Chinese Icebreaker Trapped After Helping in Antarctic Rescue

Yahoo News ^ | Alexander Marquardt & Anthony Castellano (GMA)

[Anton.Rutter]

The 52 passengers rescued from an icebound ship in Antarctica might now become the rescuers.

The Chinese ship that sent a helicopter to rescue the passengers on board the Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy is now stuck in Antarctic ice and might need a rescue of its own, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

An Australian icebreaker carrying the 52 passengers is waiting in open water to see if it has to go back to help the Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon.

[Cyber Liberty]

We have ours. Can you spell “Klayman?”

[JohnBovenmyer]

Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation. Stupidity is not a sin, the victim can't help being stupid. But stupidity is the only universal capital crime; the sentence is death, there is no appeal, and execution is carried out automatically and without pity. — Lazarus Long (aka Robert Heinlein)

[cloudmountain]

I USED to read nothing but scifi. Heinlein was a favorite.

BTW he was correct.

[Chad N. Freud]

I don’t think I’m speaking counter to the beliefs of many FReepers when I state that those with Downs Syndrome DO have an inherent human right to procreate.

What, after all, would “certain inalienable rights” mean?

... “Most cases of Down syndrome are not inherited. When the condition is caused by trisomy 21, the chromosomal abnormality occurs as a random event during the formation of reproductive cells in a parent.

...

“Like trisomy 21, mosaic Down syndrome is not inherited. It occurs as a random event during cell division early in fetal development.

As a result, some of the body’s cells have the usual two copies of chromosome 21, and other cells have three copies of this chromosome.”

— http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome

[JohnBovenmyer]

Brings up a good point. What are these 52 partying libs eating now??? THEIR food was left on the Russian ship, which having its supply of mouths cut from 74 to 22 is now considered well stocked with food. At least unless they lose the ship, which as it has the lowest ice protection rating above zilch available remains possible. The Chicom icebreaker only has to feed its normal complement. I don't know how long they'd planned to stay, but you would think someone had enough sense to pack some extra food just in case. The Aurora Australis, which normally feeds a crew of 24, now carries 76 mouths. How far its regular supplies will stretch to cover more than triple the mouths hasn't be reported to my knowledge. It was supposed to be on the annual resupply run for Casey Station, about 30° to the west, but left there after partial unloading to rescue these fools. The Aurora Australis had been heading back to Casey, to complete its supply run, when re-detoured to help the Chicoms the fools entrapped. There may be extra food intended for Casey aboard, but then you'd be starving REAL scientists to feed fools. Conceivably any deficit to Casey could be made up by air as Casey has runways. In that case I'd certainly add those transportation costs to the fool's tab. And I would spare no green source in assuring that tab gets paid in full.

However, there is another, more fitting, option. The fools stated goal was the Sir Douglas Mawson experience. If you haven't read just what he experienced a century ago I strongly recommend reading the tale. There are few, if any, better. Have them better experience Mawson. Say quarter rations for most fools, none for their leader. Leave the brought food for them that brought it. Unless the fools entrap another ship, they'll return in plenty of time. If the fools complain there is another option. Send them out hunting. Guns are passé in Australian lib circles, but clubs would suffice. Shackleton and others, back in Mawson's day, proved you could live on seals and penguins alone. Mawson wished he had the chance. Just think how admired the fools would be by their fellow libs for that totally natural diet!

[JohnBovenmyer]

I agree. Being fond of a cousin with Down syndrome, my only cousin to my knowledge to have earned the title of "Homecoming Queen," I was interested enough to google further. I wasn't sure how the extra chromosome would affect her chances, should she so choose. It seems my cousin has a 15-30% chance of being fertile and, if she succeeds, a 50% chance of another like her. History gives male Down syndrome patients 0% fertility; God says they have to settle for being uncles.

[KosmicKitty]

Grrrr.. Figures. Bet they’d be a bit more cautious with their nonsense if they had to personally pay!!

[Chad N. Freud]

Well, God bless her. Actually, he already has, with you as a cousin to advocate for and care about her.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Anton.Rutter.

• IPCC silently slashes its global warming predictions in the AR5 final draft

[Avoiding_Sulla]

Al Gore is finally a Shining example

Given the inconvenient turn in climate, this version is more fitting than the Jack Nicholson original.