USS Harvey Milk would be a fitting tribute

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 5/17/12 | C.W. Nevius

[SmithL]

Petty local politics shouldn't ruin a truly meaningful national gesture, which is naming a U.S. Navy ship after gay icon Harvey Milk.

A ship named for the first openly gay supervisor in San Francisco seems like such a bold and audacious gesture that you wonder whether the Navy would consider such a thing. Actually, it might. Last week, the service commissioned the Cesar Chavez, a ship named for the Mexican American labor leader. Chavez served two years in the Navy during World War II.

So the Harvey Milk makes sense. Although it would be controversial in conservative political circles - some Republicans howled at the Chavez christening - it would stress that gay and lesbian men and women serve the country, too.

Zoe Dunning, a lesbian and retired Navy commander, spoke in favor of the naming at a supervisors hearing earlier this week. She wholeheartedly supports the idea, and in an interview noted that Milk not only served in the Navy during the Korean War, but also was a diving instructor, a physically demanding job.

"How very butch of him," she said, unable to resist poking fun at the stereotype of a gay sailor.

[bandleader]

What did he EVER do aside from taking a bullet from a Hostess Twinkie addict??????????????

[bandleader]

Being a musician,I know exactly what they should play at the ship’s launching!Not our national anthem;”The YMCA”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheRhinelander]

Yeah, sure. If you’re a fudge packer it sure it appropriate. For everyone else...not so much.

[submarinerswife]

Tell me more. Was this little freak a member of the cult? Or was he just a defender of Jones?

[DickBrannigan]

One of the best SNL skits ever!!!

“We will visit manly ports. Mykonos. Key West. San Francisco!”

[Steel Wolf]

"USS Harvey Milk would be a fitting tribute"

... only if it gets torpedoed in the rear.

[DickBrannigan]

Also, Al Franken is one of the crew members (Sailor #3) requesting punishment........

[dblshot]

USS Harvey Milk, known as the milktoast of the seas returned to her home port of San Fransico CA today after conducting sea trials. Her Commanding Officer, Cmdr, Pat “Androgynous Pat” Smith said all systems worked well although the sewage pumps seemed to plug up with a latex material frequently and will be assessed for adequacy. Chief Messman Tori LaPue said the ships crew quickly adapted to the Milks mess schedule of a light brunch on the mess deck, aperitifs served cold on the fantail at sundown and a hearty meal with espresso just before midnight. Ship's Entertainment director Ltjg Polly Annish said the hanger deck worked out beautifully for all night disco dancing, although the tiedowns on the deck did cause quite a few crewmen to fall into each other. XO B. T. Waters said he had never served with a crew who took so much interest in decorating there berthing areas. The only discordant note was sounded by laundry man Bobby T Jackson who said simply, “you don't want to know”. Milks next deployment is scheduled for July where she will make ports of call, in Seattle, San Diego and Haiti.

[certrtwngnut]

He was a “DIVING” instructor?
Exactly what kind of diving did this gay boy teach.

[dfwgator]

“Having had no seafaring experience, I was surprised at how different the life of a sailor was from what I had imagined. Our day began at dawn, where, after a hearty breakfast, we had punishment ‘til lunchtime. After lunch, there was more punishment ‘til dinner. After dinner, we would pull up anchor and sail for an hour, then drop anchor again for some verbal humiliation, followed by evening punishment. I imagine that the crew is quite used to it, for in all my rounds with the ship surgeon, Dr. Pierce, I never once heard a man complain.”

[dfwgator]

Exactly what kind of diving did this gay boy teach.

“…and then the big brown shark came…."

[null and void]

It would have to be a sub. Something that frequently goes down and is full of seamen.

somebody had to say it out loud. sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry,

[MagUSNRET]

Somewhere, Fleet Admiral Nimitz is saying “WTF is WRONG with you people????”

[IMR 4350]

Don’t forget, the entire crew looked forward to their turn ‘Over the barrel”.

[Cheburashka]

I expect that the San Francisco Police Dept and/or Fire Dept. have boats. They can name one of these for the deceased gay activist if they wish.

[dfwgator]

I would hate to see the Poop Deck on that ship.

[Fightin Whitey]

Isn’t it true?

Everything that is insulting, hostile and downright destructive to the very foundation of our nation is now not only in vogue but is the guiding principle of the Left, the Democrat Party and the White House.

May God help us all.

[kenmcg]

As a proud Navy vet, I find this article nauseating. God help us!

[wildbill]

A fitting fighting motto for the Harvey Milk:

Loose lips sink ships!

[beaversmom]

I feel so bad for any young person joining the military at this moment in time. Gays are a minuscule portion of the population and all you hear every day is GAY, GAY, GAY. It's way beyond getting old.