Lawmaker criticizes naming ship for Cesar Chavez

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Originally published Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Lawmaker criticizes naming ship for Cesar Chavez

A California Republican congressman says the Navy has informed him it plans to name a cargo ship after the late farmworker activist Cesar Chavez - a decision he says is political and unfairly overlooks military war heroes.

The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO —
A California Republican congressman says the Navy has informed him it plans to name a cargo ship after the late farmworker activist Cesar Chavez - a decision he says is political and unfairly overlooks military war heroes.

Rep. Duncan Hunter said Tuesday he learned of the matter from Navy officials, who have not made their plans public yet.

The member of the House Armed Services Committee says the choice is aimed at making a political statement rather than upholding its history and tradition.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is expected to announce the decision on Wednesday when he visits the facilities of General Dynamic NASSCO in San Diego's mostly Hispanic neighborhood, Barrio Logan.





Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2015076598_apuschaveznavyship.html

[alp227]

1. err, has he not heard about USS Reagan?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ronald_Reagan_%28CVN-76%29

[Wilms]

2. To them, Reagan IS a war hero.

Ya know, that Central American conflict.

[Sonoman]

6. You forgot WWII.

Remember all those Flying Ace heroics over Europe?

Or was that Universal Studios?

I tend to disremember.

Sonoman

[KansDem]

8. Cpt. Ronald Reagan was stationed at Fort Hal Roach

Article about Arthur Gardner:

Longtime resident, producer and even actor, Arthur Gardner, will receive a special proclamation at the Beverly Hills City Council Tuesday in honor of his contributions to the entertainment industry, and his 100th birthday.

Gardner, who never wanting to do anything but be in show business, left Wisconsin at 18, the day after he graduated high school, to come to Hollywood—it took him a year.

An aggressive young man, he got a meeting with another “Wisconsinite” Carl Lammele and got his first job as an extra at Universal.

“I was always a ham, but not a particularly good actor,” says Gardner, who was known as a star of his high school’s drama society and a practical joker.

He is the last surviving cast member of 1930’s All Quiet On The Western Front starring Lew Ayres. He also appeared in Mystic Circle Murder and Assassin Of Youth, which came out the same year as Refer Madness with the same anti-marijuana theme, as the juvenile lead.

He is one of the few surviving members of WWII’s First Motion Picture Unit stationed at Fort (Hal) Roach studios, making training films under commanding officer Ronald Reagan.

--more--
http://www.bhcourier.com/article/Arts_Entertainment/Arts_Entertainment/Council_To_Honor_Producer_Centenarian_Arthur_Gardner/68756

In William Holden's biography "Golden Boy," he describes "reporting for duty" at Ft. Hal Roach where he also participated in making training films...

[Kolesar]

14. We watched All Quiet On The Western Front in school

It was a literature assignment and we got to watch the film in class.

[happyslug]

5. And both Reagan AND Chavez served during WWII

From what I have read, neither saw action but Chavez did served in the US Navy, Reagan served in the Calvary and then the Army Air Force:

Ronald Reagan including his military service:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan

Chavez, including his Military Service:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Ch%C3%A1vez

[Drale]

3. I have always said

We should just name all our ships after ships from Sci-Fi TV shows. Like the USS. Serentiy, or USS. Destiny.

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. I liked the Defiant - small, but tough.

(DS9)

[Aerows]

16. Small, but tough? VOYAGER

Voyager beats ALL of them for that, considering that she made it through the Delta Quadrant, all alone and in one piece :) Janeway kicks ass.

[harmonicon]

19. kicks as at ignoring the prime directive.

She is no starfleet officer. While we're on the topic, does anyone else have a constant low-level weird feeling about the relationship between 7 of 9 and Obama now being president?

[Aerows]

20. You have got to be kidding!

Of course she had to occasionally ignore the prime directive - she didn't have starfleet to back her up. As far as the relationship between 7 of 9 and Obama, I really have no idea about that, but I always got the feeling that Janeway and 7 of 9 had a relationship that went a little beyond "maternal" or "friendly" or "mentoring".

Maybe that's just because I read too much Janeway/7 femslash, though.

