[codder too]

What is the double standard here? We rescue mountain climbers and cave explorers and will probably do whatever we can to rescue ‘private” space explorers in the future. Would we rather pay out millions in welfare to dolts, than save the life of this young pioneer?

[LonelyCon]

"Would we rather pay out millions in welfare to dolts, than save the life of this young pioneer?"

Is that really the choice we have to make? If we don't pay to rescue people who choose to take extraordinary risks for their own egos, we must instead pay that money to welfare recipients? How about we pay neither, my taxes get lowered, and I spend the money I earn the way I want to instead of the government forcing me to subsidize someone else's around-the-world cruise or free cheese.

[northwinds]

Would we rather pay out millions in welfare to dolts, than save the life of this young pioneer?

Exactly! My tax dollars go out everyday to support some crack head 16 year old who's popped out another future criminal who will probably car-jack me 14 years from now. Much rather my money go to this girl's rescue. Besides its the Australians footing the bill...and they're glad to do it. They asked one of the Australian rescue officials if they were going to ask her family to foot the bill...his reply was "heck no, we would hope that any other country would do the same for one of our citizens" (paraphrased).

[org.whodat]

BS, this is not a young pioneer, those days are long over this is a glory hound publicity stunt, let them pay for it.