Outrageous: Navy Ship to be Named After John Murtha, Marine Basher

Thanks to Monkeys On Horses for spreading the word on this latest outbreak of chronic acute Pelosi-itis. From Fox News:

The Navy is naming its newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport-dock LPD 26 for Murtha, the [late] powerful chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee who became an outspoken and influential critic of the Iraq war. 

Not to mention an outspoken critic of Marines serving in battle.

The Navy's decision to name a ship for the late Rep. John Murtha has outraged some critics who have not forgiven the Pennsylvania Democrat for accusing U.S. Marines of murdering Iraqi civilians "in cold blood" five years ago.

Count me among the outraged.

Nancy Pelosi was in attendance as Navy Secretary Ray Mabius made the official announcement Friday at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport in Murtha's home district in Pennsylvania.

Fittingly, Pelosi and Mabius are one of a very small number of passengers who have ever used that airport, which offers only three commercial flights and is usually empty. The John Murtha Airport is a monument to the Pelosi-Murtha pork-sausage grinder, otherwise known as the Democrat-led Congress. This tiny airport has been the recipient of almost $200 million in earmarked pork funding put together under Murtha's "leadership." (And then there was the Abscam bribery scandal . . . .)

San Antonio-class ships support Marines and can carry roughly 700 troops, their equipment and vehicles. They are usually named after cities; the USS Murtha will be a break from that tradition.

Army Master Sergeant C. J. Grisham of A Soldier's Perspective had a few words to say on that subject:

Not only will it be a break from tradition, but it will absolutely be a slap in the face to the Marines forced to be assigned to the ship. As you may recall, Murtha slandered Marines in 2005 by calling them "cold-blooded murderers" and never apologized for it after EACH AND EVERY MARINE was acquitted. He labeled them murderers BEFORE any trial or evidence was collected and purported to have all the "evidence" to defend his statements prior to any trial. 

As George J. at Monkeys on Horses pointed out:

To name a U.S. Naval warship, whose primary duty is to carry U.S. Marines into “Harm’s Way”, after an elected official that so publicly and unapologetically besmirched the courage and honor of the members of the Corps is unconscionable! 

He has composed a letter objecting to the naming of a Naval vessel after John Murtha, about which he says:

Please feel free to copy this letter and do the same with your congressional delagation. Or, write one of your own to oppose the naming of the LPD-26 after the late John Murtha. 

 Well said.
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