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Chris Hayes Apologizes For Criticism of Calling Fallen Soldiers "Heroes"

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MSNBC's Chris Hayes sparked major controversy and debate when he said that he felt uncomfortable using the word "hero" for members of the U.S. military.

Hayes' point was that the word is inadvertently used to start more potentially unjust wars - not unreasonable - but now says his own word choice was poor.

After speaking with a former Marine whose job it was to notify families of the death of soldiers, he said that while he means no disrespect to those who serve us all, the word "seems to be rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war."

Hayes also said that, on the flip side, it is "noble" to join the military.

While a "liberal caricature" like himself would not truly understand "submitting so totally to what the electorate or people in power are going to decide about using your body," Hayes conceded, he saw valor in it.

Nevertheless, Hayes' words, on Memorial Day of all days, caused a predictable furor with some. He issued a statement Monday apologizing for his comments:

In discussing the uses of the word "hero" to describe those members of the armed forces who have given their lives, 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.

I am deeply sorry for that.

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.

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    allsaints45

    It must be a prerequisite to work for MSNBC, To be a moron. Hayes, you fit that to a "T." Get rid of the liberal media, the liberal politicians, let America, be strong, feared, and respected, once again. Tell Obama, communism dodn't work in Russia, it's not going to work here, no matter what the liberals say. Vote for Romney.

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    Kirk

    I 2nd that! Draft the Liberals and put a diaper on them with a Rifle in their hand! Only then will they have something to Bitch about.

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    Frank Busch

    Ohhh Yeah! The Liberals have once again backed themselves in a corner! All this Civil Rights talk! All this Freedom Talk! Let's defend the Gays and the unfortunate! LIBERALS SAY- - We stopped the War and our " LIBERAL PRIDE" can't seem to help the Children dying in worn torn Syria simply because it goes against OBAMAS game plan on the campaign trail! Oh Yeah- Another Liberal Armchair warrior talking the talk about Human lives but his " Nutsack" is in his hand! WHO WE GONNA BLAME NOW! OUR SOLIDERS- on their worst day are HEROES! AMERICA don't lay Flags on Caskets for Cowards ESPECIALLY NBC COWARDS! WE HAVE TURNED THIS COUNTRY OVER TO LOSERS WHO HAS TO CHECK THE POLL NUMBERS BEFORE MAKING A HUMAN RIGHTS DECISION! A Disgrace!

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    Carol

    I think the best thing he could ever do is SHUT-UP about our men and women who lose their lives for all of us and they were sent to a war they didn't go just because they went to keep us free.

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    Texanna

    Another fine example of the radical left! Let me tell ya, something--the drums of war are being hinted at again in Syria. That the US will get involved. Yeah. And last I checked? Obama is still President--hmmmm--maybe the lib-turds better be raggin' the Prez instead of our men and women in uniform. If it gets bad for Obama in this race--look for him to start a war in hopes it'll keep him office because statistically folks don't like to change Presidents in wartime. That will mean that Chrissy here and so many liberals could be drafted for war. If that happens I hope they see that along with so many before them Obama is throwin' them under the bus to win another meal ticket for 4 more years. Whoa! Think about it!