So it's been ten years since the Tampa boys survived their harrowing ordeal. Ten years since they went through hope and despair and hell and eventually made it to Godzone. Unintentionally. They were heading for Australia, all 400 of them. Squeezed and crammed and left to die on a sinking fishing boat from Afghanistan by people smugglers pocketing a fortune for their "trouble". Ten years since they were rescued by Captain Rinnen of MV Tampa (Wilhelmsen Lines) who refused to give them up in the face of the Australian military forces.
Good job, TV1 'Close Up' for tracking them down. It was good to see the (not as young as before) boys again smiling and going straight and narrow. Near perfect English and surprisingly holding no grudges against anyone. Nothing but worship for the captain. We were suspicious, you know, as one of you said. Oh yes, very very suspicious so soon after the Twin Tower came crumbling down and I personally had doubts and reservations about taking young boys in under such circumstance on their own. You were still boys for heaven's sake. But NZ took you in and you resurrected yourselves with the help of a wonderful social worker lady. I was wrong and I'm glad. Australia didn't want you but now you're here. Go well.
There was the Captain and the Aussie PM at the time who didn't hesitate to point guns at a captain of a commercial ship acting for fellow human beings. They brought out the best and the worst of mankind. I know the captain is sleeping well at night but I wonder if the former PM is too. Of course he is. What am I thinking.
Go Well, Tampa Boys.
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