French fishing boat rescues stranded Calif. teen (French captain fell into ocean during rescue)

Associated Press ^ | 6/12/10 | THOMAS WATKINS

[Persevero]

I don’t support the solo flying.

[ejonesie22]

If they read he blogs they would be a little less inclined to make their arguments.

Of course that would not do at all.

[mad_as_he$$]

Citation For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain frontline on D-plus-1 day, Pfc. Lucas and 3 other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by 2 grenades which landed directly in front of them, Pfc. Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon 1 grenade and pulled the other under him, absorbing the whole blasting forces of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Lucas and the U.S. Naval Service.

Pfc. Jack Lucas was just short of his 17th birthday. Please note this was on Iwo Jima where many great young heroes laid down their lives including John Basilone one of the great heroes of Guadalcanal.

Semper Fi.

Carry on.

[jimbo123]

Zac paid $5,000 for his boat and then they BORROWED $150K+ to outfit it for the trip. Was Fannie Mae financing boats, too?

[reformed_dem]

....for letting her put her life in danger.

Yes, because parents don't allow their teenage children to get in cars and drive every day in this country.....

[SZonian]

And yet, you decry a 16 yr old girl not behaving like a “pampered puss”? Do you want her sitting at home behaving like a “pampered puss”?

I don’t get it.

[Persevero]

“You are not a fool, but a weasel. “

How so? I pointed out that your prose celebrates the adults who risk all, not the children.

I don’t think much of a culture that pushes their kids to undertake the risks and responsibilities of adulthood.

[DJ MacWoW]

Dead five miles from home is just as dead as 5000 mile out.

The point is that it was an unnecessary risk that endangered others.

Indeed this young lady with all the equipment, training and such was

And a seasoned sailor. Ian Kiernan, said it was FOOLISH.

taking less risk than many 16 year olds take everyday driving while texting or distracted by friends in 4000 pound machines going 60 MPH.

Which simply proves that 16 year olds have lousy judgment no matter where they are.

[Doohickey]

Pre-teens were cabin boys, and toted powder changes and cannon shot on warships in the 18th and 19th century. Pitcairn Island is named after the 15 year old lookout who first sighted the island. We used to have more respect for our children.

[Persevero]

“Sad to say, we parents have played a big part in neutering our own children.’

I hardly think that refusing to allow a teen to solo sail around the world is equivalent to neutering.

[Persevero]

“Pre-teens were cabin boys, and toted powder changes and cannon shot on warships in the 18th and 19th century. Pitcairn Island is named after the 15 year old lookout who first sighted the island. We used to have more respect for our children.”

Lots of things happened in the 18th and 19th century that I don’t think are worthy of our respect.

They hung kids for stealing back then, too, for example.

Just because it happened in the 18th and 19th century doesn’t mean that it is necessarily a good thing.

[Persevero]

“We used to have more respect for our children.”

And you consider using kids as soldiers as “respect????”

[Mich Patriot]

Of course they’re not her only choices. I’m talking about ambition and motivation vs. NONE. Our country was founded, explored, developed, made strong by people with this kind of spirit. Police & fire departments across the country spend countless resources responding to situations caused by stupidity. Where’s the outrage over that? I think it’s awesome when a younger kid aspires to do something great.

[stop_fascism]

They’ve got problems. What’s it to you?

[aruanan]

What a foolish statement you have made.. Try to separate the people who are really putting their lives on the line with glory hunting.

You got that right. Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, and Lindsey Lohan getting their pictures snapped while exiting cars and wearing short skirts and no panties to show off their wax jobs are glory hunting. Abby Sunderland is an adventurer who has displayed a huge amount of courage attempting to perform a difficult feat. All it takes is shamelessness to flash one's pudendum to waiting photographers while sliding out of the back seat of a car. I suppose it takes a little courage to have hot wax applied to one's tender spots and then have the hair ripped out by the roots, but the motive seems less than pure.

[DJ MacWoW]

or is it just that this girl had a turn of bad luck

LUCK?!

"But veteran Australian sailor Ian Kiernan echoed the concerns of others that she would be sailing through the Indian Ocean when weather conditions would be at their most treacherous. "I don't know what she's doing in the Southern Ocean as a 16-year-old in the middle of winter," said Mr Kiernan, who himself has sailed solo around the world. "It's just foolhardy".

And let's not forget the dead 7 year old pilot that also killed her instructor and her father. But dead kids don't count. Setting a record does, right?

[SZonian]

Is this what we are to become?

It's about mitigating risks if you are willing to take any.

[dynoman]

It's Theodore Roosevelt's prose. And it not about age, it's about spirit. Read post 123 for more of that kind of "doer of deeds" spirit in another 16 yr old.

[Doohickey]

Just because it happened in the 18th and 19th century doesn’t mean that it is necessarily a good thing.

Likewise, the 21st.

[DJ MacWoW]

I think it’s awesome when a younger kid aspires to do something great.

That endangers others when the foolish endeavor doesn't pan out. This was a stunt for personal glory. The record had already been set by an Australian.