Abby's Stunt: Child Endangerment
AbbyIt is a very good thing that Abby Sunderland, the 16 year old California girl who attempted to sail solo around the world, and who was lost and feared dead, has been found alive and well. But it is not a very good thing for a 16 year old girl to attempt to sail around the world by herself. It is a very reckless thing. Her stunt could have cost her her life. It did cost thousands and a lot more, for rescuers to search for her, after she set off distress beacons in stormy weather in a remote part of the Indian Ocean. Now, any lone sailor could run into the same bad weather and be forced to call for help. But a child is more vulnerable to danger than an adult. Rescuers risk their lives rescuing people caught in danger from stunts gone bad.
At the start of the stunt, TJ Simers, a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times, called the attempt of the girl to sail solo around the world "child endangerment". "I just don't understand the idea of risking life. This kid's going to be out there all by herself. Death is a possibility. Bad weather. Are you kidding me? Who's responsible for this? She's a kid," he wrote.
In the video, made before Abby Sunderland was found alive and well, her brother, Zac, gives an interview to reporters. The stunt of a child sailing solo is apparently a family thing. He sailed around the world alone last year, age at 17. He speaks as if his sister is possibly just late coming home from school, and that it is a normal thing to perform stunts that may require foreign governments to spend tens of thousands of dollars to rescue a person, who gets into trouble while performing a stunt. The rescuers should send the family a bill for the costs spent in rescuing the girl.
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You know, some people are
You know, some people are totally pissed that we would spend any money whatsoever to help the addicted, the poor, the disadvanteged. And than you have a priveledged retard like this that costs the public stunning, astronomical $$$$ and for what? No seriously folks, answer the damn question - for what? What is the meaning of this?
Meaning of this?
Two words: College. Application.
This article is a biased
This article is a biased mess. Can someone please point me to the magical age in which all individuals are responsible for their own actions? If this girl murdered people they would attempt to put her on trial as an adult, but when it comes to attempting to live out a dream she's classified a "child"? It's disgusting how many people use this event as an opportunity to take on a "holier than thou" stance.
Next, there is a lot of opinion, and NO evidence. "But a child is more vulnerable to danger than an adult." In what respect? I would imagine a healthy 16 year old with years of sailing experience would have a better chance of survival than 40 year old diabetic, or a 20 something with minimal experice who attempts such a stunt for kicks. Give me actual evidence that this young woman was mentally incompetant, under skilled, or physically unable to succeed. In our desperate attempt to preserve "childhood" we forget that for thousands of years, this "girl" would have been considered an adult at the age she is now.
Finally there is statement that the parents should be responsible for paying for the resuce mission to save their daughters life. Are you suggesting that anyone who has a private boat, aircraft, or land vehicle accident should be responsible for the bill? What about hikers who get lost, or mountain climbers that get stuck? Certianly one might argue this is fair, as long as one doesn't mind paying for it when the fire department comes to pry you out of the vehicle you chose to drive. The tone of this article suggests that the author intends such a payment be made as a punishment for an alleged "crime" that isn't even well supported in this article.
Her parents should be arrested
People see things from where they stand and where they sit. All writings are bias, in the sense that they are from a particular point of view and reflect a particular time and place.. My postings are in no way attempted exercises in academic artificiality nor journalism. They are simply my opinions.
In the matter of Abby Sunderland, she is of this time and this place, and she is a child. Her parents were exploiting her -- trying to get her a reality TV deal. The American Sailing Association refused to sponsor her trip, citing concerns about the timing of her trip, which called for her to be sailing into rough seas in the middle of winter. The association deemed the trip reckless. As for the cost of the rescue, it was very expensive, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to governments and to private ship owners, whom diverted their ships to assist in the rescue. Naturally, when someone is in danger, people have to respond. But this child should not have been endangered. And yes, the rescuers should submit a bill to her parents. The local social agencies should criminally cite them for child endangerment.