The Navy’s 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock will be named for Rep. John Murtha, the long-serving Pennsylvania Democrat who chaired the powerful House appropriations defense subcommittee before he died in February.I won't speak more of the dead - but I can't think of any OIF veteran who would like to sail her - and I think the CNO should read the newspaper more - maybe vets from OIF should mail him clippings of this.
According to a Navy memorandum obtained by Navy Times, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus notified Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead that he had selected “John P. Murtha” for the previously unnamed LPD 26. It’s the latest example of the Navy breaking a convention for naming its warships; the previous ships in the San Antonio class have been named for American cities.
UPDATE: The Washington Time editorial for 15 APR has a good title, Sink the Murtha:The Navy can do better than honoring this hack.
CDR Salamander thoroughly enjoyed the last line.
UPDATE II - Electric Boogaloo: Fred has something very snerkable - check it out.
It's doubtful that the ship naming will do much to honor Murtha. The brave Marines and sailors who serve aboard this vessel probably will refer to it only as LPD 26 or come up with a colorful nickname like "Porky Pig" or the "Fat Bastard" (the Marine favorite). Perhaps Murtha could still be useful in supplying the ship's slogan: "Cold Blooded Killers."
UPDATE II - Electric Boogaloo: Fred has something very snerkable - check it out.
You have to be f****** kidding me!
ReplyDeletePolite words fail me.
This is one of the new pieces of crap coming out of Pasagoula? Well named. God bless and save all those who sail on her. Doubly cursed.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw this on Navy Times on my blackberry, I had to get to a computer to get to this web site to see the comments.
ReplyDelete(btw - I can't bring up this blog on my b-berry - can we get an web site for mobile use?)
What was Mabus thinking? Is this because the family might sue because of the infection caused by a 'nick' in surgery? There was, at one time, stories coming out that complications occurred because of medical mistakes. I'm wondering if this played into the decision, because accusing the marines of cold blooded killing is going to be remembered for a long, long time, and no marine will want to serve on her.
YGTBSM!
ReplyDeleteThat POS name should be on anything but a grave stone. He sold his soul / integrity to the highest bidder.
Thank God, I'll never sail on her.
To quote a poster at another site I frequent:
ReplyDelete"The only thing floating I’d give Murtha’s name would have to be flushed twice."
Most regrettable. Perhaps someday the story of how this came to be will be known.
ReplyDeleteRep Murtha's final footnote in history will be longer than we might have supposed.
Let our hope be that the ship's name will be remembered long after the man is forgotten, and for better reasons.
God bless and protect this ship and all who sail in her. They have a reputation to build and a nickname to earn. Make 'em good ones. I for one wish them a willing foe and sea room, a long and illustrious career, and a record that shows duty well done and nothing taken from anyone. Long may she sail.
I am sick. The Navy I love and serve has reached a new low. How can we look our Marine brothers in the eye? First Guadalcanal, now this. The guys I know have long memories, and the Corps will go on for ever. Not sure about the USN anymore. Nothing left but to fire up a scotch and finish up my retirement planning.
ReplyDeleteYGTBFSHM
If I was CNO, I would fall on my sword before I would let a warship carry that guys name. What are the chances?
I think it's more like a poke in the eye to the military from on high. You hated him, as best you could while wearing a uniform, but we'll make sure you remember him in a way you can't avoid. But then I have grown cynical, very, very cynical, since Nov 2009..."words, just words"
ReplyDelete<span>I'm shocked-but then again, any decision the Navy makes these days is a surprise.
