The legendary aviator behind the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” hasn’t particularly shied away from public life since his remarkable skills and instincts saved the lives of 154 passengers and crew. But beyond his staunch (and much needed) support of unions and flight regulations, he’s never been known to take a particularly political stance—until now.
Chesley B. Sullenberger, aka “Sully,” the now-retired US Airways pilot who made headlines after a baffling water landing that lost no lives, showed up in the opinion pages of the Washington Post Monday with a pointed and powerful plea to the American public.
The famed pilot, known for his low-key demeanor and humility, wastes no time reminding the reader who he is and what he did—but he immediately draws a parallel between that life-changing incident and today’s political crisis, faster than you can say “We just hit a goose and this plane is gonna crash if we don’t figure something out.”
Some called (the landing of US Airways flight 1549) “the Miracle on the Hudson.” But it was not a miracle. It was, in microcosm, an example of what is needed in emergencies — including the current national crisis — and what is possible when we serve a cause greater than ourselves.
On our famous flight, I witnessed the best in people who rose to the occasion.
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This successful landing, in short, was the result of good judgment, experience, skill — and the efforts of many.
But as captain, I ultimately was responsible for everything that happened.
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To navigate complex challenges, all leaders must take responsibility and have a moral compass grounded in competence, integrity and concern for the greater good.
It’s pretty obvious where Sully is going with this, but man oh man, does he get there with grace—before delivering a scathing indictment of the current administration and political leaders, without ever naming names, yet letting everyone know EXACTLY of whom he speaks.
In every situation, but especially challenging ones, a leader sets the tone and must create an environment in which all can do their best. You get what you project. Whether it is calm and confidence — or fear, anger and hatred — people will respond in kind. Courage can be contagious.
Today, tragically, too many people in power are projecting the worst. Many are cowardly, complicit enablers, acting against the interests of the United States, our allies and democracy; encouraging extremists at home and emboldening our adversaries abroad; and threatening the livability of our planet. Many do not respect the offices they hold; they lack — or disregard — a basic knowledge of history, science and leadership; and they act impulsively, worsening a toxic political environment.
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The fabric of our nation is under attack, while shame — a timeless beacon of right and wrong — seems dead.
Yes! Yes, you sweet, skilled, and soft-spoken hero pilot! Tell it!
Sully reminds us what American values should be, and could be, in a better world than we’ve got today. He makes it clear that he longs for those values to reign supreme again.
This is not the America I know and love. We’re better than this. Our ideals, shared facts and common humanity are what bind us together as a nation and a people. Not one of these values is a political issue, but the lack of them is.
This current absence of civic virtues is not normal, and we must not allow it to become normal. We must rededicate ourselves to the ideals, values and norms that unite us and upon which our democracy depends.
Now, as mentioned before, Sullenberger has, with little exception, avoided political involvement before this week. So much so that, when California Republicans attempted to exploit his undeniable hero status for a 2010 political run, he refused to even speak to them.
The GOP wanted Sullenberger, 58, to run against Rep. Jerry McNerney (D), the second-term congressman who represents Sullenberger’s hometown of Danville, Calif.
Republicans hoped the hero ... could help them retake a seat that long had been in the GOP’s control.
The effort was led by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), the head recruiter for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). He enlisted the help of Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas).
Johnson’s job was to call the U.S. Airways captain and feel him out for a run. But Johnson got only as far as Sullenberger’s business manager, who made it clear that Sullenberger would not be interesting in running for a House seat, sources said.
That’s relevant because Sully owns the fact that he used to be a member of the GOP, for what he describes as “85% of his life.” That means about 692 of the 814 months he’s been alive, placing his departure from the Republican Party at about 2/3 through his 57th year, which would line up perfectly with the 2008 election. Now, Sully doesn’t say who he voted for back then, and he doesn’t say who he’s voting for on Nov. 6, but it’s not hard to make an educated guess.
I have always voted as an American. And this critical Election Day, I will do so by voting for leaders committed to rebuilding our common values and not pandering to our basest impulses.
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(W)e must hold accountable those who fail to defend our nation and all our people.
Sully goes on to address the fact that he was thrust into the limelight, and attempted to use that new platform to make things better for folks who travel. Now he feels he must use his elevated status to help save our democracy.
He wraps things up with a poignant call to action that NONE of us can ignore.
We cannot wait for someone to save us. We must do it ourselves. This Election Day is a crucial opportunity to again demonstrate the best in each of us by doing our duty and voting for leaders who are committed to the values that will unite and protect us. Years from now, when our grandchildren learn about this critical time in our nation’s history, they may ask if we got involved, if we made our voices heard. I know what my answer will be. I hope yours will be “yes.”
Sully’s op-ed is a must-read, and I invite you to check it out in its entirety. And, just in case you need the reminder (and I’m not sorry to be redundant if you don’t), please, for the love of this country, vote on November 6.
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