You know, I don't even think I want more activists. (I used to be one til I saw how opportunistic some of the leading figures became). Nope. I'd be overjoyed if ONE prominent ciggy executive went public (which means the tube) and said "I was lying..I can't sleep at night. I'm sorry". (and I'm a sometime smoker!)
Or how about candidate Al Gore saying in his next speech: Hey, all this "country boy" stuff has been a huge mistake. This image-moulding is driving me nuts! Look I've always been a priveleged rich guy, but I'm experienced, I care about people and trees, and I'll try not to lie to you as much as you have been lied to in the past. So vote for me, OK? Geez, if he said that I'd be so shocked..I'd take out Yankee papers and vote for him myself!
Even if ol' Pete Rose would put away the false pride for a moment and say "I really screwed up. REALLY big, and I'm sorry America..now don't ask me about it again! Believe me, he'd be in the "hall" in an instant. HE could probably become president then!
I guess to me a public "hero" these days wouldn't have to be a Pete Seeger or a Ralph Nader, just a prominent enough person who in speaking the truth, went against his "group", and was willing to take the consequences. Does anyone doubt that Jesse Ventura blew off what would have destroyed any other politician in America, for one reason only? The people forgave him (for insulting them) because they recognized that he was being honest...stupid..but honest.
Rick