ReplyDeleteIn 5 years it won't really matter however-because no one will remember the fact that Murtha opposed the war in Iraq. They name Carriers after Carl Vinson and Submarines Jimmy Carter. </span>
<span></span>
<span>But there will be an intersting argument among historians about whether Iraq was worth it-in light of the fact that it is once again under the rule of an Arab dictator-who is allied with Iran.</span>
Like him or hate him for whatever reason, he's been a staunch supporter of shipbuilding when many wanted substantial cuts. Would the Navy have been better off without him supporting the programs that he supported? Hard to say, but his support of Defense spending is fairly impressive. Sadly, that's what much of naming comes down to. "John Murtha... Arriving" does have an odd ring to it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1107/110107cdam3.htm
Skippy, I read this over 2 hours ago. I couldn't respond at the time simply because it was too early in the morning and at that hour, anything I would have written I would have regretted. Now that I've had a chance to put away a couple of cafe au laits, I've got this to say to you:
ReplyDeleteThat had to be the most reprehensible thing I've ever heard come from you. I can respect your dislike of things Republican and the war in general, but to drag that old argument into this discussion is venal at best. Next time you meet a Marine friend, I want you to tell him this story of a warship that will carry Marines into battle that was named after a hack politician who crapped all over the Marines honor and then tell him it was all about the freakiin' war. Hopefully you will be talking to a very disciplined Marine.
Shame, Skippy, shame.
Per title 10, SECNAV can name a ship what ever he wants. I assume he at least consulted with CNO and, more importantly, CMC before making this decision. I would very much like to hear CMC's view on this decision (before he retires). If enough people (current and former Marines) raise a stink, I bet we can get this changed. To save face for SECNAV, he can name LCS 55 John Murtha instead.
ReplyDeleteThis was decided awhile back, before Roughead was CNO, even.
ReplyDeleteSo, you have defined what the Navy is; we are just quibbling about the price?
ReplyDeleteIt i that attitude that is at the root of much of our problems. Sell your honor from on high - and then don't be shocked when those lower use it as an excuse to sell theirs.
Skippy,
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a broken record. It will indeed be an interesting argument, but I doubt severely if it will take the shape you seem to guarantee it will.
As for a dictator being allied with Iran, there isn't a chance that anyone in Iraq would stay in power by cozying up to the Iranians for any reason. The Iranians are viewed with suspicion and hatred nearly universally. In 2004, Muqtada al Sadr was being touted in the US press as the "pied piper of the Iraqi poor". But in reality he was a temporal and very regional (Najaf) figure because he was brutal and ignorant, but also in great measure because a very large portion of his Mehdi Army spoke Farci. And were despised.
Ultimate insult to our Marines... make them stand in line all day on the JOHN MURTHA... make them lauch and recover and possibly die while serving on USS JOHN MURTHA.. really? No thanks.. pride of place.. I loved my Ship ENTERPRISE. I loved my Frigate ELMER MONTGOMERY no way could I love my ship if it was named JOHN MURTHA...
ReplyDeleteWe sell everything cheap now... used to be our ships had names for Honor or deeds done mighty.. or battles or places of history.. Murtha has an airport with 30 passengers a day.. a slander against our brave, and was part of the reason we are declining as a nation...
I wouldn't name my Dog John Murtha...
ReplyDeleteGold Star, xformed. It smacks of JUST such a poke in the eye. Don't be surprised if there's more than a few Marines wanting to have a dump on the fantail.
ReplyDeleteIs this a joke? There is no way the Navy can name a ship after this low life.
ReplyDeleteThis has to be a prank.
A CNO actually honorable enough to put doing the right thing above career? Not a chance.
ReplyDeleteYes, Murtha's support of defense spending was indeed staunch. So long as he or his got their cut.
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily agree with it. Having been close to the funding side of things, its an often derided piss poor process, but it's the best one we've got. The bottom line is that the military rewards those that have been good to it wrt the POM process. This normally means naming a ship.
ReplyDeleteWas the USS Carl Vinson named after Vinson (in 1980) because of his time in the service at Georgia Military College? Was it because he was a segregationist? Or was it because of his staunch support of the Navy's funding? Or, was it because Senator Sam Nunn was his grandnephew and was on the SASC in the 70's and 80's during her construction? Lets not pretend this is something new, or shocking.
I wash my hands twice after reading or even thinking about anything that has Murtha's name attached. Having served on an LPD in the 90s, I will never refer to this otherwise honorable ship as anything but LPD-26.
ReplyDeleteI had about the same feeling, AR, I was just too much of a gentlemen to actually type it out :) Actually, I had a lot of those words put together in one sentence with a lot of adverbs mixed in...
