U.S.S. Jimmy Carter

Whatever my personal opinion of Jimmy Carter, I'll have to say that I have no real qualms with the United States Navy's commissioning a boat in his name. He served honorably as a Naval Officer, (nuke officer, in fact; my views on his politics aside, he is highly intelligent), and then as a President. The honor is entirely justifiable.

My only protest would be a technicality: the Seawolf-class submarines, (and all attack submarines in the modern Navy), are traditionally named after U.S. cities or states. It is highly unusual for the Navy to break a class naming order. Of course, there's no state (or city, as far as I know), named Seawolf, so the point becomes rather moot.

That said, congratulations to President Carter. He earned the privilege--despite his ill treatment of the military while in office.

Additionally, to my knowledge, Carter is only the second person in United States history to have a serving warship named after him while he still lives. The only other honor in that category would go to Arleigh Burke. (The Burke, however, was the class ship.) If anyone knows differently, (Roger?), please feel free to correct me on that point. I'm a jarhead, after all; boats are simply a transport to the battlefield for me.

Edit: When the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) was commissioned in July of 2003, Ronald Reagan was still technically alive. He was, however, unaware and unable to comprehend anything in his surroundings, his mind having been destroyed by disease.

Update: The U.S.S. George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is currently under construction in Newport News. Her scheduled commissioning is in 2009, so Bush41 will join this rather exclusive club at that time, if he is still living, (and I certainly hope he is). (Hat tip to John L. for this information and link.)