Laura Dekker's Circumnavigation

[deckofficer]

Astrid,

You picked correctly. Her hair is looking quite nice. I was surprised that during her voyage she didn't know of the shampoo that works with salt air and water.

[bengtinge]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Laura, Jessica, and Abby share the same PR firm, so I guess this is what Laura has to look forward to


I guess if this is what she wants, she picked the right PR firm. I have a hunch, the PR firm picked her, since Mercer seems to have a thing for teenage sailor girls.

I assume since Laura is guilty by association with Jessica, Laura is also to be considered light dressed, or at least considered planning to. This is how I interpret you posting.

Regarding Laura's PR manager, I thought Laura changed to a Dutch PR manager and does not have Lyall Mercer anymore, and she should not be considered guilty by association with what Mercer is said to do.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by MacG

... Laura is still in her development phase ...

Which, as I understood it, was the basis of objections to her setting out at that time (age).

[deckofficer]

I have been in contact with what happens to be Laura's former PR rep, and retract all of my negative comments towards him. He appears to be a straight shooter and Laura was a client for only 4 months. He reports her dad is at the helm again. On my forum I was able to remove all posts that cast him in a negative light, but of course I am unable to do that here, so please accept my apology for passing along mis-information.

[Coops]

If you so wished you could ask the admin staff or mods to do it for you, just give them the number/s of the post/s that you wish to have deleted and it will probably be done.

Good and brave admission by the way.

Coops.

[Astrid]

Yes, by all means, the mods can probably delete the desired posts.

[deckofficer]

I had to search some of my old posts that mods posted to so I could click on their user name and ask them in a PM to remove my post # 354, 356. That will teach me to re-post something passed to me that I didn't research the validity. I'll probably lose a few stars for this, but I'll work hard to get them back.

[deckofficer]

Removed, thanks Mark.

[mbianka]

Deckofficer:

It sounds to me that some of your rights might have been trampled on. I could see them asking you to remove the material that you did not have the rights for or cite. But, posts and comments you made should be allowed to stand. You might want to contact some internet rights organizations like the Electronic Freedom Foundation maybe the ACLU and their conservative counter parts to see what your rights are and if they can help. Perhaps some lawyer would be willing to sue your internet provider on a contingency basis for taking down ALL your posts. You might also enlist some in the media with your story. Start with some local talk radio outlets. Sometimes you need to stand up to bullies. Sounds like you spent a lot of time and effort putting your blog together (I know how that is) and helping to promote Dekker's journey it's an outrage they now give you the bums rush. If that fails you could start a BOYCOTT LAURA DECKER BLOG if only to tell your side of the story. PR works both ways. Personally, hearing about your plight makes it easy for me not to buy or even read her book at this point.

[deckofficer]

Oh no, buy her book, support her, she is a grand gal and has a uncanny ability to dial into whatever boat she sails. I'm a bit hurt that her "handler", who ever it was, that threatened my server host, felt that my thread was anything but singing her praises.

I plan to buy a few books and send them to my grand nieces. If her book as the effect on them that "Dove" did on me, then I might just see some of the grand nieces joining their black sheep great uncle Bob for some sailing. And that my cruising friends, would be a fantastic outcome for me. I am a "glass half full" kinda guy, I would like to feel that Laura's handler was just being over protective.

It isn't anything that I would seek redress on, it was some work on my part, but nothing to lose sleep over, besides, all my own effort on the thread I archived and since Lefora has not gotten back to me in their stated time line, I have re-post my work back to the forum. I feel bad that all my member's posts were lost, but hey, 80% of my forum is for hot rods, 10% a support forum for family care givers, and 10% cruising. It is what could be called a "self indulgent" forum, covering topics that effect me. It also helps me keep my sanity, caring for my dad 24/7.

[Coops]

You appear to still have plenty of stars so twinkle away merrily.

Coops.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Coops

You appear to still have plenty of stars so twinkle away merrily.

Coops.

Thanks Coops. Australia and New Zealand are tops on my cruising list. After all the time in the Merchant Marine, I never got to set foot in either, and I'll tell you, I much prefer communicating with an adult vocabulary in my native language than as a 5 year old in second languages. I always feel I'm not getting to really know people in my travels due to my slowness in picking up a different language.

[Coops]

Would make an effort to meet you if you do get here. If you get here without a boat, somewhere to stay if you need it.

Not too sure about the adult vocabulary out here though.

Coops.

[deckofficer]

It will be in a boat, and thanks for the offer. If I could get dear old dad to go to the Australian Open I would fly over for that. Both he and I are heavy into tennis.

[Coops]

Me too, I only stopped playing comp singles, against all ages, twice a week last year as my knees gave out finally at 62. Refuse to just play doubles, so called it a day.

Coops.