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Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP
Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly, attend a ceremony at the Pentagon, Friday, Feb. 10, for the unveiling of the USS Gabrielle Giffords.
The Navy on Friday named its newest combat ship after former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who attended the Pentagon event with the mother of a 9-year-old girl slain in the Tucson shooting rampage that left Giffords gravely wounded.
The 3,000-ton ship, known as an Independence Variant Littoral, will be built in Mobile, Ala., by Austal shipbuilding, as part of the Navy’s strategy to provide access and dominance in coastal waters, according to NBC News.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus made the announcement before a gathering at the Pentagon’s Center Courtyard. "It's a major part of the future of our Navy," he said about the vessel, which measures 419 feet in length and can travel in excess of 40 knots. "She's going to provide our Navy and country with fast and flexible capability ... this ship can perform an amazing variety of missions."
Mabus said courage has defined the Navy since it's inception, so it made sense to name the ship after someone "who has become synonymous with courage."
Giffords, a Democrat, resigned from Congress last month to focus on her recovery from a gunshot wound to the head after a gunman opened fire in January 2011 with a semiautomatic pistol on a crowd gathered outside a Tucson supermarket for a Congress-on-your-Corner event. Six people were killed and 13 people, including Giffords, were wounded.
Since then, Giffords has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation in Houston.
Charged in the shooting is Jared Loughner, who is undergoing psychiatric treatment at a federal prison in Missouri in an effort to restore his mental competency so he can stand trial.
Christina Green, an elementary school student, was attending the event with a neighbor when she was gunned down. The elementary school student was born on Sept. 11, 2001, and had been featured in a book about children from the 50 states born on that day.
At the Pentagon, Mabus named Green's mother, Roxanna Green, as the sponsor of the new ship, which will be in service for three decades once completed.
Earlier on Friday, Giffords was at the White House as President Barack Obama signed into law the legislation she authored that will increase the penalties for using ultralight aircraft when smuggling drugs into the country.
"I'm confident that, while this legislation may have been her last act as a congresswoman, it will not be her last act of public service," Obama said in a statement released by the White House.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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Are there not others more worthy of having a naval vessel named after them than this particular woman? I take nothing away from her amazing recovery and her strength of character but I believe that several thousand former members of our armed forces have shown equal courage and made greater sacrifices for our country than Mrs. Giffords. This is a pathetic PR stunt.
I just don't get it. While she fought back from her wounds, someone with less than fantasitc healthcare wouldn't have made it. Wrong call on so many fronts, I don't know where to begin. But I guess we have to raise out leaders to a higher value than the real hero's.
I couldn't agree more.
Ms. Giffords should just say "thank you for the honor", but decline.
US Navy ships should be named for States, Cities, Famous Battles, American War Heroes, Medal of Honor recipients, etc. ... not for Politicians, and not for living persons.
We now have a nuclear Submarine named for Jimmy Carter, and Aircraft Carriers named for Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and Gerald Ford These magnificent ships should have carried names in the grand tradition of the US Navy -- such as the decorated and historic carriers they replaced -- not be subject to the whims of politicians.
I mean no offense to Rep. Giffords;, of course. Nor do I mean to take anything away from her remarkable battle for survival. However let's not forget that there are thousands of disabled veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars whom are battling to overcome their WAR injuries right at this moment; many of them with Traumatic Brain Injury.
Is there anything remaining in American life that the Politicians haven't already screwed up, or are endeavoring to screw up?
I have concluded that the REAL enemies of the United States of America which are a clear and present danger and threat to this nation's future, ...
are the Republican and Democratic parties!
Agreed.
I agree. Taking nothing away from Giffords or what she has been through, this is nothing but a stupid political stunt that the Navy should be above. Naming of ships should be after cities, states, major battles, or war heroes, not politicians. I can stomach naming a ship after a dead president if they were a real leader for this country, but ships should not be named after a living individual except maybe if they are a medal of honor recipient. Giffords should have declined the honor. This would have gained her far more respect than accepting this obviously political gesture. I would have hoped that she was above this type of political pandering, but apparently not.
Gabby and her husband are honorable citizens and deserving of this honor ....
Gabby should also get a purple heart ....
Considering looking at this not as a recognition of a specific person but to highlight courage in general. Guess it all depends on how you view this. If you did not like Giffords or what she stands for, this decision will just be another reason to hate and disagree.
The Royal Navy recycles its ship's names, so for example, H M Submarine Dreadnought was the seventh or eighth warship to carry that name, the first being named by Queen Elizabeth I back in the sixteenth century. There is some merit in either using an honored old name, a geographic name, or at least waiting until long after the person so honored is no longer on the green side of the turf. The smartest thing for Gabrielle Giffords to do is very politely decline and take a sixty-year rain check.
Andrew-2394864
I think your comment is kind of pathetic too . Watch the hate comments come .
I agree that she should have thanked them for the honor, but declined.
What was done to Rep. Gifford was horrible, however, why should you name an instrument of war that is designed to kill and maim, after a person who has been maimed and almost killed??? I guess in the United
States, it is an honor to have a weapon of mass distruction named after you. I tell you what, when I die, name a medical instrument that helps heal people after me. OK?
