Comments on: The Great American Hero-Off: Phillips vs. Sully

By: sarahwiles

sarahwiles — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:41:18 +0000

Dudes. Giving yourself up to pirates is way more heroic than trying to save your own ass by landing a plane skillfully in the Hudson. Phillips had love for his brothers, which Sully did too, of course, but he was willing to go hang out with 15 year old pirates with big ass guns. In short though, I agree with Bill.

By: Joseph Childers

Joseph Childers — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:20:03 +0000

Phew, Bill – I thought I was going to be the lone Phillips vote. Not to undercut my only supporter or anything, but I did hear something on NPR about anti-pirate training at the academies. Kinda sad it’s so common we need a class for it.

And yes – glad to see hero applied to people who are doing more than just surviving a horrific event. “You’re such a hero the way you…lived through that one thing”.

By: Bill Barol

Bill Barol — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:06:15 +0000

Tough call… I tend to give the nod to Phillips, because (your excellent criteria set to the side for a minute) Sully was at least entering into a situation for which he’d trained and was somewhat prepared, while Phillips was literally sailing into the unknown with a gun at his neck. Parenthetically: I do enjoy seeing the “hero” label, which has been tossed around a little indiscriminately the last few years, applied to two guys who actually deserve it.

By: Kashmir Hill

Kashmir Hill — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:43:53 +0000

Sully held the lives of 155 men, women, and wee children in his aviator hands, while Phillips walked the plank for the sake of 20 strapping sailors. +1 for Sully.

By: Michael Roston

Michael Roston — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:58:27 +0000

Sully, easy. Phillips doesn't have a sweet folk song like this one proclaiming his heroism within days of the events in question.

By: Ken Layne

Ken Layne — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:37:41 +0000

The real winner is British-American pundit Andrew “Sully” Sullivan. Only he can shape our feelings and put these events in perspective.

By: Coates Bateman

Coates Bateman — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:31:46 +0000

Sully, the poet warrior, cannot be defeated (or tied).

Tie?

By: Joseph Childers

Joseph Childers — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:20:51 +0000

First of all, it wasn’t supposed to be a tie. I had this thing totally rigged for Phillips to win, and then must have dropped or added a category somewhere and screwed it all up. So, I’m just as shocked and upset as you, believe me. I HATE ties.

Second, as I said, Phillips should’ve been the clear winner here, dude. No contest. HE FACED DOWN PIRATES WITH MACHINE GUNS, for Christ’s sake. He let PIRATES take him hostage for the good of the ship. PIRATES, I tells ya!

By: Mike Hess

Mike Hess — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:09:08 +0000

A tie!?! Ties only happen in hockey, and that’s the reason I don’t watch the NHL! I demand a recount in which Sully wins, as — let’s be honest — Phillips didn’t really do anything besides sit still while Navy SEAL snipers shot the dudes next to him. Sully landed a damn plane in the Hudson. Easy call.