Editor's Note: The following commentary comes from Popeye, an undisclosed source whose comments have appeared on this web site several times in regard to the USS Cole disaster. Popeye works in D.C. and has given the better part of his/her life to the U.S. Navy. [Salute!] --Al Colombo

I have very strong feelings about the USS COLE incident in which no one will be punished. First, the U.S. Navy has always held the Captain responsible for his ship no matter if he was at fault or not. It may seem unfair, however, the power is absolute and the responsibility is absolute. In this case, the article inferred that no one is to blame because it could not be prevent. That is balderdash!

The government is trying to say that a billion dollar ship which can protect itself against missiles, torpedoes, air attacks and from shore bombardment cannot stop two terrorist in a boat laden with explosive. How preposterous is that? Everyone is to blame, so no one is to blame?

This is the first time, that that I'm aware of, that the lives of the crew is expendable because no one is punished for no doing their job. Could this be a coverup? I think so...all the way from the State Department through the military system to the Captain of the ship.

1. Why would you bring a U.S. Navy vessel into a port that, only a year ago, was listed as a terrorist haven?
2. Why would the crew allow an unidentified boat come right up to it without warning shots and then blowing it out of the water.
3. Is this another case of not wanting to embarass other countries?

   This smells bad!