ReplyDeleteHey, CNO, what was your price for doing nothing to stop this? SECNAV, who put you in their pocket, and how do you sleep at night knowing you deeply insulted the most honored, most dedicated fighting force we've ever had?
ReplyDeleteCould be worse...USS Holly Graff. But, she'd have to get herself elected to Congress first, and then die.
ReplyDeleteThe Navy started down this road when it began naming CVNs for politicians. Like many policies these days, it assumes that intangibles have neither value nor effect. Institutionally, an inability to formulate and stick to clear and simple rules for naming ships doesn't inspire faith in other areas.
I am a broken record-because its 2010 and the war in Iraq is still a mistake and Americans are still in that Godforsaken country. We spend millions for worthless Arabs-but are reluctant to spend money on our own people. URR the unraveling of Iraq is already happening and when and if we do leave, it will accelerate. Arabs are nothing if consistent at screwing up anything given to them.
ReplyDeleteBut this discussion is about the naming of a warship. I would not have named a ship for the Murtha either. However there is a point to be made that had the events of 2005 (Murtha's remarks) not happened Murtha would have been a just another pork barrel Congressman. One among many. And at that-he actually stood up for pay raises when Dr Chu would not.
In ten years when this ship is sailing the line, few will remember who he was. Naming ships has become a political exercise-and that's not Murtha's fault, it is the Navy's. In that regard Sec Mabus is carrying on a long tradition started almost twenty years ago. Your anger should be directed at him.
(bullshit flag waving) No, Skippy, you just wanted to bang your drum again. Worse, you do it without any consideration for the Marines and their honor. You just made yourself irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteJust follow the money....
ReplyDeleteThat should be the ship's slogan.
Thats what Murtha was all about, and so is the naming of this vessel.
Of course what else can you expect from a crowd so dishonest with themselves they spew this kind of crap.
When a military organization deludes itself to this degree, do you think it can claim any semblance of "Battlemindedness"?
Totally agree. I hate, hate HATE naming ships after contemporary politicians. After spending a lifetime with their snouts stuck in the public trough, they ought to fade quietly away with their enormous pensions and benefits. Naming ships after them adds insult to injury.
ReplyDeleteSpade, good point. While they are at it, let's sell naming rights for the ships. USS Google or some other such name will help offset the ridiculous ship building costs./sarcasm
ReplyDeleteWhat's next? The USS NANCY PELOSI...USS BARBARA BOXER?
ReplyDeleteI don't like the naming of Navy ships after Congress-critters. That includes CARL VINSON, and he did a heck of a lot more to help / serve the nation than Murtha. Whatever happened to naming large amphibs after well-known Marine battles?
Even the thought of USS JIMMY CARTER makes me gag, but at least THAT will be underwater a good part of the time.
Hmmmm, let's see...between the USNA, diversity, uniforms, ship building, ship naming, etc., the Navy is on a roll. Unfortunately, not the right kind.... At least the USS JOHN MURTHA will be part of a Global Force For Good (puking sound now...)
ReplyDeleteYGBSM!
ReplyDeleteSecNav has his dead up his butt if he thinks this is a suitable name choice for a U.S. Navy Warship of any class. Well, except maybe one of the skimmers that sucks up polution spills.
Lee Harvey Oswald was another ex-Marine, so maybe we should name a ship for him. How about USS John Walker for an intelligence gathering ship?
BARF!
CNFO,
ReplyDeleteYOu haven't seen the football since kickoff. If you don't think this is "something different", ask Jeff Chessani or one of his Marines.
"<span>had the events of 2005 (Murtha's remarks) not happened Murtha would have been a just another pork barrel Congressman"</span>
ReplyDeleteAYFKM?
Had the events of July 19th 1969 not happened, Teddy Kennedy would have been just another Massachusetts Senator. But they did, and they were due to his appalling ethics and lack of judgment.
Same with Murtha. He betrayed and accused those Marines publicly of cold-blooded murder, doing so for political reasons. Had one of them taken boots to him, I wouldn't have been inclined to stop it.
