Comments on: Andy On Heroism

Andy Rooney Explains Why Most Heroes Are Unlikely

[JLKBlueMoon]

I too am appalled by Andy?s comments regarding the lack of heroes. What about firefighters, policemen & women, doctor, nurses and even the occasional lawyer. The media just chooses to ignore these stories. Wouldn?t it be refreshing to hear more of these stories instead of the alarmist gloom and doom typical of the media? I bet there?s even an occasional newscaster that?s a hero.
Why does he feel he has to go all the way back to WWII to find a hero, when there are current military personnel performing acts of heroism as we speak.

[ksp125]

Wow. How sad it must be to not be able to recognize heroism in our society. As previously mentioned, our police officers and firefighters perform heroic acts every moment of every day. I have been in law enforcement for 19 years and am a veteran of the military and have seen many acts of heroism that would make people like Mr. Rooney tremble with fear by the retelling of the events as they unfolded. I would hate to think that my mind had grown so old that I couldn't recognize the sacrifices made in our society by many people from many different professions. He must live a very sheltered life.

[Beauxman]

Andy-
Given that Capt. Sullenberger had neither parachute nor ejection seat, you are entirely too generous in describing him as having been "heroic" in successfully ditching his Airbus in the Hudson River. The very essence of an heroic act is choosing to perform the act when one could have otherwise avoided risking their own life. "Sully" was simply doing what he had been trained to do - as he so aptly described it himself. The only heroic act he performed that day was to go back into the cabin of the potentially sinking airplane to make sure no one had been left behind. In future, please spare us the inappropriate hyperbole.

[armydad59]

Heroes are with us everyday. My 20 year old son and his platoon were caught out in the open while questioning suspects in Iraq when they were suddenly fired on by insurgents in the area. My son returned accurate and suppressive fire on the enemy enabling the rest of the platoon and the people they were questioning to take cover. He endangered his life, relying on the training he recieved, to protect his platoon along with the other Iraqis in the area. My son was shot a few months later by an enemy sniper.

He is the same fellow who would protect other kids at school from being picked on. Other examples of heroes around daily in just my family are EMT's and a Fire Fighters. I can't help but think of the emergency personel and other regular people who go to the aid of others all of the time. What about 911??? Andy, when your mind starts wandering, why not wonder about people who help the homeless or even the elderly. My father has alzheimer's, I consider the people who help him everyday heroes.

Andy, I think all you have to do is look around and you may find you are surrounded by heroes that go unnoticed everyday. We do not need the media to tell us when we have a hero in our midst, we just know they are here among us everyday.

[whalefur]

Yes, the military has its disproportionate share of heros including today's military.

But your comments disrespect every police and fire fighter in this country. Yes, it's their job but they do it without intent of recognition, they do it without reward and they place their lives on the line every day.

[Nakhota]

I was glad to read most of the comments written by others as I had a similar reaction to Mr. Rooney's commentary similar to some others. It is sad to think that war is the only thing in his mind he believes has the potential to allow heroes to emerge from the ranks of all of us. Heroes are everywhere and in particular I would agree with those who are currently serving and I would continue to say that anyone who comes to a place in her or his life when they are confronted with a difficult ethical decision could count as well - how many times have we seen on 60 Minutes, segments on individuals like whistle blowers, who have overcome personal fear and often at great expense to their lives take the risk to expose something that often times no one else has the nerve to expose and others don't want to see exposed.
I would suggest that Mr. Rooney's comments were poorly thought through or were thought through with a narrow focus. We might do well to consider how best to prepare for peace and how to identify heroes who emerge to enrich our lives - everyday.

[5551212]

As usual, andy rooney is an idiot.

No heros? I'm so tired of hearing the word I want to barf. Every person who pulls a kitten out of a tree is a hero.

Sullenburger is incredibly talented and well trained, but not hero.

First rule for "hero," could have choosen to NOT ACT. If sully had run to the bathroom and hid, would you say, "thats what I expected?" Did he have an ejection seat and not use it?

His J O B was to land the plane.

[notgnihsawt]

Andy, heroism didn't end with WWII. Heros are around us everyday, all the time. I am not sure what you were trying to prove by your comments tonight. Is your next raise based on the e-mail responses you get, and this month is raise time?

John, Madison, WI

[colemanphood]

I love Andy. He's even written me a personal response to a previous letter. But tonight he is totally off the mark on "heroism." First of all, "Snuffy" Smith did not receive "The Congressional Medal Of Honor." There is no such thing; there is no military medal that bears that name. There is "The Medal Of Honor," but Congress has nothing to do with it.

Second, based on Andy's definition of a "hero," Sullenburger is not one. As a private pilot, I have all the admiration in the world for the incredible skill, calm, and self-control that this pilot demonstrated. However, he was not a hero, especially as Andy defines the term. He did not risk his life to save others; his fanny was in the left seat whether anyone else was on board or not. Indeed, like any other pilot - myself included - once things went wrong, Sullenburger had a vested interest in landing the plane as safely as possible, so that he could live and walk away, along with his passengers. Otherwise, Sullenburger, like all pilots, would have been the first on the scene of the crash. There is a saying among pilots: "A good landing is one in which the pilot lives. An excellent landing is one in which the plane can be flown again." Sullenburger made a good landing. I am grateful for the outcome, and rejoice with the families of all those on board. But Andy's all wet on his analysis this week!

