Arguably, Farragut didn't have a ship as seaworthy as what Abby had. He'd have found himself with his hands quite full, thank you very much, had he encountered the conditions that overtaxed the mast on her vessel. Farragut didn't have sattelite communications or GPS. Was he an idiot to sail halfway 'round the globe, and then to engage in live fire exchanges with ruthless men who'd as readily slit his throat as speak to him??
Or maybe you draw a distinction only in that Farragut's proud father didn't go and get a nice book deal inked while the young Admiral-to-be was off to sea??
And, does it occur to anyone else that every posted expression of upset over this news story inherently implies a demand for exactly the kind of government proscription of personal choices that is THE central subject of acute, and incessant condemnation in, and in fact the entire raison d'être for, this forum??
Posters are always around here bitching, moaning, and howling about government imposing itself in thier lives in ways that limit PERSONAL CHOICES, then, when someone makes a PERSONAL CHOICE that government hasn't yet found a way to eliminate, here they are — in a flagrant display of hypocrisy — bitching, moaning, and howling about that.
Well, wth "conservatism" like that, who needs liberalism?
DO you want; government intrusion, or do you not?!
You "conservatives" had better make up your stinking minds, 'cuz only Liberals and bisexuals get it both ways!
This kid wasn't transporting troops to the beaches of Normandy.Warfare's just a tad different.And Farragut wasn't 16.
And, does it occur to anyone else that every posted expression of upset over this news story inherently implies a demand for exactly the kind of government proscription of personal choices....
I'm nauseated by the lack of *parental* proscription.
I never advocated that anybody from the government should do anything to these people...just pointed out that this was an incredibly wreckless, publicity hound stunt.
This couple should be pariahs. They should not be celebrated for this. Don’t watch their reality show. Don’t donate to their web-site to recover their boat. Don’t feed their attention addiction.
Look, there will always be a push and pull with government intrusion on children. I like home schooling...but when I see the police drag a dozen filthy, illiterate, children out of a home...that’s not home schooling.
I guess I’d be alot more sympathetic to the personal liberty argument, if these people were really able to do this without affecting anyone else...but they just incurred a $300k bill, and the wife has snarkily declared that she’s not paying. Looks like the Aussie gubment (translation: taxpayers) get to pony up for that bill.
Now I have heard, on this board, several calls for Abbey to try again. What? Would people really expect the Aussies to rescue her again?
If they want to be stupid and risk their daughter’s life, they should at least be able to pay for it themselves, right? Pretty conservative thought, right?
Now, I’m going to use one of Rush’s questions. How young is too young? Could a 12 year old girl try this? 10? 8? 4? Why not? As arbitrary as it seems, there has to be a bright dividing line between childhood and adulthood. Its arbitrary for sure, but its 18 in our present society.
I think we just need to call the Waaaaahmbulance!!!
Maybe even Big Brutha will be drivin’ it.
The government was not involved in her parents’ decision. She was not going to war or to save someone’s life. She went so her lazy father could snag a reality TV show. You don’t seem to see a distinction between Abby’s attempt and the Admiral.
I am glad she was rescued but I still believe her parents are irresponsible twits.