| Author |
Message |
    
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 1647
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 2:41 pm: |     |
Straw,
Having some time on my hands, I am returning to an old topic - the naming of aircraft carriers after people.
Here's some examples of what some serious (and Republican) Americans have to say about naming US Navy ships:
"USN Capital Warships (traditionally Battleships but since replaced with CVAN and SSBNs) have always been named for STATES! I have no argument with naming the SSBNS for states.
I would like to see CARRIERS named in the same manner as the USS ENTERPRISE. Suitable names for the currant list of CVANs would be: ESSEX, INDEPENDENCE, INTREPID, CONSTELLATION, and perhaps some day, CONSTITUTION. Other suitable names: LEXINGTON, SARATOGA, YORKTOWN, MIDWAY, CORAL SEA, PHILLIPINE SEA, LEYTE GULF, MOBILE BAY, and GUADALCANAL.
Cruisers should be named for cities, and destroyers should be named for NAVAL HEROS.
Politicians should have their names reserved for TRANSPORTS and other unarmed auxiliaries.
"
and
"Capital ships, in the USN, have always been the physical embodiment of the nation's power and an example of "from many, one" ... not the individual achievements of any single American, which smacks too much of the elitism that led to the United States being founded and maintained as a democracy, not a dictatorship, oligarchy, aristocracy, or any other variant of rule via elites.
Capital ships of the United States should be named honor the collective effort of ALL Americans, whether in ideals (Constitution, Constellation, Independence) in battle (Lexington, Saratoga, Midway) or in creating a series of new polities on a continent where cities were few and nations unknown...
IF I was given the responsibility for naming commissioned vessels of the United States, I would go back to the traditional nomenclature of:
Carriers: Battles and famous warships from American history;
Battleships: States of the Union;
Cruisers: American cities;
Destroyers and escorts: Individual Americans who have distinguished themselves while in the naval service of the United States (whether military or civilian, with the caveat that pride of place goes to individuals previously honored and holders of the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and equivalent awards for valor in combat);
Submarines: Sea creatures;
Patrol and Mine Warfare craft: Birds and animals;
etc.
I'd re-name every ship that doesn't fit into the above categories.
" |
Reflective
Citizen
Username: Reflective
Post Number: 85
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 10:07 pm: | |
TJ:
Pls opine on the naming of Army forts. Let's name a few: Bragg, Meade, Lee, Gordon, Benjamin Harrison,Jackson,Knox,Lewis, Polk, and Benning. And just who was Dix?
|
pottymouth
Citizen
Username: Pottymouth
Post Number: 39
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 11:46 pm: | |
Strawberry ... he IS a real Dix, right? |
REBORN STRAW
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 943
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 5:33 am: | |
Tjohn,
I don't have a problem with a former President receiving the honor of having a war ship named after him. Nuclear carriers for instance can be named after a President, Politician ,Admiral or a famous navy ship. I think all are completely appropriate. Of course, I can't think of a Politician who never became President where such an honor can be preceived as worthy though. Maybe, a former war hero like John McCain??, but even that's pushing it. I think the Reagan selection is indeed controversial but I can think of no man more worshipped by Military types then Reagan. He's was a respected leader, whose achievements Internationally have to be admired.
This is a fascinating topic and I plan to re-address it shortly. Today I'm a little short on time because I'm heading out to spend my tax cut.
Thanks for the topic, great idea. more later...
How about the U.S.S STRAWBERRY??
|
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 1648
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 5:45 am: | |
Reflective,
The naming of forts is an entirely different tradition. One has to wonder about Meade, of course. As the commander of the Army of the Potomac, he was less than a spectacular success. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 1649
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 5:47 am: | |
The S.S. Strawberry could be the sister ship of the Lolipop. |
Robert Little
Citizen
Username: Boblittle
Post Number: 38
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 12:43 pm: | |
The U.S.S. Carl Vinson is "a politician who never became President." Being chairman of the house armed services committee for 29 years and a house member for more than 50 years, you're probably able to pull this one off. |
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 673
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 2:39 pm: | |
I don't care all that much about the convention for picking names but it does seem patently absurd to name a carrier after Reagan before Washington, Lincoln, or FDR. |
Robert Little
Citizen
Username: Boblittle
Post Number: 40
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 2:47 pm: | |
I'm with you in the who-cares department, ashear, but there already is a USS George Washington, a USS Abraham Lincoln, and a USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, all carriers. The FDR is no longer around. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 62
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 2:51 pm: | |
There is a USS Washington, USS Lincon, and a USS Roosevelt (Theodore), along with USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 63
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 2:53 pm: | |
That's what the file lock error means... someone else is posting the same thing. I'll keep that in mind. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3302
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 3:16 pm: | |
Duplicate post |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3303
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 3:16 pm: | |
There aren't very many supporters of Washington, Lincoln and FDR still in Congress and voting on those defense appropriation bills. 
|
REBORN STRAW
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 945
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 5:14 pm: | |
Mr. Little,
I was talking about other names for the Reagan. I then said I can't think of a Politician worth such an honor. However, Thanks for the info on Vinson, a good Past tense example of a politician worth the naming. But, like I said can't think of another non President for future consideration...can you? |
Robert Little
Citizen
Username: Boblittle
Post Number: 44
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 5:28 pm: | |
I would think you'd approve of the U.S.S. Caspar Weinberger.
BTW, there's also a carrier "John C. Stennis." |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page