Talk:Gallery of American Heroes

I removed Robert E. Lee. He is not an American hero--he was a traitor who waged war against his country and his fellow citizens.--RossC 11:43, 16 December 2008 (EST)

I do understand your point of view; But, before removing Lee I would like to have the opinion of other editors or an honest debate. --User:Joaquín Martínez, talk 14:14, 16 December 2008 (EST)

What's to debate? He fought for the enemy. He's responsible for the deaths of thousands of loyal American soldiers. If you're going to include Lee in the list, you might as well add Benedict Arnold, John Wilkes Booth, Adlrich Ames, Timothy McVeigh, and the 9/11 hijackers to the list.--RossC 15:03, 16 December 2008 (EST)

I'd agree that "American" hero doesn't quite fit Lee. While "traitor" is a bit strong, he led an armed rebellion AGAINST the United States... hardly rationale for calling the man a hero. PhilScheur 16:47, 17 December 2008 (EST)

To his credit, he came pretty close to being the next George Washington... but I agree, even if he'd won, he'd have been a confederate hero, not an American hero.

On a different note - removed Barry Bonds from the links section. With the scandals going on, he really isn't a good role model right now.Mikek 15:13, 16 December 2008 (EST)

There's one thing I don't understand about this page. Shouldn't the McCain picture not be so big? It's probably four times bigger than any other picture on there. JY23 15:31, 16 December 2008 (EST)

Because he's a big American hero--unlike that traitorous Lee. Let's stick to the issue, please.--RossC 15:51, 16 December 2008 (EST)

Putting McCain ahead of Washington? His image should be the same as the others, please. --DinsdaleP 19:42, 17 December 2008 (EST)

I question actor Paul Newman and the notorious drug user Elvis Presley. They are famous; they are not heroes. --Ed Poor ^Talk 10:34, 17 December 2008 (EST)

Peyton Manning

First off, I question him as an American hero. Second, I wonder if we could find another picture? That's him in the pro-bowl and it looks like he's playing for the Arizona Cardinals. Maybe find one where he's in a Colts uniform? Jeffrey W. Lauttamus_Discussion 11:33, 17 December 2008 (EST)

We need a separate category for sports idols. We can idolize someone for a reason other than heroism. --Ed Poor ^Talk 11:55, 17 December 2008 (EST)

That's a great idea, Ed. Good job on the picture, Joaquin. That looks much better! Jeffrey W. Lauttamus_Discussion 12:01, 17 December 2008 (EST)

I wrote that page, see Gallery of Sports Idols. Add as needed. Also, does that mean we can start taking down the sports ones? JY23 12:58, 17 December 2008 (EST)

Like To See

jpatt 12:57, 17 December 2008 (EST)

• schwarzkopf
• reagan
• alexander gram bell
• wright brothers
• john glenn
• Charles Lindbergh
• fdr
• susan b. anthony
• paul revere
• tomb of the unknown soldiers

Good list, and the last one is particularly appropriate. One suggestion might be to categorize them (sports, military, leadership, science/discovery, etc.) In any case, I'd like to add the following:

• The passengers of Flight 93 on Sept.11, 2001
• The Police, Firefighters and EMT's who lost their lives helping others on 9/11/2001.
• Michael Phelps
• Lance Armstrong
• Jimmy Doolittle

I'm sure more will follow once I think about this a bit. --DinsdaleP 19:39, 17 December 2008 (EST)

"The Police, Firefighters and EMT's who lost their lives helping others on 9/11/2001." - ...only the ones who died? I think I know what you were trying to get at, but the way you put it was a bit unfortunate. --AlanS 20:57, 17 December 2008 (EST)

Good point. It should say "who risked their lives", which is more inclusive. --DinsdaleP 21:56, 17 December 2008 (EST)

• Pat Tillman--jpatt 22:18, 17 December 2008 (EST)

Elvis and Paul Newman are American Heroes, but adding Phyllis Schlafly gets you a three month block?

I think this article just proved to be a minefield.

Could a sysop give a definition of "American Hero" before more people get blocked for making one wrong addition here? --AlanS 22:02, 17 December 2008 (EST)

What is a hero. --User:Joaquín Martínez, talk 22:13, 17 December 2008 (EST)

That was my question (and I find it somewhat odd that the sysop who made a judgment call in this issue also asks it No, scratch that. I only now noticed that it was you who added most of those definitions just today, so I guess this wasn't an actual question.), but since you gave a link...

• A hero is a [...] figure who is a person of virtue
• They usually believe in honour and have strong morals.
• A person noted for special achievement in a particular field
• A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.

While Phyllis may not have fulfilled every single one of them (even though I'm not familiar with her detailed biography, so maybe she did indeed fulfill them all), I would say she easily qualifies. But I'm sure you had your reasons for declaring her addition to be "moronic vandalism"... right? --AlanS 22:54, 17 December 2008 (EST)