The Captain of the Enterprise was fired today...

GaReb770 · Jan 4, 2011

Over some videos made more than four years ago for ship board personnel entertainment. I saw nothing objectionable in the film. It was typical military/fraternity/men/boys horsing around. Even the "***" comments were not anything most gay military personnel would have taken any offense at. And I suspect that's why the films did not surface until just recently. It's unfortunate it probably brings this Naval officer's career to an end.
 
Sometimes I think political correctness is taken to unnecessary extremes.

gretriever · Jan 5, 2011

One would think he could have saved himself some grief and just shown the Village People video for In The Navy.
 
One would think...

jcumming · Jan 5, 2011

It was kinda dumbass...and not terribly funny. However, losing command for it seems a tad too PC for me too.

runfishhunt · Jan 5, 2011

Ridiculous that this cost this guy his job.

yar · Jan 5, 2011

Military or civilian - having your face plastered on the 6:00 news is seldom a good career move. You don't do anything at work that you wouldn't want your mother to see and you'd think somewhere in a 27 year career, this guy would have figured that out.
 
yar

mrscoby78 · Jan 5, 2011

I'm not sure how I feel about this.
 
1) was the stuff he said stupid and outta line? Yeah
2) was it taken out of context? Yep
3) was it blown out of proportion? Most likely
4) would any of us be in the same predicament with posts from here? Absolutely
5) should it be career ending? probably not
 
The thing that I have an issue with is that apparently, there were people who didn't appreciate it, and their objections were ignored. However, sending the guys immediately off to combat with a new leader is a pretty bad idea.
 
*I'm not military, nor have I ever been. Just my civilian thoughts.

GaReb770 · Jan 5, 2011

I can't imagine his mother being embarrassed in the least. Predominantly male organizations (as well as female ones) whether they are boy scouts, military, fraternities, biker's groups or whatever, and without regard to their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other differences, do such things, which may seem strange and/or stupid to the outside world. Perhaps you would prefer the Captain read "Mother Goose" to his crew instead. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by yar <a href="/forum/thread/71987/the-captain-of-the-enterprise-was-fired-today#post_1974171"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Military or civilian - having your face plastered on the 6:00 news is seldom a good career move. You don't do anything at work that you wouldn't want your mother to see and you'd think somewhere in a 27 year career, this guy would have figured that out.
 
yar
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airehead · Jan 5, 2011

Like fight club, you don't talk about the fight club.
 
Rule number one: Never, ever embarrass your branch of the military publicly.
 
My take?
 
When you are a group of soldiers that deploy together, there should always be stories and lore that
you share among you. It is part of bonding.
 
If anyone was offended by these, they did not need to partake. Just like I won't sit down to watch
South Park, (just an example) they don't have to "tune in" to watch these videos.
 
Why weren't these videos turned in when they happened? Seems rather too timely to be merely out of
disgust rather than politics.
 
There are no children aboard. Adult entertainment and jokes are ok.
 
Sad that there is no statute of limitations.
 
Ah well. Batten down the hatches, the politically correct police have billy clubbed another perpetrator.
 
Makes me wonder what I say now that will be deemed politically incorrect in twenty minutes. sheesh.

the kenyan · Jan 5, 2011

coachie · Jan 5, 2011

They fired Captain Kirk! <img alt="merror.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/merror.gif" style="width:36px;height:23px;">

yar · Jan 6, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by GaReb770 <a href="/forum/thread/71987/the-captain-of-the-enterprise-was-fired-today#post_1974257"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> I can't imagine his mother being embarrassed in the least. Predominantly male organizations (as well as female ones) whether they are boy scouts, military, fraternities, biker's groups or whatever, and without regard to their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other differences, do such things, which may seem strange and/or stupid to the outside world. Perhaps you would prefer the Captain read "Mother Goose" to his crew instead. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by yar <a href="/forum/thread/71987/the-captain-of-the-enterprise-was-fired-today#post_1974171"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> Military or civilian - having your face plastered on the 6:00 news is seldom a good career move. You don't do anything at work that you wouldn't want your mother to see and you'd think somewhere in a 27 year career, this guy would have figured that out.
 
