Re: Your July 4 article, "Teenage sailor: Seeker of values deserves our praise":

Bradley Harrington asks, "Where would we be if Peter Cooper had never built the first steam locomotive; if the Wright brother had never flown at Kitty Hawk; if Nikolaus Otto had never constructed the internal combustion engine," then goes on to answer, "We would be huddling for warmth in our caves" (quite an exaggeration).

All this in the context of praising a 16-year-old girl for her attempt at sailing solo around the world. The accomplishments made by the men he cites have had profound effects on our lives. What was to be gained by Abby Sunderland's adventure? A feat of no significant value to our lives other than another record that might encourage some girl, even younger, to break.

Lou Pupich,
Newbury Park