'bigbenalaska' wrote:
REPLY: I know you mean well, but please read the following about the Military Honor which you suggest should be awarded to a civilian:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart
In 1997, at the urging of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Congress passed legislation prohibiting awards of the Purple Heart to civilians. Today, the Purple Heart is only for those men and women in uniform.
This is a woman who was shot while doing something for her constituency, and that something was to better the lives of her fellow Americans.
She does not have to be in Iraq or some war zone to earn our respect. Respect should be awarded to anybody doing the right thing.
Who the hell would you people rather name the ship after? Rush f*ckin Limbaugh? I knew we were gonna see some Teabaggers in here complaining....jackasses
She has sacrificed enough...
disagreeable or not, we name ships for polticians all the time, and frequently for less memorable reasons... the USS Harriet Lane and the USS J Fred Talbott come to mind first... More recently the USS George HW Bush, the USS Ronald Reagan, and even in Obama's term, the USS John Warner (a Republican Senator from Virginia)... so you keep on with your partisan PR shmutz, as nice of a story as it is, I'd hate to see facts detracting from the narrative you want to tell.
If they name a Navy ship after her, what then? Book deals, made for tv movies about her, clothing lines, cabbage patch dolls... the list could go on. Stop the PR campaign please.
You people are pukes. I can't believe you would discredit Mrs. Giffords.
"Taking nothing away from Giffords or what she has been through"
No. You just took everything away. You can't put a disclaimer on an insult.
As for "The real heroes" Statement. That is your opinion. Your personal, disgusting, opinion.
It seems like you people only have respect for those who have died.
That's too bad. In cases like Mrs. Giffords, death would have been easier than the life she's now forced to live. She was gunned down while in service to her country. I guess if you can't respect that, then your opinion shouldn't matter anyway.
Oh and by the way JS in SD. South Dakota is maybe the most worthless state in the union.
I agree the the majority of the views expressed. My husband died in Kuwait, where's his namesake ship. The disabled vets and their families who doesn't have her means of living. Where's their ships. They have my respect and they are the ones I will always remember. They are the ones the politicians went over there.
How about a ship named for George Wallace?
I think many of you would rather it be named the "USS Barack Obama" ....
I have no problem with this. If the Navy wishes to name it after Congresswoman Giffords than it is their perogative. It should also be noted that namings ships after individuals isn't a recent trend.There was the USS Randolph during WWII that was named for the first president of the continental congress. Or for a recent example, there is an Aegis destroyer named the USS Nitze after Paul Nitze, a man who served various positions through multiple administrations (both republican and democratic) and one of the chief architects of the US policy towards the Soviet Union. Most Americans would never know of his contributions, and there are dozens of others who have done the same throughout our history, the military often honors these men for their quiet service in this manner.
Thanks for restoring my post above .... #1.6
Gabby is lucky to be alive ....
She is surely an inspiration ....
DocHolliday-2979123, you're suspended for a week for violating #1 of the Code of Honor. You know the rules.
...
"The Masses", you're suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
Some of you get way too angry for such little cause. Calm down, it's only a small ship, unlike the Ronald Reagan.
If naming a ship gets you so upset, maybe you need to rethink your priorities in your lives. Ease up on the negativity over such a trivial issue.
withoutadoubt: The difference is that Giffords conducted herself as a Public Servant more than she was a politician. You are thinking about people like Cain, Gingrich, and Palin. Giffords took her position seriously as a Public Servant - that is what she was doing when she was shot. She even conducts herself with class as she recovers - something that those 3 opportunistic clowns could never be able to even understand!
----------------
Navy ship names: http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/name.htm
Robert in Oregon,
Maybe you forget Jimmy Carter actually commanded a nuclear submarine, during the height of the cold war.
Naming a ship is a form of living, inspirational memorial. Naming a ship after a battle may not be a good idea, imagine docking the "Iwo Jima" or "Leyte Gulf" in Japan for liberty. Historically, aircraft carriers were named for historic ships, battleships for states, and cruisers were named for cities. Ballistic missile submarines displaced battleships in this convention. Naming conventions were broken with the "George Washington" and Theodore Roosevelt", both politicians. BTW, most Navy ships are not carriers, submarines, or the new littorals; but are frigates, destroyers, tenders, repair ships, tankers, etc. Those ships are predominately named for past American sailors.
@ Andrew... By making your point your missing the point, when our citizens join the military they know if they are put in harms way so be it, they wear the uniform, they accept the risk, they don't complain. It would be wonderful if we could name a ship after every one of them, unfortunately there isn't enough to go around and to pick one over all the rest would be unfair, this is why we have medals and citations. In the case of Gabby Giffords she did not join the military, she was not expecting to be put in harms way, hers was serving her fellow Americans in a peaceful, non violent arena. Gabby had no reason to carry a gun or wear a vest, she didn't sign up to be put in harms way, that is the tragedyof it all and the reason she deserves this honor, congratulations Gabby!
Get effen real. They should name the ships after those that have died fighting in wars and protecting the US citizens.
This is nothing but an insult to all the men and women that serve our country and protect it.
I am a Jimmy Carter fan, and he played an important role in Rickover's development of the nuclear submarine service, overseeing the preparations of the USS Seawolf for service, but I don't think he ever commanded a submarine on active patrol. Still, when an exNavy boy makes it all the way to Pres, it pretty much guarantees a ship naming. Is there an exception to this rule?
