We have lived in a feminine culture for so long, we have forgotten what real men are like. I am talking about the kind of man that Gary Cooper or John Wayne would likely portray if they made a movie. I have written in the past about how Pope Benedict reminds me of a modern western hero. A man who doesn’t need to speak loudly to be heard, who is constant and reliable, slow to anger but sure to act. Not afraid to tell the truth because it is, well, the truth.

The reason this comes to mind is that I read two news articles today that showed real men in action. The first article is about Archbishop Burke and the second about General Peter Pace.

Archbishop Burke stood up for the teaching of the Catholic Church and for truth:

Burke, the Archbishop of St. Louis, was asked by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch if he would deny Communion to Giuliani if the former New York mayor approached him for the sacrament.

“If the question is about a Catholic who is publicly espousing positions contrary to the moral law, and I know that person knows it, yes I would,” the paper quoted the archbishop as responding.

Archbishop Burke is not willing to pull punches. Truth is truth. General Pace similarly clearly stated the un-compromised truth.

“That we should respect those who want to serve the nation but not through the law of the land, condone activity that, in my upbringing, is counter to God’s law.”
…
“I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts.”

Men. Real men. Willing to tell the unpopular truth regardless of the consequences. In a world filled with John Edwards style politicians, it is nice to see real men in action again. Maybe they should get their own action figures.