Please save the lecture about which public officials I direct my anger at. I choose the one who slandered and sullied the heroes I served with. And that is Murtha and his ilk.
I will not speak ill of the deas, BUT this is a completely political decision AND an inappropriate exception to the naming convention. I wonder IF the Marines were asked about it?
ReplyDeleteBetter to name the ship USS John Wayne,
OR better yet hope about name it after a true Marine hero?
P.S. I had the honor of working on MPS ship naming docs and as you know they are all neamed after Marine MOH reciepients.
Why are any of you surprised? This is consistent with the way that the Navy has been naming ships for several years, not that it makes that policy correct. I wouldn't have named any ship after John Murtha, least of all one of a class that should be named after cities to start with.
ReplyDelete<span>What the hell is wrong with O-7's and above in the military? They have been completedly PC-ified at this point haven't they? I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The Army also has a bunch of crap-weasels for general officers these days.</span>
ReplyDeleteVinson wasn't just "supportive" of Navy funding, he authored several bills which -if not passed- would have resulted in even fewer ships on hand in 1942. In fact the man is now known as "the father of the Two Ocean Navy." What was Murtha father of, besides billions in pork and slandering Marines? Butch is right in that he was all for defense spending, as long as he got his cut.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to Vinson being racist, a half-hour of Googling resulted in only one hard data point: the statement he was a segregationist because he signed the Southern Manifesto. That's it. Nothing else. Nada.
It is instructive to see who else signed that horrible, evil, racist bill; William Fulbright, Sam Ervine, Strom Thurmond, John Stennis, and Harry Byrd. Thurman & Byrd are now considered rehabilitated, and Ervine is famous for his work on toppling McCarthy and Nixon. Fulbright -also an opponent of McCarthy- later became a darling of the anti-war left when he decided to oppose the Vietnam War after 1966. He has been named by Bill Clinton as a "mentor."
So I honestly would be interested to see if there's any other hard data out there on Vinson's racism or segregationism. Recall that Barry Goldwater opposed the Voting Rights act on constitutional grounds.
Spade, I'm told the classic response to that last question is "fish don't vote." :)
ReplyDeleteI do like your idea about a price list. Better yet, we could get sponsors for a ship, just like a racing team does. A CVN shows a lot of real estate; can you imagine how many logos we could fit on the hull!?
The Navy could save money by allowing sponsors to buy uniforms for the crew. How about a deck crew with Pennzoil jackets, or aviators with Nextel flight suits?
On news reports about a certain ship, the end of the clip would be followed by "This cruise was brought to you by Procter & Gamble."
Finally, pacifists would get their dream: the Navy could hold bake sales to pay for aircraft carriers...
lucky for you I don't have to worry about being a gentleman ;)
ReplyDeleteTrue, AR, but you will always be a lady to us on the Front Porch ;)
ReplyDeleteNot to give some fine young men and women who came through SD or PI any ideas, but...I'm predicting a "phantom $h1tter" aboard....most likely target somewhere like the QD area. More "symbolic."
ReplyDeleteHow do you have pride in your unit when it "begins" life under a dark, dark cloud?
Had to say it, didn't you?
ReplyDeleteUnless the majority party changes, I'd not bet against you on that call.
The more I've thought about this I gotten more upset. It says something about us as a Navy and our understanding of our history when we rush to name a ship after a contemporary politician while failing to continue the legacy of naming ships for some of our true heroes (the names Basilone, Dealey, and Ernest E. Evans, among others, come to mind). Also, I thought that there'd "...always be an ENGLAND in the U.S. Navy."
ReplyDeleteWe need to go back to a proper naming policy. No politicians. Carriers should have carrier names, like YORKTOWN; ENTERPRISE; ESSEX; BUNKER HILL; WASP, or GAMBIER BAY. I know some of these manes are in use, but they should not be on CGs, or LHAs. Cruisers should be named for cities, and amphibs after towns and counties, or battles fought by the Marines. Boomers I can see named after historical figures, there is a long precedent for that, but no politician dead less than 50 years. At least we still know how to name DDs.
