New Aircraft Carrier to be named after...Gerald Ford!!!! This must STOP!

[Captain Hilts]

I don't dislike Ford, but he did NOTHING to deserve this. I'll spare you the rants about the other carrier namesakes.

[novalib]

1. I Agree -- TOTALLY!!!!

Sending out our sailors on board a ship named for a FOURTH RATE SLIMEBALL is just TOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

[Zhade]

76. I don't know, the name seems fitting - aircraft carriers kill people.

Or they enable others to kill people - exactly as Ford did with regards to Indonesia's invasion of East Timor, to the tune of 200,000 dead civilians.

[grytpype]

2. OH NOES!!!! IMPEACH MENT NOWWWW!!!!!

[Virginia Dare]

3. Oh, I don't know...

it's probably entirely appropriate, because Ford must have been very good to the people who build those things, if not to the people who have to pay for them. Several of the big defense firms ran full page memoriums for three or four days straight in the Washington Post this week.

[noonwitch]

He served in WWII and served his country in congress and as president

He deserves the honor.

[spoony]

93. I concur

There are a lot of ships out there, I don't think naming one after him will send civilisation into a spiral.

Maybe we have a Michigan bias though ;)

[Subdivisions]

94. Wasn't he also a naval seaman? Link:

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-15.htm

And he was voted the MVP of the Michigan Wolverines during a championship victory.

I think he's done enough to deserve the honor of having a ship named after him.

[Captain Hilts]

6. I grew up in the military community and don't remember Ford as being ...

distinguished in his support for the military.

For Stennis, it was just pork barrel politics. By that standard, we'll get a USS Trent Lott.

[BOSSHOG]

14. There is a new book

out this month "Halsey's Typhoon" by Rob't Drury and Tom Clavin. Its about how Navy Ship's got in the middle of a typhoon in 1944. LT Gerald Ford was on one of the ship's and performed quite heroically.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780871139481&itm=1

I'd rather US Navy Ships not be named for people. If anything gets named for Trent Lott it should be a shrimp trawler.

[bperci108]

21. Shrimp trawler? No...that would be a better name for a garbage scow.

What better moniker for one of those putrid, reeking barges?


:evilgrin:

[A HERETIC I AM]

58. Garbage Scows do their job with dignity and grace.....

Trent Lott, on the other hand.......

[hobbit709]

4. At least Ford served on one

which is more than you can say for Reagan

[Buzz Clik]

5. Care to explain, Mookie?

You seem to be suggesting that naming a carrier after Ford is an insult to Ford.

As you can see from your initial responses, most people see it the other way...

[Captain Hilts]

8. No, it's an insult to those who deserve it, like Nimitz and TR. And FDR, who gets only...

a destroyer.

[bpj1962]

34. Aircraft Carriers

The Navy used to name the battleships after states. Now all of the Ohio Class Ballistic subs are named after states. Carriers in WWII were named after famous battles or animals with the exception of the Ranger and the Enterprise. At the end of WWII a new class of carriers was created. They only built 3 of of them and they were called the Coral Sea Midway and The Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Other then the Enterprise CV65 I can't seem to recall any other WWII era carriers that have been renamed. ALl of the Nimitz class carriers since the Carl Vinson have been named after presidents.

[Parche]

45. NAMES

Exactly,
All WWII subs were named after fish species until way after the war
Destroyers were named after famous people, military and others
The famous CVE's were named after cities, or locations IE "White Plains" "Gambier Bay"
Heavy and Light Cruisers were named after cities
Most Nimitz class carriers were named after Presidents, except for Nimitz, Vinson and Stennis

[Donovan61]

50. Just one small correction

World War II attack carriers were named after battles, i.e. Yorktown, or previous U.S. Navy ships, i.e. Bon Homme Richard, Ranger, Enterprise etc. Destroyers were named after heroic sailors or marines. Examples include Reuben James and The Sullivans.

As a former sailor, I would like to see the Navy revert to the previous system of naming vessels and avoid namimg warships after any politican whatsoever. However, I suppose if we have to name them after politicians, I suppose Jerry Ford is at least as worthy as Sen. Stennis.

