Posted on 06/05/2004 11:14:19 PM PDT by ambrose
Naval submarine Jimmy Carter christened at Connecticut shipyard
GROTON, Conn. (AP) -- Former President Jimmy Carter was filled with emotion Saturday as the most advanced nuclear submarine in the U.S. Navy was named after him at a Connecticut shipyard.
"This is a very wonderful day for me, to see my wife break the champagne on undoubtedly the finest and most formidable ship in the world," said Carter, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the only submariner to be elected president.
Carter's wife, Rosalynn, blessed the Seawolf-class nuclear submarine and its crew, then hesitated for a moment before cracking the bottle of champagne against the sail of the USS Jimmy Carter.
Amid much fanfare and cheers, a crowd of 4,500 Navy personnel, submarine workers and their families gathered at the Electric Boat shipyard for Saturday's christening ceremony. The Carters' daughter, Amy, also attended the ceremony.
Only nine people have had ships named after them while they are still alive in modern times, said Gordon England, Secretary of the Navy.
"President Jimmy Carter has surely earned his place in this elite group of citizens," England said.
Another was former President Ronald Reagan, who died Saturday. The christening ceremony had ended before Reagan's death was announced.
The $3.2 billion Jimmy Carter is the third and last of the Seawolf-class submarine. It has been nearly nine years in the making and still has about a year of finishing on its interior before it can be tested and commissioned.
As the ship's sponsor, Rosalynn Carter has been corresponding with the crew and its families. The Carters were stationed at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton in the early 1950s during Carter's Navy service.
The submarine was built with extra capabilities to perform reconnaissance and surveillance missions, perform research and engage in undersea warfare. It also can handle different weapons and undersea vehicles than other ships in its class.
The ship will be "a needed constituent in the continued dominance of the seas by the United States Navy," said James Schlesinger, secretary of energy under Carter and also director of the Central Intelligence Agency and secretary of defense under President Richard Nixon.
In the war on terrorism, the submarine is a symbol to terrorists of the United States' military domination, Schlesinger said.
Schlesinger recalled Carter's work during his presidency and since he left office in 1981.
Carter was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in 2002 for helping solve international conflicts and for working for human rights and economic and social development around the world.
"This powerful instrument of war will be part of a deterrent that maintains the peace that Jimmy Carter has devoted so much of his life to preserve," Schlesinger said.
Vice Adm. Kirkland Donald, commander of Naval Submarine Forces, said the Navy is eager to get the ship into service. The crew already has been training to get ready for its commissioning.
The first ship in the class, the USS Seawolf, was commissioned in 1997. The USS Connecticut was commissioned the following year.
When you consider the damage he did during his inept presidency, I find it hard to believe they actually gave him this honor.
I think that depends on what the meaning of lust is.
Ditto's to that.
Well said !!
Now, if you're using lust as a verbal form, that's one thing. Then again, it all hinges on whether you're using the intransitive form of the verb. And if you're not using it to refer to another pronoun...well then that's a whole different story. Now, when I "ministering" to the needs of Monica Lewinsky...
Very nice. Perhaps you can change the above to:
Bill Clinton (Lying weasel convicted of perjury and obstruction):
That is a malicious falsehood perpetrated by Ken Starr's attack dogs! I have three news clippings from 'The New York Times' to prove my case. Now, if you'd just read article...
U.S.S. MALAISE
Even the White House web page refers to him as Jimmy, which I guess is what he prefers.
I don't think you should honor someone and use a name they don't care for to do it.
So true.
And just desserts!
The 20th Century's worst president overshadowed by its best.
:)
Unfortunately, the Clinton defenders have a sticky problem, Clinton pleaded guilty to the charges of perjury and obstruction.
I thought the tapping exercises had happened beforehand
I agree. I am not a Jimmy Carter fan, I, am however a fan of the office of the Presidency. I am also a huge military fan.
I have read on other sites (which shall remain unnamed), and I have been appalled at the attitude of the liberals and the glee they feel at the death of President Ronald Reagan, and I refuse to sink to that level.
I agree with one poster that stated they felt sorry for Jimmy Carter once again being upstaged by Ronald Reagan, and I had to chuckle. It was so true. I think we all have to remember that no matter how much we disagree with any policies of any past President (including Clinton), that they were all elected to the greatest position in the US and the World, The President of the United States, and for that fact alone, they deserve our respect.
Fully in keeping with Jimmy's administration and post administration behavior.........STUPID.
Semper Fi
Respect which Carter himself has not shown by being the only President not to issue a statement on the death of Ronald Reagan.
I disagree.
The nation's "respect" was shown to the person by electing them to the office of President...
While IN OFFICE, respect must be shown to the office of the President..
Once that service has been completed, the person is entitled to no more respect than they earned while serving in that post..
Example: Clinton.
Do you still respect that self centered, corrupt, weak kneed, traitorous POS?
Carter as President was a total failure, with no grasp or vision.....and he led us into the "malaise" of the late 70's.
Semper Fi
So what's the deal ?? Jimmah Cahtah can't take 15 seconds of
his time to say something about Ronald Reagan's passing ?What an egotistical Arse he is !!
I will never accept Clintons disrespect of the office,or Carters incompetency, but I still recognize them as President. I hope this makes sense. And I think that in some ways both men do deserve some sort of recognition.
It does make some sense. And I can't imagine anyone other than Jimmy Carter who doesn't share that same sense. Even Bill Clinton, a person who defiled the Oval Office with Monica, knows better.
Hey Pukin Dog, looks like you made another safe trap. LOL
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