I wrote what follows, with a few minor changes today, last year, after the horrific bombing at the Boston Marathon. It was inspired by Steve Corbett’s insulting the memories of those who died, and the struggles of those who survived:
Bravado, defiance, swag, call it whatever you would like, but positive, strong attitudes can help get us through the worst of times.
Boston Marathon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Small market radio talk show entertainer, Steve Corbett, intimated with smug disdain, that those in Boston were putting forward a false front of toughness — trying to show they weren’t hurt by what happened at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. He used the analogy of the boxer who takes a hard hit, but smiles and claims he or she isn’t injured — and how he, Steve Corbett, didn’t like it.
Steve Corbett is small market, radio entertainer and his whole shtick is based upon pseudo-machismo. From yelling at callers, to demeaning nicknames for candidates and politicians, to banning Facebook posters, to not allowing comments on his blog postings, to his snarling picture with his fists up in a boxing stance, all the way to his scowling catch phrase “you better listen” — Steve Corbett is the embodiment of an insecure man putting on an over-the-top tough guy act, all the while hoping no one will call him out on it.
The difference between his act, and those in Boston, is that Bostonians are not acting — they are tough and more importantly, they are strong. Boston is a metropolitan area made up of a folks from a working class background, and while they may be smiling and shaking their heads, none are claiming they are not hurt. They, better than those who have been observing, know they have been both physically and emotionally damaged. What they are demonstrating to the world is that they are wobbled, but not knocked down — that they took a potentially debilitating hit, but they aren’t going to let it collapse them — that they will not allow an act of terrorism to cause them tremble.
Boston Strong (Photo credit: Dillsnufus)
It amazes me that in the face of tragedy, when one, or in this case a region, stands firm, there will be someone who wants to turn their strength into weakness. That there will be a person, or people, who desire to derail their positive energy with negative commentary. That there are those who actually yearn for them to stay beaten down, stay afraid, to cower and beg for help because the Steve Corbetts of the world can’t understand true strength, factual fortitude and genuine resolve.
I pray for those affected by this tragedy, and I also admire those who continue to move forward, who won’t go down, who won’t allow terrorism to make them cower in fear, and who would laugh at the hyperbole of people who do nothing more than talk, but never take action.
After watching the specials leading up to the 2014 Boston Marathon, I understand now, more than I did when I originally wrote this, that those who are genuinely victimized, yet chose not to be victims, both earn and deserve our respect.
I respect those who are Boston Strong!
OBESITY UNDONE IS FAT THEN FIT NOW 