FYI: Teen sailor found alive ‎

[7-day_Trial_Monkey]

What???

NO, what this world needs is more kids like this one instead of the leaches of society that it is breeding as of late.

Unless we see the follow up where she or her parents pay for the rescue op, she is by far the biggest leach out there. Get some perspective here.

[Zippo]

It is indeed assumptive and prejudicial... I do not think it is overly... I am indeed assuming someone who is 16 has less experience at solo sailing than someone who is 22...

How much does that experience matter in this day and age with all our technology? I do not know...

Obviously the parents trusted her... Obviously she had the skills... I think "going for the record" may have clouded the issue slightly for the parents and the child (another assumption on my part).

I guess that's my real problem... I worry that "going for the record" may have sent her out too soon.. (since her brother owned the record before, this is a pattern for this family). It's an amazing achievement and an inspiration no matter what age it's accomplished...

I notice they didn't send the brother out at 16... They sent him out at 17... I feel at least PART of the reason she went out so young was for "the record"... That's the only part of the story I don't like...

OK, let me ask you this?

If she has grown up around sailing and lets say for sake of the argument since she was about 6 years old learning and handling the gear, riggings, etc and now being 16 she would have respectfully 10 years of experience. Now take a 22 year old that when they turned lets say 17 decided to get into sailing and they would have respectfully 5 years of experience.

Who is the more experienced sailor the 22 year old or the 16 year old. My money is on the 16 yr old. Now that is mere conjecture on my part as to her experience but hopefully you see the fallacy in your analogy.

[Zippo]

Lesson here, don't try to be armchair parents. Again, as long as it isn't concidered abusive, it's fine. As for experiance, if she didn't have it beofre, she has it now! To have experiance you have to experiance. She survived a disaster that would have killed lesser sailors, so she has the knowledge, and now she knows how to apply it.

Still one of my favorites,

[phillymiket]

a 16 year old is not allowed to vote or drink for a reason.

There are laws for those for a reason. I assume what she did was lawful. (don't know)
I'm not a parent but I WAS 16 once.
I did some pretty crazy stuff. Had some close calls. It gave me experience and mettle.
Without commenting on the rightness or wrongness I'm just glad to see risky teenage behavior that doesn't involve lighting bottle rockets from your arse and pouring vodka in your eye while smoking crack.
Glad she made it.
I'm sure the parents knew many would tell them how they should be raising their kids.
Write your congressman.
I'm sure someone would be willing to cash in on the issue du jour for some political capital and pass an over-reaching reactionary law against it.
Then you can sleep easy knowing you've saved the world from itself.

[Zippo]

Unless we see the follow up where she or her parents pay for the rescue op, she is by far the biggest leach out there. Get some perspective here.

Apparently you missed the part where family and friends have chartered the planes etc to locate her. But I guess the welfare and other peoples kids I pay for that aren't even trying to do anything with their lives aren't as big of a leech huh?

You want to talk about perspective? Please try that when you actually have a valid argument.

[lazylaz]

World records aren't kept anymore for underage solo-round-the-world sailing attempts so her attempt will only be a personal record and one kept in the media. Abby has already had some drama where she had to go into Cape Town for repairs. I admire her guts and determination for wanting to keep on going after she was given the option to pull out then but her thinking is now bordering on foolhardiness.

However, if she manages to succeed in this dream then good on her.

edit: Oh, and gave a look at this if you can. Its a nice summary so far.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1225878645346

[7-day_Trial_Monkey]

But I guess the welfare and other peoples kids I pay for that aren't even trying to do anything with their lives aren't as big of a leech huh?

And you know for a fact that they are not trying to do anything with their lives?

Must be nice to be that delusional. The world must seem to be exactly the way you want every time you look.

Have not seen any mention of compensation for that French ship yet.

[phillymiket]

Just a question. (I don't know the answer)
Who pays for rescue when climbers are stranded?
Who pays for rescue for drunken fishing expeditions?
Myself, I would use similar type examples as precedent for whether they should be held financially responsible for the rescue.
If climbers must bear the burden then so should they. Otherwise?

Edit - Drunken is a bad example because drinking and boating is unlawful and therefore they probably DO pay along with fines.
Change that to disastrous fishing expeditions.

[spyyder976]

yea, but an awesome story...seeing those pics from out in the middle of the ocean has a strange allure.

what an adventure to have at that age....

what kind of idiots her parents are to let her have that adventure at that age...

[Zippo]

And you know for a fact that they are not trying to do anything with their lives?

Must be nice to be that delusional. The world must seem to be exactly the way you want every time you look.

Have not seen any mention of compensation for that French ship yet.