Congrats to Gabby Giffords, I think her story is inspirational, and I hope the men and women who serve on that ship will agree.
USS Gabrielle Giffords
Very nice.
.
True blue 72.
she was not expecting to be put in harms way
Gabby had no reason to carry a gun or wear a vest
Neither are most Americans, from the small black kid on the street shot from a drive - by to the clerk working their second or third job to try and make ends meet, or even the person shot in a car-jacking. Most would not have gotten that extra special medical treatment, even under Obamacare.
Why should Americans place their elected officials on a pedistal, why should they be exempt from laws they pass onto us, have greater healthcare at no cost to them, have a fantastic retirement plan after short service?
This is not about Gabby Giffords per say, it is about the "greater than thou" symbolism being used again and again by those in charge. See how well it works at driving a wedge between those of us beneath them?
A lot of varying opinions on this, but I say that Gabby is a symbol of strength and survival. I think that she deserves this honor. She may not have been wounded in combat, but she was serving her constituents honorably nonetheless. Kudos to the Navy for this special honor.
My God, why would Giffords turn down such an honor? If the Navy asks of course it should be honored. Get a life, people. It's a frigging ship.
And so was James Brady - who was also also shot in the head - Where is the ship named after him?
Stop hating people... I think it's AWESOME! Who here believe that nearly half of Washington DC needs to be re-named for Ronald Reagan? Get over it.
@skeeter-339704...Those people are victims of random crime, Gabby was a victim because she was a congresswoman. About the care, you have a point and maybe its a valid one but the fact of the matter is elected officials have good benefits and that's not going to change. I would like to believe that anyone in this country with injuries of this kind would receive adequate care regardless of their healthcare plan or lack thereof. One thing we can change in this country are the greater than thou millionaires and billionaires who don't pay their far share, I.E. the Donald Trumps, the Republicans protect them and everybody else pays the price. I don't how you vote but if your not rich I know how you should vote. By the way it's not Obamacare it's President Obamas health care!
'Bill Marvell' wrote:
REPLY: No, Bill, I'm very familiar with President Carter's distinguished US Navy career. However, Jimmy Carter did not command a nuclear submarine. Nor was he awarded command any other US Navy ship during his service.
He "qualified for command", achieved the rank of Lieutenant, and for a short period in 1951 he served as 'XO' (Executive Officer) on the USS K-1. However he was never awarded a command.
Bill, you really should check your facts before taking issue with other's Newsvine posts with which you disagree.
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-14.htm
My point was -- in my opinion -- US Navy ships should not be named for living persons. That was not a disparagement of President Carter. It was taking issue with naming protocols. Period!
AnIndividual- I get your point. But my point is to shed light on the fingers-down-throat treatment of people such as her by the media and resulting marketing campaigns. In other words, making money off her image and service to the public. It just gets old but it doesn't erase who she is or what good acts she has performed.
Another viewpoint- consider if another woman in the same position, same persona, same commitment to the public had been injured; however, this person was 5 feet tall and weighed 250 lbs and resembled 'Velma' off 'Scooby Doo'. Would they receive the same coverage and honors? I doubt it!
There should be a law against politicians having anything named after them. America is getting very tired of these multi millionaire elitists padding thier own pockets and treating the public like they are something special. They have gone too far and ruined so much that they deserve jail not naming events. There are real heros in the military that deserve this 1000 times more than a politician.
I don't remember the outcry when the ships were named the Ronald Reagan, the George HW Bush, and the John Warner...
I agree with Gary levine. Politician's feed at the Tax trough like a bunch of Pig's getting Benefit's that we can only dream about and then tell us what a great job they are doing. The ship could have been named after some soldier who lost his leg's or arm's or lost his life in this Useless war. To name it after a Politician just doesn't set right with me. Politician's don't deserve to have Anything named after them.
Navy ship names: http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/name.htm
The Bush, Reagan and Warner were named without the fanfare. Partly because the three were Republicans. I would point out Reagan was shot while president, and survived. The only one to do so.
Ms. Giffords is an amazing woman. She will be missed as much by Republicans as Democrats. She was a Blue Dog - socially liberal, fiscally conservative.
oh, please! there was PLENTY of fanfare when the Reagan was commissioned. You weren't paying attention, maybe.
Reagan and Bush were both Presidents. Bush was also a Naval Aviator in WWII, surviving being shot down in combat. Warner was Secretary of the Navy, a Korean War Marine Corps combat veteran, as well as a 5 term Senator. These are the types of folks ships are normally named after. As for the "fanfare" in regards to the Reagan, it was not surrounding the announcement of the naming of the ship but the launching and commissioning of the ship which is always done with ceremony, especially when dealing with an Aircraft Carrier.
Giffords was a 3 time Congressman from AZ and never served in the Military, not normally someone who would get a ship named after them. I fully believe that had she not been shot, they NEVER would have considered naming a ship after her based on her record. (at least it's not a Nobel Prize) I hope she can fully appreciate the honor of having a ship named after her. I know her husband, a former Naval Officer, will.
gary shame on you
From the article above: Mabus said courage has defined the Navy since it's inception, so it made sense to name the ship after someone "who has become synonymous with courage."
