MSNBC’s Chris Hayes apologizes for questioning use of ‘heroes’ to describe fallen soldiers

[Karmadillo]

No independent thought. Consume. Conform. Watch TV.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/msnbc-chris-hayes-apologizes-questioning-heroes-describe-fallen-140810265.html

Chris Hayes, host of MSNBC's weekend morning talk show "Up," has apologized for comments he made on Sunday about use of the word "hero" to describe fallen U.S. soldiers.

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"I don't think I lived up to the standards of rigor, respect and empathy for those affected by the issues we discuss that I've set for myself," Hayes wrote in a blog post on his show's website. "I am deeply sorry for that."

He continued:

As many have rightly pointed out, it's very easy for me, a TV host, to opine about the people who fight our wars, having never dodged a bullet or guarded a post or walked a mile in their boots. Of course, that is true of the overwhelming majority of our nation's citizens as a whole. One of the points made during Sunday's show was just how removed most Americans are from the wars we fight, how small a percentage of our population is asked to shoulder the entire burden and how easy it becomes to never read the names of those who are wounded and fight and die, to not ask questions about the direction of our strategy in Afghanistan, and to assuage our own collective guilt about this disconnect with a pro-forma ritual that we observe briefly before returning to our barbecues.

But in seeking to discuss the civilian-military divide and the social distance between those who fight and those who don't, I ended up reinforcing it, conforming to a stereotype of a removed pundit whose views are not anchored in the very real and very wrenching experience of this long decade of war. And for that I am truly sorry.

[hrmjustin]

1. Good man. Now to the real point of the warmongers that...

...use the soldiers sacrifice to further their war agendas.

[jp11]

2. He didn't reinforce that view of a stereotype of a removed pundit etc

the 'liberal' media did as well as all the people who reacted to a clip out of context and didn't listen to what he was saying or think about it either.

I completely understand those with injured or fallen loved ones doing that, for them it is emotional and some tv head saying those things could easily upset them by dishonoring their loved ones. For just about everyone else there is no excuse to lash out at someone examining an issue they have when they did it so honestly and respectfully unless of course you are in the business of tearing down liberals or pushing your own agenda that might march forward the war machine.

[tridim]

3. Wars not make one great

[Joe Shlabotnik]

4. looks like Hayes dodged a career bullet.

The guy is too smart for his own good. He hosts whats is probably the most informative and hard hitting 4 hours of mainstream news media a week (no wonder its relegated to early weekend mornings). I'm sure that he has many enemies who would love to use his original statement to end to his threatening venue for thoughtful and critical analysis.

I wasn't confused. I knew damn well that he had not the slightest intention of dishonoring those who serve(d). Personally I agree with his original sentiments, and wish he didn't have to apologize to a vocal, oversensitive, manipulative, jingoistic segment of war-salesman. When they carelessly and effortlessly toss about the term 'hero', then it is they who diminish the achievements of true heroes.

[Karmadillo]

5. kick