San Francisco Shuns Retired USS Iowa
The Associated Press
By: Brian Skoloff
08/20/05

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 theeran 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 (news, bio, voting record), 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.

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050820/ap_on_re_us/shunned_warship

Maybe if the US Navy painted the USS Iowa pink, and put giant condoms on the gun barrels, San Francisco's city council would reconsider.

::)

and put giant condoms on the gun barrels

Now *that* would be a gesture and a half, wouldn't it?


...not sure exactly what sort of gesture, though...

Maybe if the US Navy painted the USS Iowa pink, and put giant condoms on the gun barrels, San Francisco's city council would reconsider.

::)


HAHA probably true!!!!

Maybe if the US Navy painted the USS Iowa pink, and put giant condoms on the gun barrels, San Francisco's city council would reconsider.

::)


Promise to paint it pink and turn it into a bathhouse and San Francisco couldn't dock it fast enough.

Promise to paint it pink and turn it into a bathhouse and San Francisco couldn't dock it fast enough.


;D ;D

Promise to paint it pink and turn it into a bathhouse and San Francisco couldn't dock it fast enough.
...And instead of playing "The Star-Spangled Banner," they would instead have to play "Clang! Clang! Clang! Goes The Trolley" every morning.  ;D ;D ;D

If it means a few battleship buffs will make the trip to Stockton and spend a little cash there, it's worth it!  Stockton needs the tourist dollars SF does not.

If it means a few battleship buffs will make the trip to Stockton and spend a little cash there, it's worth it!  Stockton needs the tourist dollars SF does not.



Stockton needs A LOT of help.  I hope it works out for them. 

Stockton needs A LOT of help.  I hope it works out for them. 

Never been there.  Never heard anything good about the place either.  That's the way of the agricultural corridor of California.  They do all the work, the coast gets all the glory!

And I'm sick up and fed with the fascists reaming out anyone who fails to make satisfactory benedictions to the War God!

Stockton needs A LOT of help.  I hope it works out for them. 


If the numbers are correct, 125,000 people a year, then it will by a long shot.  The Stockton chamber of commerce must be having a field day.

Maybe it's a good thing, San Francisco not getting a nice WWII U.S. naval ship.

Maybe it's a good thing, San Francisco not getting a nice WWII U.S. naval ship.


That is definitely a good thing! :)

I am not surprised at all.  San Francisco is a town foll of loonies, who have to make political statements out of everything.  After all, they have long been proud of the nickname "Bagdad By The Bay".

Remember, we are talking about an area that applauded when every military facility in the region was closed.  The politicians in the area could have cared less about the massive unemployment that resulted, the evil military was gone.  And considering Di-Fi was one of the ones that campaigned for years to close them, I find her disbelief amazing.

Then again, is this not exactly what some in here have been complaining about? Politicans playing games with Veterans?  Who cares about veterans, and memorials to them and their service, a pointless political point has to be made after all, right?

Of course, these were the same politicians that closed every military hospital and clinic in the region.  Nice to know that no matter what else changes, San Francisco remains hostile to the military.

Wow. Enormous world issue here. What a storm in a teacup.

You know what? Since it is, after all, the USS Iowa, maybe they ought to dismantle it, ship it piece by piece up the Missouri River, reassemble it in Council Bluffs, and turn it into a casino.  ;D

I am not surprised at all.  San Francisco is a town foll of loonies, who have to make political statements out of everything.  After all, they have long been proud of the nickname "Bagdad By The Bay".

Remember, we are talking about an area that applauded when every military facility in the region was closed.  The politicians in the area could have cared less about the massive unemployment that resulted, the evil military was gone.  And considering Di-Fi was one of the ones that campaigned for years to close them, I find her disbelief amazing.

Then again, is this not exactly what some in here have been complaining about? Politicans playing games with Veterans?  Who cares about veterans, and memorials to them and their service, a pointless political point has to be made after all, right?

Of course, these were the same politicians that closed every military hospital and clinic in the region.  Nice to know that no matter what else changes, San Francisco remains hostile to the military.


No question that San Francisco, California has always been the biggest disgrace to America, in my opinion.  Aren't they the city with the only street in America named after Fidel Castro?

No question that San Francisco, California has always been the biggest disgrace to America, in my opinion.  Aren't they the city with the only street in America named after Fidel Castro?


No, don't be foolish, it has been called 'the Castro"  since long before Fidel.  I've been to San Francisco,
I liked it.