What courageous act did she do??? It wasn't so courageous for her to stand in front of a bullet that she didn't know was coming.
What would be courageous would be to use herself as a shield to stop a bullet from killing that 9 year old innocent little girl. THAT would be the definition of courage and would elicit a ship being named after her... If anything, the ship should be named the Christina Green.
Reagan's press secretary James Brady - who was also also shot in the head and never recovered as much as Gabriel - Where is the ship named after him?
How does this person rate having a naval ship named after her. What has she done to recv. such an honor, if any one in her family should have a ship named after them it would be her husband. She should decline this honor & be allowed to choose the one from a list of real heros, our men & women of the miltary.
I live in Gabby Giffords district. What you folks may not know is that she was a tremendous supporter of Veterans Rights and did everything she could to better their lives when they returned from combat. She worked very hard to make sure they were employed, had decent housing, were able to function 'normally' after their service. She went above and beyond to ensure Veteran's Affairs was living up to their commitments to our servicemen and women (not always succeeding with that group).
I do find it ironic, as stated in other posts, that she is being honored in this fashion with a machine designed for destruction of life when she fought so hard to preserve life.
Publicity stunt? Really? Anytime someone has a ship named after them, it is announced and distributed publicly. Go find something else to bitch about.
This is insanity. A person is a hero because they were shot?? She should be ashamed of herself for taking advantage.
And what does usually make a hero?
@ expat: If she would have put her body in front on the bullet that killed that little girl I would call her a hero.
Otherwise, she has the same thing in common with many IED survivors. Many who intentionally went into harm's way.
The people above are correct - she should respectfully decline.
USS Ernest Borgnine sounds good. He has devoted his life to helping sailors. Plus...he actually was a Squid in WWII
A hero is someone who takes some sort of action in the face of danger or risk or against odds to help or save others. Period. End of sentence. To call someone a hero because they survive a serious wound is an insult to all real heros.
Yo, if I remember correctly, she had received death threats prior to the shooting. So, she was doing her duty and meeting with her constituents KNOWING that she was in danger.
People can serve their country in ways other than military service, and public service is one of them. Sometimes you have just as big a target on you as a combatant, but the enemy hides among familiar faces.
So, name a building after her. Not a Navy warship.
Amen. She got shot in the head. How does that make you brave or a hero. Her survival was due to wonderful medical personnel. Not her. She didn't jump in front of someone and save his or her life. This is how pathetic the military is getting under Obama. There have been Medal of Honor winners in this war who are truly brave and truly heros. Give me a break. How undeserving. I am a veteran and belong to the American Legion. We have several members who are so much more deserving than Gifford. How embarassing.
PLEASE....Allow me to enlighten you. The Navy chose the name to be assigned to the ship. Prior to the official naming of a vessel they secure permission from the person for whom the ship is to be named or from the surviving family. Former Congresswoman Giffords did not approach the Navy with such a request.
ClickTrack--I agree. It is just getting to be too much about this woman! Originaly, I felt great empathy for her situation. But she and her husand just kept milking it and bilking the taxpayers. More importantly, on an ethical basis, i can't imagine Navy naming ships after every soldier who gets shot in the line of duty -- even in wars, and combat zones. They are the heroes, not some woman who got shot then milked the taxpayers for a year before resigning and got every imaginable health careimagineable on the CIVILIAN market, plus Congressional pension benefits, just because she got shot. It's just ecome TOo mUCh! If they have to, name the ship after the little girl, Christina Taylor Green. It is becoming just sickening how she and her husband are ripping us off!
It's politics! Pure cynical politics!
The Obummer is pandering to women pure and simple!
Ripcity - "Yo, if I remember correctly, she had received death threats prior to the shooting. So, she was doing her duty and meeting with her constituents KNOWING that she was in danger"
If this was truly the case, why were the Police not in greater attendance with a tighter permiter around her? I recall no reporting of any direct death threats against Rep Giffords, except the manufactured crap from the media about Palin putting targets on her district.
Ken - The Navy Department, the civilian/political controlling part of the Navy, names the ships. If you were to ask those in uniform if she deserved this honor, my bet is it would be a resounding no. Not because she is not a good person or had a heroic struggle to get better, but what has she done to deserve it? Naming a ship after someone is due to their service to the Military. The Military Sealift Command named a class of ships after Bob Hope (the USNS Bob Home is in service today) not because of his entertainment career but for his support of the Military for 50 plus years. Rep Giffords is a lovely lady who I only wish the best for, but this honor is purely political.
I am sorry for the tragedy, but having served in the military for 20 years myself..I feel that the real heroes never seem to get their due. My Father still suffers from his time during the Korean War, I had issues when I served and have problems (medical) from the ijuries and esxposure, but nothing compared to what I see now at the VA. This makes me sad that real sacrifice by those who don't come back are never recover, nor have the best of care are all but forgotten....
I think it would be perfectly acceptable to name a new Navy combat ship (or Coast Guard Cutter) for each innocent shooting victim - we would need to build a lot more ships, but the honor would be appropriate. The honor could be limited to non-military US Citizens who have never been convicted of a felony, who are victims of a shooting in the US, that does not involve their own misconduct. Put the shipbuilding contracts up for bid - the economy will be rejuvenated within a year.
