Coast Guard cutter heads for annual mission to Antarctica

NEWS AND OPINION:

Three cheers for the nation’s only heavy icebreaker — U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star — which has departed its homeport, Seattle, and is bound for Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze, a joint military service mission to resupply U.S. Antarctic stations of the National Science Foundation.

“The Polar Star crew conducts this essential mission to create a navigable path through ice as thick as 21 feet, to allow refuel and resupply ships to reach McMurdo Station, the largest Antarctic station and the logistics hub of the U.S. Antarctic Program,” the Coast Guard said in a statement to Inside the Beltway.

“This is a unique and important mission that the Coast Guard undertakes each year,” Capt. Keith Ropella, commanding officer of the Polar Star, said in the same statement.

“It takes a special crew to make the 20,000 nautical mile round trip through some of the most remote locations and arduous conditions on the planet to get the job done, and perhaps more significantly, to prepare this 46-year-old cutter for the challenge. I am overwhelmed and immensely proud of the tireless work this crew and our shore side support partners have done,” he said.

The deployment will last until the end of March. Polar Star also escorts research and supply ships bound for the Antarctic stations.

A trio of aviation-grade gas turbine engines, by the way, provide the heroic vessel with up to 75,000 horsepower, making it the most powerful ship in the Coast Guard.

There’s history to consider as well.

It is of note that the Coast Guard has participated in “ice operations” since 1867, when the cutter Lincoln was dispatched to survey the Alaska Territory, newly acquired from Russia.

“After the purchase, Lincoln carried the U.S. delegation for the transfer ceremony. The Revenue Cutter Service becomes the presence of the federal government in the new territory including the transportation of judges, marshals, prisoners, and witnesses; conduct of courts; enforcement of customs and immigration statutes; and enforcement of laws related to fisheries and wildlife,” notes a Defense Department chronology.

REMINDER: WHAT PELOSI SAID

So House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has revealed she will not seek reelection to her leadership post in a speech which included references to several recent U.S. presidents — but omitted any reference to former President Donald Trump.

Yes, well. The event was deemed “the end of an era” by both The Hill and CNN.

It is perhaps time to revisit the beginning of the era, however. That would be Mrs. Pelosi’s first day on the job. Let us recall what she had to say on that most auspicious occasion.

The date was Jan. 4, 2007. The occasion was her speech upon election as House speaker. Rep. John Boehner, Ohio Republican, was House minority leader at the time. Mrs. Pelosi was handed the ceremonial House gavel for the occasion, and here’s what she said:

“I accept this gavel in the spirit of partnership, not partisanship, and I look forward to working with you, Mr. Boehner, and the Republicans in the Congress on behalf of the American people,” the California Democrat told all assembled on that day.

“In this House, we may belong to different parties, but we serve one country. We stand united in our pride and prayers for our men and women in the armed forces. They are working together to protect America, and we, in this House, must also work together to build a future worthy of their sacrifice,” Mrs. Pelosi advised.

FOR THE LEXICON

“House Speaker Emeritus.”

Syndicated radio host Chris Plante believes that new news media will warm to this fancy new title after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi retires.

Yes, well. It would look like this: “Nancy Pelosi, House speaker emeritus” or “House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi,” rather than plain old “former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.”

A VEGAS GATHERING

While he’s fresh from a major public speech, former President Donald Trump is still in the mood for serious outreach. He will address the Republican Jewish Coalition’s three-day annual meeting, which gets underway on Friday at a glittering hotel in Las Vegas.

Mr. Trump — who will speak via satellite link — has lots of company on the speaker’s roster for this significant event.

They include Sens. Ted Cruz, Bill Hagerty, Rick Scott and Tim Scott; House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy; Rep. David Kustoff; former Vice President Mike Pence; Gov. Ron DeSantis; Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel; former Govs. Chris Christie and Nikki Haley; and former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway.

This is a partial list, incidentally. Find the host organization at RJChq.org.

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: Unique and extraordinary midcentury modern home built in 1970 on 5 acres in Paducah, Kentucky. Four bedrooms, five baths, open living spaces with floor to ceiling windows, plus marble, natural stone, brick and wood features throughout. Monumental fireplace and beamed ceilings, indoor pool, architectural lighting, gourmet kitchen, wine room. Three-car garage and guest house, courtyard, covered porch. Priced at $1.1 million through Housmanpartners.com; enter 119798 in the “Find your next home” search function.

POLL DU JOUR

• 90% of U.S. adults agree that voting in elections is a “very important” or “somewhat important” aspect of being a good citizen.

• 85% agree that following what is happening in national politics is an important aspect of being a good citizen.

• 78% agree that following current events in other countries is an important aspect.

• 75% agree that making choices to help reduce the effects of global climate change is an important aspect.

• 67% agree that getting a COVID-19 vaccine is an important aspect.

• 54% agree that joining demonstrations about issues is an important aspect.

• 46% say attending religious services regularly is an important aspect.

SOURCE: A Pew Research Center American Trends Panel survey of 3,581 U.S. adults conducted March 21-27 and released Wednesday.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.