If those of you on the rightward side don't like San Fran, don't go there.  Go to Houston instead there's plenty of room for everyone.  Whatever happened to America being a "free" country.  Enforced nationalism equalis fascism, and that's exactly what the Right engages in when they condemn San Francisco.

If those of you on the rightward side don't like San Fran, don't go there.  Go to Houston instead there's plenty of room for everyone.  Whatever happened to America being a "free" country.  Enforced nationalism equalis fascism, and that's exactly what the Right engages in when they condemn San Francisco.


That's a fabulous idea! :)  I would love to avoid Frisco.

Oh, and if you don't like what we are posting here, don't come here.

That's a fabulous idea! :)  I would love to avoid Frisco.

Oh, and if you don't like what we are posting here, don't come here.

Uh, beg pard?  Take a chill pill.

Uh, beg pard?  Take a chill pill.


That's funny, I was thinking the same thing when I read your response. :-*

If those of you on the rightward side don't like San Fran, don't go there.  Go to Houston instead there's plenty of room for everyone.  Whatever happened to America being a "free" country.  Enforced nationalism equalis fascism, and that's exactly what the Right engages in when they condemn San Francisco.


Actually, I have always thought SF was nuts.  And that was even in the 1980's when I spent a few years as a "Liberal".

SF is proud of "marching to the beat of a different drummer".  Where else can you find punk rockers and grunge rockers, running their stores right next to hippie refugees?  Where else can you find such a dysfunctional city government, that makes pointless political statements a part of it's daily life.

And yes, I have lived in the Bay Area.  I spent 3 years up there, and was never so glad to escape back to Los Angeles.  I think the ultimate came in 1991, during the height of the Gulf War protest.  An Iraqi expatriate went to a protest in SF (I think it was in downtown), and saw the protestors burning the US flag.  He was a political refugee from Saddam, and he got up in front of everybody and set fire to an Iraqi flag.  The SFPD had to set in and rescue him, because the crowd literally attacked him.

Then there was the 1992 riots.  When LA went up in flames after Rodney King, the Chief Of Police immediately put the SFPD on alert.  He set up a cerfew, and strongly moved in on any rioters and looters.  Golden Gate Park was turned into a giant prison.  People at the time applauded him, because the damage was minimal, and the crowds were broken up as soon as they started to get out of control.  Then a year later, he was removed from office.  It seems that a year after the fact, they said he was "to strict", and hampered the rights of "free speech".  I guess "Free Speech" in SF means "the right to riot and loot".

I wonder what the citizens of SF would do, if this was put on an open ballot?  Wanna bet that most of them would vote in favor of the memorial?


That's a fabulous idea! :)  I would love to avoid Frisco.


If you want to piss-off somebody from SF, call their city "Frisco".  Believe me, that is something that will get you chewed out big time!  They absolutely hate that word!

If you want to tick-off somebody from SF, call their city "Frisco".  Believe me, that is something that will get you chewed out big time!  They absolutely hate that word!


;D  I'll have to try it sometime.

To all you people who are hating on San Francisco--haven't you ever seen "Bullitt?" That alone makes me think San Fran is a cool town.

To all you people who are hating on San Francisco--haven't you ever seen "Bullitt?" That alone makes me think San Fran is a cool town.


;D  What is Bullitt about?

Uh, beg pard?  Take a chill pill.


Some guys like to think they have a badge.  If she does it from CrackerJacks.    ;)

To all you people who are hating on San Francisco--haven't you ever seen "Bullitt?" That alone makes me think San Fran is a cool town.


I do not hate SF at all.  I just hate the politics.  The politicians are all ultra-liberals, who love to make stupid little "political points".

A lot of times, San-Francisco bashing is really just like badly-camaflaged homophobia.  It takes about 30 seconds for people to start talking about transvestites and pink condoms out of NOWHERE.

That's funny, I was thinking the same thing when I read your response. :-*




Uhh, looks like I've only got one left, but I'm happy to split it with ya!
;)

If you want to tick-off somebody from SF, call their city "Frisco".  Believe me, that is something that will get you chewed out big time!  They absolutely hate that word!

Yes, my dahlinks, San Fran, or SF, if you must, but puhllease!, not Frisco!.  Ugh, how gauche!
San Francisco's mass transit is called Bay Area Rapid Transit.  I always thought it was fortunate they didn't call it Frisco Area Rapid Transit!
:P

Mush, your anti-SF tirade reminded me of that great Frank Zappa song:

Who Needs the Peace Corps?
What's there to live for?
Who needs the peace corps?
Think I'll just DROP OUT
I'll go to Frisco
Buy a wig & sleep
On Owsley's floor
Walked past the wig store
Danced at the Fillmore
I'm completely stoned
I'm hippy & I'm trippy
I'm a gypsy on my own
I'll stay a week & get the crabs &
Take a bus back home
I'm really just a phony
But forgive me
'Cause I'm stoned
Every town must have a place
Where phony hippies meet
Psychedelic dungeons
Popping up every street
GO TO SAN FRANCISCO

How I love ya, how I love ya, how I love ya FRISCO!
(Gee, my hair's getting good in the back!)

