Warship Propaganda

The USS New York, the new American warship built using steel from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, is being put in the spotlight as a national shrine. It is intended to do more than just transport troops and materials; it is also intended to be a symbol of the national ideology of solidarity in the war against America’s enemies.

The new American warship bearing the hull number LDP-21 will be officially commissioned into the fleet on Saturday in New York. For this event, a spectacle is being choreographed around the ship that is intended to publicize and engender national emotion and military determination. The trauma of 9/11 is again being trotted out with the added message that those responsible will be defeated – with military might.

A call to national solidarity

The USS New York contains 7.5 tons of steel made from the collapsed twin World Trade Center towers. The ship will be elevated to near-mythic status; it will become a national relic, a sanctified icon.

Like most other large American warships, this new warship has its own website: www.ussnewyork.com. “From the ashes of 9/11 rises a ship forged from the steel girders of the World Trade Center,” announces the website’s introductory page. Then it goes on, “In September 2001, America’s enemies brought their fight to New York; the USS New York will now carry that fight back to our nation’s enemies far into the future.” That’s what a clarion call to solidarity sounds like.

This amphibious landing dock is intended to not only carry troops and military equipment to overseas battle zones. More than that, it’s intended to convey a political message, mainly to the American public. It serves the spiritual national defense, American-style; it is intended to contribute to America’s moral rearmament.

Friends and relatives of 9/11 victims greeted the ship when it entered New York harbor on November 2nd as part of a festive ceremony. In recent days, it has been open to the public and many New Yorkers used the opportunity to visit. They were amazed by the military hardware and they talked to active duty military personnel and veterans. A visual impression of the event can be viewed at www.militaryphotos.net.

Built for propaganda purposes

The USS New York was already destined for propaganda purposes from the day the blueprints for it were first sketched out. One year after the September 11th terrorist attacks, a ceremony was held to name the ship. New York Gov. George Pataki said at the time, “The USS New York will soon be defending freedom and combating terrorism around the globe, while also ensuring that the world never forgets the evil attacks of September 11, 2001 and the courage and strength New Yorkers showed in response to terror.” This propagandistic goal – it fit right in with America’s invasion of Iraq – was reiterated at the ship’s christening in 2008.

The angular warship will embark on its first deployment on November 12th, going to war against “our nation’s enemies.” But it, like George W. Bush’s global war on terror, is coming under increasing criticism from Americans. The critical discussion of goals and strategies for ending this war is proceeding at full speed. The propaganda and the government’s pathetic gestures surrounding the USS New York seem curiously overcome by events.