[Man50D]

It's very possible that NO ONE could have had the physical strength to control the boat and sail through the violent Indian Ocean at the worst possible time of the year.

Which makes it all the more foolish for the parents to let her sail solo through the Indian Ocean during the winter.

[UCANSEE2]

Which makes it all the more foolish for the parents to let her sail solo through the Indian Ocean during the winter.

Fools they may be.

However, FREEDOM is the right to make decisions for yourself and your family.

This 16 year old wanted to achieve a goal, and risked her life. She had her parents solidly supporting and encouraging her.

Many say she was wrong.

Yet we allow 16 year old girls to risk their lives having an abortion. Our government pays for them to take that risk, and makes it possible by law.

Everybody is so darn concerned that one WELL PREPARED 16 year old girl went on a record breaking (whether there be any official award or not) attempt and risked her life, while they remain silent about 16 million young girls letting some mafia-hired doctor jam pitchforks up inside their womb.

[UCANSEE2]

Which makes it all the more foolish for the parents to let her sail solo through the Indian Ocean during the winter.

I want to address your comment again, because I didn't address an important point you were making.

I think the parents were foolish for pushing her to 'go ahead' via the worst route, at the worst time, considering she would no longer be able to beat any 'official' record. The only record she would have broken would have been a 'personal' one between her and her brother.

Her accomplishment would have been all the greater had she made it all the way, considering the extreme danger of the route.

BUT, it was not my decision to make. It was theirs. Right or wrong.