Nascar And Perspective Essay, Research Paper

Subject: NASCAR and Perspective ( the true tragedies) Please read.

I think this puts things into perspective for mainstream America

On 18 February 2001, while racing for fame and fortune, Dale Earnhardt

died in the last lap of the Daytona 500. It was surely a tragedy for

his family, friends and fans. He was 49 years old with grown children,

one, which was in the race. I am new to the NASCAR culture so much of

what I know has come from the newspaper and TV. He was a winner and

earned everything he had. This included more than “$41 million in

winnings and ten times that from endorsements and souvenir sales”. He

had a beautiful home and a private jet. He drove the most

sophisticated

cars allowed and every part was inspected and replaced as soon as

there

was any evidence of wear. This is normally fully funded by the car and

team sponsors. Today, there is no TV station that does not constantly

remind us of his tragic end and the radio already has a song of

tribute

to this winning driver. Nothing should be taken away from this man, he

was a professional and the best in his profession. He was in a very

dangerous business but the rewards were great.

Two weeks ago seven U.S. Army soldiers died in a training accident

when

two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters collided during night maneuvers in

Hawaii. The soldiers were all in their twenties, pilots, crewchiefs

and

infantrymen. Most of them lived in sub-standard housing. If you add

their actual duty hours (in the field, deployed) they probably earn

something close to minimum wage. The aircraft they were in were

between

15 and 20 years old. Many times parts were not available to keep them

in good shape due to funding. They were involved in the extremely

dangerous business of flying in the Kuhuku mountains at night. It only

gets worse when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times

no one is there with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it

gets critical. Their children where mostly toddlers who will lose all

memory of who “Daddy” was as they grow up. They died training to

defend

our freedom.

I take nothing away from Dale Earnhardt but ask you to perform this

simple test. Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR

driver killed on 18 February 2001. Then ask them if they can name one

of the seven soldiers who died in Hawaii two weeks ago.

18 February 2001, Dale Earnhardt died driving for fame and glory at

the

Daytona 500. The nation mourns. Seven soldiers died training to

protect our freedom. No one can remember their names and most don’t

even

remember the incident.

Ed Mitchell