Kennedy's PT Boat Found in Pacific

AP | 5/29/02

[FreeInWV]

So how did JFK manage to get rammed?

From what I recall, the crew of PT-109 installed a vastly oversized gun on the bow. At the time it seemed like a good idea. The problem was, it made the boat fairly unmaneuverable. Before they could get it removed and replaced with the standard navy issue gun, the boat was sent on a mission & sunk.

[jalisco555]

Listen the next time he says the word nuclear. It is not "nucular." Why do I think that if you cannot pronounce the word, yours is not the one who's finger should be on the button.

Walter Mondale did the same thing and I believe I once heard Jimmy Carter (a nucular engineer) use the term as well. It's an affectation some politicians use to show they are down to earth, just one of the people. They know the correct pronunciation but choose to say it wrong.

[SoCal Pubbie]

JFK used to say "Cuber" refering to that little island nation. Did that make him an idiot too?

[pasquale]

Gomen nasai. I wasn't comparing Bush's service with JFK's. I meant his immediate predecessor, who I thought you meant in your original post. I admire JFK's heroism (although not his political career), and agree that his wartime service is more exemplrary than W's. However, I don't think that National Guard or Reserve duty is something to be denigrated.

[texlok]

In a 1999 interview, Ballard said PT 109 is "not lost, just misplaced." But he added searching for the vessel in an area full of unexploded ordnance would be "no fun."

That's a bit of an understatement.

[1rudeboy]

Just because you serve in the military does not make you a hero or even honorable.

But it gets you closer than, say, simply being a keyboard-cowboy.

[MJM59]

No, I would never put Bush and Clinton in the same category. And I have nothing against the reserve services, unless service in one of them is being used to dodge one's responsibility.

[MJM59]

I did my time, and I made my sacrifices. So saddle up and join the posse or stay in town.

[FreedomFighter86]

I am sure Bush intends to say it that way...lol!

[FreedomFighter86]

lol...

[metesky]

You're nitpicking on this one, friend. About 90% of the population mispronounce "nuclear", you can even hear some of our so-called intelligentsia say it.

And I must add that I too observe Bush (and all government actions) with a skeptical eye.

I just despise the Kennedys and everyone who worships at the shrine of Saint Jack.

[N. Theknow]

Kennedys can't drive, ski, fly or skipper a boat.

But they are notorious lady-killers.

[Don Myers]

Why go to this trouble to find the remains of the boat? Are they planning on selling slivers from the boat, or put it on display and charge for tickets?

[Paulus Invictus]

What a waste of time and money! Who cares if his boat was found or not? What kind of a boat commander would be so careless as to be run down by a Jap destroyer anyway? I am tired of the Kennedys and their endless attempts to re-write history and whitewash their awful and well-deserved reputation. Will the latest Kennedy relative get off scott free from his murder charge? Take a guess.

[michigander]

Report on Loss of PT-109

[MJM59]

The whole world is hanging on every word the president of the most powerful country on the planet is saying while he is speaking about our capability to turn this marble of a planet to just so much dust. Not the time I am proud to hear him come off as a guest host on Hee Haw. Maybe, next time, he should try rapping so the boys in the hood can relate more to him.

Besides I was being sarcastic. Jeez, folks lighten up. I didn't mean to blaspheme your idol.

[kayak]

Although I cringe when I hear the President say "nucular," I have recently learned that that has actually become an acceptable pronunciation, I think probably because it has such widespread usage. Also I have heard many say that it is a pronunctiation very common in Texas. I do not think Bush uses it to appeal to anyone ...... I think it's just the way that he talks. And, frankly, I'd rather hear him say "nucular" than hear Algore say anything.

For verification of the pronunciation of the word, I offer the following source .... type the word 'nuclear' in the Dictionary search box; then click on the audio symbols () to hear the different pronunciations.

Dictionary

[NormsRevenge]

It's how destiny made a president...

[Paulus Invictus]

The word is pronounced both ways and is correct both ways. Get a clue! Kennedy failed at seamanship or his boat never would have run down. Tell me, was Bush ever sent to sea because he was ousted from his safe post in Naval Intelligence in DC when he was found to be consorting with a reported female Nazi spy? Guess not.

[metesky]

The PT 109 was in the shipping channel, not moving, the engines on idle. Kennedy posted no watch and the crew was below deck, most sleeping.

If he hadn't acted heroically after his ship was cut in half, he would have been court-martialled. In fact he thought he was going to be, but Old Joe started frantically pulling strings and we ended up with a hero.

JFK had originally been sent to the Pacific after Joe pulled strings to stop him from being court-martialled over the Nazi spy Jack was slagging in D.C.

And does anybody who has swam over fifty yards believe for one second that Saint Jack swam fifteen miles towing a guy in his teeth, when this incident is where Jack suffered the back injury that plagued him for the rest of his life? Puleeze!

The whole Camelot (Come-a-lot) Myth is simply propaganda bought and paid for by Joe. Even JFK called reporters and the press "pocket people".