Search team fails to rescue Abby Sunderland from her own selfish attitude
16 year old American Abby Sunderland’s sailboat yacht went missing in the Indian Ocean during her attempt to break the record for youngest to sail solo, unassisted around the world. How could anyone be surprised by this? Regardless of her age or gender, the Indian Ocean is treacherous for any experienced sailor, especially during the current winter weather conditions.
The family posted this message on Abby’s blog about the massive search effort in progress:
“We are working closely with American, French and Australian Search & Rescue authorities to coordinate several ships in the area to divert to her location. There are several ships in her area, the earliest possible contact is 40 hours. We are actively seeking out some sort of air rescue but this is difficult due to the remoteness of her location. Australian Search & Rescue have arranged to have a Quantas Airbus fly over her location at first light (she is 11 hours later). They will not be able to help her other than to talk via marine radio if they are able to get close enough. Hopefully, they will be able to assess her situation and report back to us.”
Marianne and Team Abby
Early on the morning she was spotted by a Quantas Jet sent to search for her, the Australian government announced that they will not seek reimbursement for the extensive rescue costs.
Now Abby has been rescued by the fishing vessel Ile de la Reunion and in the process the Captain of the fishing boat fell in and had to be rescued himself in dangerous conditions.
According to the New York Times, Abby’s father, Laurence Sunderland in an interview on “The Early Show” on CBS, Mr. Sunderland praised his daughter’s skills as a sailor. He said he not only would let her try the voyage again, but would also “absolutely endorse that wholeheartedly.”
A new storm is brewing as the Sunderland Family not only go on the defensive about their decisions and actions; they are on the offensive attacking every bit of criticism.
Now is the moment for Abby Sunderland and the rest of the Sunderland family to turn to the heroes who risked their lives to save Abby and simply say thank you and then shut up. Stop being selfish for once.
But no, stubbornness prevails. Abby updated her blog from the fishing vessel, where she complains about having to use a french keyboard and then goes straight into how unfair it is of the press to pounce on her because of her age. This initial post is all about her, not a single word of gratitude. This speaks volumes of her maturity level, how dare anyone have questioned it?
My original interest in this story was related to the rescue costs, based on my firm belief that constraints and consequences are both important drivers of behavior. If she, or the next one who comes along to break the record, hasn’t raised enough money to cover costs of a possible rescue; then it should be a no go. (It was quite admirable that the American sailing Association rejected her sponsorship request due to their risk assessment.) Merely wanting to do the trip, should not be enough.
The problem with the existence this record of “youngest” is obviously that the obsession with beating it will continue to bring the age down to, what? Abby’s mother is reportedly pregnant with her eighth child. We can only hope that the newborn baby will not be involved in a sailing stunt in the very near future.
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Dutch Municipalities “go local” in the mail-order bride business
The Northern Dutch villages of Dongeradeel and Dantumadiel have introduced a shocking new initiative to cut spending on welfare payments; their aim is for jobless women to meet and “be kept” by rich men. The local governments make a special payment of 1,400 euros to each eligible jobless woman. This money is not for education or career services, it is to be spent exclusively for a makeover. The restyled women are then registered with a local matchmaking agency, Mens en Relatie.
Local officials look to save 400,000 euros annually, by marrying off 70 jobless women. Prostitution is famously legal here in the Netherlands, but this is an outrage! If local governments want women to prostitute themselves, they would be better off investing in these women to set up legal businesses in the sex trade. Then the women could get off of welfare and become financially independent at the same time.
The percentage of Dutch women who are financially independent is dismal, according to the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics, less than half of Dutch women earn over 10,000 Euros annually. While the outside world often views the Dutch as progressive in their social policies; take a closer look at Dutch Villages and Dutch households, and you will find the conservative, old-fashioned reality is starkly different. This bizarre policy is simply a new way to keep women where Dutch Society deems appropriate, at home and off the career track.
If “Operation Makeover” doesn’t work, maybe the local governments will sweeten the pot with a dowry?
Here’s a link to the Dutch article on de Telegraf.nl
Here’s a link to the article on DutchNews.nl
Filed under In the news, Social Issues, Women | Comments (3)
Helping Hearts – How Small Business Helps Haiti
Millions of people around the world tuned in over the weekend for the Hope for Haiti Telethon organized by George Clooney. The show was an amazing spectacle that featured musical performances by Bono, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Coldplay, Beyonce, Stevie Wonders and many, many more! Hollywood celebs were out in full force to man the phones for the telethon. Julie Roberts, Robert Deniro and Steven Spielberg chatting with donors and giving heartfelt thanks demonstrated a perfect example of everyone pitching in for the cause.
HopeforHaitinow.org achieved record-breaking results, collecting over 58 million in the 24 hours following the broadcast. It was well organized with multiple ways to complete the transaction, including internationals, which is not always easy! Particularly ingenious was the the Donate Now button on the website becoming a Donate Again button after you give (each time). The money will continue to pour in through the sales of the recorded performance, which has reached number 1 in 18 countries. Wow and bravo all around!
So this morning when I glanced at Facebook and noticed the blog post, “Let’s do Something to Help Haiti” by Natalie Carstens of Tigs Creations Photography, I was not convinced that this link would lead me to a new and inspiring initiative to raise money for Haiti, but I was wrong to underestimate Small Business. Continue reading »
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5 Reasons Not to Friend Your Babysitter or Nanny on Facebook
Friend your Nanny on Facebook at your own risk! You might quickly discover that she is no Mary Poppins and then your blissful ignorance will vanish forever.
Obviously the Nannies and Babysitters have the most to lose! Please, save yourselves and your jobs! Even if you think you boss is cool, or a friend, or whatever, think about it before you send that friend request! The photo below is what got me thinking on this subject. What might people read into your status updates, especially your boss?
1. This is your new profile picture? Are you kidding me? No wonder my 2 year old daughter has been begging to watch Miami Ink instead of Dora the Explorer!
Filed under In the news, Just Life, Unsolicited Advice | Comments (3)
