Posted on 04/06/2020 8:59:20 PM PDT by Kalija
WASHINGTON — In an extraordinary broadside punctuated with profanity, the Navy’s top leader accused the fired commander of the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt of being “too naive or too stupid” to be in charge of an aircraft carrier. He delivered the criticism to sailors who had cheered the departing skipper last week.
Hours after the remark was widely reported in the news media, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly issued a written public apology, saying he does not believe Capt. Brett E. Crozier is stupid or naive.
“I apologize for any confusion this choice of words may have caused,” Modly wrote late Monday evening, referring to his speech aboard the Roosevelt on Sunday. “I also want to apologize directly to Captain Crozier, his family, and the entire crew of the Theodore Roosevelt for any pain my remarks may have caused.”
The backtracking came hours after Modly said “I stand by every word I said,” in a statement.
... Modly said Crozier should have known his letter would leak to the media, allowing information about the ship’s compromised condition to be published. If Crozier didn’t think this would be the result, he was “too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this.”
(Excerpt) Read more at marketwatch.com ...
Modly is toast.
Oh, my goodness!
Too late.
The captain might have been wrong but the political military leadership calling the commanding officers of such a level these names do not belong to their positions as well and more so.
I mean who in a sane mind would appoint a stupid naive person to command a carrier?
The person decided to hire a ‘stupid and naive’ captain is either dumber than rock or criminally negligent or both.
That statement can never be unsaid. He was correct, but it was less than diplomatic to express it via Intercom to a crew that doesn’t know him. People are looking for someone to direct their anger, confusion and fear at. So the Acting Sec. may become their target for now.
He’ll be gone by the end of the week.
If Crozier didn’t think this would be the result, he was “too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this.”
He’s not specifically saying that the CO was either naïve or stupid. He’s more than likely saying that the CO would have to have known, and that “pleading incompetence” isn’t going to cut it.
isn’t there SOMEONE qualified to be Secretary of the Navy?
As John Wayne says, “Never apologize”.
Just for that? Why was it so bad? Because it got so much attention at this particular time? Sometimes, the average civilian is just too soft.
I haven’t forgotten that this is still an Election Year, so Mr. Trump doesn’t want to implant that negative experience in the voter’s mind. I get it.
As Jack Nickelson said in that film “They can’t handle the truth!”
I have no problems with what he said, but it should not have gotten out, and he should have been aware of the possibility that it would go public.
I agree.
Modly finally realized the impact that the CO’s firing had on the crew, other Navy members, and the public....
Totally agree on both assertions.
Clinton or Obama’s Dept of Defense maybe?
It was on a loud speaker intercom. How could it not get out? He will be gone soon.
Thats exactly what he said and then screwed the pooch for apologizing.
Stop paying so damned much attention to your grammar nazi duties and get on with this ‘rona panic.
Nobody who came up through the Pentagon track. That has been completely compromised by the Bush, Clinton, and Obama administrations.
Regarding Crozier, Sec. Def. Esper said “And I think it’s just another example of how we hold leaders accountable for their actions.”
Well, it cuts both ways. Modly demonstrated that he is either too naive or stupid to understand that his motivational speech to the crew of the Roosevelt undermined the faith and confidence in his ability to lead the Navy. And it’s time for the Secretary of Defense to hold the acting Naval Secretary to the same standard of accountability and promptly escort him to the door.
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