John’s Comments (group member since Jan 19, 2014)

John’s comments from the Does the hero have to be a good guy? group.

Thanks for that Jenifer. Sean Dillon is an interesting case, as you quite rightly point out he is a known terrorist, but sees himself as a soldier in a war, and to our knowledge hasn't killed women or children, but a terrorist he is none the same. By all standards he is a bad guy, but is he a hero. I don't think he so much does the right thing, rather works to his own moral compass, believing it to be the right thing. McVeigh on the other hand isn't really a hero - yet - he's viscous and ruthless and his actions in part have heroic undertones, he is clearly working to his own agenda. But, despite his past he became a good guy in the Army and all was good until the past reared its head. I think that heroic deeds sometimes need ruthless people to carry them out. Dillon, Reacher, Bourne, McVeigh all have one thing in common, ruthless determination to get the task done. Good guys all, doubt it, heroes, by default for sure. Heroic, probably not.