[2BAHero]

How can you possibly take away from what Sully and his crew accomplished in the face of death? There are heros everyday - people who do what it takes to save lives. The media reports the catastrophic events where there is much pain, suffering and death which leads to a fatalistic view of our lives. We become helpless and hopeless when in fact, the Sully's of the world tell us we can overcome in the face of incredible odds.
Sully represents exactly the attitude we each need to have to overcome the inevitable pain, suffer, loss and challenge of our daily lives. And we do not need a war to have pain, suffering and loss.
I find it unbelievable that a truely positive and wonderful example of how to overcome adversity is stated with your definition that wars would create more heros.
Your mind has wandered far off the path of the everyday life of the average person. And there are Americans who are fighting a war and being heros everyday.

[jmjbof]

this story of a hero has been ignored by Stars And Stripes, the majority of the US senators and congresspersons, the DOD .and many others. it is 60 minutes turn ,

Re the following document forwarded to REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, OCTOBER 6, 2008
, has there anything else been done to see that the DOD or whoever is responsible in the federal government acts on this and sees that Mr. Calandra receives his recognition while still alive.



THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 915 Session of 2008


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INTRODUCED BY GRUCELA, BAKER, BEAR, BENNINGHOFF, BEYER, BOYD,
BRENNAN, BROOKS, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CASORIO,
CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, COX, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DeLUCA,
DONATUCCI, D. EVANS, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD, FRANKEL, GEIST,
GEORGE, GIBBONS, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, HARHAI, HARHART,
HARKINS, HARRIS, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY, HESS, HORNAMAN,
W. KELLER, KENNEY, KESSLER, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA,
LENTZ, MACKERETH, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSICO,
McCALL, MELIO, MENSCH, MILLARD, R. MILLER, MOUL, MOYER,
MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, QUINN,
RAMALEY, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROAE, ROCK, ROEBUCK,
SABATINA, SAINATO, SAYLOR, SIPTROTH, STABACK, STERN,
R. STEVENSON, SURRA, J. TAYLOR, R. TAYLOR, VULAKOVICH,
WHEATLEY, J. WHITE, WOJNAROSKI, YUDICHAK AND SWANGER,
OCTOBER 6, 2008

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REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, OCTOBER 6, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A RESOLUTION

1 Memorializing the Congress of the United States to award Terry
2 Calandra the Medal of Honor for valorous service during the
3 Vietnam Conflict.

4 WHEREAS, Mr. Calandra is a resident of Forks Township,
5 Northampton County; and
6 WHEREAS, Mr. Calandra is a Vietnam veteran who received five
7 Purple Hearts, a Distinguished Cross and a Silver Star for his
8 bravery during combat in 1969; and
9 WHEREAS, Mr. Calandra saved the lives of six soldiers by
10 neutralizing a grenade's explosion with his body; and
11 WHEREAS, The explosion left Mr. Calandra's arms and hands


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1 mutilated and caused several pieces of shrapnel to lodge in his
2 chest and thigh; and
3 WHEREAS, Members of several veterans' organizations support
4 efforts to award Mr. Calandra the Medal of Honor; and
5 WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is awarded in the name of
6 Congress to a person who, while a member of the Armed Forces,
7 distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity
8 at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while
9 engaged in an action against any enemy of the United States,
10 while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an
11 opposing foreign force or while serving with foreign friendly
12 forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed
13 force in which the United States is not a belligerent party;
14 therefore be it
15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
16 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania memorialize the Congress of the
17 United States to award the Medal of Honor to Terry Calandra for
18 valorous service during the Vietnam Conflict; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
20 the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each
21 member of Congress from Pennsylvania.






I15L82JAM/20080H0915R4491 - 2 -

[mob46]

Never mind his mind wadering, Andy has a problem with short term memory. What about the men and women in the Armed Services who are putting their lives on the line for us and each other in Iraq and Afganistan. Just recently a 19 year old Marine from my home town recieved the Navy Cross for his heroism in Iraq. Shame on Andy for forgetting te heros of this Greatest Generation.

[docekaj]

As a twenty eight year old army lieutenant I am obviously appalled by the following statement, a quote by your very own Andy Rooney.

"We don't have many heroes these days because there isn't much opportunity to be a hero and most people aren't usually heroic anyway"

I agree with much of what Mr. Rooney had to say this evening. Yes Mr. Rooney, Captain Sullenberger is a great American, and a true hero. Additionally, there were many heroes in World War Two, including my two grandfathers.
But how absurd is your implication, as contained in your afore mentioned quote? Have you forgotton so quickly the peacetime bravery of September 11th?
Next time your mind is wandering, take a moment for your thoughts to meander a sentiment of gratitude for the bravery of your nations soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I will remind you that these days bravery still occurs, but unfortunately it is quickly dismissed by pampered reporters.

[DaleLine]

Andy,
It's unfortunate you weren't able to view tonight's entire broadcast before filing this piece. If you had, you would have seen that modern heros do exist, and they walk among us everyday. Tonight, Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton showed that the power of forgiveness can be as heroic and lifesaving as any rescue. Dale Line, Stowe Vermont.

[TimWanda]

Andy,
Perhaps you did not need to reach back in history to find military heros. Surely there are quite a few examples in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Give credit to a younger generation...
Tim

[floridakeys59]

Andy,
Please....few heros today because there is no war? There are hero everyway and everyday. Just because a journalist doesn't report it doesn't mean is didn't happen!

[hinoon52]

I love and respect Andy Rooney, and have only one comment about his report on heroism. He says his mind wanders, but maybe not quite far enough. Yes war does create heroes, but let's look even closer to our other men and women in uniform..the police, the firepersons, our EMT's and others..those that risk their lives and safety for others every single day. its just not fair to them not to recognize them..shame, mister Rooney.

[illinifan23]

I would argue that heroism is not defined by the act of risking one's life. Can't parents, teachers, or other role models be considered heroes? I believe that a hero is someone who acts with the intention of helping others and supports others in times of need, regardless of the riskiness of the task.