Posted on 12/17/2006 5:20:45 AM PST by Nasty McPhilthy
Personally, I don't really care what this Jacka-- is tired of hearing about.
Folks, society bears the time and cost of these recovery operations because it is this sort of risk taking and bold action that makes this nation great. While this particular expedition didn't turn out well, the net effect of all expeditions is a positive one for society.
Reagan said about people like these, "I know it's hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave." Here on FreeRepublic the best most people can muster is a variation of, "The taxpayers shouldnt have to pay for the foolhardy thrill seekers who knew they were taking a big risk. The families of the climbers should pay for their own search teams; they shouldnt expect the government to pay for the reckless chance the climbers took."
How sad.
Oh my gosh! No!!!
You said -- "Do you realize how much money mountain climbing brings into the local economy? I am very sure the money brought into the economy far outweighs what is spent on SAR efforts."
Oh yeah..., a lot of money. It's not only what it brings into the local economy, from outside the state -- but also what is spent "in state" by very many people here. There are a lot of outdoor people here and a lot of mountains, running through the entire state. So, there are ample opportunities and a lot of business being done.
Regards,
Star Traveler
Superior pilots use their superior knowledge so that they don't have to use their superior skill. Many, many times I have flown in situations that could be potentially dangerous. However, each and every time the most dangerous part was driving to the airport.....
"We rescue people because it is the right thing to do."
I'm a volunteer firefighter/EMT and this comment struck home for me. We don't ask how people hurt themselves, why they crashed their car, or if they carelessly started their homes on fire. Despite my strong views of personal responsibility and accountability, there's a time and place when we need to reach out as human beings to those in true need, unconditionally and unquestioningly. Making them pay up later is fine, but the first thing we need to do is reach out. If the media flogs these stories to death, it's not the victims' fault.
Sadly, I'm tired of hearing about this as well. Not for the reasons that the writer suggests, but because it is heartbreaking to see the famalies of these missing men crying for their loved ones and hoping that they will be found. I'm like give us some news when the men are rescued or found dead!
Honestly, if we don't want to see this unfold all we have to do is turn the tv off.
You said -- "This is winter. That is a very high mountain in one of the most northern parts of contiguous 48. What kind of weather did they EXPECT!!!!"
Actually, in Oregon, there's no telling what kind of weather. It comes out of nowhere, at times. It doesn't matter if it's Winter or Summer. For example, over at Crater Lake (a lot lower than Mt. Hood), they record snowfalls every month of the year (on different years for different months, of course). But, you just never know, out there in Oregon country...
Regards,
Star Traveler
As well as, when required, providing perfect training opportunities to National Guard Pilots and Pararescue Jumpers. Without using these events for training, they would not be able to do their job as effectively in places like Iraq.
LOL, nice attempt at suppressing an Editorial (hint: it's a category under News/Activism). Keep up the good work comrade.
FOX just reported Avalanche conditions.
You said -- "Climbing a 11k foot mountain in winter is not a "Calculated Risk". It is utter stupidity, ..."
The people around there in Oregon don't think so. What they consider utter stupidity is not the climbing of the mountain, in the first place [that's a "given"]. The stupidity is not being prepared.
BUT, if you are prepared, then the rescue just comes naturally, after the fact, because in Oregon we know that the weather can come out of nowhere, and that people need to be rescued in various kinds of situations.
So, no..., that's not stupidity around here... (being unprepared is, but they know it's impossible to be prepared for all that Oregon can throw at you).
Regards,
Star Traveler
Then I hope the authorities hand them the bill for their rescue.
When good men get killed trying to rescue fools, is that budgeted as well.
You've taken a different angle than what I've heard described, but equally valid. What I've heard is that people aren't charged for rescues, because then if the rescue went awry the person who paid could sue the rescuers. When you pay, there's no such thing as a "Good Samaritan" exemption from liability.
Childish response of the thread.
Ya THINK?!?!?
"Their actions also endangers their rescuers."
Thank you - I've been thinking that for days. Similar to the fools who try to drive through a flooded area and then, if they're lucky, end up perched in a tree waiting for someone to pull their butt out of danger.
And that "someone" has family and friends who care about his safety and well-being just as much as the fool's do.
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