I don't expect too much from people who post here but the comments about ships named after George HW Bush and Gerald Ford being the same as naming one for Gifford are just flat out ignorant. George HW Bush flew 58 combat tours in the Pacific Theater of WW2 and was shot down once. His 2 crew members died in attack. Gerald Ford also served in WW2 and narrowly avoided death in a near sinking of his ship and risked death fighting the fires to save the ship. How many years of combat service does Gifford have? Simply getting shot does not make one a hero. Does anyone seriously believe Gifford would have been at that store that morning if she had known a man with a gun would be waiting for her? Heck no but when Bush or Ford went out on a combat patrol they knew a man with a gun would be waiting for them. For those who wonder, NO, there were no specific death threats against Gifford prior to the event. That is a whole different realm of bravery than unknowingly becoming a victim of a crime. I do not think anything bad of Giffords or her husband but this is just a little over the top when it comes to political pandering by the Navy.
What should we expect though, we live in a society where people whose sole claim to fame is making a sex tape become famous and yes, heroes to some....
Get effen real. They should name the ships after those that have died fighting in wars and protecting the US citizens.
This is nothing but an insult to all the men and women that serve our country and protect it.
Not because she was shot -- because of the courage and fight she has gone thru to recover and the dedication she gave to her job representing the people of Arizona. That's when it happened, while she was performing that duty. She was serving the people of her state when this happened and it is NO insult to our country. If you think it is, go tell that to the people of Arizona and let them give you their answer in person. I am sure they would be glad to do so. Some people can't see what is right in front of them.
jo- Then why not name a ship after the Secret Service agent and Police officer who were shot defending President Reagan? How about the Texas Governor in the front seat of the limo who also got shot when Kennedy got hit? How about George Wallace, Governor of Alabama and Presidential Candidate when he got shot? More importantly, how about naming the ship after one of the people who actually died in the Tuscon shooting?
Yes, her recovery was/is arduous, but does her 6 or so years of service to the country and the military raise to the levels of Reagan, Bush, Nimitz, Eisenhower, or any of the others ships are named after? I wish her well in her recovery, but this is not appropriate at all.
George Wallace?? I doubt that will ever happen. Most of the people you mention go back in time and naming ships after them just wasn't done much for those reasons at the time apparently. I agree, naming the ship after one who died in the Tuscon shooting would have been better, but her fight for survival, combined with her service to her state, plus some political pull of course, is probably what caused this. Why do you think Reagan gets all the attention? Because he served as President. That's it--plus being a celebrity. No big deal there. He deserves even less. Bush doesn't deserve jack as far as I am concerned. Nadda. If you, or anyone else, doesn't like this, take it up with SECDEF or the SECNAV. Let them give you the political answer to it. It won't be the truth, but you can ask them.
I live in Gabby Giffords district. What you folks may not know is that she was a tremendous supporter of Veterans Rights and did everything she could to better their lives when they returned from combat. She worked very hard to make sure they were employed, had decent housing, were able to function 'normally' after their service. She went above and beyond to ensure Veteran's Affairs was living up to their commitments to our servicemen and women (not always succeeding with that group).
I do find it ironic, as stated in other posts, that she is being honored in this fashion with a machine designed for destruction of life when she fought so hard to preserve life.
Publicity stunt? Really? Anytime someone has a ship named after them, it is announced and distributed publicly. Go find something else to bitch about
So, what is it called? The USS Gabriele Giffords? or the USS Giffords? or the USS Gabriele? It's never stated in this article. This kind of copy and paste reporting from a press release is terrible. Please update with the facts.
@unknown: OMG look at the pictures instead! Look really really carefully maybe something will jump out at ya!
yea, it's right there in the picture with the FORMER congresswoman. The one who's no longer a politician.
5 deleted, WTFwereUthinking referring to 'lunatics like the posters here'. Not helping.
You're suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
That's awesome cause that means the ship can take a bullet and still survive. The Navy got themselves a great ship!
That's a lovely gesture to a heroic woman.
I agree. After all it is just a name for a ship.
What the hell was heroic about her? She was shot, received the best of medical care paid for by taxpayers, and now she rates a ship in the U.S. Navy named after her? Hogwash!
Gabby should receive a purple heart ....
Please big ben, hold your breath until you get a purple head.
Rediculous. First off, ANYONE can get shot, not just "heroes." Second, I agree with 87Marine. The best healthcare available (#1 paid for by the taxpayers, #2 better than the average Americans healthcare). Lastly, Big Ben, I think maybe you need to get in out of the cold or lay off the fire water. The Department of Defense doesn't award Military awards to civilians. Gabby should stay focused on her recovery and respectfully decline.
Talk to the Hand
You, sir, or whatever you are, have the gall to display the American flag, denigrating President Obama and posting a stupid comment. You are certainly not a true Patriotic American! Just the type of comment your hero Rush Limbaugh would make.
What did she do to be called a hero?
Did she save any lives?
Oh wait she favors abortion which makes her a murderer!
We're just telling it like it is!
Obummer needs denigrating! He's acting like an out of touch demigod rather than president!
And he has no right to hold his office!
Jesus Christ. What is wrong with you people?
