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.
It's hard to believe $20 million can't be found for this. I don't know anything about the organization, management, and sophistication of the Seaport Museum, but my guess is that the custodians are simply not up to the task. Civic culture plays a role as well. No major city with a competent government would dream of throwing away such an asset, but this is Philadelphia.
A white knight needs to step in. The cost is a small fraction of what will be spent on Superbowl advertising. It's doable, provided the locals are willing to play ball.
I agree that just sitting around and waiting for government to come to the rescue isn't the best solution. But still .... the Obamites just threw away over $800 billion in stimulus money, and a project like this couldn't make the cut? IMHO, something is wrong with the local culture and management team. It is unfortunately not uncommon for opportunities to be missed and treasures to be lost because of failures of leadership.
Of course, let’s keep spending billions on a Department of Energy that has worsened our dependence on foreign oil, approved no new refineries, turned down efforts to build nuclear plants, sides with environmentalt terrorists against wind an solar facilities, and just plain says “NO” to everything.
Of course, lets keep spending billions in a Department of Education that has taken our education system from first to 16th in the world and turns out functional illiterates.
Of course, let’s keep spending billions on TSA to search us unconstitutionally and for ICE who won’t deport illegals.
Sorry pal, but “those who forget the lessons of history are condemned to repeat them.” George Satayana