[Captain Hilts]

75. Ranger, Bon Homme Richard and Enterprise are traditional names that go way back.

Destroyers were often Medal of Honor winners.

Command ships - Mountains.
Tugboats - Indian tribes
Heavy Cruisers - state capitals
Battleships - states
Sub tenders - constellations

Stennis isn't worthy. By this standard, we'll have a USS Trent Lott.

[cboy4]

7. I think it's safe to say they will be named for almost all former

U.S. presidents.

No Nixon. Hopefully no USS Chimp.

I would imagine Carter will get a spot on one of the next three.

Here's a list of carrier names and the schedule for future ships.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_carriers_of_the_United_States_Navy

[Captain Hilts]

9. Carter got a sub because he was a submariner. GHWB flew off carriers.

I actually don't have a problem with the GHWB because of his service flying off carriers. He was the navy's youngest aviator.

But equating Ford to...Nimitz, Eisenhower, Theodore Roosevelt, etc. just doesn't work.

[cboy4]

12. I didn't know Carter has a sub. Your thread has me reading up now

on how vessels are named.

[Lochloosa]

48. USS Jimmy Carter

[Captain Hilts]

81. The Carter is a special operations sub and is MUCH longer. nt

[northzax]

17. they are named for Presidents

and we're running out of Presidents, you know? there are only so many.

personally I prefer the British system, we need more ships like 'Indefagitable.' in case you're wondering, which I am sure you are not...

classes of ships have similar names, like Dukes, or Cathedrals, or Castles or Cities (like the US tends to do) but they recycle famous names (the HMS Ark Royal, for instance, was the flagship of Drake's Fleet against the Spanish Armada, and is now the flagship aircraft carrier.

[Captain Hilts]

24. It's not policy to name carriers after presidents.

I'd prefer we use the traditional names: Ranger, etc.

Our ship-naming process has gotten so political.

And, yes, I think submarines should be named after fish!

[B Calm]

86. President Saratoga?????

[DuaneBidoux]

54. And papa, unlike junior, did indeed show true heroic qualities in WWII

I have no problem naming any carrier after any president except Nixon or Jr. Although I have to admit I have feelings that don't feel so hot about Reagan it's too late.

[acmejack]

11. Ford dispatched the USS Harold E Holt DE 1074 to retrieve the SS Mayaguez.

The Mayagüez incident with the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia on May 12-15, 1975, marked the last official battle of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

The names of the Americans killed are the last names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as well as those of three Marines who were left behind on the island after the battle and who were believed to have been subsequently executed by the Khmer Rouge while in captivity.

Tragically, the merchant crew whose seizure at sea prompted a US attack had, unbeknownst to the US
Marines, been released in good health before the Marines attacked

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayagüez_incident

[cboy4]

13. Interesting. He also served aboard the USS Monterey

during WWII.

From Wikipedia:



Applying for sea duty, Ford was sent in May 1943 to the pre-commissioning detachment for the new aircraft carrier USS Monterey, at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. From the ship's commissioning on June 17, 1943 until the end of December 1944, Ford served as the assistant navigator, Athletic Officer, and antiaircraft battery officer on board the Monterey. While he was on board, the carrier participated in many actions in the Pacific Theater with the Third and Fifth Fleets during the fall of 1943 and in 1944. In 1943, the carrier helped secure Makin Island in the Gilberts, and participated in carrier strikes against Kavieng, New Ireland in 1943. During the spring of 1944, the Monterey supported landings at Kwajalein and Eniwetok and participated in carrier strikes in the Marianas, Western Carolines, and northern New Guinea, as well as in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.<18><19> After overhaul, from September to November 1944, aircraft from the Monterey launched strikes against Wake Island, participated in strikes in the Philippines and Ryukyus, and supported the landings at Leyte and Mindoro

[BOSSHOG]

53. There is a new book

published this month - "Halsey's Typhoon" which includes Lt Gerald Ford's exploits onboard a ship during a typhoon in 1944.

http://www.sobelweber.com/authors/bobDrury.html

[cboy4]

55. Thanks for the information....I'll check it out! n/t

[baldguy]

10. Where's the USS Lyndon Johnson?

[Perky]

28. Or the USS Nixon???

[Posteritatis]

61. There's only so many carriers to name after folks. (n/t)

[rock]

15. They're gonna call a carrier "USS Mediocre?"

[radfringe]

16. don't panic

it will probably stumble and fall out of it's berth..

