On 19 Apr 2005 15:37:22 -0700, Mike wrote:

I don't dishonor the memory of the sailors killed aboard the USS
Liberty. They didn't have to die.

Correct, they sure as hell didn't!

I dishonor their superiors who
never took responsibility for not preventing what happened.

Ah, there was no way any component of the US gov't was going to prevent
the IDF from screwing up!

If as eye-witnesses have reported the ship was overflown by Israeli
aircraft the day before, did the brass aboard the Liberty get on the
horn to Naples and report it? And did the brass in Naples report it
to Norfolk? And did Norfolk report it to the Pentagon? And did the
brass in the Pentagon get on the horn to the Kirya (Israel's
"Pentagon") with whom they were in almost constant contact because
the US was resupplying Israel with ammo (this I know for a fact
because one of my buddies was aboard some of the resupply flights)
and ask "why are you overflying OUR ship", thereby verifying that it
was a US vessel? Or did they just sit and wait to see what would
happen?

You are right - s**t happens, and when is the USN going to accept
the responsibility for their part in the mis-handling of the situation?
Not doing so dishonored the memory of the innocent sailors who were
"caught in the middle", so to speak.

Peace be on the souls of the departed.

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane