Rules Are Set Up For Other People, Not Political Hacks

Obama Just Named Navy Warship Something That Infuriated Many – A Big Slap In The Face To Military

"I would like an explanation..."

Warner Todd Huston April 15, 2016 at 9:29am

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In a move that ignores both tradition and the rules in order to push a far left agenda, the Obama administration is breaking protocol by naming a U.S. warship after a left-wing politician and liberal activist.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced they will name the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer after liberal politician Carl Levin, a Michigan senator who recently retired from politics after a 31-year career.

Nearly 200 Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients were overlooked in favor of Sen. Levin who never served in the military, thus ignoring naval guidelines and tradition.

Republicans upset over the decision noted Senator Levin served on the very committee that gutted the Navy. In fact, Levin worked to initiate a reduction of the U.S. military. The drawdown was so successful that American military leaders say the United States can no longer fight a war on two fronts, a goal that has been a key part of U.S. security strategy since WWII.

A spokesman for Navy Secretary Marbus said the ship was named after an “American hero” in Senator Levin.

However, honoring Senator Levin doesn’t conform to Navy Secretary Mabus’ own guidelines he issued in 2012 titled, “Policies and Practices of the U.S. Navy for Naming the Vessels of the Navy.”

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According to The Washington Times, the ship newly named after the liberal politician is the only such ship — aside from the Winston Churchill — that doesn’t conform to the guidelines. “Most Arleigh Burke honorees are naval war heroes,” wrote the Times. “A significant number earned the Medal of Honor. There are several Navy secretaries.”

Representative Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., is one member of Congress unhappy over the breach of guidelines. Hunter, a Marine Corps veteran, sent a letter to the Navy Secretary asking why he didn’t follow his own rules in naming the ship.

“I would like an explanation as to how this decision properly reflects Navy ship-naming rules,” Hunter wrote. He added, “It is important that the Navy adhere to its own ship-naming rules and take every effort necessary to avoid politicization of this process.”

Hunter was also a critic of Secretary Marbus’ move to name a U.S. warship after union activist César Chavez — another liberal activist who never served in the military.