Umm.... Dis one Steve? (if dat's you real name)
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| Home Front: Politix |
| Ship's new name honors Kennedy clan spirit |
| 2009-01-11 |
| 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. |
| Posted by:Atomic Conspiracy |
| #11 SS Rumrunner |
| Posted by: Huping Darling of the Heathen Rus7877 2009-01-11 16:46 |
| #10 LOL. The black dawgs have been chased away for the time being. Umm.... Dis one Steve? (if dat's you real name) |
| Posted by: .5MT 2009-01-11 14:47 |
| #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" |
| Posted by: SteveS 2009-01-11 14:31 |
| #8 They should haved renamed it the "Oldsmobile" to honor Ted's maritime legacy. |
| Posted by: Formerly Dan 2009-01-11 13:36 |
| #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 2009-01-11 13:01 |
| #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 2009-01-11 12:45 |
| #5 Forty years ago, they wanted to sacrifice a virgin but had to settle for... Well, never mind. We're talking Kennedys here aren't we? For them bottle of champagne is equivalent to a virgin sacrifice - just ask Ted. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2009-01-11 12:33 |
| #4 .5MT1.5Liter? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-01-11 11:49 |
| #3 LOL bad! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-01-11 11:48 |
| #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. |
| Posted by: badanov 2009-01-11 11:42 |
| #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 2009-01-11 11:39 |