“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to rename an oil ship named after gay rights activist Harvey Milk, a move that pointedly comes at the start of Pride Month.”
So reported “The Hill” today. Well what a sad commentary on our current state of affairs.
Said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Purnell: “Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, our nation’s history, and the warrior ethos.”
Harvey Milk served on a submarine rescue ship during the Korean War ( unlike the current president who avoided military service by questionable means during the Vietnam War) but was kicked out of the military and accepted an “other than honorable discharge “ instead of a court martial for being gay (a crime in the 1950’s military). Harvey Milk went on to serve as the first openly gay elected official as a Supervisor in San Francisco in the 1970’s. He became a celebrated leader of the gay rights movement. He was gunned down in 1978 and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
He may not have represented Trump and Hegseth’s valued “warrior ethos “ but he served his country honorably and, to many, represented values that many Americans admire. The current homophonic, xenophobic, racist administration and its policies desire to throw us back to the bad old days when having the wrong skin color or the wrong sexual orientation were criminal acts to be punished. Many thought we had moved on from the hateful policies of the past, but unfortunately, we are forced to live through a four-year nightmare with an administration that wants us to live in the past and seeks to destroy progress made over the last decades.
Jim Wilkins
Talbot County
Talbot County
John Dean says
I could not agree more. Hegseth’s shameful action is another example of his unfitness for his job–or any other job in government.
Bob Kopec says
A drunk wants to rename a US ship.
Bob Kopec says
A Fox Entertainment (it is NOT news) ex weekend talking head and reported alcoholic wants to rename a US ship. Trump administration is criminal.
trudy wonder says
I appreciate you calling this out, Jim.
It’s beyond sad that this administration continues to waste time, effort and taxpayer dollars renaming things that they see as counter to this administration’s priorities. And therein lies the problem: any administration that doesn’t see the civil rights struggle as representing the epitomy of a “warrior ethos” is either bigoted or blind. This one tells on itself daily.
Maura Vanderzon says
Ironic that these so-called “real men” feel so threatened by gay men.
Michael Davis says
There is nothing too petty and mean-spirited for this administration.
Rob Douglass says
Mr. Wilkins,
Perfectly said! I served over 20 years on active duty for ALL American’s rights, and like you, it disgusts me that the true colors of our homophobic administration continue to show themselves in many tangible ways like the above order to rename a ship. The warrior ethos Harvey Milk showed is tangible, and it cost him his life. I work with gay personnel at the Pentagon now. What signal (I submit is extremely overt) does this send to our gay warriors in uniform? It says you and “your kind” do not deserve the recognition this ship was going to give you.
I am proudly flying my pride flag this entire month to also support my gay son who should have all the rights of all Americans, though I await the current administration to continue their attacks on those who may be “different”.
America is watching and noting. Watch what they DO, and not just what they SAY. It speaks volumes.
Sincerely,
Rob Douglass
Commander, United States Navy Retired
Wilson Dean says
It is ironic that Pete Hegseth, whose history of sexual and alcohol abuse is well-documented, believes himself to be worthy of judging the personal qualities of people whose names appear on ships. He also laments the renaming of military installations named after slave owners, adding yet another notch against his role in such decisions. Unfortunately, he fits in well with the Felon Donald he reports to as well as our dog-killing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and our not-sure-what-side-I’m-on National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. What a crew of degenerates!