A Time for Heroes

Forget the fictional "Heroes," the initially absorbing and appealing serial adventure on NBC that lost its way though confused storytelling. The American--no, the world public--has seen an impressive spate of heroic endeavors in the first third of this year. Thanks to the Internet's viral effect these characters have helped season our news cycles with uplifting and touching stories all worthy of TV movies at the very least, if they made those any more. I guess they still do, at least for Lifetime.

But who among us would not want to watch a tale of an heroic airplane pilot guiding a helpless jet to a safe water landing, as Chesney Sullenberger did in January. Or an exciting docudrama about an American captain who gives himself up to Somali pirates to save his crew, fails in his initial escape, and then is saved by the even more emphatically heroic sharpshooting of a trio of Navy Seals? Or, of course, the inspirational biography of a homely Scot spinster whose nightengale voice suddenly gets broadcast worldwide, as with Susan Boyle.

Is it simply the need for good news in a down economy that has made these stories so fabulous? Or are they examples coincidentally occurring after the first eight years of the downward spiral of stupidity that had enswathed us during the Bush dynasty? Like green seedlings that eventually burst through the crust of a destroyed landscape, these examples of skill and excellence give us hopeful reminders that incompetence need not be the default state of our expectations any more.

What Captain Sully did was his job, and superbly. He has shied away from the spotllight, even though he received every invitation possible for the past few months, including Obama's Inauguration and baseball openers. The truest professional of all, he doesn't see why he deserves credit for simply doing his job capably, for which he is well-compensated. He did not stick his neck out, or offer to sacrifice himself, for the lives of others. In fact, he applied himself to save his own life as well. Consequently, one can almost agree with him that his acts were not heroic, even if his skill was inposing. He was as much a victim of circumstances as the crew of the Buffalo flight that crashed a month later due to poor judgements in the cockpit. In his case, it was better to be good than lucky.

Captain Richard Phillips, who sacrificed his own safety for that of his crew off Somalia, wears the hero's mantle a little more clearly. His story was right out of a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, with all the elements, including a brooding President with an early reputation at stake, some desperate young villains, and little chance for success. Even more amazing than his actions were those of the sharpshooters, though, and they have to go nameless. Add three more anonymous heroes to the mix--had they not been right on target, Captain Phillips would have been known for making a tragic ultimate sacrifice. Now everyone is happy, except for the Somali prisoner and, of course, Rush Limbaugh, who will bemoan anything good that happens during the current administration.

And then there's Susan Boyle, the spokesperson for all the cosmetically challenged but talented people in the world. The international sensation caused by her appearance on the British talent show is touching in a number of ways, the most important of which is the unanimity of the world's admiration. Of course Rush, and perhaps Ann Coulter, will find something derogatory to say about her. What appealed to me was Susan's sense of humor and of self. She had one opportunity to make something of what seemed a desperate life, and she has made it (so far, at least). Now we will see if she remains an inspiration to all the have-nots in the world, or a victim of public relation sharks. Initially I fear that there will be more talentless wanabees showing up for auditions everywhere, using her shining example as an excuse for their less defensible ambitions.

Forgive my cynicism. We are only three years detached form the famous "You're doing a helluva job, Brownie" accolade from the King of Incompetence, during an era when professionalism was subjugated to mindless partisan purity of the worst kind. Aside for Nobel Prize and Oscar winners, was any unfamous person singled led out for outstanding performaces of his or her metier? Not to the estimable extent of Sully, Richard and Susan. Their fame may not last much longer than an "extended" 15 minutes, but they really have uplifted our moods during this period of retrenchment, and I for one am very grateful.