Abby Sunderland Is a 16-Year-Old Sailor; Deal With It, America

"Mabel Stark wrestled tigers in the 1920s. She got her start by skipping after-school activities in favor of trips to the zoo in her hometown of Princeton, Ky. " im from princeton,ky......im curious as to when there was a zoo here....???? ive never heard of one..in this place

All I know, is that I am male, former USMC..commo/force recon, Viet vet and all around sometimes tough guy...is that I can't hold a candle to that young lady. At 16 years of age, floating our in no mans land, probably with monster fish licking their lips surrounding her vessel. Waves that would make a seasoned sailor wish for better times and all ALONE. Now there is one tough cookie and my hat goes off to her. I suspect we will be hearing more from her and from what I read, her brother too! Now there is some real iniative for young people to follow. Those who cry about the cost and the cost and then again the cost....can go and fly a kite. Let them try to do what has been done.

DEAL WITH IT?? Hmmm...who's dealing with the COST of finding this "GIRL"????? If 16 yr olds are so adult like, why arent they VOTING?? able to get married ,or consume alcohol legally>?? If this GIRL sets out once again..then PERHAPS she and her family should do it alone, instead of PLEADING FOR HELP TO FIND her , when she goes off radar again. And hey , what if PIRATES get a hold of her and her boat?? WHO's gonna pay that ransom?? Remember the USA doesnt deal with kidnappers. SURE , what a photo op this is, having their EXPLOITED 16 yr old sail the world..BUT that being said..THEy the family should be HELD responsible for any efforts to rescue her if indeed she has troubles again. I think these parents are EXPLOITING her for the GOOD ole American DOLLAR..

Now hearing that her daddy is broke and is trying to start a REALITY show for his darling daughter is simply outrageous. Its always about the money isn't it? A sceond chance for this girl? I htink not - she had her moment of fame. I hope they charge the parents for the rescue mission! Most of all - stop using your child for profit!

NO 16 year old has GOOD JUDGEMENT !
Ought to make the parents pay for the rescue efforts.

Female? who cares , she is a kid ! Her parents ought to be ashamed for letting her try such a dangerous stunt just to get their names in some record book that nobody cares one twit about!

Her age is a factor in "dealing with it."
However; my question is this: "Who pays for the recovery of a person of ANY age who engages in Extreme activities?

Some how this factor seems lost on the participants. I believe in exploration for explorations sake. I also believe in PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Many times valuable resources are used and the cost goes to the nations, countries, cities, and municipal counties to provide rescue. Why is it assumed that this service should be provided for free? I'm glad she was rescued and recovered from her ordeal without harm. However, I want to know how much the rescue cost? I want to know if her family just decided to put it on USA's "tab." Because anyone who thinks a bill wasn't generated and is going to come due is deluding themselves. If you choose to be a willing participant in this type of "Extreme" behavior you should also accept any and all responsibility that comes with that participation.

Thank you,
Susie H.

Deal with it, ok that sounds insulting, I have a 17 year old, so yes I can comment, sixteen, too young and immature to do it, it's obvious she couldn't do it, wait til she's an adult and let her do what she wants, I cannot imagine letting my teenager leave like that, it's just strange to me, but I will "deal with it", comment when you have children and then you will have a right to make a comment until then deal with it!

I'm a 13 year old kid. I, and thousands like me, will now be attempting to sail around the world. Quite a few of my schoolmates are even buying planes! The skies, and seas, will be overrun with kids like me. Nothing can stop us.

We had 13 year olds fighting in Revolution and civil war. Some 16 year olds managed to fight in WW!. Me and many others enlisted at 17 for Korea. Many of us learned to be mature and responsible by the time we were 12. We had great parents that expected the best of us and we strove not to disappoint them. Now days, I see too many over 20 that are less mature and much less responsible than we were at 13. Wish I had the skills and opportunity of the young lady when I was 13. Always loved a challenge.