Every town must have a place
Where phony hippies meet
Psychedelic dungeons
Popping up every street
GO TO SAN FRANCISCO

SPOKEN:
First I'll be some beads, and then perhaps a leather band to go around my head, some feathers and bells, and a book of Indian lore.  I will ask the Chamber of Commerce how to get to Haight Street, and smoke an awful lot of dope.  I will wander around barefoot.  I will have a psychedelic gleam in my eye at all times.  I will love everyone.  I will love the police as they kick the **** out of me on the street.  I will sleep...I will go, I will go to a house, that's what I will do, I will go to a house where there's a rock 'n' roll band staying 'coz the groups all live together, and I will join a rock 'n' roll band, and I will be their road manager, and I will stay there with them, and I will get the crabs, but I won't care, because...
(segue to "Concentration Moon")

(Frisco was still a hep phrase in 1967)

Yes, my dahlinks, San Fran, or SF, if you must, but puhllease!, not Frisco!.  Ugh, how gauche!
San Francisco's mass transit is called Bay Area Rapid Transit.  I always thought it was fortunate they didn't call it Frisco Area Rapid Transit!
:P

Mush, your anti-SF tirade reminded me of that great Frank Zappa song:

Who Needs the Peace Corps?


Ahhh, the beloved BART.  That was a big stinking black hole, until 1989.  After the earthquake, it was suddenly the only way across the bay (short of friving over 100 miles around the south end).  Suddenly, BART was the way to go.  But typical of California transit projects, it suffered from the NIMBY factor, and never went as far as it should have.

I gotta admit, I love Frank.  I did some work once at Zappa Records in Studio City, and my father-in-law actually attended High School with him.  It was a loss when he died.

Uhh, looks like I've only got one left, but I'm happy to split it with ya!
;)


You've got a deal! :)

San Francisco Shuns Retired USS Iowa
The Associated Press
By: Brian Skoloff
08/20/05



Instead, it appears that the retired battleship is headed about 80 miles inland, to Stockton, a gritty agricultural port town


i guess the ship was rejected from Hell as well!!!!

i guess the ship was rejected from Hell as well!!!!


What?

Ahhh, the beloved BART.  That was a big stinking black hole, until 1989.  After the earthquake, it was suddenly the only way across the bay (short of friving over 100 miles around the south end).  Suddenly, BART was the way to go.  But typical of California transit projects, it suffered from the NIMBY factor, and never went as far as it should have.

I gotta admit, I love Frank.  I did some work once at Zappa Records in Studio City, and my father-in-law actually attended High School with him.  It was a loss when he died.

Oh, then he must have been from the San Bernardino area.  I didn't know Zappa was from that area until I read his bio, then it made sense why he always poked fun at "San Ber'dino."  I've never heard anyone from there say anything nice about it!
I grew up hearing Zappa's music (hippie parents), so when he died, it was like losing an old friend.  I was hoping he would write more serialist music for chamber ensembles, orchestras, and electronics.
:\'(

Oh, then he must have been from the San Bernardino area.  I didn't know Zappa was from that area until I read his bio, then it made sense why he always poked fun at "San Ber'dino."  I've never heard anyone from there say anything nice about it!
I grew up hearing Zappa's music (hippie parents), so when he died, it was like losing an old friend.  I was hoping he would write more serialist music for chamber ensembles, orchestras, and electronics.
:\'(


I grew up in the San Bernardino area.  There's not many nice things you can say about it.  Back in the 70's it was just OK.  It's pretty dumpy now. :-\\

Oh, then he must have been from the San Bernardino area.  I didn't know Zappa was from that area until I read his bio, then it made sense why he always poked fun at "San Ber'dino."  I've never heard anyone from there say anything nice about it!


Actually, my fahter-in-law was from Lancaster, in the Mojave Desert.  When Frank's father worked at Edwards Airforce Base, his family lived in Lancaster.  Here is a quote from his biography on Wikipedia:

In 1956 Zappa met Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) while taking classes at Antelope Valley High School, when Zappa was playing guitar in a local band.