Would be interesting to know what you old Coasties think about this story...
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/us-lawmaker-wants-pre-owned-ice-ship-over-coast-guard-objections

I personally think the leasing of an icebreaker is the political way to bypass the real issue which is funding the building of new Coast Guard Icebreakers.

We can give millions to foreign countries but can't seem to find a way to help our people and our military thanks to current lawmakers.

Not sure what a "commercial ice-capable anchor handling ship" is, but it does not seem to be an ice breaker. Don't understand how congress intends to show the flag and complete polar operations if they won't provide adequate and proper equipment.

What the CG will put an ice breaker through is probably much more rigorous than what this rather ugly ship is intended to do.

It started with the Continental Congress trying to run all aspects of the Revolutionary War and not allowing the army room to do its' job by putting the war decisions in the hands of the people who know what they're doing. If they did, the war would probably have ended 3 or 4 years sooner, at least. The tradition continues. I do wonder sometimes how we got to where we are as a country, and I wonder how much further along we could be simply by getting the bureaucratic politicians out of the way and having a government which rules with common sense.

Can't disagree with you, Roland. I have seen some fairly stupid activities take place because of meddling by congress. Things like declaring an Alaskan island owned by the Navy and located 1200 air miles from Anchorage to be located in the continental US. Meant our SeaBees were not allowed to undertake most construction problems because that would keep civilians from working. Huh?? Great plan.

I am sure Rich has seen plenty of equally stupid actions while he was at Disneyland East.

OK. Follow up to the icebreaker story. Why am I not surprised??
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/sd-me-watchdog-icebreaker-20161013-story.html

It is the unfortunate way congress operates. Civilian oversight is important, but undue influence or pressure on behalf of their supporters is wrong in every sense of the word. Both those idiots should be recused from anything to do with this cluster flop in the making. The ship has demonstrated that it can't handle the Arctic environment so why should the CG expect it could handle ice breaking duties in the Arctic?

Politics usually overrides common sense with our legislators and it will continue this way unless a change is made in Washington.