Yahoo Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050820/ap_on_re_us/shunned_warship)
By BRIAN SKOLOFF, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 49 minutes ago
SAN FRANCISCO - The USS Iowa joined in battles from World War II to Korea to the Persian Gulf. It carried President Franklin Roosevelt home from the Teheran conference of allied leaders, and four decades later, suffered one of the nation's most deadly military accidents.
Veterans groups and history buffs had hoped that tourists in San Francisco could walk the same teak decks where sailors dodged Japanese machine-gun fire and fired 16-inch guns that helped win battles across the South Pacific.
Instead, it appears that the retired battleship is headed about 80 miles inland, to Stockton, a gritty agricultural port town on the San Joaquin River and home of California's annual asparagus festival.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., a former San Francisco mayor, helped secure $3 million to tow the Iowa from Rhode Island to the Bay Area in 2001 in hopes of making touristy Fisherman's Wharf its new home.
But city supervisors voted 8-3 last month to oppose taking in the ship, citing local opposition to the Iraq war and the military's stance on gays, among other things.
"If I was going to commit any kind of money in recognition of war, then it should be toward peace, given what our war is in Iraq right now," Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi said.
Feinstein called it a "very petty decision."
"This isn't the San Francisco that I've known and loved and grew up in and was born in," Feinstein said.
San Francisco's maritime museum already has one military vessel — the USS Pampanito, an attack submarine that sank six Japanese ships during World War II and has about 110,000 visitors a year.
Officials in Stockton couldn't be happier. They've offered a dock on the river, a 90,000-square-foot waterfront building and a parking area, and hope to attract at least 125,000 annual visitors.
After the Korean war, the Iowa was decommissioned and placed in reserve in a Philadelphia shipyard for three decades. In 1988, it was recalled to duty escorting oil supply ships safely in and out danger in the Persian Gulf. In 1989, 47 sailors were killed in an explosion that tore through a gun turret during a training exercise.
The warship, decommissioned by the Navy in 1990, is currently anchored with a mothballed fleet in Suisun Bay, near the mouth of the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.
San Francisco's rejection of such a storied battleship is a slap in the nation's face, said Douglass Wilhoit, head of Stockton's Chamber of Commerce.
"We're lucky our men and women have sacrificed their lives ... to protect our freedom," Wilhoit said. "Wherever you stand on the war in Iraq ... you shouldn't make a decision based on philosophy."
Rep. Richard W. Pombo, R-Calif., has sponsored legislation authorizing the ship's permanent move to Stockton. Feinstein has countered with a bill to open bidding to any California city.
The two versions will have to be reconciled by a House-Senate conference committee considering the Pentagon spending bill.
:wtf: San Fran?!?!??
When a Liberal like Dianne Feinstein comes out against you, you know you've really gone off the deep end. Holy Smoke! :whofart:
al_bundy
08-20-05, 03:19 PM
$3 million to tow the ship there? Can you say pork?
Gallant Pig
08-20-05, 03:20 PM
Weak.
Myster X
08-20-05, 03:32 PM
Yeah, this issue has been in the news for the past month. Believe me when I say SF supervisors are a bunch of psychotic crackhead liberals with an IQ of maybe 50 combined.
Thor Simpson
08-20-05, 03:46 PM
We're spending how much to move the space shuttle back to FL? I wonder what UPS or DHL would charge on a package that size... you know, with insurance and tracking.
shizawn
08-20-05, 03:49 PM
Wow, that's pretty lame.
Well, my mom lives in Stockton, so maybe I'll get a chance to go on it when I'm out there visiting.
Myster X
08-20-05, 03:52 PM
We're spending how much to move the space shuttle back to FL? I wonder what UPS or DHL would charge on a package that size... you know, with insurance and tracking.
No, you don't understand. The space shuttle benefits all mankind so money isn't an issue. Battle ship only appease the warhawk and Bushniks and three million is better well off paying for police overtime during the next anti-war protest
X
08-20-05, 04:03 PM
This has always been Feinstein's pet project. They've been fighting over this for at about a decade and didn't want it then. So the current war is no reason.
I really don't know why anyone would be surprised at the latest sups' decision.
Giantrobo
08-20-05, 04:31 PM
Yeah I gotta be honest, this sounds like what I would expect from "Frisco" Supervisors. :p
General Zod
08-20-05, 05:06 PM
It's one of the most liberal cities in the country, why is it a surprise they don't support our military?
kvrdave
08-20-05, 05:28 PM
Egads, Feinstein got outliberaled. :lol:
Oh, but don't forget....they are patriots, and they do support our troops, etc. etc. -wink-
Undoubtedly, having this ship would lead everyone to believe that San Fran was the reason we invaded Iraq. :lol: Retards!