yar
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No, skip the Ma goose. I'd just like the exec officer of anuclear aircraft carrier to exhibit a level of maturity that rises somewhat above a 17 year old. He's representing his country and he's in charge of a large number and variety of people. I guess I'd like him to at least climb up to the level of 7-11 manager.
 
yar

gretriever · Jan 6, 2011

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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by airehead <a href="/forum/thread/71987/the-captain-of-the-enterprise-was-fired-today#post_1974269"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
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Makes me wonder what I say now that will be deemed politically incorrect in twenty minutes. sheesh.</div>
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The only PI thing you said was you won't watch South Park.
 
Butters will get you for that. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

Grizzly · Jan 6, 2011

If I am held to the standard that Yar mentions "What would your family think if this got out?" in the corporate world, how much more so should those people who serve us in any aspect of public life? Stupid mistake.
 
And although I am sick and tired of the PC folk, I'm getting tired of the anti-PC backlash. No, the furreners weren't responsible for taking Christ out of Christmas, "WE" were. And I think that had this happened 40 years ago and the jokes been about "dem ************" people would be asking "what's the problem?" Our collective understanding of what's proper and what's not changes and we have to change with it or risk what this guy faced. Some of what we're outraged about I find a tad overboard, but I do think that as a society we are evolving.

GaReb770 · Jan 6, 2011

There's a time and place for political correctness just as anything else. In the setting this video and skit took place, political correctness has gone way too far. And gays are receiving a backlash by supporters of Honors despite the fact they had nothing to do with the release of the tape nor have many complained. Most who have seen the video and commented on it thought it was just as hilarious as most others. But because the majority of the bruhaha is over the "***" remarks gays are the presumed whiners who people already opposed to gays are blaming for the Captain's loss of Command. It's not true, but perception is often stronger than facts.
 
I watched a public play by an Atlanta lesbian group one time called the "Red **** Theatre". It made all kinds of fun and jabs at males, both hetero and gay. And I remember one of my gay friends walking out because he was so offended at all the jokes concerning males. His right. The rest of us rolled in laughter and had a good time watching the performance. Those offended on the ship had the same right to not watch the XO presentation. It wasn't a big secret the film wasn't going to be up to Church standards.
 
Now, had Captain Honors been using the term "***" in a formal meeting to express his opinions about gays or any other group, political correctness has its justifiable place. Or had he used the "F" word in a more formal setting I could understand complaints.
 
But clearly the XO Video was strictly for shipboard personnel entertainment just as Church services are for those of us on Sunday's (and other times) who wish to partake. In neither case is attendance mandatory.

airehead · Jan 6, 2011

This is one of my current pet peeves: when one group informs another that they should be offended by something. Like when some folks took it upon themselves to explain to Native Americans they needed to be offended by Tim McGraw's Indian Outlaw. 
 
One thing that offends me: are female comedians ripping into men. I don't find it fun or funny. I hate romcoms that portray men as total idiots who need to be spoonfed and have their shoes tied for them. Same with sitcoms. Men might/might not find it funny, that's up to them, but it truly is offensive to me. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by GaReb770 <a href="/forum/thread/71987/the-captain-of-the-enterprise-was-fired-today#post_1974469"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
I watched a public play by an Atlanta lesbian group one time called the "Red **** Theatre". It made all kinds of fun and jabs at males, both hetero and gay. And I remember one of my gay friends walking out because he was so offended at all the jokes concerning males. His right. The rest of us rolled in laughter and had a good time watching the performance. Those offended on the ship had the same right to not watch the XO presentation. It wasn't a big secret the film wasn't going to be up to Church standards.
 
 
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The Captain of the Enterprise was fired today...

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