ReplyDeleteOh come on, sir. Basilone, Dealey, Evans? What's that, three heroic acts? That's all? Like any of those guys could've made it through just three appropriations committee meetings with their home districts pork funding intact.. Do you know how much time the valiant Rep. Murtha spent away from home in order to cut shady backroom deals in hotel rooms? How many times he put his career, nay, his whole livelihood on the LINE in order to get some kickbacks to support his family? How much he sacrificed to put relatives into positions in exchange for campaign cash? The risk involved in all that? I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some of us were too quick to judge this. Maybe we should view this as a teaching moment. Something that shows to both congressmen and servicemen alike the true values that can pave their way to enduring recognition in public service and military service in this day and age. A true representative of Today's Naval and Congressional values.
C-Dore.. I hear you Sir, I hear you.
ReplyDeleteABSCAM... anyone remember that?
ReplyDeleteI apologize for my comment.. It was a threat to Dogs...
ReplyDeleteHuh? They knew he was going to die years ago?
ReplyDeleteThe rate of current shipbuilding the list will be LONG and standbye and they will have to paint over current ships... we aint building any new ones!
ReplyDelete<span>
ReplyDelete<span><span>Sir-I agree, but its even worse. We have plenty of heroes in the US Navy and Marine Corps. SECNAV just picked anti-heroes for LPD-26. Honor? Murtha's shinning example was ABSCAM. Duty? His failure to apologize to the Marines he slandered. Country? His actions in undercutting his nation while at war by exploiting Haditha, and giving our battlefield enemies cover not just for their actions but encouragement to continue with their cynical exploitation of civilians. A ship represents the country. It is a sovereign piece of US territory. Its name should represent an inspiration to its crew and inspire dread among the nation's enemies. With 235 years worth of heroes, SECNAV managed to pick someone who represents not the best of the country, but whose behavior is among the worst.</span></span>
</span>
(Throwing the bullshit flag right back at you). For the record-I opposed Murtha's statement when he made it on my blog. Twice as a matter of fact. You can read it for yourself. So spare me the lectures on irrelevancy. I have just as much right to comment as anyone else. A Congressman shot his mouth off-wow, that's a new thing. And in case you have not been reading all the words I have written-we agree that the ship should not be named for him.
ReplyDeleteBut did Murtha bring the charges against the Marines? No. It was a Marine that Phib likes-General Mattis. He based it on an NCIS investigation that was, in hindsight, clearly bungled. At least three officers were officially reprimanded for failing to properly initially report and investigate the killings. The case fell apart because the defense was able to prove there was undue command influence. One should note that the Marines actually appealed the ruling against them dropping the charges against the senior officer involved. One of the Marines involved sued Murtha for libel-the case died in the courts.
But you guys are missing the point. Ask yourself this question, do you really believe that the SECNAV is that ill informed, and did not realize this would be contentious? Do you really beleive that no one informed him this would be unpopular with the uniformed forces? Of course not. He made a concious decision, betting on the premise it would be in the long term, good for the Navy and its shipbuilding program. Same logic that was at play in naming the Stennis and Vinson. Is their service of those ships any less honorable becuase they are named for people who supported segregation? Nope. The Sailors go on and do their jobs. The question one should be asking is what transpired behind the scenes to make this happen. But as is so often the case in the mil-blog community they would rather ride the easy horse than ask the hard questions. Murtha was not the first or the last Congressman to channel pork or make stupid statements. He was really no different than the Alabama Congressional delegation-who have made it a badge of honor to bring pork to Northern Alabama.
Is this a good thing? No-but as I pointed out this will be not remembered in five years and the ship will probably just do fine if it has good Sailors and Marines aboard.
You obviously haven't seen the DDG-666 "Cindy Sheehan" in port yet, have you?
ReplyDeleteAlas, the boomers have horned in a bit on BB (states) territory, and attack subs on CG/CL (cities) turf.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Wiki, the "modern" convention with respect to naming carriers is: "Aircraft carriers are named after American admirals and politicians, usually presidents."
Agree that we should go back to the older convention of naming carriers for famous victories, or notable (previous) carriers.