[harmonicon]

21. That makes me wonder how many others don't know the story.

Her ex-husband, Jack Ryan, was widely considered to be the favourite in the senate race against Obama. When truly creepy things about their divorce came out during the campaign (arguably largely of interest because of Jerry Ryan's celebrity) he dropped out, paving the way of a nobody named Barack Obama to coast to victory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ryan_(Senate_candidate)

[Aerows]

22. Okay - now I remember the story

He was a pig, though. I don't blame her for divorcing him.

[harmonicon]

23. I don't think anyone would.

Even hard-core Republicans in Illinois knew they dodged a bullet. However, I do think it's interesting that a cast member from Star Trek could have such a massive impact on US politics (though indirectly).

[Beartracks]

24. Oh, you were serious! I thought you joking about...

... the Vulcan in the cast: you know, Tuvobamak.



:silly:

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

25. They ought to be named after ancient gods

No one would f**k with the USS Thor (especially if it had cool sci-fi lightning guns)
USS Odin (missiles that could go and return after use. Although that might be better as an aircraft carrier - the planes being his spear)
USS Freya
USS Frigga
USS Tyr
Fenrir class Submarine (can replace the Sea-Wolf)

Of course those are just from the Norse
There are tons of other great names from around the world

[lunatica]

4. It's the one building on the UC Campus not names after rich people

They sure didn't get the money from moneyed interests.

[damntexdem]

7. The grapes of wrath.

Or actually, the wrath of grapes will get you, Hunter. ;-)

[Downwinder]

9. He has a problem with labor leaders?

Reagan was President of The Screen Actors Guild.

[Arctic Dave]

11. What about the USS Samuel Gompers?

He was a labor leader too.

[Iliyah]

12. F%#@%&

the gopers they are soooooooo racist!

Name thy ship and screw them!

[Sonoman]

13. I was on that boat, once.

Pearly Harbor, maybe 1971.

I remember thinking it odd that the USN had named a boat after a Labor leader.

I also think it weirdly ironic that they should name a cargo ship after Chavez. Why not a boat in a slightly more humane Class?

Sonoman

[Javaman]

29. humane class?

I can't think of anything more humane than a non-violent cargo ship.

[nichomachus]

15. Chavez did more positive things for America than any Republican in the last 50 years

[Dirigo]

17. Name A Ship

What's the BFD? There is one oil tanker named Condoleasa Rice, there is a nuclear submarine named Corpus Christi (Body of Christ), there is even an aircraft carrier named Ronald McDonald Reagan. What's wrong with naming a cargo ship Caesar Chevez?

What am I missing here?

[gratuitous]

18. That Duncan Hunter is a Class A jerk

Well, maybe you're not missing that, but it's the reason this is a story at all.

By the way, if any military organization anywhere ever tries to name something after me, I will find a way to stop it (yeah, I know I have to be dead, but this would cause me to come back and I wouldn't be in a good mood).

[provis99]

30. you don't have to be dead to get an aircraft carrier named after you.

Eg. The Ronald Reagan and George Bush, both named while the two dolts were still alive.

[Omaha Steve]

26. My avatar "Nixon Eats Grapes" is a tribute to Cesar Chavez

The grape boycott was hurting the farms. Gov.Raygun hated the boycott. He got President Nixon to buy grapes in large amounts for the armed services etc.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with a ship bearing his name. In fact I love the idea.

OS

[Judi Lynn]

28. Thanks for that info for those of us who didn't know.So much better late than never!Great avatar.n/t

[Omaha Steve]

31. I own that button

I wear it to all Democratic functions.

[Rex]

27. Why not just call them KILLSHIP #1...maybe SUPERBLOWSHITUP

for the carriers!? Why the need to politicize the military to the point of rubbing the nose all in the poo? Why not just call them THANK YOU POOR FOR ANOTHER WAR. Yeah I know, too long.

[CBHagman]

32. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

His doofus father was the one who gushed over the supposed success of the Reagan administration's policy in Central America. :eyes:

What is with that family?

[classysassy]

33. Stennis /Chavez

let us rename the Air Craft Carrier the U.S. Chavez,remove the name Stennis the racist,justice in America is a joke.