[Ian David]

18. It will repeatedly run-aground before pardoning all its targets. n/t

[Ian David]

19. I hear Germany is going to name a U-Boat after Prescott Bush. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. I'm sure there's a garbage scow that needs a name --

"The USS George W. Bush" sounds good to me. Gerry can have his aircraft carrier, but I will have a cow if Bush gets one.

[Little Wing]

22. We need a President Sink

[Xenotime]

23. USS CLUMSY

[deaniac21]

30. He was a murderous republican but not really clumsy.

Sports
Ford as a University of Michigan football player, 1933Ford attended Grand Rapids South High School and was a star athlete, rising to become captain of his high school football team. In 1930, he was selected to the All-City team of the Grand Rapids City League. He also attracted the attention of college recruiters.<8>

Attending the University of Michigan as an undergraduate, Ford played center and linebacker for the school’s football team and helped the Wolverines to undefeated seasons and national titles in 1932 and 1933. The team suffered a steep decline in his 1934 senior year, however, winning only one game. Ford was the team’s star nonetheless. During the same season, in a game against the University of Chicago, Ford also “became the only future U. S. president to tackle a future Heisman Trophy winner when he brought down halfback Jay Berwanger, who won the first Heisman the following year.”<9>

During the 1934 championship game, during which Michigan held heavily favored Minnesota (the eventual national champion) to a scoreless tie in the first half, assistant coach Bennie Oosterbaan later said, “When I walked into the dressing room at half time, I had tears in my eyes I was so proud of them. Ford and Sweet played their hearts out. They were everywhere on defense.” Ford himself later recalled, “During 25 years in the rough-and-tumble world of politics, I often thought of the experiences before, during, and after that game in 1934. Remembering them has helped me many times to face a tough situation, take action, and make every effort possible despite adverse odds.” His teammates later voted Ford their most valuable player, with one assistant coach noting, “They felt Jerry was one guy who would stay and fight in a losing cause.”<10>

He was a member of the University of Michigan’s undefeated national championship football team and in 1934 Gerald Ford was selected for the Eastern Team on the Shriner’s East West Crippled Children game at San Francisco (a benefit for crippled children), played on January 1, 1935.

As part of the 1935 Collegiate All-Star football team, Ford played against the Chicago Bears in an exhibition game at Soldier Field.<11> His no. 48 jersey has since been retired by the school.

Despite a proven track record as an athlete during college and continued participation in sports later in life, President Ford was seen by many as clumsy. During a presidential trip to Vienna, he tripped over a step while deplaning Air Force One. This incident and Ford's presumed clumsiness was later repeatedly used by comedian Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live.

At Michigan, Ford became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and washed dishes at his fraternity house to earn money for college expenses. Following his graduation in 1935 with a degree in political science and economics, he turned down contract offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League in order to take a coaching position at Yale and apply to its law school. Each team was offering him a contract of $200 a game, but he wanted a legal education.<12> Ford continued to contribute to football and boxing, accepting an assistant coaching job for both at Yale in September 1935.<13>

[terrya]

52. "Murderous Republican"? Hell, Abraham Lincoln was a "murderous Republican"...

if you want to get picky about it.

[Sherman A1]

25. Kinda old news....

from the GlobalSecurity.org website --- "In 2006 the Congress directed that CVN-78, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier of the Navy, shall be named the USS Gerald Ford."

[hedgehog]

26. I just don't think any ship should be named for a living person.

It's just like postage stamps.

[Sock Puppet]

27. he died last week

maybe you missed that. :)

[MonkeyFunk]

29. LOL

really? Was it in the news?

Gerald Ford was a US President, and he was a Navy veteran. Ship's gotta have a name, and I doubt the USS Cindy Sheehan is coming soon, so I have no objection to naming one after Ford.

[hedgehog]

36. I was thinking of the fact that ships were named for Ronald Reagan and

Jimmy Carter while both were still alive. Maybe we should also suggest a moratorium of at least 5 or ten years after the person dies before naming a ship after him or her.

