Chris Hayes, MSNBC Host, 'Uncomfortable' Calling Fallen Soldiers 'Heroes'
MSNBC political commentator and host of "Up With Chris Hayes" is in hot water with the public after revealing that he is "uncomfortable" with calling fallen soldiers "heroes." The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization has called for Hayes to apologize, giving voice to many who feel Hayes was less than tactful on Memorial Day weekend.
"Chris Hayes' recent remarks on MSNBC regarding our fallen service members are reprehensible and disgusting," VFW National Commander Richard DeNoyer told FoxNews.com. "His words reflect his obvious disregard for the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have paid the ultimate price while defending our nation. His insipid statement is particularly callous because it comes at a time when our entire nation pauses to reflect and honor the memory of our nations' fallen heroes."
Hayes, host of his own show on MSNBC, made the controversial statements yesterday. "I think it is very difficult to talk about the war dead and the fallen without invoking valor, without invoking the words 'heroes.' I feel…uncomfortable about the word because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war."
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"I don't want to obviously desecrate or disrespect memory of anyone that's fallen," he added. "And obviously there are individual circumstances in which there is genuine, tremendous heroism: hail of gunfire, rescuing fellow soldiers and things like that. But it seems to me that we marshal this word in a way that is problematic. But maybe I'm wrong about that."
It seems as though the public definitely thinks he is wrong. The VFW is perhaps one of the most well-known veteran organizations, and its harsh criticism provides a voice to the entire nation. Hayes' timing could not have come at a worse time, with today being Memorial Day, a national day of remembrance.
So far, MSNBC has yet to comment on Hayes' words or whether they will have an impact on the continuance of his show. Hayes has also not offered a statement defending or denouncing his opinion.
Watch the clip of Hayes HERE:
