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USS New York: “A transformation”
Constructed with 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center, the Navy assault ship USS New York arrived near the site of the 9/11 attacks this morning, receiving a 21-gun salute and the praise from onlookers, including families of victims of the terrorist attack.
“It’s a transformation . . . from something really twisted and ugly,” said Rosaleen Tallon, whose firefighter brother Sean died in the attack. “I’m proud that our military is using that steel.”
According to a Navy spokeswoman, there have been numerous requests to serve on the ship, and 13 percent of the sailors on board are from New York, a higher percentage than is usually the case.
Topic: Newsworthy, WorldMagBlog
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back to top29 Comments to “USS New York: “A transformation””
With true respect for those innocent victims and their families who perished in the twin towers.
Out of the ashes arises another killing machine.
MARANATHA!
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With fear and trembling, I ask:
1) Please explain the word “Marantha.”
2. What is the difference between “true respect” and perhaps “mock respect?”
3. Is it wonderful that out of the ashes arises another killing machine?
4. Where does the saying about swords and plowshares comes from? Does it apply here?
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Roger Patno, thank you for your service to our country. From what I’ve read, these amphibious ships are also used to deliver humanitarian aid, such as in the case of devastating tsunamis. And I think the newest ones in this class offer much more protection for today’s servicemen. I do not consider it a killing machine. IMHO, peace through strength is more than a slogan, it’s a reality we sorely need in this hostile world.
The USS New York may very well be a 21st century example of turning ploughshares into swords. I’m proud of it and the country it serves in protecting us. I only respect you and don’t mean to offend. Wars seem to be the natural tendency of governments wanting to power by force, interrupted by periods without battles. We need to be prepared. I come from a country rescued from the Nazis in WWII.
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Maranatha is of Chaldean origin. Literally translated it means: “Behold the Lord comes in Judgment”
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NANA: Thank you. I love my country. but I love God’s kingdom so much more.
The USS New York is an assult ship first and foremost, therefore it is primarily a killing machine.
I respect your opinion, and you certainly do not offend me. Respectful differences of opinion never offend me.
God bless.
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Shoulda called it the USS New York “Phoenix” after your lovely rising from the ashes comment Roger.
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Was Obama there for the welcome?
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I see both Roger’s and Nana’s very well presented points.
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If folks think a big surface ship is gonna be used to “defeat” alQaeda or the jihadist menace in general, I beg to differ. We need long range missile strike capabilities to truly go after them. Does this new ship meet that reqmt?
Most Navy men will tell you there are only two types of ships: submarines and targets.
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I may be mistaken ( which I often am
). I think a sub is not called a ship, but is called a boat. If I’m right it is just another piece if usless information running around in my head
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Roger, I’ve come around to accept your labeling this wonderful ship as a “killing machine.” I think I bristled at your sad emoticon, interpreting it as a pacifist view, while God’s kingdom is not of this world. I do want violent aggressors killed in order to defend the defenseless, while completely trusting God’s sovereignty and will. Does this approach make sense to you? I’m always willing to be disuaded by truth and facts.
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I work for Northrop Grumman and our sister shipyard built the New York. We are proud to build fine ships to protect our country. I pray they will live their service lives without firing a shot in anger.
Our strength does deter those who would destroy our freedoms.
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NANA @ 11: I do agree with your approach. I also am in agreement that it will be so until Jesus comes. The whole mess is sad, thats why the emoticon.
RANDALL @ 12: May I join you in that prayer?
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Randall, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Good job.
Amen.
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I understand, Roger. Thank you. So that’s three of us in prayer, and I sure many more. PTL.
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Subs are boats.
(Wife of a retired Navy dolphin-wearer)
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Subs are sandwiches.
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More seriously, I also join Randall’s prayer in #12.
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Hey thanks MICHELLE! I got one right. Well, actually I have a friend who served aboard a sub.
MTT Y: I’d druther munch on a sandwhich, boats are tough.
Where am I going with this?
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When I look at that ship, I think “Blessed are the peacemakers”. That’s a peacemaker if I ever saw one.
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Like it’s function or not, that is one beautiful ship.
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Let’s see, what was that phrase coined by Rush Limbaugh?
Oh, yeah: “Symbolism over substance.”
To wit: Will the USS New York be kept within, say, 500 miles of US coastlines in order to defend America’s shores?