Considering the above, could you imagine how many rpms Rickover would generate in his grave if they named a carrier after him? :)
...Yeah, I know, SSN-709... But still, it would be funny.
"This is a big F&%#$@&! Deal."
ReplyDeleteThe real MARINES who ride this ship named after a person of this level of quality will probably think of the namesake everytime they flush the WC.
...eugh.
ReplyDeleteI make an exception for the USS Ronald Reagan. If anyone deserves to have a big, beautiful carrier named after him, it's the President who did so much to help the Navy rebuild after its years in the wasteland.
ReplyDeletewell, we all do...
ReplyDelete:)
I hadn't checked the Ghoul Pool in a while, who are the current front-runners?
CV60, I agree totally. I've been thinking of the ships in which I served now out of commission and the people whom they honored. Those ships were named for the WW II Commander of the Pacific submarine force, the CO of the carrier SARATOGA, a submarine CO who is still "on patrol", and a Marine Corporal who received the MOH for heroism on Iwo Jima, among others. It isn't like there's a shortage of heroes out there.
ReplyDeleteA damn sad day for the Navy and Marine Corps. When you have a USS John Murtha and no USS Okinawa or USS Guadacanal. SECNAV should immediately resign and ask the Almighty for absolution.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of irresponsible behavior naming a ship after a dishonorable person like this really makes you wonder what caliber of people are minding the civlant helm. The modern force is obviously in serious need of some real leadership. Maybe it can be outsourced? I hope that people voice their opinions loudly and respectfully with their respective Representatives. Someone should be on the pad over this travesty of poor judgment.
ReplyDelete<p><span>Dear Honorable Congressman xxxxxx,</span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>I recently learned that a U.S. Navy ship would be named the USS John Murtha. This is a very disturbing fact in light of his disrespectful, dishonorable and disgraceful conduct towards U.S. military combat forces and the U.S. Marine Corps in particular. Furthermore, the ship will carry Marine Corps personnel and this seems very much a disrespectful slap in the face of the proud legacy, tradition and rich heritage of the U.S. Marine Corps and all military personnel. Request your assistance with replacing the name with a suitable honorable name to correct this imprudence. </span></p>
...and he would have done so at 31 knots!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, sir. As you and CV-60 have pointed out, there are more than enough genuine candidates. What about someone from the past 10 years who served in the Gulf, off Iraq or Afghanistan?
ReplyDeleteWhile the blue-water Navy might feel left out, certainly there are more than sufficient Marine candidates, "corpse"-men, and such. {/snerk}
LOL, that is a good one. Duke was a crook and sheister but Murtha was a overall degenerate and scumbag, but neither need their own hull.
ReplyDeleteCasey, Excellent point. Several KNOX-Class frigates were named for Vietnam War heroes (ROARK, REASONER, MARVIN SHIELDS, etc.) while the war was still in progress. The Navy has already honored its two MOH recipients (DUNHAM and MURPHY) by naming BURKE-Class DDGs after them. I think, however that there are plenty more out there worthy of this type of recognition before they get around to John Murtha.
ReplyDeleteRobery Byrd (D-WV) has GOT to be circling the drain. He is 128 or some such....
ReplyDeleteAnyone else think some of the Anti-Murtha remarks are a little overblown? He was a US Marine Drill Instructor, earned a commission, and served honorably in Vietnam. Yes, he was corrupt as a representative, but I didn't hear about him taking money for personal use - a la Duke Cunningham. I'd think he would have had some prison time if that were the case. No, he brought home the bacon to his district.
ReplyDeleteRobert,
ReplyDeleteYou need to follow the links and watch the video. His corruption is not the main issue - it is the abuse of his power in order to smear and dishonor Marines in a time of war that is the issue.
Robert,
ReplyDeleteMurtha was a disgrace and dishonored himself by his "Cold blooded killers" remarks. He threw the Corps under the bus like a cheap cigar without flinching. Did he ever apologize, this is rhetorical, no he did not. The fact that he had a direct connection to the Corps means he had that much more responsibility and professional acumen expected up him. Life is about the present. He seemed to have a good past in the Corps and might have received a lot of "atta boys" and "BZs" but the one "Ah shit" that he created himself makes him illegitimate as riding the hero pony in any field.
