WOULD YOU PROTECT THE SAILORS OR THE PRISONERS?

WOULD YOU PROTECT THE SAILORS OR THE PRISONERS?

Most of you have probably already read the following story, but in the event that there is a single reader who has not, I have to relay one of the most bizarre events during our current crazy days.

“US Navy Captain Brett Crozier was the commanding officer on the aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, stationed near the island of Guam. Over 155 of the aircraft carrier's crew tested positive for Covid-19. More than 1,000 sailors who tested negative for the virus are ashore in Guam, quarantining in hotels.

Capt Crozier sent a letter to defence officials on March 30 begging for assistance with the coronavirus outbreak on his vessel, which has a crew of more than 4,000. As a concerned leader, Capt Crozier said, ”We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die.” He requested the quarantine of nearly the entire crew.

Instead, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, flew to Guam and relieved Crozier of his command. Mr Modly assembled the crew and told them what their former captain did "was very, very wrong" and amounted to "a betrayal of trust with me, with his chain of command", according to recordings leaked to US media. "If he didn't think that information was going to get out into the public... then he was a) too naive or too stupid to be the commanding officer of a ship like this," Mr Modly said. "The alternative is he did it on purpose."

Modly initially defended his remarks but later he apologized to Crozier for them. Later in the day, Acting Navy Secretary Modly was reprimanded by Defence Secretary Mark Esper for his handling of the affair. As a final chapter in this bizarre saga, Modly submitted his resignation for his handling of the event.”

The only way that this preposterous story can be made any more incredible is to let the Demented Donald toss in his brainless commentary. Trump said he had no role in Mr Modly's departure, which he described as a "really unselfish" decision. At the same time, the president emphasized Capt Crozier "made a mistake" with the letter, saying: "He didn't have to be Ernest Hemingway.”

When asked about the controversy President Trump told reporters: "You have two good gentlemen and they're arguing. I'm good at resolving arguments.” The president said he "heard very good things" about Capt Crozier and did not want his career to be ruined "for having a bad day", but added that,” the letter should not have been sent”. Crozier should NOT have informed his superiors?

In summary, a Navy Captain concerned about the health and well being of his crew asked his superiors for help. He was chastised by a government bureaucrat and the captain lost his command. He demonstrated care and concern for his men, was honest and forthright and was fired because he slightly circumvented the sacred navy chain of command. He was ridiculed by his President and cheered by his crew when he was forced to leave the ship. 

During the same period, hundreds of inmates in American prisons were released (700 from one New Jersey jail, 3500 in California), for fear that their lives might be jeopardized by Covid-19 in the close living quarters of a prison. Apparently, 4000 sailors living on an aircraft carrier are in less danger and less important! You make sense of it if you can. I can’t!