HMS Chivas? Read on:
BUZZARDS BAY -- (naturally)
The training ship at Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a floating testament to public service and advancements in education. And now it has a new name that matches its mission.
With cadets braving the cold and lining the decks of the 540-foot ship throughout a dedication ceremony yesterday on campus, a collection of dignitaries and more than 100 people looked on as the T.S. Enterprise became the Kennedy.
The decision was made to change the name to honor the family's maritime and public service legacies, said Adm. Richard Gurnon, college president. If it sinks, will they wait 6 hours to report it?
"The name Kennedy represents Cape Cod to people all over the globe," Gurnon said.
Although U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was not present, his great nephew Joseph P. Kennedy III, 28, was on hand to represent the family. He was joined by several high-ranking politicians, including U.S. Rep. William Delahunt and Senate President Therese Murray.
Delahunt, a close friend and frequent sailing partner of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, spoke of the special relationship between the Cape, the college and the Kennedy family. Glub, glub, glub....
He also said that while the decision to rename the ship may have been prompted by the discovery of Kennedy's brain tumor last summer, Delahunt said the chance to honor the Kennedy family was "long overdue." Some kind of brain disease is definitely involved in all aspects of the Kennedy Cult..
He went on to describe the similarities between the college and Sen. Kennedy, who enjoys sailing in Cape waters and is never more alive and at peace than when he's on the water and at sea. For the love of God...
"When we talk about this family, it's important to note, for those of us who share this peninsula embraced by the sea, that this is about more than simply a legacy of significant legislations," Delahunt said. "It is about the spirit reflected in this special family that we call our own. A spirit that is symbolized by the sea and this institution." Cutty Sark?
Capt. Thomas Bushy, vice president of marine operations at MMA, ordered cadets to empty a bottle of champagne overboard to "appease the gods of the sea." Forty years ago, they wanted to sacrifice a virgin but had to settle for... Well, never mind.
After that, Kennedy III, a student at Harvard University, addressed the crowd. He said the institution holds a special place in the hearts of the Kennedy family because it represents the clan's three great joys: the sea, public service and the importance of education.
"This means a lot to my Uncle Teddy," Kennedy III said. "We're grateful to all of you for honoring our family." "hic"
Sen. Kennedy was not present, but sent remarks via e-mail yesterday. "It's very moving for our family to receive this tribute from Mass. Maritime, which we'll cherish forever," Kennedy wrote. "In the years ahead, we know we can count on Mass. Maritime to continue its great mission and we're deeply honored to be associated with it."
The Kennedy shoves off this morning as 500 cadets embark on the annual sea term, for more than a month at sea. This tub draws too much water for a visit to Chappaquiddick. Probably just as well.
#1
...Well, in fairness - Joe Kennedy, Jr. died a hero's death over England in WWII, JFK may have gotten his PT Boat T-boned by the only other ship within a hundred miles but redeemed himself by saving his crewmen, and RFK did - albeit briefly - serve as an AB Seaman in WWII. If they want to commemorate that record, I'm down with it.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
01/11/2009 11:39 Comments ||
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#2
** Shakes head **
For a moment I thought Shipman changed his online name to please the Kennedys; at least, that's what the headline said.
#6
According to one book I read, PT109 was the only war vessel to be sunk by ramming in modern times. I do agree that JFK was a hero for saving his crew.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
01/11/2009 12:45 Comments ||
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#7
Having PT109 sitting in the water like a duck was probably a court martial offense. JFK saved a lot of the crew was heroism. Normally would have neutralized each other, but the press tipped the balance in JFK's favor. And the rest is history, sort of.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
01/11/2009 13:01 Comments ||
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#8
They should haved renamed it the "Oldsmobile" to honor Ted's maritime legacy.
Posted by: Formerly Dan ||
01/11/2009 13:36 Comments ||
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#9
Ted's maritime legacy
Calls to mind a National Lampoon parody of a Volkswagon ad. Picture showed a Volkswagen floating down a river. Caption read "If Ted Kennedy had owned a Volkswagon, he'd be President today"
Following a decision by the Illinois Supreme Court, Jesse White, the Illinois secretary of state, has certified Roland Burris' appointment to the Senate, removing a major roadblock against Burris' ascension to the body. According to his office, White has signed a certificate saying that Burris' appointment document is "true and accurate."
