Top 10 Heroes of 2006

If you've read some of my other articles, you know I have a proclivity towards commenting on the totally ridiculous things in the media and in society. I am not, however, as jaded as you might think.

There are a lot of good things that happen in the news, but they just don't get reported as often as the negative stuff. There is so much focus on the vacuous and famous,who make the headlines because of the worst kinds of behavior, that those "regular" folks who contribute positively towards the world get overshadowed.

For that reason, I am dedicating this article to those I feel are 10 heroes of 2006 who deserve to get some much deserved praise:

Dr. Richard Jadick

No matter which side of the issue each of us may stand on regarding the war in Iraq, there is no doubt that the men and women serving in our military there deserve untold praise and appreciation.

Richard Jadick went to Iraq willingly, with the intent to help, since there was a big shortage of highly qualified Navy doctors to accompany the First Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment. Despite the protests of his family and acquaintances, he still decided to go.

As we know from the daily headlines, Iraq is a dangerous and deadly place to be, but, in spite of this, he has worked to help save the lives of those who are wounded, even putting himself in harm's way, if needed. For example, he went with a group to personally help rescue a wounded Navy SEAL, something that, as a doctor, he could have just waited out for the guy to be brought in.

Stories of great courage don't often get to be heralded, but Dr. Jadick's story was documented by MSNBC this year, for which I applaud them.

He is only one of the many unsung heroes in Iraq.

Ed Bradley

Ed Bradley was one of television's most intelligent and elegant journalist.

Although he certainly is known for being one of the first African-American newsmen to have achieved the degree of prominence he did, it was not his ethnicity that made him such a standout, but his "classiness". He could interview people and ask them some of the most probing questions, but he did it in such a way that nobody seemed offended by it and most gladly answered.