[Posteritatis]

64. re: Reagan - to be fair

I kinda think it's up for debate precisely how "alive" the man was in the last few years. Alzheimer's kills you, and only awhile after that do you get to die from it.

That's just splitting hairs/devil's advocacy, though; I agree that they at least shouldn't name carriers after someone who's still physically among the living. Most of the carrier names are figured out fairly well in advance, though, if just because of how long it takes to build them, so I don't think this was a snap decision.

[SaveElmer]

31. Yeah I think it is appropriate actually...

He was President of the United States, and served in the Navy during WWII...I actually don't see a real problem with this..

Not sure why Ronald Reagan rated an aircraft carrier as he made films during WWII...I guess he was their biggest monetary benefactor...

[Atman]

32. Oh, PUH-LEEZE! He was a United States President, for chrissake!

History dealt him a weird hand, but he was still a president. And he wasn't a criminal like his predecessor, or the current CIC, so what's the problem? So name a freakin' boat after the man, big deal. Hell, if Condi gets an oil tanker named after her just for being a suck-up to the oil industry, Ford should at least get a boat, too.

.

[Captain Hilts]

40. FDR gets a destroyer? Is Ford in league with TR, Nimitz. Eisenhower, Lincoln, GW, etc.?

[Posteritatis]

66. FDR *had* a carrier - CV-42, 1945-1947

I think his was the first carrier named for a President. Kinda fitting considering what he oversaw, IMO.

[Captain Hilts]

78. Yes, and TR had a missile submarine. Now, he gets a carrier as does Ford...

and FDR has to share a destroyer with Eleanor?

Say wha?

The navy never had a greater friend than FDR.

Trivia: They yanked "Coral Sea" off and slapped "FDR" on while under construction.

[Renew Deal]

33. The whining must STOP!!!

Because if it was a Dem president you wouldn't be complaining. These are the simplest honors. It will all blow over in a couple days.

[terrya]

35. I'm not sure if there will be a USS Bill Clinton.

Because of...circumstances in Clinton's youth.

I agree. These are simple honors. It's not the most horrible thing in the world.

[LostinVA]

37. Agreed

He was a President and a war veteran who served in the USN. I have no problems with this.

[Goblinmonger]

38. Clinton's has to be a sub.

Cause it is phallic.

[DuaneBidoux]

56. I did not have sex with that sub...

Oh wait a minute, that's under don't ask don't tell.

[jmowreader]

96. Name her "USS Clinton's Penis"

Insert requisite dick joke here...

[Captain Hilts]

41. Okay, I'll now complain about Stennis, Vinson and Truman.

Truman HATED the navy, a vetoed the carrier United States specifically.

[novalib]

67. This COMPLAINING MUST STOP!!!!

Look, I for one do NOT appreciate being told that SPEAKING THE TRUTH about one of the GREATEST SLIMEBALLS ever to occupy the White House MUST stop!!!!!

Who in the HELL are YOU to tell the rest of us that WE cannot voice our STRONG OBJECTIONS to honoring the man who pardonned Nixon???!!

SLIMEBALL FORD prevented Justice (you do remember Justice, don't you???!!!) by pardonning SLEAZEBALL NIXON!!!!!

[Renew Deal]

71. I'm a fellow DUer.

:shrug:

[Goblinmonger]

39. My disdain for Ford

has not been hidden on DU. But I have no problem with this. He was a president. He served in the military. No biggy. I wish we didn't have to build the damn ships in the first place, but that is a different argument.

[driver8]

42. This doesn't bother me. The USS George W. Bush will bother me...

I cannot imagine how that idiot could deserve a ship named after him, but you know it's coming.

[Posteritatis]

63. With luck it'll be a frigate or an oiler or something.. (n/t)

[driver8]

83. An oiler would definitely be appropriate!! n/t

[Timmy5835]

43. I don't remember seeing much of an outrage here when.........

......an aircraft carrier was named after Reagan. At least Ford served in the navy.

[Captain Hilts]

44. Much as I HATE Reagan, he gave a ton of money to the navy.

So, the case could be made, though I did not agree with it.

[novalib]

68. I WAS OUTRAGED!

Am I still AM!!