The move came just hours after Illinois' top state court ruled that White's approval was not necessary for a valid appointment to the Senate for Burris by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The Illinois House earlier in the day had impeached Blagojevich by a vote of 114-1. Blagojevich has been indicted on a number of federal corruption charges, including allegations that he attempted to "sell" President-elect Barack Obama's seat in the Senate to the highest bidder.
Burris' attorneys argued White's certification, following the earlier state court ruling, meant there was no reason that the Burris' appointment should not be accepted by Democratic leaders.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/11/2009 00:00 ||
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A surreal scenario is expected to play out Wednesday in the Illinois Senate: Against a ceremonial backdrop of pomp and circumstance, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich will preside over the swearing-in of the very same lawmakers whose first order of business will be to consider whether to dump him from office.
The first impeachment trial of a governor in Illinois' long, corrupt history is expected to look a lot like the last one that gripped the nation's attention a decade ago-- President Bill Clinton's 1999 U.S. Senate trial, even if it could stretch out longer than the three weeks that one lasted.
The 59 senators--37 Democrats and 22 Republicans, including three freshmen--will act as the jury. The state Supreme Court's chief justice, Thomas Fitzgerald, will preside. A special prosecutor hired by the House will trade rhetoric with Blagojevich's defense team, likely to be led by renowned criminal attorney Ed Genson. And all the drama will unfold live to the public, including deliberations.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/11/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
Gov. Rod Blagojevich will preside over the swearing-in of the very same lawmakers ...
It's hard to pinpoint the worst part of the public lands legislation bill Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is calling up for an under-the-radar Sunday vote tomorrow.
The 1200-page, pork-laden, $10 billion proposal locks up millions of acres of energy-rich property by designating it as environmentalist-friendly "federal wilderness" area where not even as much as a bicycle would be permitted to travel across the land. Many of these areas recently became available when the ban on domestic drilling in Western states expired last fall and the liberal left couldn't muster the courage to keep it in place due to rising energy prices. Now Democratic leaders are using different legislative strategies to put a new kind of ban in place.
One Republican House staffer put it this way: "Reid is going to make it federal land so no one can touch it. He's locking up the equivalent of ANWR."
Posted by: Fred ||
01/11/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
Someone take him out back and read Senator Reid the Riot Act.
An act for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies, and for the more speedy and effectual punishing the rioters.
I. Whereas of late many rebellious riots and tumults have been in divers parts of this kingdom, to the disturbance of the publick peace, and the endangering of his Majesty's person and government, and the same are yet continued and fomented by persons disaffected to his Majesty, presuming so to do, for that the punishments provided by the laws now in being are not adequate to such heinous offences; and by such rioters his Majesty and his administration have been most maliciously and falsly traduced, with an intent to raise divisions, and to alienate the affections of the people from his Majesty therefore for the preventing and suppressing of such riots and tumults, and for the more speedy and effectual punishing the offenders therein; be it enacted by the King's most excellent majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal and of the commons, in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That if any persons to the number of twelve or more, being unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assembled together, to the disturbance of the publick peace, at any time after the last day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifteen, and being required or commanded by any one or more justice or justices of the peace, or by the sheriff of the county, or his under-sheriff, or by the mayor, bailiff or bailiffs, or other head-officer, or justice of the peace of any city or town corporate, where such assembly shall be, by proclamation to be made in the King's name, in the form herin after directed, to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, shall, to the number of twelve or more (notwithstanding such proclamation made) unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously remain or continue together by the space of one hour after such command or request made by proclamation, that then such continuing together to the number of twelve or more, after such command or request made by proclamation, shall be adjudged felony without benefit of clergy, and the offenders therein shall be adjudged felons, and shall suffer death as in a case of felony without benefit of clergy.
II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the order and form of the proclamation that shall be made by the authority of this act, shall be as hereafter followeth (that is to say) the justice of the peace, or other person authorized by this act to make the said proclamation shall, among the said rioters, or as near to them as he can safely come, with a loud voice command, or cause to be commanded silence to be, while proclamation is making, and after that, shall openly and with loud voice make or cause to be made proclamation in these words, or like in effect:
Our sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the act made in the first year of King George, for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies. God save the King.
And every such justice and justices of the peace, sheriff, under-sheriff, mayor, bailiff, and other head-officer aforesaid, within the limits of their respective jurisdictions, are hereby authorized, impowered and required, on notice or knowledge of any such unlawful, riotous and tumultuous assembly, to resort to the place where such unlawful, riotous, and tumultuous assemblies shall be, of persons to the number of twelve or more, and there to make or cause to be made proclamation in manner aforesaid.
