Congressman Prefers Fallen Marine as Name on Navy Cargo Vessel
The Navy's decision to name a cargo ship now under construction after labor activist Cesar Chavez has drawn sharp criticism from one veteran lawmaker who says that a military war hero should receive the honor instead.The Navy is naming a vessel after Cesar Chavez? Seriously? Can someone point me to a list of Naval accomplishments of Chavez? I mean, not to dishonor the man, but is there any reason to name a naval vessel after the man other than raw, naked political pandering? Chavez did at least serve in the Navy, that much is true - but to name a vessel after him when there are so many other more worthy candidates, well...
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he understands the Navy's desire to honor Hispanic leaders, but the Navy may want to skip the politically divisive names and opt for an outstanding service member.
But hey, we'll all feel good about it, and that's what matters, right? Right?
That is all.
11 comments:
Well if I can find a silver lining, Its good to hear the younger Duncan Hunter got elected to Congress.
His Dad should have lasted MUCH longer in the primary.
Good blood to have in the "farm league"!
The US navy has already fallen prey to shameful political shenanigans. Gerald Ford got an aircraft named after him. I anticipate the USS Lady Gaga will be next, after the John Travolta-class fleet replenishment oilers are done.
The Old Ways are the best ways.
Aircraft Carriers named for battles.
Battleships (16" guns NEVER go out of date) for states
Cruisers for cities
DDs for Navy and Marine heroes
Subs for fish & other sea animals
Ammo ships for volcanoes
Sorry Stetch, but having served aboard the USS John Marshall (SSBN 611) and the USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN 631), both laid down in the early '60s, the rot has been going on for a LOOONG time.
At least he didn't care for illegal aliens - he wanted people to imigrate properly, legally.
The Left waves his banner, but usually doesn't mention this.
My guess is that the "Navy" didn't do this, but that it came from the bowels (literally) of the Obama political machine.
It could be worse. The ship could be named after Hugo Chavez.
Yo Les, when I say "Old Ways" I mean WWII standards or before.
I think the break in tradition started with the George Washington class SSBNs. A fair number of Founding Fathers have been honored with subs and carriers and all too many modern presidents. The USS Jimmy Carter? Its steam catapults launch stern warnings and admonishments?
Of course the Rot of which you speak reached its nadir with the USS John Murtha. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_John_P._Murtha_%28LPD-26%29
it's kinda-sorta a navy ship; as a cargo vessel, it's in the military sealift command, and not commissioned.
Cesar Chavez did a lot of good and deserves to be remembered --- but he also went on the record saying that his time in the U.S. Navy were the worst two years of his life, so naming a vessel after him isn't really any compliment to the man. more a sign that somebody in the department of the navy is too lazy to do their research before signing off on a name recommendation.
comments on the matter, from people who've already forgotten more about the U.S. Navy than i'll ever know:
http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/05/more-realistic-t-ake-14-name-proposal.html
Battleships named after states is not quite right.
CAPITOL ships should be named for states.
FF and DD should be named for heroes.
Cruisers for cities.
And any ship named for a person should not be named so until that person is dead.
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