printThe excerpt is from my new WorldNetDaily.com column, “Manliness (Not A Miracle) On The Hudson“:
“Missed by the perennial purveyors of pop culture and political correctness was a story about the value of an endangered, and vital, virtue: manliness.” …
“The ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ was less about the supernatural than about a superman—a man made from the right stuff.” …
“Silent, short-on-words and ego, big on humility, ability, and reliability: This is the traditional meaning of manly; this is the kind of guy who’s the best at what he does and almost always comes through for you.” …
The complete column is “Manliness (Not A Miracle) On The Hudson.”
Update (Jan. 13): Not all men are macho; that’s both true and fine.
The reference in my article was more to a mindset that is male in an absolute, unadulterated way. A mindset that is being slowly educated and medicated out of existence. Does this mindset often correlate with secondary characteristics such as a deep voice and a swagger? Indeed it does.
Is manliness mediated by hormonal/physiological realities? Damn straight it is.
The waning of manliness has coincided with reported lower testosterone levels in younger men. Correlation is not causation. Still, men, through no fault of their own, are being feminized, shaped socially to be more like girls: sensitive, emotional, irrational, feeling, cooperative, not competitive. If they reject this designation, they may be diagnosed with ADHD (at the behest of a female teacher, as most teachers are) and medicated.
The assault on manhood as we know it continues throughout a man’s career (don’t flirt, don’t flatter, walk softly, tread lightly, give a group hug, learn anger management, celebrate diversity), and permeates societal institutions—media, the workplace.
Young men who wake up one day and find that my description of the Man in the Supermarket is them—they aren’t to blame. A regulatory society that bans “bang-bang you’re dead,” and forces boys to hack their way through a page-turner like One Dad Two Dads Brown Dad Blue Dads, rather than The Dangerous Book For Boys: that’s what has happened to men.
I applaud Sully for his great skill and determination.
But why does our society insist that gender is an either-or, zero-sum game?
All men have some female characteristics and qualities, as do all women have some male characteristics and qualities.
Certainly, all men were influenced by their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, spouses, and lovers, just as all women were influenced by their fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, spouses and lovers.
Haven’t we traveled far enough along as humanity that we can value the “entire” person for who he or she is, rather than if he is sufficiently “male” or she is sufficiently “female”? Why must we all continue to labor under a system that stereotypes us and tries to force into roles that we aren’t suited for? If a male is effeminate, or gentle, why must that be viewed negatively? Should he not be viewed based upon his entire character? If he’s a good person, who cares? Likewise, if a woman is strong and manly, why must that be viewed negatively? Why can we not accept each other as we are?
Here’s how I try to view each person—
I’m me, you’re you. I’ll try to respect you as a human being and treat you decently. I hope that you’ll do the same for me.
We’ve had about 5,000 or so years of recorded history. We are better at killing and destroying than we are at accepting each other, warts and all. You could conceivably argue that this history is essentially male-dominated, and that maybe manliness isn’t necessarily so admirable a quality.
Congrats to Sully, and yes I do know what you mean about the men of his generation. They are great and strong men. But they set an example that is basically impossible to follow. They set such a high standard, such uber-manliness, that following generations are now free to explore their own identities. This is essentially a great gift that they have given their children, grandchildren, and so on. Why lament it?
Endangered species:
Manliness and Geese.
Ilana:
Thanks for comments.
I believe I am in the same danger as Sully.
As an anesthesiologist, some find me “hard to take”.
In the midst of crisis (almost daily in my business), I often remain silent, while colleagues talk and scream and move at a fast pace. Some think I am a jerk for NOT being “active”.
But I am doing what I do well – THINK, then act. Often, no action is needed – just observation. In other cases, OBSERVATION is needed to make a diagnosis, to then take action.
Yet all this talk show nonsense does NOT get at the basic problem.
The ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT – and the hysteria of the GREENS.
NYC has a “NO KILL” policy toward migratory birds – even though geese have adapted to NOT MIGRATING.