III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if such persons so unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assembled, or twelve or more of them, after proclamation made in manner aforesaid, shall continue together and not disperse themselves within one hour, That then it shall and may be lawful to and for every justice of the peace, sheriff, or under-sheriff of the county where such assembly shall be, and also to and for every high or petty constable, and other peace-officer within such county, and also to and for every mayor, justice of the peace, sheriff, bailiff, and other head-officer, high or petty constable, and other peace-officer of any city or town corporate where such assembly shall be, and to and for such other person and persons as shall be commanded to be assisting unto any such justice of the peace, sheriff or under-sheriff, mayor, bailiff, or other head-officer aforesaid (who are hereby authorized and impowered to command all his Majesty's subjects of age and ability to be assisting to them therein) to seize and apprehend, and they are hereby required to seize and apprehend such persons so unlawfully, riotously and tumultuously continuing together after proclamation made, as aforesaid, and forthwith to carry the persons so apprehended before one or more of his Majesty's justices of the peace of the county or place where such persons shall be so apprehended, in order to their being proceeded against for such their offences according to law; and that if the persons so unlawfully, riotously and tumultuously assembled, or any of them, shall happen to be killed, maimed or hurt, in the dispersing, seizing or apprehending, or endeavouring to disperse, seize or apprehend them, that then every such justice of the peace, sheriff, under-sheriff, mayor, bailiff, head-officer, high or petty constable, or other peace-officer, and all and singular persons, being aiding and assisting to them, or any of them, shall be free, discharged and indemnified, as well against the King's Majesty, his heirs and successors, as against all and every other person and persons, of, for, or concerning the killing, maiming, or hurting of any such person or persons so unlawfully, riotously and tumultuously assembled, that shall happen to be so killed, maimed or hurt, as aforesaid.
Dis just the frist part of it. According to my calculations it means: Stop ye damn riot or Ima send the boys after ye.
I could be wrong of course. It's January, I stll got 27 l3ft.
Eric H. Holder Jr. is facing increasing resistance to his bid to become the next attorney general, emerging from President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet nominees as the prime target of Senate Republicans, both because of troubling episodes during his service in the Clinton administration and because of the sensitivity of the post overseeing the Justice Department.
With two days of confirmation hearings set to begin Thursday, Holder must demonstrate his independence from Obama to a vocal chorus of GOP lawmakers who want to warn the incoming president that he should not veer too far to the left on national security and judicial nominations. The attorney general plays a pivotal role in those issues, which are of intense concern to conservatives.
What was considered a smooth path to confirmation has recently been complicated as signs of hostility toward Holder have increased over the past month. Political operative Karl Rove and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), for example, singled out the longtime Washington lawyer as the candidate who would face bruising questions. "The attorney general nominee, Mr. Holder, has got serious questions to respond to with regard to his role in the . . . pardons at the end of the Clinton administration and some other matters," McConnell said yesterday. "Beyond that, I don't anticipate trouble for the new president's nominees."
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#1
Holder is sleazeball. He and Gorelick should be in jail
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/11/2009 9:42 Comments ||
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#2
Yup. Apparently politicalization of the Department of Justice is okay with the Dhimmicrats now ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/11/2009 12:26 Comments ||
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#3
He'll be a good dawg, like Janet Reno was. No disrespect to dawgs.
BTW, what is the Rantburgers' read on the conformation of Leon Pinetta as head of the CIA?
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
01/11/2009 13:06 Comments ||
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#4
shows how serious Obama is about national security that he puts a political hack with NO intelligence experience in charge of Central Intelligence Agency. Was Henry Cisneros unavailable?
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/11/2009 13:18 Comments ||
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#5
My prediction on Pinetta is he will expand oversight dramatically and tie every operational proposal up with legal reviews from hell. Both agency internal and external. I look for nothing good to come of this appointment, but it will be a great day for lawyers and intelligence oversight gurus.
#3
It's not going to happen. The assumption is that all Presidents have a "pocket pardon" for the top echelon of their administration. So unless they cut one of them loose and throw him to the dogs, or until they do something illegal after their retirement, they are hands off.
#1
This, of course, is from Iowahawk, but by way of some curious intellectual property theft and re-theft, with some hilarious commentary along the way.
Link through the youtube to Iowahawk's website for the backstory on all this.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
