Sometimes we need to spend tax money in a worthy cause. Not everything is about money-making. If we lose our tangible history, how will we know where we’ve been?
I agree that history is important, but maintaining that history need not include the upkeep/maintenance of a 100+ y/o ship. We know what she did; we have written records and pictures of her accomplishments.
The USS Constitution is one thing... the Olympia is somewhat different to me.
What price do we pay? Where do we draw the line? Sorry, but this Nation has better ways to spend 20 million dollars - and I am not JUST talking about this one ship. We waste BILLIONS a year on all manner of “historical” items/places. Sorry but the Civil War battlefield of Snakes Navel Junction just doesn’t rate as high with me as Interstate repairs of the budget for ICE.