Bigbenslaska Are you serious about her getting a Purple Heart when none of the soldiers in Ft Hood shot by that Islamic Fanatic terrorist infiltrator Major Hasaan will get one, seriously this women deserves no Purple Heart and for her to have a ship named for her when we still have over 30 Medal of Honor recipients living that have not then I see this as political injustice and a slap in the face of real hero's. Gifford’s got shot she lived that little girl died and I could have seen a ship named or her being MUCH more appropriate and if the Gifford’s had a speck of honor they would decline and recommend a more deserving person to receive this honor. Look I was shot multiple times in Iraq have Purple Hearts and would never even think of accepting this knowing Medal of Honor winners living today have not been grantged this honor yet. Disgrace to the 10th degree all around.
I live in Gabby Giffords district. What you folks may not know is that she was a tremendous supporter of Veterans Rights and did everything she could to better their lives when they returned from combat. She worked very hard to make sure they were employed, had decent housing, were able to function 'normally' after their service. She went above and beyond to ensure Veteran's Affairs was living up to their commitments to our servicemen and women (not always succeeding with that group).
I do find it ironic, as stated in other posts, that she is being honored in this fashion with a machine designed for destruction of life when she fought so hard to preserve life.
Publicity stunt? Really? Anytime someone has a ship named after them, it is announced and distributed publicly. Go find something else to bitch about
This is nonsense, naming ships with a political motivation. Mabus is a lackey of Obama's and, as such, has named ships accordingly. A ship named after Ceasar Chavez? What the hell did he ever do for the country militarily? Same with Giffords. Yes, it's a shame she was shot by a nut case, but that doesn't merit naming a ship after her. Thsi country has gone "politics whacko." I'm sick of it.
87marine,
Wake up, all defence spending has political motivation. Would you rather see Karl Rove's name, or George Soros' name on the bow? Looking at other names in the series, I see Coronado, a Spanish conquistador (invader), Now there's a name we can be proud of: invader, looter, enslaver, spreader of disease and enforcer of state religion. Sort of like the Crusaders that our MidEastern friends all love and welcome.
And yes, I know Coronado is/was the name of a West coast Navy base. But, I also know where the name came from.
NAS North Island in San Diego bay is the "west coast Navy base," of which you speak. The "island" upon which it is situated is named "Coronado."
Her remarkable and incredible courage are awesome. At the same time, she was a member of the least respected and least popular Congress in US history. I'm sure the Navy has an established naming convention but I can't see how any member of Congress rises to the honor, regardless of the tragedy that may befall them.
Good point.
From the article above: Mabus said courage has defined the Navy since it's inception, so it made sense to name the ship after someone "who has become synonymous with courage."
What courageous act did she do??? It wasn't so courageous for her to stand in front of a bullet that she didn't know was coming.
What would be courageous would be to use herself as a shield to stop a bullet from killing that 9 year old innocent little girl. THAT would be the definition of courage and would elicit a ship being named after her... If anything, the ship should be named the Christina Green.
Don't get me wrong John, I do agree with you in part, BUT..... The courage part? Nuh Uh...
Well she's got more balls than most. Rehabbing from wounds like she got isn't for sissies.
No Balls, no guts and no courage in just being hit and living to tell it, sorry but I see no value in this at all and in fact as a 22 year veteran I feel ashamed of the Navy for turning their back on our Medal of Honor receipients who have never got a ship named after them yet. Disgrace!
I don't really care who calls what ship, what. But if Gifford's gets a ship named after her, what about the other people who were harmed and shot, as well as the three who died that day?
Why does she memorialized, when none of the others aren't? Unless.....maybe.....it's because she's a politician, and the others weren't. (Well, some worked in her office; for the government, but weren't the 'biggie' politician that she was supposed to be.)
Idk, I like Obama in general, but I just don't understand the glorifying of Gifford's, when all the others are dismissed and forgotten. I'd like to know the criteria used, to get a navel ship named after a person.
Frankly, I have nothing against her; didn't know anything about her. To me, she was just another politician that I didn't know, and didn't know me. I guess I have a hard time rationalizing how we (everyone) values some lives more than others.
@John-2776171... Your right John she was a member of the least respected and least popular congress in U.S. history but as you well know the reason for that is because the right wingers on the other side of the isle decided that instead of doing their job and serving the people, they would instead concentrate on sabotaging a presidency. After all, the Republicans almost completely destroyed the country last time, maybe the Republicanparty can get the Presidency back next time and finish the job. As I read the negative posts on this story I realize the type of people who back the right wing agenda, it is truly scary!
What a pile of crap! We have thousands of US servicemen and women much more deserving. I am disgusted with this and most of what comes out of DC.
She did nothing to deserve this honor, I say again, I am disgusted and literally sick to my stomach with this stuff.
Jeez, easy does it Billy!
Spot on Bill from Oregon! Ms. Giffords was a VICTIM not a HERO. She was, by all accounts, a very decent person and congresswoman however, no more deserving of this honor than the little girl shot, Christina Green. Political pandering to women at its best. Of course that's the Obama way...divide and conquer.
Good God, what is wrong with you debbiedowners? Does the glass EVER look half full to you? I've never seen such tripe over naming a ship.