Geese are among nature’s marvels – in URBAN environments, they have attained the ability to NOT MIBRATE. They LOVE city parks, golf courses, and other open spaces.
And the RADICAL GREENS have spent millions preventing obvious means to control these warm and fuzzy and at times DEADLY birds.
Yes, RADICAL GREENS DO value birds above people.
“Silent, short-on-words and ego, big on humility, ability, and reliability: This is the traditional meaning of manly; this is the kind of guy who’s the best at what he does and almost always comes through for you.”
Sounds like my kind of man.
Nothing but a “back of the hand” from Irana to the crew, who were every bit as professional and competent..but perhaps not as photogenic as Sully. One thing is certain, each and every hero of the Hudson was a good union member. [By choice or, as Barack would have it, by force?]
Well said-very well said…. This also hits right at the main problem faced by this Country. Sissy politicians who are male but are not men. Tough choice, tough love, no way–I want everyone to love me.
Hats of to Sully, he represents a endangered species, the real man.
Radar in Va
Flew F-4s 1978-93.
Rhino’s Phorever!!
[Bravo!]
Darwin Almighty! This guy is an atavism! I hope no crime-fighting journalists look to see if he owes $34.26 to the IRS.
But seriously (rim shot,) I always thought that this was how you were SUPPOSED to be. Now, if you can manage to refrain from doing evil, you’re considered admirable. Tsk tsk.
I didn’t understand Kevin Luster’s conclusion, above, regarding men like Sully, that “they set an example that is basically impossible to follow. They set such a high standard, such uber-manliness…”.
Since when is the pursuit (and attainment) of excellence impossible? Weren’t the NYC firefighters of 9/11 similar to Sully, doing their jobs to the best of their abilities as they ran into the Twin Towers to save lives when everyone else was running out? (Contrast both circumstances with the “first responders” who arrived at the scene of the Canadian cannibal’s bus beheading.)
I don’t think that either excellence or manliness is unattainable or generation-specific; the problem is the lowering of standards and expectations with each successive generation.
Hi Ms Mercer, Great read on Mr Sullenberger. I’m glad gals like you and Debbie Schlussel notice things like manliness. Good to know it doesn’t go un-noticed. And from Mr Luster: “They are great and strong men. But they set an example that is basically impossible to follow.” You’re kidding, right? Great and strong is impossible to follow?? Well, let’s just hope no one has to count on you for anything in a crisis situation. But, Ms Grant answered it better than I could.
Retired US Army
1979-2005
Infantry
Desert Storm
Thanks, Gorgeous!
Ilana, you did it again. Thanks. This brings back memories of the heroic and fantastic feat of airmanship when the “Gimli Glider” was safely landed with no power. Don Pearson, the pilot who was captain on the 767 that had been improperly fueled because of the Trudeau government’s flawed “conversion” tables, without doubt saved all of the passengers and crew as well as the aircraft. All this because the Trudeau Liberals rammed metric down Canadian Sheeple’s throats, an action that cost Canada hundreds of billions of dollars in lost trade, jobs, and productivity.
Yet Pearson was charged, convicted, and sentenced to six months license suspension for his heroic act which was every bit as commendable as the feat of flying done by “Sully.”
But the difference in Kanada was that Pearson was falsely accused and convicted of dereliction of duty, while Sully got his well deserved respect. It took years for Pearson to be exonerated and reinstated because the Trudeau Liberals didn’t want it known that it was their fault.
Dear Ilana,
I couldn’t agree more. Only superstitious people and, sadly, equally
superstitious Christians would believe this was attributed to anything but
an experienced, extremely skillful, steely-nerved, manly airline pilot. Oh,
and a buoyant aluminum tube with “outriggers,” aka, wings. Thank you for a
great article.
Scott Evans
I think my remarks were misunderstood. What I am saying is that, as a whole, there has never been another generation like the generation that safely guided this country through the Great Depression and World War 2. Even as their power and influence wanes, they continue to set great examples for others to follow. Possibly I overstate when I say it is an impossible act to follow–let’s hope we don’t have to find out.