MAC
Robert, In addition to the well-stated objections offered by CDR S and MAC there's a more basic albeit symbolic one: what did John Murtha do to warrant this unique recognition? His military accomplishment, although note-worthy, pale in comparison with the deeds of the sailors and marines we've honored like this in the past. If you doubt me just Google some of the names I listed below.
ReplyDeleteIf it's primarily because of his political work then I say we just go ahead and name ships after all 3-term senators and 5-term representatives who have held influential positions on the Armed Services or Appropriations Committees. Sure we've done it before (JOHN C. STENNIS, CARL VINSON, HENRY M. JACKSON, etc.) but that doesn't make it right.
<p><span>Robert,</span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>Really it is very simple, just two words and Murtha fails against this standard, “Semper Fi” (Always Faithful). </span>
</p><p><span>MAC</span>
</p>
LPD-26 John Murtha Incredibly, the Navy (yes, OUR Navy) apparently is planning to name a warship after the late John Murtha -- a contemptible human being who served many years as a U.S. Congressman. A ragtag but vocal opposition movement is developing on Facebook.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=109473479090697
Most of the opposition is because of Murtha's remarks calling military personnel cold-blooded murderers. These "murderers" were later found innocent of the charges, and yet Murtha refused to apologize. You'd think that alone would be enough to keep the Navy from naming a ship after him.
But it's not. It turns our that senior military and defense folks sell names of ships to career Congress critters (regardless of their character) in exchange for the politicians' votes support of military appropriations bills.
So let me add a bit more ammo on why this incredible scumbag should not have a warship named after him:
1. This Wikipedia article details how Murtha (and others) was caught agreeing to take bribes in the Abscam scandal. He SHOULD have gone to jail -- or at least thrown out of the House, but he was not -- much to the shame of both Congress and the voters in his district.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abscam
2. Murtha was a stain on democracy. Watch this stunning video of him temporarily chairing the House of Representatives. It's what one expects to see in Third World dictatorships.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywgUCdefSW8
3. Consider this "must watch" video (many of you have likely already seen it) on ABC News about the expensive but empty "John Murtha Airport" -- one of those insane pork projects that deserves "Hall of Shame" status. A hundred million dollar airport Murtha funded with our tax dollars that handles three small planes carrying a total of 20 passengers a day.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Polit...7412160&page=1
4. Murtha's insolence is topped only by his corruption. Here's a good website with several other examples demonstrating Murtha's true character -- or lack of same.
http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/summaries/murtha.php
Yeah, some might say I'm beating a dead horse -- but that'd be a gratuitous insult of all horses, both living and dead.
Dead Murtha's despicable career in Congress is still an issue -- but only because senior Navy numb-nuts deem him worthy of a ship name.
Anyone seen the Murtha autopsy report? The only thing that makes sense...Murtha died at National Naval Medical Center...unexpectedly...after routine surgery... Sounds like the Navy is interested in making amends to the Murtha political cirlces...at the expense of its own national Honor. Sure, he was a Marine. So was Lee Harvey Oswald.
ReplyDeleteThere is no other reason to support the John P. Murtha naming. The name "Johnstown" would do much better. It is from PA 12th Congressional district (where Murtha represented) and honors the Sailors & Marines from PA. It even starts with John... Sheeeesh!
While it is true that Title 10 does authorize SECNAV to name warships, don't think he selects names on a whim. He gets plenty of "help" from POTUS, SECDEF, members of Congress, Office of Legislative Affairs, etc.
t:
ReplyDeletecan you imagine a NAVY without an enterprise?
all you have to do is walk up the gangway to the hanger deck and look at the bulkhead decoration that starts out..... ENTERPIRSE, EIGHTH SHIP OF THE NAME..............
c
the next thing you know the politicians will be wanting to name something the FONDA.
ReplyDeleteone in three million club will meet at 2000 at LBNSTA OClub room 22 this evening.
C
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ReplyDelete