Tracer Bullet
08-20-05, 05:59 PM
It's one of the most liberal cities in the country, why is it a surprise they don't support our military?
I'd like to respond to this, but I have to go down to the army recruitment center and spit on the officers working there.
I'd like to respond to this, but I have to go down to the army recruitment center and spit on the officers working there.
:lol: me too
as usual the right confuses opposing the war to opposing the armed forces
X
08-20-05, 07:05 PM
R.I.F.
Since this controversy has been going on for close to a decade, and the Missouri was also rejected long ago, it has nothing to do with opposing the war. It has to do with opposing the military, pure and simple.
Quite a change from the history of this city. But in keeping with its previous action of renaming Army Street to Cesar Chavez Street.
nemein
08-20-05, 07:16 PM
as usual the right confuses opposing the war to opposing the armed forces
And what does this ship have to do w/ the war? They aren't rejecting it because it was invovled specifically w/ the war, they are rejecting it because it is a symbol of war and the military in general. What really gets me is when these people then turn around and complain their local companies aren't getting Gov't/military contracts.
Tracer Bullet
08-20-05, 07:52 PM
And what does this ship have to do w/ the war? They aren't rejecting it because it was invovled specifically w/ the war, they are rejecting it because it is a symbol of war and the military in general. What really gets me is when these people then turn around and complain their local companies aren't getting Gov't/military contracts.
I don't know that Canadian Bacon was saying this ship has anything to do with the current war. I certainly wasn't. I was making fun of the kneejerk reaction that "liberals" hate the military.
mikehunt
08-20-05, 08:02 PM
:lol: me too
as usual the right confuses opposing the war to opposing the armed forces
well, when the extreme antiwar crowd does stuff like this
I don't know that Canadian Bacon was saying this ship has anything to do with the current war. I certainly wasn't. I was making fun of the kneejerk reaction that "liberals" hate the military.
It's not a kneejerk reaction. There have been liberal anti-war groups storming recruiting offices all over the country and protesting, telling people not to join, etc. You tell me how that's supporting the military?
I also never said they "hate" the military (not surprised you twisted it around though), I said they don't support it.. unless a democratic president calls the shots of course.
Tracer Bullet
08-20-05, 08:20 PM
It's not a kneejerk reaction. There have been liberal anti-war groups storming recruiting offices all over the country and protesting, telling people not to join, etc. You tell me how that's supporting the military?
I also never said they "hate" the military (not surprised you twisted it around though), I said they don't support it.. unless a democratic president calls the shots of course.
I see. So should I judge conservatism by its most virulent wing?
Rockmjd23
08-20-05, 09:12 PM
Bunch of idiots. Last I looked, the USS Iowa didn't make the decision to go to Iraq.
WCChiCubsFan
08-20-05, 09:16 PM
For Goodness sake they should just scrap the thing for its metal.
If this was the Mighty MO I'd have a different opinion but it's not so let’s just melt it down.
It's good to know that with all the problems that Stockton has they can waste the money on this project.
While I doubt they will even get 125k the first year they'll never see that many in year two or beyond. After all it's not as if Stockton is a tourist destination now and this certainly won't make it one.
Lateralus
08-20-05, 09:27 PM
:hscratch: And why am I going to spend 4 days in San Francisco again?
I guess I better leave my Democrats Suck T-shirt at home.
darkflounder
08-20-05, 09:45 PM
Jeez, why don't they just tow it to Iowa? I'm sure they'd love to have it there.
:)
darkflounder
08-20-05, 09:50 PM
:hscratch: And why am I going to spend 4 days in San Francisco again?
I guess I better leave my Democrats Suck T-shirt at home.
I, unfortunately, live in California now. I have this shirt from a certain online t-shirt site..
http://63.210.25.110/shirts/products/a376/a376.gif
and I get only two reactions.
Silent glares
or
"Holy Crap! I must have that shirt, where did you get it?"
Where I live is predominately Republican (big military town, middle of nowhere), so the typical response is the second one. When I go to LA, it's about 50/50.
DarkestPhoenix
08-20-05, 10:17 PM
You said it dark! I'll take the bitch and put 'er in my front lawn.
There'll be retribution, though.
