This week the authorities, or their lack of authority, have been prompting you to write. Feedback highlights some of your comments on solo sailing for teens, Russian police corruption, the possibility of Sharia courts in the Netherlands and an over-eager spam filter.

The amazing story of 13-year-old Dutch girl Laura Dekker’s bid to sail solo around the world has made international news. The child authorities here in the Netherlands intervened and took it to court to have her removed from her parent’s authority to stop her. Courts decided to uphold that, but to also investigate whether Laura has what it takes to do the solo journey.

In the article Perfect Storm - child sailor's plans whip up frenzy RNW News Desk asked:

“What do you think, should she have been allowed to go?”

Some of our readers/listeners bristled at the thought of the courts getting involved at all, like Sarah Farquah, who wrote:

“If Laura is proved competent she should be able to go - why do governments insist on prying into everyone's lives? Leave us alone.”

Some of our readers/listeners felt the courts were right to step in, such as anonymous, who wrote [edited for space, full text on website]:

“... she wants the world record and the glory and, oh yeah, the money that goes with it. This is irresponsible she should be stopped - how many people out there with teenage kids would let them go around the world on their own?...”

Some of our readers/listeners took a more middle ground, such as Charlie, who wrote [edited for space, full text on website]:

“... children differ in their abilities and capabilities. I assume that Laura Dekker won’t be deterred by what others say or think. So instead of criticism, I wish her "Godspeed" and that she comes back safely.”

Safety seems to be one of those things we count on authorities to provide, but what happens when those in authority are the problem? According to the features highlighted in The State We're In - The right to silence:

“A former St. Petersburg cop, now journalist, tells us just how dangerous the Russian police have become. We speak with a victim of Russian police brutality who is trying to take his attackers to court.”

Listener Ron Dixon sent the following message on how other authorities should intervene:

“Two days ago, I was tuned to your feature ‘The State We're In’ and heard a disturbing documentary concerning the corruption and violence that pervades the Russian constabulary. Firstly, as a potential foreign tourist to Russia, I would not feel secure as I would be in constant fear of either being severely beaten or fatally shot by a heavily intoxicated police officer/or officers. Secondly, all foreign governments with diplomatic relations with Russia, should be issuing travel warnings to their respective nationals until such time as the Russian police force gets it's act together.”

Other authorities and the giving of authority has been in the news here in the Netherlands concerning the possibility of allowing Sharia law in certain cases in the country. The article Sharia courts give The Hague the shivers by Klaas den Tek starts:

“Stoning. Chopping off hands. Whippings and beatings. When people hear the word ‘Sharia’, these are the images that spring to mind. But Islamic justice can also be used in civil law. Like in family law, and in divorce and inheritance cases. These areas of Sharia law could be applied in certain Dutch mosques.”

This is an area that is, and will continue to, create much debate [full debate on website], but Steve wrote in to point out a potential area of conflict:

“This is a very slippery slope. Notice how Canada had to suspend these courts after one year. With how strong the Muslim minority is becoming in many parts of Europe it is questionable if these courts would be able to be disbanded if they started handing down rulings contradictory to Dutch (or other European) law.”

And finally, sometimes the authority we give to our systems don’t quite work the way we want them too, as pointed out by more than one of our readers/listeners.
Such as Ciou, who wrote:

“When I try to make a comment on a news item at your website I always get the warning that my message triggered the spam filter and was not accepted. This even happened when I tried to write this very e-mail through the contact form.”

Web editor Theo Tamis responds:

“Thanks for taking the time to write to us and for trying various ways to send your comment. I apologize for the inconvenience and frustration you experienced in your efforts.

We've reset the spam filter and hope this has solved the problem.”

Let us know your thoughts on these or any other issues you want to share, and don’t forget to let us know what you think of listening through the Sirius system.