AND -- I am outraged EVERY time I hear someone refer to "Ronald Reagan National Airport" here in the DC area!!!!!!!!

Whatever "service" Ford put in the Navy HE negated when he pardonned SLEAZEBALL Nixon!!!!

[Captain Hilts]

79. You mean "Reagan NAP." nt

[nini]

46. Thanks for the chuckle

WOW..what are the odds of a former PRESIDENT having a ship or similar named after him???????? :sarcasm:


Aren't there bigger things to be upset about these days? btw: the plans for this began years ago, it's not a new thing decided just after his death.


G

[treestar]

47. I can handle this, but when they name a car after him, I'd done

But what will really piss me off is a big statue of him right next to the Jefferson Memorial.

[maxsolomon]

49. the condoleeza

[DuaneBidoux]

57. Okay, call me clueless but please tell me this is photo shopped.

[Garbo 2004]

70. Condi was a board member at (surprise) an oil company, Chevron. They did name a tanker after her.

Chevron renamed it after it got public attention after Condi became NSA. Articles here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/04/05/MN222557.DTL
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2001/05/05/MN223743.DTL&type=printable

[raysr]

51. Well, if it's a Ford, it

won't float far.

[ContraBass Black]

59. At least they waited for his death.

Half the country was renamed after Regan, to considerable expense of the localities, while he was alive.

[AZBlue]

60. Oh please. Let it go.

He's an ex-President. We name ships after ex-presidents. We also name roads, airports and schools after them. Regardless of their politics or actions while in office. End of story.

[onenote]

62. list of ships named for presidents

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/names-presidents.htm

[Buzz Clik]

65. Perhaps we should name them as we name sports facilities:

corporate sponsors.

The USS Tostitos, Pringles, Pepsi, and Insight.com

[JVS]

69. Served in navy+ was president+ is dead = justification for this

Read these bios and tell me how they deserve a carrier being named after them more than Ford

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Stennis

Wow, Carl Vinson's work as an office tyrrant certanly justified a carrier being named after him while still alive!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Vinson

[Captain Hilts]

73. I disagree with Vinson and Stennis too, actually. nt

[WI_DEM]

72. get a grip

big deal. He was in the Navy and he was president of the USA. There is a submarine named after Jimmy Carter who served on a submarine when he was in the Navy.

[leftofthedial]

74. I'm waiting for the missile cruiser

Karl Rove

[eppur_se_muova]

77. We should name our ships after prominent chickenhawks like Bu**sh** and Darth Cheney...

to help ensure that they never see battle.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

80. who gives a crap.....

[Infinite Hope]

82. Carriers are named after all Presidents...

...and then our former leaders' names are seen around the world. There's no requirement for accomplishing particular objectives. I don't see what the big deal is.

[Captain Hilts]

84. No, they're not named after all presidents. nt

[novalib]

85. USS RICHARD M. NIXON????!!!!!!!

Good GAIA, I certainly HOPE that NOT ALL presidents have their names attached to CARRIERS!!!!!!

Who in the WORLD would want to sail on board the USS RICHARD M. NIXON????!!!!!

If YOUR SON or YOUR DAUGHTER were FORCED to sail on board the USS NIXON, would you STILL not think it was a BIG DEAL???!!!

[JVS]

89. Nixon will be on the Dollar in 9 years

http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/$1coin/index.cfm?action=schedule

Check out the end of the schedule!

[B Calm]

87. You are wrong!

[madinmaryland]

88. Is the next on going to be the USS CLENIS??

[cali]

90. Kind of a slim thing to hang your outrage on,

ain't it?

[k_jerome]

91. waahhh. thanks for sparing us the rants. nt.

[Minnesota_Lib]

92. With all the problems we have, you obsess over a big nothing like this?

Mind-boggling.

[mvd]

95. I agree

Also, while Ford was a better person than Bush, he enabled the neo-cons by helping them get started. As a President, he didn't really have a grasp on things.

[orleans]

97. fuckhead will have a pogo stick or an ice cream truck named after him n/t

[Sgent]

98. You do know that the

USS Ford is the second AC in production.

The USS George HW Bush has already been announced (it will be the ship commissioned before the USS Ford).