This thread may interest former bubble heads, the nutmeg dummy swims against the tide.
The Straight Story (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 04:33 PM
Original message
Navy Christens Newest Virginia-Class Submarine Missouri($72 Mil under budget)
Navy Christens Newest Virginia-Class Submarine Missouri
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- With the spray of bubbly from a champagne bottle, PCU Missouri (SSN 780), the Navy's newest Virginia-class attack submarine, was christened during a late morning ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., Dec. 5.
Missouri, the fifth Navy ship to be named in honor of the people of the "Show Me State," is "a link in the honored chain of ships to bear the name; another chapter in the storied history of the Naval service," said Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus.
SECNAV and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates were among the many dignitaries and guests who attended the ceremony.
"We gather for this christening with the knowledge that Missouri's service builds upon a proud lineage of her namesake," said U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the principal speaker for the event. "We gather in the belief that her service to our country – silent as it may be – will keep Americans safe by deterring would-be aggressors. We also gather today to confidently set the tone for the character of this submarine, which will sail with one foot in her proud past, but with an eye toward the future and all the potential that it holds."
Becky Gates, wife of the secretary of defense, serves as ship's sponsor. She broke the traditional champagne bottle against the boat's sail. Her initials were welded into a plaque inside the boat during last year's keel laying ceremony.
"I am humbled that in some way, I will go wherever the submarine sails," said Becky Gates. "As this, the latest Missouri, moves on to active duty, my thoughts will always be with the dedicated patriots who sail aboard her, and the loved ones who wait for their safe return."
The christening marks another milestone for the submarine, which is "now 90 percent complete with construction and is on track to finish $72 million under budget and well ahead of scheduled," according to director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Adm. Kirkland H. Donald
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7168301arcadian (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 04:44 PM
Response to Original message
1. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor!
Edited on Sun Dec-06-09 04:45 PM by arcadian
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Sherman A1 (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 04:50 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Well Said!
and the principle speaker at the ceremony is one of our Senators trying to be certain that this Health Care thing doesn't get out of hand.
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arcadian (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 04:56 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. Reverend Lowery said it at Coretta Scott King's memorial service.
Bush was behind him, about three feet away.
"We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there. But Coretta knew and we know that there are weapons of misdirection right down here. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor!"
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NutmegYankee (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. The Constitution grants congress the power to "Maintain" a Navy.
The older submarines are wearing out, as anything metal exposed to constant fatigue cycling eventually does. We have half as many submarines as we had a decade ago, and are still shrinking down. That said, you have to build new ones or risk sailors lives. How about you tell a mother or wife why their husband died because you didn't want to replace aging hardware.
or Would you prefer we not have a navy at all?
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arcadian (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 05:21 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. Hilarious, I knew somebody would be on here in seconds to defend the MIC and the DoD.
Edited on Sun Dec-06-09 05:22 PM by arcadian
They are so embattled, don't you know? Oh and did I give the impression that I thought somebody defending the MIC on here was hilarious? I meant it's sad and pathetic.
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NutmegYankee (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 05:50 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. The MIC, no. The Navy in general, Yes
Edited on Sun Dec-06-09 05:56 PM by NutmegYankee
I stand proudly here to defend the US Navy. I'll be the first to admit I'm not a defense hater like you. I recognize that we need replacement hardware because I live in something called reality. Let me know if you want to visit.
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arcadian (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 06:27 PM
Response to Reply #14
17. You don't live in reality if you think we need another aircraft carrier or submarine.
That is nothing but Navy fandom right there.
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NutmegYankee (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 06:54 PM
Response to Reply #17
18. Back up your opinion then.
I mentioned how we have cut the force in half and the current class, 688 class, has reached the limits for safe operation and must be retired. So the current ships are being decommissioned and something has to replace them. Or are you just ignorant and not understand the mission of submarines, and hence don't think we need them?
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There are plenty of comments on this thread and some interesting links....
here are just a few more:
Blue_Tires (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 07:11 PM
Response to Original message
22. illustration:
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and a link to another thread bashing Gates..
Octafish (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-06-09 07:13 PM
Response to Original message
24. Becky's Eagle Scout husband helped steal the election in 1980 from Carter.
And to think he's in charge of the Pentagon. Right.
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Dummy military discussions are always sure to amuse.
