Navy Names Transport After King Of Pork

The Secretary of the Navy announced April 23 the selection of the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) as the name of the 10th San Antonio class Amphibious Transport Dock ship.

Secretary Ray Mabus made the announcement at John P. Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County airport in Johnstown, Pa. , an airport famous for having millions spent upon it even though it has very few aircraft and was used mostly by Murtha who flew in from Washington in his private jet.
The Washington Post once profiled Murtha as "master of pork-barrel politics" who obtained millions of taxpayer dollars for projects in his home state of Pennsylvania. Murtha died in February at the age of 77.

"He was revered among Democrats -- and even some Republicans -- for his skill in using the power of the federal purse to make kings and deals," the Post reported. "A right-hand man of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), he was considered one of the most influential lawmakers on Capitol Hill and credited with her ascension.

"Critics dubbed Murtha, the chairman of the powerful subcommittee that controls Pentagon spending, the 'King of Pork' for the volume of taxpayer money he could direct to the area around his home town of Johnstown. Most of the largess came in defense and military research contracts he steered to companies based in his district or with small offices there."

So why did he get a Navy ship named after him when there are so many more deserving people around? Did Nancy Pelosi have anything to do with it?

And how did this set with veterans? The Navy publishes many of the comments about a story and all were outraged at the decision. Here's a typical example:

"There isn't a soldier, sailor, marine, or airman who isn't enraged and insulted over naming a U.S. Navy ship for John Murtha. The guy embarrased the Navy, Marines, and even the U.S. House, which is nearly impossible. He never apologized to the Haditha Marines who he accused of cold-blooded murder before they were tried (and later acquitted). I am completely disgusted by this decision."
Theodore J. DelGaizo, Pennsylvania