Well, once again we see the totally unqualified Pete Hegseth being a jerk. A homophobic jerk to be more precise. The guy who styles his hair with gel yet wants to show everyone he’s an “alpha male”, a “man’s man” has been on a mission to create what he calls a “warrior culture” throughout the DOD. I’m pretty sure those serving in far flung places or are in training to do so resent being told they aren’t up to Pete’s standards. In any case ole Pete, who did serve in the Army has injected himself into Naval stuff and he’s not about to have a ship named for an openly gay guy! So he’s announced the USNS Harvey Milk will be re-christened with a new name. He’s formed a committee to provide it before the end of June.
Citing a story in The Military Times (there’s one in The Navy Times about this too) Maddow Blog tells us what’s going on. And why it’s so wrong. In fact it’s a pointed insult to the LBGTQ community. (This is Pride Month) Most people remember Harvey Milk as an outspoken activist, and even in San Francisco getting elected to public office while being openly gay was a big deal at the time. His assassination was a tragedy, compounded by that whole “Twinkie Defense” his murderer used to claim temporary insanity over being strung out on sugar.
What many haven’t known about Milk is that he came from a family with Navy service. After college he was commissioned and served on a submarine rescue ship during the Korean War. He became a diving officer and instructor, but was forced to resign his Commission in 1955 in lieu of being Court Martialed. He seemed like any other sailor but somehow he was “found out” and his superiors were informed he was actually gay. It was a very different time. Now that I think about it Hegseth likely wants to return everything to those bad old days.
FYI the Harvey Milk is what’s known in the Navy as a “Tender”, a ship that tends to the other ships provided extra hands for maintenance and repair and mostly supplies. Everything from beans to bullets. The Harvey Milk has a specific function as an “oil Tender”, delivering oil and gas (even nuclear powered ships need both) and it’s a fairly new addition to the fleet. But that name, the guy it’s named for is something Hegseth simply can’t tolerate. I’ll guarantee you he served, even in a war zone with gay troops and in those conditions all he cared about was whether they could be counted on. They could and there aren’t any reports of “issues” with those troops when Hegseth was on active duty.
Well, that was then. He wasted no time after being confirmed changing back names of military bases that HAD been named for Confederate generals. The whole business with changing Ft. Liberty down the road from me in North Carolina was ‘smoothed over’ by the name on the gate being for a “Bragg”, just not THE Braxton Bragg. But it’s bullshit wink and nod stuff because it’s back to being referred to as Bragg and for the racists they know the score.
That’s not good enough however and Hegseth might have heard of Harvey Milk but had no idea a Naval ship was named for him. Alas, he found out and probably shouted at folks who told him “We ain’t having no ship named for a f**king GAY dude!” So the ship will be renamed. Anyone in the Navy could have told him (and probably have) that it’s bad luck to rename a ship. That’s why it’s been such a rare thing. You think Hegseth cares about tradition and the examples of bad luck that have actually haunted ships? Hell no.
In the end it’s just a blatant exercise in homophobia. At least some are calling him out on it. Nancy Pelosi has weighed in and forcefully:
“The reported decision by the Trump Administration to change the names of the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships in the John Lewis-class is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream,” House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said in a written statement. “Our military is the most powerful in the world — but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the ‘warrior’ ethos. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country.”
The California Democrat added, “As the rest of us are celebrating the joy of Pride Month, it is my hope that the Navy will reconsider this egregious decision and continue to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Harvey Milk, a veteran himself, and all Americans who forged historic progress for our nation.”
I have a sick feeling more ships will be renamed because those honored weren’t “warrior enough” for Hegseth. And then there’s a warship I’ll bet Trump has already talked to Hegseth about renaming. The John McCain! If you recall aides were fearful of Trump’s reaction should he see the McCain during some speech at the port where it was docked. Well, this ole jarhead feels bad for those who will sail on the ship that was once the Harvey Milk. Like I said it’s bad luck. Just as dark humor lies within it’s creator’s brains and sometimes make them victims, a feeling a ship is bad luck/cursed can manifest somehow. If Hegseth says it’s a bunch of crap HE should head out from port on blue water ops to observe an at sea replenishment!
***From Ursula*** Zoomers, if you’re able to contribute in any way, we could use help. I’ve been ill and recuperating from a brief hospitalization. Times are tough for political commentary to begin with, and that’s been the case since November 5. Half the country is in a major depression. But we need to keep on keeping on. This too shall pass and there will be a brighter, post-Trump day if we work for it. Please join us and help if you can. Thank you. Ursula
If we wish hard enough, do you think all the bad luck will hit Hegseth instead of the members of our Armed Forces? H0 H0 H0.
It’s not just the Harvey Milk. The John Lewis class is named after John Lewis for a reason. And every name he is taking away should never be taken away. There’s the Rush Bader Ginsburg. There’s the Harriet Tubman. And many more – heroes all. And I suspect he has it in mind also to change the name of the entire class – assuming he knows who John Lewis was. This old lady jarhead feels for all the sailors on all of those ships.