The guys I grew up looking up to were tough, no two ways about it. Eastwood, Redford, Newman, all capable of standing their ground and then some.
But what drew me to them was that they were defenders of those weaker than them, not tormentors of them. This is the foundation of a hero, after all. So when did it become fashionable to crush those less fortunate? Or has it always been this way and my recollection is of a shiny facade, a dream not yet realized?