There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Laura Dekker's desire to try sailing around the world. Everybody seems to have some opinion on this matter, from the media to social services to the courts.
I believe that the people who are best suited to judge whether Laura is ready are Laura and her parents. It is simply wrong for anyone else to sit in judgment of her capabilities and stop her from reaching for her dreams.
Does anyone remember William F Buckley ripping into Jim Dickson for attempting to sail across the Atlantic?
http://articles.latimes.com/1987-08-18/news/mn-2290_1_blind-sailor
Of course now there are many blind sailors not only enjoying sailing (I will avoid saying what I think about Buckley here since he has passed away), but actually competing and racing. I think Jim Dickson said it best, "Mr. Buckley, you are a lot more blind than I am because you can't see what a person can do in my circumstances,".
How different is this really? Sure Laura is young, and that poses obstacles, but overcoming obstacles is how we make progress.
I don't think it is any government's business telling people what they can't accomplish. What kind of lesson is the government teaching it's young people by it's actions here?
If she wants to go, and her parents think it is ok, then she should go.
Thoreau once said "Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live."
What is the greater danger to Laura's ability to really live? The sea or the courts?
What are your thoughts? Share them with us in the comments below.
