OPINION
2
He's a Good Pilot; Let's Leave It at That
Sully shouldn't be exploited to fill our need for a superhero
By Rob Quinn
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Posted Jan 17, 09 10:35 AM CST
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(Newser)
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Chesley Sullenberger's skillful landing on the Hudson has made him America's latest hero, but let's not catapult the man into celebritydom, pleads a Gawker essay. Press-ganging the pilot into endless TV appearances (or book deals, parades, whatever) smacks of exploitation and will slowly separate the man from the actual act of heroism. "The sad thing is, even if he doesn't want it, we'll likely force it on him anyway."
Some survivors are already trying to cash in, and Sullenberger is likely to be tempted by the "double-edged rewards" America lavishes on the famous. "Let's try not to overplay this too much," says the posting by Richard. "We need heroes, I know. But they don't always need us. To put such fierce, public demands on someone who's already done a good thing is selfish and predatory."