CapitalistMarks

Nice, but a hero?

Posted on 16. Jan, 2009 by scott in general musings

The plane crash into the Hudson River yesterday was really quite the miracle.? Last?I heard one person had a broken leg and there were no other serious injuries.? 150 people walked away safely . . . albeit a teeny bit cold iIassume.? The water was 36 degrees and that is colder than?I like my dr. pepper to be when?I order at Burger King (by the way?I get no payment from them of any kind . . . i just like their ‘whopper’ and their fries–but I am open to any proposal!)

While this plane ditching was quite the news story, good news at that– and heaven knows we need good news (that makes you feel good anyway) at this point in time,?I just don’t get all the references to the pilot being a hero.

I suppose you could call him a lot of?admirable things.? Like, hummmm: lucky, skilled, talented, capable, exemplary — you know the list goes on.? But . . . hero?? Don’t think so.? Not to take anything away from his ability as a pilot but he did what he was supposed to do, what he was trained to do, what he was paid to do, and what would be expected of any competent commercial pilot.?

What he did not do (and these are among things that qualify one as a hero, i believe) was: risk his life to save others, demonstrate incredible strength, bravery?and selflessness, go out of his way to make a difference, exhibit incredibly unusual capacity in the defense of truth and right . . . . . . (superman?).

The genuine heros today are guys like a neighbor?who has been out of work for months and still remains cheerful and positive– and he goes out of his way almost everyday to help someone else on?our street when they need it.? This guy is charitable, honest, keeps a stiff upper lip, and is an example to just about everyone who knows him.??He’s a hero.?

Or how about the soldier that was part of our soon to be ex-Pres. farewell broadcast at the Whitehouse?? He put his own life at risk to save several of his comrades who were under fire.? He’s a hero.

Or how about a Sunday School teacher?I know who kept at the job (which he does well) even after major surgery laid him up pretty good.? Or the guy around the corner who does snow removal for those that live around him and are too old or?unable to do it themselves (and by the way he is in his late 80’s and has some serious health problems of his own). Then there is . . . (here you are supposed to add a few of your own).

Well, heck,?I know plenty of people that demonstrate that they are real hero’s (or heroines) by their actions every day and they get NO publicity (they should).? They represent the kind of stories we need to hear more about on the news.? Think what that kind of news?coverage would do for our confidence and self-image?? Gosh, it migh even help the economy.

In conclusion:? two things.?

One — be on the lookout everday for people who are heroic . . . and if the news doesn’t cover them you spread the word — and keep the memory for yourself too.? You’ll feel good and so will the heroes and the people who learn about them.

Two — thanks to you, cool headed pilot who did his job and did it well.? you might not be a hero but you sure as heck are an example.? That?is a feel good story!? Now use the key to the city that Mayor Bloomberg gave you to open a few doors for the disadvantaged . . . then you will be?a hero.

Feel good, help others, believe in yourself.

Ten-four!

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and, thanks to davidwatts1978 for the photo from flickr

Tags: feel good, hero, hudson crash, plane ditching