I am also suggesting that these brave men paved the way for the men who followed them, as well as countless others, to be free to make their own choices about who they are, and who they want to be. And I for one don’t think that’s a bad thing.
Would we rather that some people pretend they are something they are not, and rely on their false representations, and then find out in a crisis that they weren’t who they pretended to be–to our great detriment?
My point is–it’s all about freedom! Freedom to be the person you want to be, and freedom to live the way you want to live.
And yes, thank goodness that there are men (and women) like Sully and so many countless others that provided us with that freedom and defended those rights.
[Actually, there aren’t as many woman, as there are men, like Sully. Just as there aren’t as many women physicists, engineers, Navy Seals, Special Ops, etc. There are differences between men and women–the point of the article.–IM]
Great article Ilana.
Captain Sullenberg is definitly a “Man’s Man” made from the right stuff.
Unfortunately most women today don’t like that kind of man anymore (unless they’re in trouble).
They prefer weak men they can dominate from day one in the marriage and there are legions of them.
In short, today’s women don’t like men with any guts.
Thank you Ilana… for recognizing, and speaking so eloquently about Sully’s great actions. All of the liberal spin, and vindictive hyperbole, (including Couric), cannot dent Sully’s impeccable character and skills. The right man, the right knowledge and experience, the right determinations, at the right time.
Thank you Sully, for reminding America, what the American male should always represent to his society.
Sam Vigil
Something to think about..if the plane had decelerated more forcefully when hitting the water, there would have been serious injuries, or deaths. Why not have all passengers face the rear, allowing the seatback to act as bulwark and shock absorber?
[Interesting; I would have thought that was the job of the flight attendants. You’ll agree that in 3 minutes, “Sully” did the max and more.–IM]
We’re out there, we’re just too busy keeping the world going to comment. Gotta go, the steaks are burning.
Great article. One problem with it. Low voices DO NOT equal manliness necessarily. I know many a low-voiced squirrel. [“They generally have deeper voices” was the phrase use.] There are many tenors around that fit your accurate description of manliness. It’s about time women start admiring REAL men again–our species depends on it. Character, integrity, masculinity, courage, and a ready, fierce defense of these just behind a quiet reserve. Men like Reagan, Jimmy Stuart, George Washington, many a WWII vet, etc. Thanks for observation and the appreciation. Only a REAL woman can truly appreciate a REAL man.
Interesting that this article is getting so many hits. Hmmm.
Ilana, how do you respond to the comment that it is impractical to continue to cheer on manliness?
I might ask the same question to some of the posters on here…
~Alex
Speaking of women physicists and engineers, in my place of work, very few women last long as physicist/engineers. There is enormous pressure to “promote” the women into research “management: and funding sponsor positions (those who promote them get Affirmative Action bonus points) – the women get more salary and prestige – and cranking out data in a lab year after year and having good ideas is tougher than playing Santa Claus with the taxpayers’ dollars.
Another queer reaction I’ve seen about this incident is the attempt to elevate the other crewmembers to ‘hero’ status, seemingly in a cheap collectivist attack on the entire concept of heroism as the trait of a single man.
To that, my response is; whatever else happened after the landing, until that plane came to rest, everyone else on board was just along for the ride.
Furthermore, an eyewitness stated that he and a crewmember tried to open the rear exit while water was halfway up the windows, but couldn’t because of the water pressure. That’s not heroism. If they had succeeded in opening that door, there is every likelihood that they would have sunk the plane before everyone could get off.
It riles the collectivists no end that there is such a thing as ‘the right stuff’, and that it really counts when the chips are down. They’d like to pull him down a notch.
He really is made of the right stuff. When all the praise was being sung for the official first responders, he pointed out that it was private ferry operators who showed up first and started rescuing everybody. Seems they got left out of the celebration!
Never believe anything the press ever says about any aviation accident.