US Navy tries to free Richard Phillips from Somali pirates

Where Have All The Heroes Gone?

Stuart J. Fischbein, MD

April 12, 2009

 

            <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />America needs a hero. We have so many in our history. Patrick Henry and Paul Revere are remembered for their heroics more than two centuries later. Abraham Lincoln was a visionary who is still revered and quoted today. Charles Lindbergh captured our imagination. Patton, MacArthur and Eisenhower lead a long line of military heroes of the 20th century. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and even the unknown Chinese man standing alone in Red Square facing off with a Red Army tank are remembered for their bravery in standing up against evil. When things are tough the need for heroes is even more compelling. So, where have they all gone?

 

            America loves a hero. Oh yes, we have sports heroes and movie heroes that substitute for the real thing. We long for Bruce Willis to thrash the bad guys and we cheer for Tom Brady and a game winning drive. I watched the Masters and enjoyed it thoroughly as one of sport’s greatest traditions. But I could not help cringe just a bit when the announcers equated these men and the hitting of a little white ball to greatness. Sadly, in our real life there are so few truly heroic figures. Chesley Sullenberger became a household name for the heroics of doing his job incredibly well and landing Flight 1549 safely in the Hudson River. We loved that story because we are so thirsty for heroes and it had a happy ending. We felt good in a time when many of us do not. But who was the last real American hero? Was it Pat Tillman, killed by friendly fire? Is there anyone alive in Washington today who can carry this label?

 

            America wants a hero. We have four Somali thugs holding one brave American citizen captive in international waters surrounded by the United States Navy. No one I know understands why this continues. Can it be that complicated? Are there really any nuances that can explain why our leaders do nothing? Are the decision makers so afraid of what others might think that they refuse to act? This ship captain who gave himself up for his men surely knew that it might end badly. But he chose to serve what he saw as the greater good. He took action. Americans want action. Washington seems afraid of its own shadow. The policy of doing nothing only emboldens evil. Edmund Burke said that so eloquently.

 

            President Obama is asked about Captain Phillips at a press conference and his response was to remind the reporter that he was only taking questions on housing. How inspiring of confidence this must have been to the captain’s family. During the recent European trip our president seemed to kowtow to just about every nation. Now we are bowing to the demands of four Somali criminals in a dinghy. This is pathetic but exemplifies the weakness of political correctness. It is a masquerade for cowardice in a time when Americans cry out for heroes. Someone needs to step up and fill this void. These times cry out for action and those that would stand in the way should step aside. Would it be so bad to think, “What would John McClane do?” Show us some strength.. Send in the navy seals. It’s what Americans want. “Yippee-ki-yay…….Mr. President”.