Just wait until those fuckers try to dock the USS San Francisco in Davenport!
Hell, I'd still take it. Make it into another riverboat casino.
Ranger
08-20-05, 10:54 PM
In 1989, 47 sailors were killed in an explosion that tore through a gun turret during a training exercise.
Wow, I didn't know that was the USS Iowa.
Ranger
08-20-05, 10:56 PM
I, unfortunately, live in California now. I have this shirt from a certain online t-shirt site..
http://63.210.25.110/shirts/products/a376/a376.gif
and I get only two reactions.
Silent glares
or
"Holy Crap! I must have that shirt, where did you get it?"
Where I live is predominately Republican (big military town, middle of nowhere), so the typical response is the second one. When I go to LA, it's about 50/50.
Ah, this is my favorite.
I thought Canada was America Jr and Texas/California were Mexico North/ Mexico Northwest respectively;)
Myster X
08-20-05, 11:55 PM
R.I.F.
Since this controversy has been going on for close to a decade, and the Missouri was also rejected long ago, it has nothing to do with opposing the war. It has to do with opposing the military, pure and simple.
You can't be serious. Last election, the idiotic Chris Daly called for a city proposition to withdraw troops from Iraq. Sadly, it passed.
Rockmjd23
08-21-05, 02:46 AM
I, unfortunately, live in California now. I have this shirt from a certain online t-shirt site..
http://63.210.25.110/shirts/products/a376/a376.gif
and I get only two reactions.
Silent glares
or
"Holy Crap! I must have that shirt, where did you get it?"
Where I live is predominately Republican (big military town, middle of nowhere), so the typical response is the second one. When I go to LA, it's about 50/50.
Must own nowwwwww
chess
08-21-05, 10:14 AM
It would take a special kind of asshole to wear something like that.
You'd get a reaction far beyond "silent glare" from me.
OldDude
08-21-05, 10:23 AM
It would take a special kind of asshole to wear something like that.
You'd get a reaction far beyond "silent glare" from me.
Odd that that shirt would offend anyone, but burning the flag is "protected free speech" strongly advocated by one party. :)
Giantrobo
08-21-05, 10:51 AM
It would take a special kind of asshole to wear something like that.
You'd get a reaction far beyond "silent glare" from me.
It would take a special kind of asshole to wear something like that.
You'd get a reaction far beyond "silent glare" from me.
rotfl
jhagler
08-21-05, 12:33 PM
It would take a special kind of asshole to wear something like that.
You'd get a reaction far beyond "silent glare" from me.
Just curious how this isn't a direct pesonal attack on darkflounder? Isn't chess calling him a "special kind of asshole" in blantant violation of forum rules?
Goldblum
08-21-05, 12:39 PM
If they don't want the ship that's their perogative, but their reasons are boggling. The ship has nothing to with the Iraq war nor the military's stance on homosexuality.
bhk
08-21-05, 01:06 PM
perhaps if they renamed it the USS Gerbil.
CRM114
08-21-05, 01:11 PM
Odd that that shirt would offend anyone, but burning the flag is "protected free speech" strongly advocated by one party. :)
Doesn't mean the flag-burner isn't due a good ass kicking.
Binger
08-21-05, 02:50 PM
Doesn't mean the flag-burner isn't due a good ass kicking.
In San Francisco, it would be a good ass licking.
Mopower
08-21-05, 03:32 PM
It would take a special kind of asshole to wear something like that.
You'd get a reaction far beyond "silent glare" from me.
A liberal getting into a fight? Ha, ya right. It would be a limp wristed slap fest.
wildcatlh
08-21-05, 04:51 PM
In San Francisco, it would be a good ass licking.
And liberals are the intolerant ones....
(I so love the shit that they allow people from one side of the political spectrum to get away with here. truly.)
Binger
08-21-05, 05:58 PM
And liberals are the intolerant ones....
(I so love the shit that they allow people from one side of the political spectrum to get away with here. truly.)
Take a deep breath and count to ten, it will be alright. Man, some people can't take a joke at all. I won't comment as to the liberals are the intolerant ones remark, but they certainly seem to be the most overly sensitive.
Dead
08-21-05, 06:54 PM
And liberals are the intolerant ones....
(I so love the shit that they allow people from one side of the political spectrum to get away with here. truly.)
If you were so bothered, why didn't you take the time to report the posts? :confused:
For the rest of you, this has gotten way off the original topic... and not to anything good. As such, I'm closing this thread.
Buy: