Heroes Week

My daughter has asked that people do a blog post or twitter or something about their heroes this week. Since the week is nearly over, it’s time to get with the program.

I thought about it, and came to the conclusion that I have few heroes, and even fewer that meet the requirements she gave. Why don’t I have heroes? Am I incapable of admiring people? I had to spend quite a while pondering this. I tend to not admire famous people. I am more likely to admire somebody I actually know. I finally worked out that I do not value the accomplishments of a person, but their character. You rarely see much of the character of a famous person, so I have nothing to admire there.

For example, I’m a prime candidate to admire Hillary Clinton, but I don’t. In fact, after her run for the Democratic nomination for President I detest her. Her choices in how she campaigned showed, to me, a less than admirable character.

I do admire Jimmy Carter. Jimmy Carter wasn’t the best President we have had. I don’t think anybody would dispute me, though, if I claimed he was the most honest, upright President we have had in my lifetime. He was just too honest to run the country well. He has some serious morals and ethics, and he actually lives by them. He doesn’t just give money to a charity to help the poor, he goes out and helps build houses for poor people.

I can admire that.