Oh whats wrong did I disrupt your delicate sensibilities on that one that you felt the need to neg rep me? Too bad. You want to talk about delusional but not even pay attention to what is right in front of your eyes, instead you would rather place blame and try to disparage someone who is actually trying to become something, someone who has stood out in the crowd.

As for my delusions, I witnessed it. I saw it first hand as a working dad, working 40, 50, sometimes 60 hours a week to scrape by and take care of my kids driving a car with over 200k miles because I couldn't afford anything better, taking my buddy to a food pantry because he was even worse off then me. And while I was there watching people in their Escalades and Lincoln Navigators and 300m's pulling into to get theirs because they would rather live off of the tax payer dole. Sorry pal but I ain't buying your delusional BS when I have seen it first hand. Try it again when you actually have an argument. Mean while you have failed.

[Darwinnon]

We are talking about people who, for no other reason but their own gratification, look for "excitement and adventure".

Then, when they get lost or in trouble, a lot of other people and resources must be brought to bare - often risking additional lives.

I am not talking about people who do these things for their job, or who have the misfortune of accidentally ending up in a bad place.

No, I'm talking about ego-driven idiots who seek out danger for it's own sake.

...and on top of that THEY make the news and the forums?

Not starving kids, not war torn families, but immature thrillseekers?!

'nuff said...

[Zippo]

what kind of idiots her parents are to let her have that adventure at that age...

Sheltered thinking. You are failing to see the life experience that she has gained from this. Her parents have obviously supported her and have played a positive role in her life. She has obviously shown a level of maturity not common in people of her age, and with that her parents have encouraged her to chase a dream. A dream that is not easily attained, a dream that would obviously test and push her to her limits. Something that is not common these days.

Not so long ago (few weeks ago IIRC) a 13 year old young man called his parents from the summit of Mt. Everest making him the youngest to scale the peak. See people like these two are the explorers, they are the ones who become astronauts and push the limits of exploring the universe. They are the ones who become deep sea divers and attempt to explore the deepest depths of the oceans. Think of men like the Wright brothers, what if they listened to everyone that said they were crazy for trying to fly. Just think if their parents said "Hey, hold the phone you're too young to try something like that. You don't have any experience in anything like that". We wouldn't be flying from one continent to another in a matter of hours everyday would we?

You call her parents idiots, I call them inspiring.

[7-day_Trial_Monkey]

Oh whats wrong did I disrupt your delicate sensibilities on that one that you felt the need to neg rep me? Too bad. You want to talk about delusional but not even pay attention to what is right in front of your eyes, instead you would rather place blame and try to disparage someone who is actually trying to become something, someone who has stood out in the crowd.

As for my delusions, I witnessed it. I saw it first hand as a working dad, working 40, 50, sometimes 60 hours a week to scrape by and take care of my kids driving a car with over 200k miles because I couldn't afford anything better, taking my buddy to a food pantry because he was even worse off then me. And while I was there watching people in their Escalades and Lincoln Navigators and 300m's pulling into to get theirs because they would rather live off of the tax payer dole. Sorry pal but I ain't buying your delusional BS when I have seen it first hand. Try it again when you actually have an argument. Mean while you have failed.

You saw a few people therefore they are all the same. That's what you are saying and it's a very silly way to think. I guess I'm just accustomed to people you know, limiting their comments to what they actually know instead of painting everyone with a single brush based on a limited number of examples.

Don't you see the parallel between your thinking and how it exactly mirrors racism?

It's just so much easier for you to assume everyone, and I mean millions of people, are all exactly the same as the people you imagine to know so well based on seeing them drive by.

I'll stick to passing judgement on individuals based on their words and actions.

[Zippo]

You saw a few people therefore they are all the same. That's what you are saying and it's a very silly way to think. I guess I'm just accustomed to people you know, limiting their comments to what they actually know instead of painting everyone with a single brush based on a limited number of examples.

Don't you see the parallel between your thinking and how it exactly mirrors racism?

It's just so much easier for you to assume everyone, and I mean millions of people, are all exactly the same as the people you imagine to know so well based on seeing them drive by.

I'll stick to passing judgement on individuals based on their words and actions.

You assume it is just a few people, this was a weekly thing. This was not just an isolated incident, and at no time did I say everyone was leeching. I said

what this world needs is more kids like this one instead of the leaches of society that it is breeding as of late.

. That, and is exactly what you had quoted, simply says that there is an overwhelming sense of people expecting others to do for them instead of them doing for themselves. Instead you decided to go into a perspective argument and showed your obtuseness to the world around you. If you can not see what is right in front of your face you are more blind then even I am.

As for your passing judgement, you have shown me that I need not put any validity into your opinions now or at any time in the future since you are obstinately obtuse.

You just go ahead and enjoy yourself on my long and distinguished....... list.

