Posted on 02/13/2012 7:59:00 PM PST by Interesting Times
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is back again using a U.S. Navy warship as a vessel of political pandering. At a hurriedly convened Pentagon ceremony Friday, Mr. Mabus announced that the next littoral combat ship, LCS-11, would be named for former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona Democrat. Mrs. Giffords recently resigned her congressional seat to focus on recovering from wounds she received in a tragic January 2011 shooting. There are many appropriate ways to honor Mrs. Giffords, but this is not one of them.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I agree the Nobel Peace Prize is tainted and political, but that does not change its current status around most of this globe. It is just a sad fact.
Partisan heroes? First, you seem to overlook the fact that we have currently in the fleet the following ships named after Presidents:
USS George Washington (CVN-73)
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Roosevelt (DDG-80)
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) (planned for 2015)
USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23)
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)
USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77)
In the past we have had ships named after Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Polk, Van Buren, Grasnt, Hayes, and Wilson. You will notice that the list includes Reps and Dems. So this has nothing to do with partisan politics.
I’m just sayin’ that those four are to the Democrats like a cross to Dracula, and dragging major fleet units into political combat, to stick a finger in the Democrats’ eyes, was a prideful mistake, which will now have consequences.
Sheer nonesense. First, Vinson was a Democrat among the four you listed. And do you think it makes Reps cringe when they hear that the JFK, HST, or FDR named ships are deployed and going into battle? What kind of world do you live in?
The issue here is whether Giffords deserves a ship named after her or not. I don't think she does. This is real political partisanship. I have no problem with JFK, HST, FDR, or Wilson having ships named after them or Carl Vinson for that matter even though he was an avowed segregationist.
When the website first went online on Jan. 26th you couldn't tell the word "petition" was an actual live link. It just looked like black type, same as every other word.
At least now the word is highlighted in color and underlined, petition. It's an improvement, but it would be even better if there was a stand alone link in big bold print that said ...
bttt
Fortunately I have the Free Republic advantage. :-)
Signed it!!!!!
Fantastic! :)
I didn’t think the Queen Mary was a warship but if you say so. Nice catch.
You posted a picture of a gay French ship, a faggy Brit ship and a damn Russian piece of crap and that is comparative to what the US Navy does?
If you say so.
Actually during WWII the Queen Mary was used as a transport ship for Allied soldiers.
An allied transport ship . .
Do tell. Does that distinction make it a United States warship?
Link to website detailing her history as a troop ship.
http://ww2troopships.com/ships/q/queenmary/default.htm
British. :)
Interesting synopsis of her service. During her service she “carried a total of 765,429 military personnel. Sailed a total of 569,429 miles (916,407 km). Carried up to 15,000 troops at one time. Carried wounded returning to the United States. Transported Winston Churchill three times to conferences. Carried 12,886 G.I. brides and children.”
The Queen Elizabeth (I) as well as other Cunard ships were also in service. Some were sunk by the Axis.
You also can go back to the Continental navy: The Lady Washington was one of the first US ships.
Queen Mary was converted to a troop ship during war time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.