CNN: Navy carrier collides with cargo ship.
Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth has some work to do.
The military has had it’s priorities mixed up in the last few decades. Environmental and social issues have diverted the armed forces from their core mission, and it shows.
This is the USS HARRY S TRUMAN CVN75. It looks pretty crappy with all of that rust.
In calm seas, absent any fancy electronics, it should not be difficult for an aircraft carrier to avoid hitting a cargo ship. Both are big, cumbersome and visible. With modern electronics, it seems like it would take some effort to get them to collide.
In August, 2017, USS John S. McCain collides with merchant ship near Strait of Malacca near Singapore.
In June, 2017, USS Fitzgerald collides with merchant ship near Japan.
The problem is deeper than something like DEI. An aircraft carrier doesn’t hit a cargo ship just because a gay guy was driving. Military leadership don’t seem to be serious people or their incentives aren’t aligned with the core mission.
Two decades ago, when President Bush was pushing the “Winning Hearts and Minds” philosophy to fight insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military was put in an impossible position. The rules of engagement were complicated and favored the insurgents. That may have been the start of the problem.
It wasn’t talked about much, but the basic idea was that we keep America safe by making the world safe. That meant that America had to pursue insurgents in crappy countries.
That was a dumb idea because a free country can’t be open to all comers.
The alternative approach, is to keep America safe, be keeping America secure. In the past, the US and other developed countries, have operated in that way.
Borders were secured and visitors needed a visa before traveling to another country. For instance, in the late 80’s, Americans needed to get a visa to visit France. They were worried about terrorism, so requiring a visa allowed France to vet the people they were letting into their country.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks happened because Al Queda operatives were allowed in the the US. The 9/11 commission found:
Considered collectively, the 9/11 hijackers:
- Included among them known al Qaeda operatives who could have been
watchlisted; - Presented passports “manipulated in a fraudulent manner;”
- Presented passports with “suspicious indicators” of extremism;
- Made detectable false statements on their visa applications;
- Were pulled out of the travel stream and given greater scrutiny by border
officials; - Made false statements to border officials to gain entry to the United States; and
- Violated immigration laws while inside the United States.
If we’ve learned anything in 40 years, it’s that the military is a blunt instrument that can break things and kill people. That may be necessary. They are not subtle.
Keep America safe by keeping the borders secure. Technology has gotten much better since the 9/11 terrorists entered our country. With biometric scanners and secure databases, questionable people can be kept out of the US more reliably. None of the 9/11 terrorists came through an unsecured border, but they could have.
Unfortunately, while America was letting anyone in, other countries were doing the same. We can’t count on a traveler being vetted because they come from a friendly country. Opposing any effort to secure America, will be universities and corporate interests who profit from foreign travelers and are willing to risk our safety.
Silly people have been in charge of our institutions for decades. Average citizens know we have big problems. Almost everyone who was appointed to a cabinet position by President Trump, is skeptical of the organization they will lead. That’s good. Fire, remove, indict or shake up anyone who has that coming.
We need a capable, competent and professional military. We need immigration and border policies and personnel that will serve the American people. I hope that Trump is the right guy for the job, but he can’t do it alone. Congress, state and local governments also need to step up.