I just posted this on another thread, but it applies here also:
Both the rescuers and the climbers, IMO, are motivated by the challenge. That's what is behind our space exploration, ocean exploration, any exploration. The challenge, curiosity, and the exhilaration that goes along with conquering new territories, discovery, physical and mental mettle testing, all qualities that are necessary to the survival of the species. That's us. Nothing would have been gained in the world without the risk takers.
We have already made wimps of too many of our men in our society. I'm all for men being men, and doing what many men do, and part of that is to challenge their environment, and take risks. You can see it on the playground when little boys are young, and climb to the highest part of the jungle jim, while most little girls look on. It's a boy thing. I'm sick to death of too many women wanting to make men just like them, and/or too many men, sitting on their butts complaining about other men who actually get off their duffs and take risks.
Even in business, where bankruptcy is a real threat, most often it is men who jump in feet first to establish new ventures. Without risk, no society would move forward. Give me a manly man anyday. I don't like wimps. Too many Democratic men are wimps (think Alan Colmes of Hannity and Colmes, as an example).
These men were experienced climbers who knew the dangers and had climbed many times before. When you are out in nature, you always are surrounded by potential danger, as the victims of Katrina found out. Rescuing these climbers gives the search teams extra practice and experience on how to deal with a new rescue scenario, which adds to the body of knowledge on how to do rescues. An analogy would be our U.S. troops. Unless they eventually end up in battle some day, everything they have learned is theoretical unless put into practice at some point. Obviously there are risks to battle, but the troops gain experience in actual warfare and become better warriors for it. Man has been climbing mountains forever, out of need, or out of desire. I admire them.
In fact, perfectly said.
Everything else is beanbag.
Leni
Very well said. Thank you.