by Burnsy

Created on: January 20, 2009

We all have heroes and people we've idolized growing up, and typically they'll be athletes or entertainers although sometimes it may actually be someone close to you. So who are the real heroes for most of us ?

Until recently I was always looking up to Football players or Rock musicians, because that was what interested me the most, but as I get on in years I've grown in terms of the way I see the world and in determining what is really important in the grand scheme of things.

Several weeks ago while driving I was listening to another weekly radio broadcast on AlternativeRadio.org based in Boulder Colorado, which we get as a feed on our local campus radio station (a fascinating source of info from truly interesting people such as authors, independent journalists, political activists, and so on).

Anyway, I just happened to be listening as a member of the organization known as Code Pink went on to describe the work they do, and although I had heard of Cindy Sheehan and seen snippets of her on the evening news, it wasn't until this radio broadcast that I got to learn the full story, and it certainly was inspiring.

For me a hero is someone who truly inspires by standing up for their beliefs and what they know in their hearts to be right, even in the face of incredible adversity. Well, here is a woman of insurmountable resolve who not long ago was simply a mother and housewife until her son Casey was thrust into the war in Iraq, and who guided by patriotism and a sense of duty would lose his life in what she feels is an unjust war. She's ready to go to extraordinary lengths to see that this illegal war is brought to an end, and will not rest in her dogged determination to hound elected officials and continue her protests in the face of harsh criticism and a political backlash at home.

These actions have garnered her a lot of enemies and also delivered an even further personal toll with the loss of her marriage and the scorn from family and friends. Yet at the same time her movement has also captured the admiration and respect of many world leaders and has developed into a huge following of supporters who have embraced her cause and beliefs. They are inspired to back her in her efforts which can only be described as heroic in nature, because here is someone willing to do whatever it takes, even at a high cost to her personally, simply because it's the right thing to do. There aren't many people willing to go to those lengths in standing up for what they believe in, so whether you agree with her or not, if you're any kind of human being you must respect her for it.

Please read more about Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink and learn about something perhaps a little more inspirational than another doping scandal in sport, or which celebrities are sleeping with each other, or any of the usual crap being served up as news on a daily basis ...

Who knows, you too may be truly inspired.

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