As hollow as an airplane floating in a river

Unhappy the country without heroes, says a character in Brecht's Life of Galileo, and then Galileo says, no, unhappy the country that needs heroes.

What’s the opposite of a miracle? Real life? The tabloid-ization of everything means that yesterday’s ditching is getting its full fifteen, to the max. In a month, hardly anyone will remember it, and that’s a good thing, since there aren’t any bodies to fetishize for weeks. The grief counseling industry is left without anything to do, and that’s the kind of economic slowdown I can get behind. WNYC’s Brian Lehrer just referred to the pilot as a “hero for the ages.” Really? What about all the other pilots who aren’t as lucky? Does it follow that they are at fault? The pilot made a perfect water landing, a bravura job to be sure, but that’s his job, isn’t it? So how come professionalism isn’t recognized as such anymore? Already, the “first responders” are getting their rewards from the Imperial Mayor. It all feels so tinny and flimsy, but if you want even more baby food, stay tuned for the book and then the movie of the week.