Would you want to be a sailor on the USS Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords? Construction has begun in Mobile, Al. on the tri-hulled, littoral combat ship that will bear the former-congresscritter's name.
Look, we generally name USS Navy ships for Presidents, distinguished historical servicemen, or very long-term, ex-military politicians, not for 3-term back-benchers who've done little that is noteworthy but get shot by a lunatic and then get used by her unemployed husband and current President as an anti-gun prop at paid speaking and political engagements.
If they want to name something after Giffords, why not the Gabby Giffords M.A.S.H. unit for gun-shot trauma? Wouldn't that be more appropriate?
Or am I being too harsh and uncaring?
"Gabby Giffords M.A.S.H. unit for gun-shot trauma"
ReplyDeleteIlove it!
What a travesty!
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a system for naming USN ships - it long ago broke down. Now ships of the same class will be named for any number of politicians, heroes, cities, concepts, previous ships, etc., without reason. The current SecNav has really politicized this. You know there is a USNS Cesar Chavez, right?
ReplyDeleteThe formerly rational aircraft designation system has been similarly screwed up, mostly by incompetence. For example, the F-35 should be the F-24 (the next fighter number) but because some general thought the X-35 would automatically become the F-35 and said so, there it is. Not political; just stupid.
You really shouldn't get me started on this.....
Cesar Chaves? The alien workers' champion? Are you being serious?
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised the Army hasn't renamed the Apache helicopter as association implies violence and aggression and might make some peaceful, drunken Apache feel uncomfortable.
Good grief, is nothing sacred?
Other ships of the "Lewis and Clark class" are named for actual American heroes like Alan Shepard and Robert E. Peary.
ReplyDeleteChavez apparently was in the Navy for some period, which was the hook for this pandering.