Day 1712: Sully

On Jan 15, 2009, US Airway 1549 landed in the Hudson River.  Because of the skills, experience and judgement of Captain Chesley Sullenberg, First Officer Jeff Skiles, their crew and many rescue workers, all 155 souls survived the crash.  It was an uplifting and hopeful moment for New Yorkers who had endured terrible tragedy in 2001 when planes crashed into the Twin Towers.  Sully's quiet, professional and understated demeanor, paired with his refusal to accept the title of hero, inspired widespread admiration.  The movie was outstanding! And it was a fitting way to spend this day.

The big news today was that Hillary Clinton nearly passed out at the 9/11 Memorial service from dehydration.  Video shows her in very shaking condition trying to  enter her vehicle aided by agents.  It was revealed later that she was diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday and her campaign did not share the information with the press.   I suspect what happened is something that I've done many times. The ceremony was long and dreadfully hot.  She probably didn't drink anything before it began because then she would have to pee at an inopportune moment.  I've been in the same condition during backpacking when my knees would nearly give out from being overheated and dehydrated.

Their mistake was calculating that they could avoid revealing the pneumonia and now the event will feed into the theory that she is conspiring to hide some greater illness.  Antibiotics and heat exhaustion are a bad combination.  How would it have been perceived if she had simply stayed home from the ceremony due to illness?  Wouldn't that have been criticized as well?  She could have cancelled any other appearance, but not the 9/11 commemoration.  Her illness is temporary, not a debilitating, chronic condition.  It was a tough decision and I suspect she thought she could just tough out the day without revealing the pneumonia.  And of course, the intimation is that a woman does not have the strength or endurance to perform the job of President. Let's not forget that George H, Bush threw up in the lap of the Japanese premier.  No one questioned his ability to do the job.

When I think about historical examples, FDR comes to mind.  Think about how many years he hid his paralysis and other illnesses from the public.  He was incredibly courageous and always sought to inspire confidence in the American people, no matter the pain it caused him.  Same with JFK.  Their conditions did not diminish their ability to do their jobs.  But many are just looking for reasons to call into question Hillary's physical ability to serve.  Every movement, every word today is captured by the press or other observers and spread all over social media.  I doubt very much that many of our former presidents could ever be elected now.  Most of them had health issues, mistresses or other indiscretions.  None of them were perfect human beings, all had serious flaws, but Hillary's flaws have been blown out of proportion.