USS Cole skipper is denied promotion

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/21/cole.commander.ap/index.html

Nearly six years after the deadly terrorist attack on the USS Cole, the Navy has decided that the officer who was skipper of the ship is not qualified for a promotion that had been in limbo since 2002.

The attack killed 17 sailors and nearly sank the destroyer in Aden harbor, Yemen. A Navy investigation concluded in 2001 that Cmdr. Kirk Lippold and his crew probably could not have prevented the attack and should not be punished.

But in a written statement Monday, the Navy said Secretary Donald C. Winter concluded after reviewing the matter that Lippold's actions before the attack on October 12, 2000, "did not meet the high standard" expected of commanding officers.

Based on that assessment, Winter determined that Lippold was "not the best and fully qualified for promotion to the higher grade" of captain, said a Navy spokesman, Cmdr. David Werner.

[Taoschick]

1. Not surprising

US Navy COs have tremendous authority and responsibility. Even if the CO had done everything in his power to prevent an attack, he's still going to get burned by it.

It would be nice if it were that way in all government positions.

[sandnsea]

2. Then he obviously did a great job

Since the rules under Bush require medals for incompetents.

[lpbk2713]

3. As high profile as the Cole episode was and the human loss in the crew....

Rummy and his AWOL boss must have had some input on the promotion decision. It just galls me to think a couple of weasels like that could stand in judgment of a career Naval officer.

[sofa king]

4. At first I thought it might be that he wasn't a ring-knocker....

...But it appears he's an Annapolis graduate. However, a similar story came up in April of this year which suggested that Sen. John Warner (Felon Party-VA) blocked it. As a former Secretary of the Navy and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Warner has first and last say on who gets promoted in the Navy (the Senate must approve most higher-grade officer ranks).

Whatever Warner's reason for blocking Lippold, we can be certain that we won't be told the truth.

[acmavm]

5. Felony Party-VA. That is how is should always be phrased. That's

great.

[HereSince1628]

6. Yep, Warner is demanding someone be accountable...

too bad he doesn't hold the administration to the same standard he holds the Navy.