we should be proud Americans. It is because of those values that we are admired as a benevolent nation: a nation who values freedom, who values equitable treatment by adhering to the principle of moral rightness in action, attitude, and provides due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law, and a nation who will standup for humanity. The embracement of these values makes it incumbent upon America to act in accordance with that role. Consequently, America must provide national and international leadership through best examples and best practices. That is exactly why we must afford those who hate this nation, or have committed inhumane acts against us or others, the very constitutional rights, freedoms, and justice we enjoy and that they disdain.
There is nothing radical about this view; there is nothing in the language of justice expressed here that is or is not politically correct. It is not an Obama view or a view of his administration, or congress, it is authentically an American view, a Christian view (certainly a view that Jesus Christ would embrace), and a view that all people of mainstream religious faiths embrace, and the action taken pursuant to Abed’s accusation is just, moral, and the right course of action for America to take.
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