[phillymiket]

what kind of idiots her parents are to let her have that adventure at that age...

You know what? If you removed the inflammatory word "idiots" and replaced it with the more polite "foolhardy" then I would personally agree with you. I can't imagine doing that.

But I'm not them.

Many would say my parents were idiots for letting me go on a solo exertion across the nation seeing rock and roll concerts at 16. They knew I could handle it. I glad they allowed that.

The bigger question for me is should they have the right to let their child pursue a dangerous dream. Should others feel they need to tell them how to live their lives.

Many would call letting your child play football child abuse.
Personally I think destroying a child's soul to win a spelling bee is awful but I'm not going to condemn them for it. I'm sure many kids profit from the experience.

[7-day_Trial_Monkey]

But I guess the welfare and other peoples kids I pay for that aren't even trying to do anything with their lives aren't as big of a leech huh?

This is what you said. Say hello to reality, doesn't look like you've met yet.

[schizmark2]

which is fine..that is exactly why we have the off-topic chat forums.

Sarcasm? Not! He rolled a 1 on his compassion check. There is a real world, and some people actually adventure in it.

[Zippo]

This is what you said. Say hello to reality, doesn't look like you've met yet.

Tell me where does it say that EVERYONE on welfare. Oh wait it doesn't, you won't find it will you? You need to pull your head out of the sand and breathe in some fresh air and reality, it will do you some good. That right there speaks to the ones who choose to be. But I wouldn't expect YOUR bleeding heart to understand that, nor would I expect your bleeding heart to be accepting of someone being successful. I mean god forbid should anyone try to make something of themselves. But that is a different argument really. Not really the theme of this thread.

I mean all those people that have had all those wild and crazy ideas ...... like space travel and operating on a brain, they are just soooo silly to think about doing something like that aren't they. I mean those peoples parents are such bad people for instilling some sense of pride and good work ethic aren't they?

No you're right we should all aspire to be mediocre and if at all possible just do as little productively as possible, that would make this world a much better place wouldn't it?

[Chai]

Absolutely wrong. Teenagers are biologically risk-takers. Even in places where sexual education is taught to child, teenage pregnancy - although much lower - is still abnormally when compared to other age groups. It's not a matter of culture; it's biological.

Preaching to the choir.

Where did you get the impression I was arguing in favor of sheltering kids? I was saying parents failed at helping their kids to make decisions.

In the MAJORITY of cultures, parents teach these concepts to their kids at a much younger age. America is the minority, as are most western cultures in this matter, especially on subjects we consider to be taboo. Teens are risk takers because there is a thrill to be sought doing something that is culturally and or legally prohibited.

The fact here is they will take these actions regardless of approval. When we hand them the necessary knowledge in a non biased fashion, and allow them to make the decision openly (which they will do anyhow in private) we see that the thrill of rebellion is gone. The statistics show in cultures who do choose to educate through knowlede and remove taboo subjects, that teens take alot less of these risks, and even when they choose to do so, they have the proper protections in place.

No one including myself is stating or implying that you are arguing in favor of sheltering kids, however, we are doing just that if we continue to make decisions for them all the time. If they are not weened into reality over time, especially on taboo subject matter, they will be bludgeoned by that same reality all at once, especially by the same.

[7-day_Trial_Monkey]

Tell me where does it say that EVERYONE on welfare. Oh wait it doesn't, you won't find it will you? You need to pull your head out of the sand and breathe in some fresh air and reality, it will do you some good. That right there speaks to the ones who choose to be.

Nice job trying to twist the meaning of your own words once you've been called on what you said. I guess you meant to only include those people who's life story you are familiar with.

But I wouldn't expect YOUR bleeding heart to understand that, nor would I expect your bleeding heart to be accepting of someone being successful. I mean god forbid should anyone try to make something of themselves. But that is a different argument really. Not really the theme of this thread.

Not the theme of this thread? It's not even the theme of any comment in this thread! But hey, when you are embarrassed by your own words, it's always best to just throw random comments out to try and distract and save face!

I mean all those people that have had all those wild and crazy ideas ...... like space travel and operating on a brain, they are just soooo silly to think about doing something like that aren't they. I mean those peoples parents are such bad people for instilling some sense of pride and good work ethic aren't they?

Relevance = zero. Sailing a boat around the world alone does nothing for the progress of humanity.

No you're right we should all aspire to be mediocre and if at all possible just do as little productively as possible, that would make this world a much better place wouldn't it?

Nothing she did encourages productivity. In fact, it hurts it. Those fisherman wasted a huge amount of fuel and time that could have been spent fishing. The aircraft wasted flight time going after someone who didn't need to be there, instead of being available to assist anyone out at sea in the pursuit of a productive activity, relating to work or research.