These people make me sick.


Linky


SAN FRANCISCO


The USS Iowa joined in battles from World War II to Korea to the Persian Gulf. It carried President Franklin Roosevelt home from the Teheran conference of allied leaders, and four decades later, suffered one of the nation's most deadly military accidents.

Veterans groups and history buffs had hoped that tourists in San Francisco could walk the same teak decks where sailors dodged Japanese machine-gun fire and fired 16-inch guns that helped win battles across the South Pacific.

Instead, it appears that the retired battleship is headed about 80 miles inland, to Stockton, a gritty agricultural port town on the San Joaquin River and home of California's annual asparagus festival.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., a former San Francisco mayor, helped secure $3 million to tow the Iowa from Rhode Island to the Bay Area in 2001 in hopes of making touristy Fisherman's Wharf its new home.

But city supervisors voted 8-3 last month to oppose taking in the ship, citing local opposition to the Iraq war and the military's stance on gays, among other things.

"If I was going to commit any kind of money in recognition of war, then it should be toward peace, given what our war is in Iraq right now," Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi said.

Feinstein called it a "very petty decision."

"This isn't the San Francisco that I've known and loved and grew up in and was born in," Feinstein said.

San Francisco's maritime museum already has one military vessel _ the USS Pampanito, an attack submarine that sank six Japanese ships during World War II and has about 110,000 visitors a year.

Officials in Stockton couldn't be happier. They've offered a dock on the river, a 90,000-square-foot waterfront building and a parking area, and hope to attract at least 125,000 annual visitors.

After the Korean war, the Iowa was decommissioned and placed in reserve in a Philadelphia shipyard for three decades. In 1988, it was recalled to duty escorting oil supply ships safely in and out danger in the Persian Gulf. In 1989, 47 sailors were killed in an explosion that tore through a gun turret during a training exercise.

The warship, decommissioned by the Navy in 1990, is currently anchored with a mothballed fleet in Suisun Bay, near the mouth of the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.

San Francisco's rejection of such a storied battleship is a slap in the nation's face, said Douglass Wilhoit, head of Stockton's Chamber of Commerce.

"We're lucky our men and women have sacrificed their lives ... to protect our freedom," Wilhoit said. "Wherever you stand on the war in Iraq ... you shouldn't make a decision based on philosophy."

Rep. Richard W. Pombo, R-Calif., has sponsored legislation authorizing the ship's permanent move to Stockton. Feinstein has countered with a bill to open bidding to any California city.

The two versions will have to be reconciled by a House-Senate conference committee considering the Pentagon spending bill.

oh no, I've got to go and commit hari kari....I agree with Feinstein.

I wonder if we could run it up the Missouri river back to Iowa?

"Morons! San Fransisco shuns USS IOWA"

The Iowa should fire it's guns on last time  as she passes by San Fagcisco.....right into the city.

Better to rest on the bottom of the sea then to put that great Lady in San Francisco.  Screw those ungrateful bastards!    

Hope she finds a good home that will appreciate her special place in history.

I forgot... where was it built? Cali, Va, or Brooklyn?

This is an interesting twist, since IIRC the accident on the Iowa in 1989 was caused by a homosexual sailor.

Quoted: This is an interesting twist, since IIRC the accident on the Iowa in 1989 was caused by a homosexual sailor.

That was the Navy's line in the inquiry.  I think it was proven to be a case of scapegoating.

Quoted: The Iowa should fire it's guns on last time  as she passes by San Fagcisco.....right into the city.

Ha Ha Ha! That's a great idea. Maybe that will depress housing prices in San Fag and people will be able to get a 1 bedroom townhouse for under $300k.

Quoted: I forgot... where was it built? Cali, Va, or Brooklyn?

From a web page...

The third Iowa (BB-61) was laid down at New York Navy Yard, 27 June 1940; launched 27 August 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Henry A. Wallace, wife of Vice President Wallace, and commissioned 22 February 1943, Capt. John L. McCrea in command.

Holy crap! Fineswine says it's petty. Her beloved San Francisco is TOO LIBERAL FOR HER!!!

ETA why in the hell would she want to put the final location out to bid when she has a willing city just a few miles up stream?

Oh, I know why! Because Pombo is a Republican!

San Francisco would be perfect for this ship. It has everything that tourists need and want right there, already and waiting. And, despite what they think, S.F. has a long history with the military. I hate all the Cali bashers harping on this state because of the actions of that liberal hell hole. But in this case, they are right.

Fineswine is reaping what she has sown...

Quoted: Holy crap! Fineswine says it's petty. Her beloved San Francisco is TOO LIBERAL FOR HER!!! ETA why in the hell would she want to put the final location out to bid when she has a willing city just a few miles up stream? Oh, I know why! Because Pombo is a Republican!

Quick, what round works best on Four Horsemen?!?!

bring it to NYC and put her right next to the Intrepid

Dupe http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=381376