[Seaplaner]

I have a problem with naming one USS Ford.

Respectfully, I do not agree.

Gerald Ford was a Naval officer who served aboard a carrier during WWII. It is highly appropriate that Pres. Ford is honored with a carrier class.

MY worry is if they ever want to name a carrier after impeached and disbarred former president Rodham-Clinton.

(Where would they find a crew?)

.

[CondorFlight]

“a $5.1 billion, seven-year contract”

1 ) It will cost a LOT more than $5 billion, if the contract is to run over seven years (among other things, technology will change and have to be updated)

2 ) With the aircraft added ($35 mil apiece?), plus support ships and protection, the entire cost for adding one carrier will soar into the AIG loan range.

So, are we getting enough bang for our bucks? Would that amount, put into submarines or cruise missiles or the development of space weapons, be a better investment?

[skeeter]

I understand why they will name her the Ford. Its my opinion it is more appropriate to name such powerful symbols of American power after momentous events, or in rare cases transformative figures, in US history.

Otherwise you can expect something equivelent to a USS Clinton, or USS Cesar Chavez, or USS Ted Kennedy one day.

[Non-Sequitur]

(Where would they find a crew?)

Bureau of Personnel. They've got a lot of people there who do nothing but issue transfer orders all day long. Pick 5000 people and order them to report on board.