Doubtful. She’ll probably be sent to cruise the world, flaunting our military might around the globe, ready to defend our (ahem) “national interests” wherever we deem them to be in jeopardy.
Where was the US military on 9/11/01?
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Xion (20): When I look at that ship, I think “Blessed are the peacemakers”. That’s a peacemaker if I ever saw one.
Frank: That’s an outrageous twisting of Jesus’ words if ever I saw one.
In order for US military machinery and manpower to be “peacemakers,” we need to return to a policy of resolute yet humble national defense instead of the arrogant garrisoning of US troops across the globe.
Until then, we are what a 21st Century empire looks like — though ostensibly a benevolent one. (But then, aren’t most empires benevolent in their own eyes?)
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Nana (3): From what I’ve read, these amphibious ships are also used to deliver humanitarian aid, such as in the case of devastating tsunamis.
Mickey: … the Navy assault ship USS New York …
Frank: And a rifle barrel can also be used to hold one or two daisies. But it’s still a rifle barrel.
Don’t miss my point. I’m all for having the hardware to be used for legitimate self- and national defense. (I own handguns and long guns for just that reason.)
But that is not how we use our military machine today.
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RANDOM NAME (2): 1) Please explain the word “Marantha.”
FRANK: Its roots are in Aramaic. Depending on how the word is divided, it can mean either “O Lord, come!” (as marana tha); or “The Lord has come!” (as maran atha). It is found only one place in the Bible (denoted in bold below):
The phrase is used quite often by Christians of the dispensational premillennialist persuasion as short-hand for “The world is getting worse, so please return quickly, Jesus!”
RANDOM NAME (2): 3. Is it wonderful that out of the ashes arises another killing machine?
FRANK: I wouldn’t presume to speak for Roger (and I have no idea whether or not he’s a dispensational premillennialist), but it seems as if he’s dismayed at the use of steel recovered from the WTC to make “another killing machine,” and is asking the Lord to return.
If that’s the case, I’m dismayed right along with him (given how our military machinery and manpower is most often used).
RANDOM NAME (2):4. Where does the saying about swords and plowshares comes from? Does it apply here?
FRANK: At
http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=plowshares&x=0&y=0
… I find three distinct Scripture references mentioning both swords and plowshares, and a fourth mention that is also related to weaponry.
Two references (Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3) are parallel passages describing what the world will be like after either the future judgment of God (or after the return of Messiah to the world):
Interestingly, the prophet Joel describes turning plowshares into swords:
And lastly, 1st Samuel describes how, under Philistine tyranny, the men of Israel were not allowed to own personal weapons. So strict was Philistine “sword control” that the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their edged farm implements sharpened:
Frank, and others, I generally agree and very much appreciate the quotes on ploughshares and swords. I don’t think scripture was twisted all that much regarding peace makers, but would gladly substitute peace keepers.
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Nana (26): I don’t think scripture was twisted all that much regarding peace makers, but would gladly substitute peace keepers.
Frank: My issue re. the twisting — let’s just say “misapplication,” shall we? — of Jesus’ words has nothing to do with whether one prefers “peace makers” or “peace keepers.”
The military machinery and manpower of any nation can certainly be used to make/keep the peace. But under western/Christian Just War doctrine, that can only be legitimately done in national self-defense, not the way the US has largely done it since at least Korea.
I say again: We need to return to a policy of resolute yet humble national defense instead of the arrogant garrisoning of US troops across the globe.
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Nana,
USMC Maj. Gen. Smedley D. Butler (1881-1940) once proposed a “peace amendment” to the US Constitution, which would have required US air and naval forces to remain within a certain distance of US shoreline in order to a) provide for legitimate national defense, and b) prohibit “gunboat diplomacy” (meddling in the affairs of other sovereign nations by a show of US military might).
Unfortunately, that amendment is not currently available online. I own a copy, so I shall endeavor to rememdy that.
In the meantime, may I recommend that you read this (posthumous) interview with Gen. Butler.
Better still, I would urge you to read Butler’s classic book/essay War is a Racket. Though published in 1935 (at the end of Butler’s illustrious military career), if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll see lots of what Butler criticized in our current-day, belligerent foreign policy, where war is a hammer, and every foreign policy problem looks like a nail.
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Thank you Frank, I will do as much of that reading as I can. Much appreciate your viewpoint. Busy day today.
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