Broke Dad Put Abby Up for Sail

Fox News ^ | June 14, 2010

[Ron C.]

Here's a dose of reality.

The father of teen sailor Abby Sunderland told The NY Post that he's broke and had signed a contract to do a reality show, "Adventures in Sunderland," about his family of daredevil kids weeks after she set off on her doomed and dangerous solo sail around the globe.

[UCANSEE2]

And now a 15 year old, Laura Dekker, is going to try to beat Watsons record. What's next? 14? 13?

Stupid humans. We should outlaw all record-breaking attempts as frivolous and a waste of money.

[Man50D]

Since you do not speak for Abby, nor are you psychic, how can you justify that remark?

Cite the whole reply when you refer to someone's post. You conveniently left off the most important and relevant part of the sentence referring to the parents getting a contract for a reality show. My post 191: Her solo sail had nothing to do with breaking records or accomplishing anything other than her parents risking her life for a huge reality show contract.

It doesn't take a psychic to read they are in it for the reality show. It merely takes some fundamental reading comprehension that the reality show is specifically stated in the first sentence of the article.

Or one that an unemployed man with seven children decides to risk.

Fine, then her father or mother should have made the solo voyage to put provide for his or her family instead of risking their child's life.

Had she made it, what would one say?

You can hypothesize an infinite number of possibilities. The fact is she didn't reach her parents goal. By your line of thinking of hypothesizing what would one say if she died?

[thomas16]

She can sail around the world or to hell’s gate if she can pay for the round trip, this person could not pay the round trip therefore is morally obliged not to start the trip.

[Man50D]

Did it work? Wrong question. The correct question is do they consider money and notoriety more important than their minor child's life?

[DJ MacWoW]

So, it really wasn't as dangerous as they are making it out to be. If she was that safe, then why not risk the attempt?

Early articles pointed out that it could have "turtled". That would have put her in the Indian Ocean, literally, in winter.

Besides, you say it was only the 'reality tv show' which prompted her to do this.

I never said any such thing. I said she did this so she could say "I DID IT!" as do all those who do reckless things to set records. The reality show was the parents idea. And lets not forget the poor planning that put her at risk in the Indian Ocean in winter. If there was no risk, no one would pay any attention, would they.

[Man50D]

You are correct. In Abby's case the parents risked her life, but she was completely safe because the boat was unsinkable.

So was the Titantic.

[DJ MacWoW]

Deflecting again.

[UCANSEE2]

What was advanced? What did this accomplish?

She tried. She didn't break the 'record' but that is not important at this point.

A FAILURE is someone who has a goal, and does not try. Since she REALLY wanted to do this, do you think you have the right so say she CANNOT?

[DJ MacWoW]

Stupid humans. We should outlaw all record-breaking attempts as frivolous and a waste of money.

There is a vast difference between adults doing this and children.

[thomas16]

Back in the day....parents used to sign permission slips, now our fellow “conservatives” want the government to grant the permission to the parents.

"Back in the day" people paid for their own the round trip because it was morally the right thing to do. Not figure if the kid can't make it someone else can pay the freight home.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

Something about her course wasn’t up to snuff. Her orthodromic distance only adds up to 19,631 nm, and minimum for circumnavigation is 21,600 nm. There is some dispute, because she logged 23,000 nm actually sailed, but that is not the straight line distance of the course she sailed (tacks are included in the log). Since no one recognizes any recordholder under 18 y/o, it is kind of meaningless, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping anyone.

[UCANSEE2]

I wouldn't call having all the latest tech toys "being prepared".

If I was doing it, I would insist on all the latest tech toys, and then some. That along with food, water, life jackets, first-aid kit, etc.

It's what is meant by "being prepared".

[DJ MacWoW]

She tried.

Breaking records benefits no one but the record breaker. Or in this case, her parents. It is a risk simply for the sake of risk. The Captain of the vessel that came to her aid fell into the ocean trying to rescue her. Simply because she wanted to break a record. That ship is now losing money simply because she wanted to break a record. THEY sacrificed for her. Simply because she wanted to break a record. I find it frivolous. That's my opinion. You have a different one. Ok.

[thomas16]

Look perv! My mind is not as scummy as yours and your ilk on this board obsessed with sex ed classes.

I'm not the one that said all kids who are not home schooled are putting condoms on cucumbers. I was responding to the idiot who assumes all kids if they are not home schooled are putting condoms on cucumbers. By the way, I am a happily married woman with a 15 yr and 16 yr. old.

[DJ MacWoW]

Since she actually did it, I think that’s sad. She made it all the way around the globe. *sigh*

[DJ MacWoW]

Since no one recognizes any recordholder under 18 y/o, it is kind of meaningless, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping anyone.

I didn't know that. Thanks.

[UCANSEE2]

The things you say are true.

Yet, you watch TV, you write comments on posts about ABBY and her parents, and the only reason this crud is FREE is because they KNOW it will get you to buy ‘x’ brand of product.

So why shouldn’t her parents partake in the same venue to attempt to financially provide for themselves?

Now, I would not watch a ‘reality’ show about a family with ‘daredevil’ children because I saw plenty of the BRADY FAMILY when I was a kid. Enough is enough.

Back to Abby and her family. It’s a crazy thing, ain’t it?

Thank God she survived. I wish her the best for the rest of her life. I admire her spirit.

Her folks, I would have to let God judge them, as I’m not perfect.

I know what I would or would not do, but I am not them.

[UCANSEE2]

Hawking your child is not good parenting.

I would agree.

[DJ MacWoW]

It's what is meant by "being prepared".

According to freeper sailors, being prepared is taking the best route in optimal weather. I saw a CNN interview where Abby's mother stated that they hurried because they'd lose sponsors if Abby wasn't young enough. That's been posted on other threads.