A Metaphor For Hope
Thursday, January 15, I arrived home to the ironic juxtaposition of 2 news stories. One, the unexpected and heroically successful avoidance of near tragedy as a crippled aircraft landed safely, and the anticipated performance of George W. Bush's presidential farewell speech. I could not help but consider, as I watched the reporting that evening, how lucky the passengers were to have such an experienced and clear thinking pilot, Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger III, in the face of such grave danger ["is there any other kind?"], and speculate what if things had been different. Suppose, mixing our metaphorical news stories for the sake of contrast, our President had been at the controls at that fateful moment. Without wishing to make light of a very serious incident let's explore the possibilities.
A plane full of passengers sits in anticipation on a cold New York runway headed for a warmer welcome a few hours away in South Carolina. The plane begins its routine lift off and suddenly routine turns to crisis with a loud noise - birds have unexpectedly entered the jet engines resulting in flames and total loss of power. Our pilot unaware of the crisis or how to deal with it continues on the normal flight path banking sharply to the left. The passengers seeing the flames report to the aging flight attendant named Mc...something that the engines are in flames - he dismisses our concern and replies that the "condition of the engines is fundamentally sound." Another member of the crew reports to the Vice... I mean Co Pilot that we are losing altitude, his confident assesment is that we are "in the last throws of ascent."
The pilot, lacking the flying skills to avoid the George Washington Bridge collides with the span destroying it and further damaging the aircraft. Fearing the appearance of weakness he blames the passengers for the impending disaster and arranges quarters at Riker's Island for their detention. Sensing the need for the appearance of leadership, he declares war on New Jersey. Situation under control - what a leader !
As the plane decends quickly we can hear the distant voice of Air Traffic Controller Blagojevich reciting Kipling to offer an air of calm to the situation. Someone suggests a bailout, but amid confusion and disagreement it is too late. On a wing and some well placed Faith Based Initiative the plane settles in the hudson River among a crazy quilt rescue fleet of utility vessels. Cold water is rising quickly - time for survival is short. Our ever vigilant CoPilot, still keen eyed for geese, shoots a ferry captain in the face with his shotgun. Despite the odds crew and passengers are rescued.
Later, our fearless pilot gives a press conference under a banner reading "Mission Accomplished" detailing the success of the flight and his masterful skills at the controls. Seen through his eyes [the only legitimate perspective] its been pretty much smooth sailing and a grand ride - we should all be thankful.
As I reflect on this twist of plot I realize that in a very real way we were all on that plane on that day . Today Sunday January 18, 2009 we are all standing on those thankfully bouyant wings in the Hudson in a foot of freezing water awaiting our rescue. Today's screen images reflect our new captain arriving by train not ferry, and our plane pulled from the icey waters quite bruised but still in tact - as are we.
Labels: Commentary
