While the liberal elite grew up reading stories of magical places that never existed and ficticious people who did wonderful benevolent things, I grew up learning tales of TRUE supermen who did incredible things and grew to appreciate the values that motivated them. Since some of you may have been deprived of these true tales of REAL heros, I will offer you one for the benefit of you and your children so you don't end up like some uncultured liberal basing his beliefs on fairy tales.
I offer you a TRUE story of duty, loyalty, revenge, honor and justice. I give you the story of THE 47 RONIN OF AKO. PART I
There once was a country(read: backwoods, redneck, etc.)Samurai Lord who was head of the brave but rural Asano Clan. Lord Asano was head of a fierce clan that the Shogun enjoyed having at his disposal but also feared. It was the practice of the Tokugawa Shogun to "host" members of the remote clans to keep them in line, in other words key family members were required to live with the Shogun on a rotating basis to ensure the control over these clans that could threaten the Shoguns position of power. In addition, it was Japanes custom to hold the entire clan responsible and accountable for the acts of individual members. As a result clans did a fairly effective job of policing their own members to prevent the entire clan from being destroyed.
In the spring of 1701 Lord Asano was "invited" to Edo(modern day Tokyo)Castle to serve on the reception committee. He was placed under the tutelage of the Master of Ceremonies Lord Kira. Lord Kira was a metropolitan Lord who enjoyed the finer things and liked receiving gifts and favors in return for doing his job. He was the Samurai equivalent to todays politicians who see their station as a means to advance themselves. It was Kiras duty to educate Asano in proper protocal to recieve Imperial Messangers.
It soon became evident to Asano that Kira expected gifts and bribes in exchange for his instruction. Asano knew this was contrary to law, and more importantly to the Samurai codes of conduct and honor. Despite less than subtle demands from Kira and advice from others, Asano refused to bribe the official on moral and ethical grounds. When it became evident that Asano would not pay Kira to do his "duty" Kira took every opportunity to insult Asano and publicly embarrass him for any infraction. Asano tried to remain silent, learn the things required of him and fufil his duty to the Shogun.