Divert Your Course, Please...

If you think MIGHT IS RIGHT, think again….


This has nothing to do with US bashing.  It's just a moral lesson taken from another forwarded email.  A classic situation in which someone who is so used to flexing muscles from a position of power, and the intimidation of lesser mortals who stand in his way is a matter of routine, he forgets to look at an even bigger picture than the one in which he exists.

--------------------------------------------------------------------


The following is the transcript of an actual radio conversation in October 1995 between a U.S. Navy ship and the British authorities off the Scottish North coast. The transcript was released by the MoD on the 10/10/95.

BRITISH:        Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid collision.


U.S. NAVY:    Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.


BRITISH:        Negative.  You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.


U.S. NAVY:    This is the Captain of U.S. Navy Ship, I say again, divert YOUR course.


BRITISH:        Negative, I say again, you will have to divert your course.


U.S. NAVY:    THIS IS THE CAPTAIN OF THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET, WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS, DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, THAT'S 15 DEGREES NORTH OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.

BRITISH:        THIS IS A LIGHTHOUSE….(four-letter words deleted)