I live in Gabby Giffords district. What you folks may not know is that she was a tremendous supporter of Veterans Rights and did everything she could to better their lives when they returned from combat. She worked very hard to make sure they were employed, had decent housing, were able to function 'normally' after their service. She went above and beyond to ensure Veteran's Affairs was living up to their commitments to our servicemen and women (not always succeeding with that group).
I do find it ironic, as stated in other posts, that she is being honored in this fashion with a machine designed for destruction of life when she fought so hard to preserve life.
Publicity stunt? Really? Anytime someone has a ship named after them, it is announced and distributed publicly. Go find something else to bitch about
Don't we think this might be going a little far? She does not deserve this honor and look at all the money the taxpayers paid to get her back on her feet. This is definitely crazy. This must be a Obama thought.
Yeah, I guess we as taxpayers should have just voted to take her out back and finish the job that the sicko gunman started! Would that make you happy? And, because she is a democrat it just has to be AN Obama thought? Get a grip.
Having served 20+ years in the Navy, onboard 6 ships to be exact, I don't like the preferencial treatment this person commands. it is purely political "in my opinion" and I am from Arizona and feel sorry for Gab Giffords as well. If she were not married to a NAVY Commander,(former Astronaut), I think that this whole issue would not even come up. As for the naming of USN ships and the regulations, I believe the navy should say Thanks but NO Thanks to the Congresswoman. This has nothing to do with her public service, being a hero or deserving the honor. I am sure there are others "more" deserving of the honor than Gabrielle Giffords. I am sorry but it is a wrong move on many fronts. Those who served know where I am coming from, those who haven't don't have a clue what it means to earn the respect that comes with sacrifice.
Tom thank you for your service. Many like you are wondering why some of our brothers that have sacrificed for our Country didn't recieve the honor.
She should not have a ship named after her .......................................because she is not dead, perhaps?
That's a joke.. What has she done to deserve that besides being a victim of a terrible crime? Surviving a crime does not make a hero. How many soldiers gave their life defending this country and most or all of them aren't even awarded that honor. At least they didnt name it the USS BHO, now that would have been truly offensive.
But they will one day, so prepare to explode.
Don't we have some real military hero's that sacrificed their lives purposefully and with honor that would be more appropriate, than a politician who was randomly shot by a lunatic?
If not just use a nice adjective "Courageous","Dauntless" "Patriot". Anything but Gabrielle, athis is not a 30ft Catalina for goodness sake!
The Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and soon the Gerald R. Ford were all named for people that served in the US Military and specifically during World War II!
The Giffords is named for a politician that never served her county in uniform!
Enough said!
Correction on Carter he was at the Naval Academy for the entire War!
At least the slow talking libtard served in the Navy following his graduation from the Naval Academy.
Unlike most of the idiots in the House, Giffords took her role as a Public Servant seriously and served the people she represented rather than lobbyists and big business. Enough said.
Wow -- what a lot of small minded comments. Somebody sh|t in your Wheaties this morning?
Comments may have had cred until the dreaded 'but'
There have been recent namings for military members and there are a number of ships in the near future to be named and built. Why would that fact get in the way.
Can you believe the negative comments? I don't know if they are capable of thinking in terms of positive, its all Eeyore and no Tigger.
You folks applauding this I am guessing you never served in the military correct? or you may have served a very short time whatever the case when you name a WARSHIP it should be named after a WARRIOR in uniform, they had plenty of Merchant Marine ships and cargo ships they could have named for her, but they took a spot that should have been for a person that served in the military and stuck her in the front of the line just because she got shot and lived? OK well HW Woody Williams was shot on Iwo Jima in 1945 and in spite of that he ran and took out some 30 enemy bunkers saving hundred if not thousands of lives, he was shot and two with him were killed doing this, Woody as he is effectionantly known was awarded the Nations Highest decoration The Medal of Honor he is still living and worked for over 30 years for veterans and is still a major advocate for veterans and combat wounded warriors yet even after multiple petitions to the Navy and a promise from them to name the next combat ship for him he has a line jumper non veterans congresswomen although shot in a terrible criminal act but still criminal and not in the line of duty, never in uniform and I doubt ever even being on a combat ship afloat or in dock she is given this great honor. So when do we as the people who know better stand up and say enough is enough and when will you non veterans and nice minded but still very wrong people realize we are upset not because she got an honor but its because she got it in front of thousands more deserving. If she has any dignity or honor she will respectfully decline or ask that a more appropriate ship be named in her honor, a merchant marine non combat ship or a humanitarian aid ship something but not a combat ship she is not deserving. I am being as nice as I can about this but it generates a rub with veterans and I think it will be lost votes for anyone who backed or supported this.
I live in Gabby Giffords district. What you folks may not know is that she was a tremendous supporter of Veterans Rights and did everything she could to better their lives when they returned from combat. She worked very hard to make sure they were employed, had decent housing, were able to function 'normally' after their service. She went above and beyond to ensure Veteran's Affairs was living up to their commitments to our servicemen and women (not always succeeding with that group).
I do find it ironic, as stated in other posts, that she is being honored in this fashion with a machine designed for destruction of life when she fought so hard to preserve life.
Publicity stunt? Really? Anytime someone has a ship named after them, it is announced and distributed publicly. Go find something else to bitch about
OMG! You people are so whack! Who cares if they named a ship after her, are you next going to go after the War hero who's hometown names a street after him? Why, because he only lost one arm & one leg and not his life? Get over yourselves.
