The USS New York - Death Gives Birth To Death?
Daniel Neville
So we are all about ideas (and very creative ones at that) here at Idea Bounty and, although this is a bit of an unusual post for this blog, the idea behind it intrigued me - so here it is.
Introducing the USS New York. This San Antonio-class ship was partly constructed with seven and a half tones of steal from the rubble of the World Trade Center. It took $1.2 billion and 3 1/2 years to build. Designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists the ship will house over 300 crew members. The existence of this ship has been a rumor for a while now and has finally been confirmed with the ships christening in August. It will officially be commissioned as the U.S.S. New York on Nov. 7 during a ceremony in New York City.
The idea of using the scrap metal from the twin towers really does send a very strong message to the rest of the world about the resilient and non-defeatist attitude of the US. Yet, there is something I find quite chilling behind the idea of using the rubble of two buildings where people died to build something that is going to bring death to others, but perhaps this is just me.
Many people will see this birth of this ship and the way it was made as a positive statement to the world. George Pataki, governor of New York, put into words how I guess many people will feel about the ship;
"The USS New York will soon be defending freedom and combating terrorism around the globe, while also ensuring that the world never forgets the evil attacks of September 11, 2001 and the courage and strength New Yorkers showed in response to terror."
A striking ship, a strong message and a really powerful idea...I just cant help but see the irony in its construction. What do you think?
Comments
I wouldn't want the mortal remains of a member of my family (or my own for that matter!) to end up in battle-ready destroyer. But then I'm not a might-is-right, naturally superior flag waving American ...
You can't argue the power of the idea.
As Admiral Isoroku Yamamote, Commander of the Japanese Fleet said after the bombing of Pearl harbour, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."
The Americans are big on the patriotic, zealous gestures just look how they celebrate the 4th July. This fits very clearly with that ethos and culture.
Unlike the New Zealanders who have just sent back 3 army guys from Afganistan and disciplined them for writing messages on bombs entended for the Taliban (plus putting stickers advertising Daemon energy drinks on the bombs!). See http://www.energyfiend.com/2009/09/demon-energy-drink-now-making-energy-bombs
Thanks for the comments guys.
Southern Sceptic, Richard I think I would agree with you that the idea behind the USS New York definitely fits into the American culture and ethos - I have no doubt that the message its sends is one that all Americans would wont to get behind.
Richard thanks for passing on the link about the New Zealand soldiers very interesting to see a completely different tack taken even though the 'offense' as it were seems very minor.
Kat on 22/09/2009
Way to motivate people to kill other people. This makes me uncomfortable. It's not built on hope or motivation for change but rather on pain and anger - that's how I would see it. Am I wrong? I wouldn't want to be in that ship.