The question has become who knew what and what did they do about it. Any one familiar with Navy accountability will appreciate the nuances of this chain of thought. It is definitely not the commander leaving the club after one drink with the attitude of “what I don’t know won’t hurt me“. A fairly reliable rumor has it that the CNO visited the Enterprise, witnessed an episode, and asked to see more. Any one familiar with a Navy ship knows that everyone on board, including the CO and everyone on the Flag staffs including the Admirals knew. Anyone familiar with the Navy is well aware of the secondary informal chain of command from the goat locker to the skipper via the command master chief. So, everyone knew about it. Now, was nothing done? Out of apathy? Or because at least three current and future flag officers thought there was nothing wrong with it? Third possibility is that it was noted and dealt with. Bottom line, each of the three possible scenarios demand that someone come forward and accept responsibility.
The second issue is how far back can a witch hunt go. One of the posters on this thread critical of Capt Honors expressed his opinion that the Forrest Gump spirit video was his favorite. Is it really proper for a future NavaL officer to poke fun at those less fortunate than himself. Will “Forrest” be sweating bullets when he is up for CO in a few years hoping that the video does not surface? Absurd? Probably. But maybe not. What if the First “Lady”, “Mrs” Barney Frank’s, cause de jour is social acceptance of the mentally challenged and it is on the front page of every paper and the subject of every forum such as this on the internet. OBTW, all you candidates who chuckled at “ the First “Lady”, “Mrs” Barney Frank”, withdraw your SA applications because you are not sensitive enough to lead in today’s military.
Mongo, after that long post, can I ask you a simple question...as I usually respect your view, and you usually have an inside track on what the upper brass do/does, any you seem to be condoning the actions of Captain Honors; is it OK (for anyone) to use politically incorrect language like: Fagot, N*****, S****, or H*** in the Navy today?
Yes or no, simple question.
If not, I don't care if the ship was 110 degrees 24/7, Captain Honors needs to go, and he needs to go in shame as an example of what the Navy doesn't want in their ranks. Remember, there are many people that look up to these leaders and they need to feel included or welcome in the Navy. I've heard the argument made many times that the Military needs to have "leadership faces" looking out to subordinates that are similar in: race, creed and religion, so....whom, does Honors represent?
In a million years, me, as one usually on the other side of the PC discussion, would never think it was acceptable for talk like that, on those videos. NEVER! I was a lowly enlisted man and I knew "right from wrong"
Now, if you want to tell me that he was using that language as a joke and moral booster, who the hell decides when it's a joke or moral booster?
The Navy has spoken on this issue, and he's (Honors) toast, and rightfully so! Now it's on to: who knew and what did they do. The old guard need to account for this or don't dare ask rank and file to simply sign on to new policy.