Key words: War hero. Not a politician in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You are comparing apples to oranges.
Giffords isn't a War anything!
How about we name a ship after George Wallace? Or that Bull what's his name that turned water cannons on Martin Luther King and his fellow marchers in Birmingham?
WOULD YOU SUPPORT THAT TOO? Of course you wouldn't and Wallace actually served his country in the military! And no I'm not calling for ships to be named after them! I'm merely pointing out your hypocrisy!
By the way why should we favor this when the shooting caused Sarah Palin to be viciously attacked for supposedly inspiring the shooter even though HE IS A MARXIST!
Wow, did you just say that? It's about Palin? Holy crap, its worse than I thought.
DonyB I don’t think your getting it, if it was a war hero that it was named after no one would be upset. OK lets put it like this lets say you’re a great baseball player and did great things in baseball, why in the heck would we name a Football field after you or a basketball court when a baseball filed would be more appropriate, I bet you all would be pissed to see a Football field named after Pete Rose or Regi Jackson and I could see hundreds of NFL players past and present calling for a recall and some may even sit out of games or go on strike to get the point across? See its not because she’s a women, a democrat or non vet she has plenty of other things to name after her and I am sure bridges and roads and streets all carry her name on them and I am sure in her hometown some veteran named Joe Nobody who lost his arm, leg or life wont even have a tree planted in his honor, can you get this a little better now. Look name a civilian ship for civilian and Navy ship for veterans that’s all we are saying here. be reasonable and understanding I get it, but being real is good too and I am being real here and hope someone in the Gifford’s fan club sends her a polite respectfully letter asking her to state that this honor should go to a veteran and ask that they name something else after me. Heck why not a satellite her husband is an astronaut, that would be more appropriate I would think.
Very fitting tribute to a truly outstanding individual.
B freaking S!
I was thinking she was an advocate of peace, yet her name is on a warship that will launch missions that will kill and injure thousands in combat. So how is it fitting and does it match her character or her life. Has she ever served in the military? No then name a civilian ship or something more appropriate. I jsut really am suprised she is backing this and excited about a ship thats main purpose is to seek and destroy the enemy will have her name tagged to it. Makes sense I guess, surely some of you advocates for world peace will see the injustice in this and how this will eventually tarnish her wonderful image of a peace maker, it is like naming a Tank after the Pope.
looks as though the navy is now naming ships after RETARDS ..........................
How many are named Rick?
Not that I agree with a ship being named after her. I feel that she is courageous and has made a remarkable recovery from a terrible injury and mindless crime. But a military ship being named after her?....Nah.
In regards to your lame, insensitive comment......appears MSN is allowing comments from RETARDS. You ignorant moron.
Rick
Take that RETARD word and shove it. It's not even close to funny. I hope you do not have a family member that ever has to face what she and others have faced. Apparently you have never looked in the mirror.
Washington and the press elevated Giffords to hero status, not the public, and not the Military. I am truly sorry of her tragedy, but it certainly wasn't a battlefield wound nor a combat situation. She was a politician, and from what I have read, not an extremely popular one. There was a small child killed in that same incident, and as I remember a woman whose name or family have ever been mentioned. They are gone for good and Gifford's gets her full pay for life and the best medical care without cost. I'm sorry but she does not rate having Naval vessel named after her. No way.
Name this ship after a Medal of Honor winner from Iraq or Afganistan fer cryin' out loud you dolts.....
wahhhhhhh!
How about naming it after Colin Powell? Hell, even the USS PeeWee Herman would be a better choice than Giffords.
I served on the USS Bristol County I think "The Gabby" is a much better name for a ship. I would be proud to serve on one named for Ms. Giffords.
Why? She didn't do a damn thing. Tried of hearing anything about her, just shut up and go away. Freaking politicians patting each other on the back. It ought back ten years after there death, yeah then lets see if anybody remembers the bitch.
Since when are U.S. Navy ships named for LIVING people?
[edit] 1800s
James Madison
[edit] 1900s
[edit] 2000s
Jimmy Carter and a model of the SSN-23
Since the 1700's.
Thomas you are awesome!
thomas-819915,
And it should be added that Franklin was the father of the US Navy, through the issuance of Letters of Marque, enabling American privateers to attack British ships at sea and then use French or neutral ports.
All due respect to the former congressman, why are we naming this ship after a victim? She didn't do anything more heroic than get shot. I truly feel for her, but this is so politicized it makes me sick.
And oh by the way - the Littoral Combat Ship is a floating victim itself. Overpriced, leaky, underarmed, and not survivable. Just an absolute disaster of a defense program. I would politely decline if someone named one these bastardized gunboats after me.
This is clearly a political gambit by SECNAV to keep a struggling class of ships with no real purpose in the budget. Whose going to cancel a class of ship if they've named one after a heroic figure?
They should have a gun control law in her name not a friggin' boat.
Gabby was against gun control.
Get over yourself ,Bill. Take a Pepsit you retard.
tiredoftheright, you're suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
29 deleted, Rick-3616621 posting something about Giffords being a 'RETARD' and:
Banned, abysmal no value racist post history.
WOW, this is wrong on so many different levels.