The Contempt Continues

USS Abraham Lincoln

 It is obvious, once again, that neither the president nor the Secretary of Defense have any real concern for the military people they are sending into harm's way. 

• Speaking to reporters in Washington before departing for an event in Long Island, Trump snapped, “No, they’re not,” when a reporter suggested family members of U.S. servicemembers aboard the vesselgrowing concerned about the crew, which has spent more than eight and a half months at sea.

  Asked whether the deployment had gone on too long, Trump said its deployment had lasted “not nearly long enough.” He acknowledged, however, that the Navy would soon be replaced by “with another very similar ship.” [emphasis added] (Daily Kos)

Trump and Hegseth
USA Today
undated

Likewise, Secretary of Defense Hegseth dismissed reports of difficult living conditions and limited food as false news.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday claimed that conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier have been “completely misrepresented” following reports that sailors, struggling with low morale during a grueling deployment, have attempted to jump overboard. (The Hill)

The family members of sailors aboard the aircraft carrier are making convincing arguments that the two most senior leaders of our nation's military are either woefully under informed or are consciously distorting the truth.

A BBC story lays out the situation fairly well devoid of the bias associated with U.S. media. The story, titled, 

Conditions on US aircraft carrier at sea for more than 250 days raise alarms

Thousands of US military members who have lived aboard an aircraft carrier for more than 250 days are reportedly contending with food shortages, broken plumbing and exhaustion, leading lawmakers to demand answers from the Pentagon and pressure the Trump administration over the Iran war.

Military news outlets reported that some USS Abraham Lincoln sailors had attempted to jump overboard, while families have raised concerns about mental health aboard the ship.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called reports of conditions "completely misrepresented" on Thursday. (BBC)

This shows that neither man really cares about the people being tasked to carry out their orders. I call that contempt. It should be remembered that the USS Gerald Ford experienced similar problems during its nearly year-long combat deployment. 

‘Psychological Breaking Point’: U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Has Been Pushed to Its Limits

What would the appropriate response to the reports look like? 

Instead of denying the reporting, taking responsibility and saying that they are concerned about the sailors and all military personnel assigned to the region and that they will look into the matter and that if the reports are true, the problems will be expeditiously resolved. 

Trump and Hegseth are abusing the preeminent combat force in the world and rendering it ineffective through overuse and inadequate support.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL