Posted on 09/15/2015 1:05:58 PM PDT by Red Steel
Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump picked a World War II-era battleship in San Pedro as a backdrop to share his views Tuesday about national security.
Trump’s appearance, organized by Veterans for a Strong America, is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees to the top deck of the USS Iowa, which has been docked in Los Angeles as a nonprofit tourist attraction, community gathering space and educational museum since 2012.
The Iowa was launched in 1942 and recommissioned in 1984 during the military build up at the end of the Cold War. In April 1989, an explosion of undetermined origin wrecked her No. 2 gun turret, killing 47 sailors.
ome critics contend Trump’s visit — on the eve of the CNN Republican candidate debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library — is not an appropriate use of the battleship. An online petition, “Tell the USS Iowa: We Don’t Want Trump in San Pedro,” had garnered more than 3,500 signatures as of late last week from area residents calling for the event to be canceled.
“This battleship is part of American history and should not allow a man who has injured and insulted a significant portion of the Los Angeles community,” wrote Gabriela Lopez of San Pedro, who started the petition on Change.org. “We are for freedom of speech, however this ship represents freedom, equality and justice; terms that do not align with Mr. Trump’s political views.”
“We are not taking sides — this is neutral ground,” Williams said. “Our number one goal is to be a community platform, and freedom of speech is a great thing, whether that’s from Trump or from protestors. We are happy people are talking.”
This is the first time Veterans for a Strong America has used the battleship, which rents out and hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from free community movie nights and a veterans’ job fair to corporate events that can be much larger in scale than Trump’s appearance, Williams said.
Registration and advance payment is required for those interested in attending the event. For details, visit www.veteransforamerica.org.
The GOP frontrunner will share his views on national security and veterans issues Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., in an event billed as both a campaign rally and a fundraiser for a conservative veterans group.
But critics contend Trump’s visit is not an appropriate use of the battleship, which is docked in L.A. as a nonprofit tourist attraction.
Wow!!
I love big ships. I went to the Hudson River on the 4th of July one year in New York, and toured the ships, saw them sailing in, along the Hudson...what a site to behold!!!
And all the fireworks that night was like take your breath away...you would walk down the streets and people were in full dress uniform, just wonderful things to experience!!!
I am so lucky to have experienced all the things I have seen in my life....
I thought the explosion was determined to br happy terriorism....
LOL!
Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.,
If that’s West Coast time that would make it 8:30 PM Eastern Time. Prime Time baby.
Sweet looking hull shape.
This will be a YUGE event right before the debate. lol!!! Visuals make all the difference in the world and will make him look like he is already president.
Those ships are amazing.
“This battleship is part of American history and should not allow a man who has injured and insulted a significant portion of the Los Angeles community,”
No, just the illegal part, and they don’t count.
“We are for freedom of speech, however this ship represents freedom, equality and justice; terms that do not align with Mr. Trump’s political views.”
In other words, we are so much in favor of free speech and freedom, we don’t think Trump should have access to either one on this ship. That reminds me of what Ann Coulter wrote about the inability of peasant cultures understanding American culture.
That would make it PRIME TIME for the viewing audience.
Hopefully the rain blows out of here by time he speaks..
They are just upset that they did not think of it first. Poor babies.
Right you are!
Had the pleasure to kayak beside her at dock, and then took tour of this Amazing ship.
Definitely recommend it, as well as touring the Reagan Museum an hour+ north in Simi Valley.
So...they're for freedom of speech so long as they agree with it?
Prime Time baby.
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If you know of any networks planning to cover the event live please post them.
Thanks.
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