A Message For Barack Obama: Welcome Aboard!

Share On Facebook Published: November 5th, 2008 by John Konrad

gCaptain is excited to announce that Barack Hussein Obama was elected today as the 44th president of the United States Of America.

Just a few short weeks ago when I made my personal decision on which candidate I would vote for I also made the decision not to endorse a candidate here on gCaptain. This is not a political blog and we work hard to keep personal opinion far removed from our pages. It is an open blog meaning we quietly publish well written articles by those who’s point of view is contrary to that of our editors. We also seek out criticism at every turn but each article and comment published shares a common goal; adding value to our readers who, in turn, will be better informed to promote the safe operation of ships.

The only thing more rare to gCaptain than political commentary is the personal story behind these words but today is not your average day so here it is; I have met John McCain and he is personally responsible for getting me through a difficult time in my life. I voted for McCain in both the 2000 and 2008 Republican primaries and have full confidence his election to the presidency would have been a true asset to our country. I am also a Republican but I voted for Obama.

Today the maritime industry is facing a crisis. I don’t need to repost this year’s casualty list or share the 5 year forecast set by marine insurers to inform you of the trouble we face as doing so would only discourage hope. Today my country elected an individual who ignored the pundits and put in the hard work required to win. It’s true, Barack Obama lacks the experience or deep understating of maritime affairs to fully support our industry from Day 1 but what he possesses is a true willingness to listen, learn, take risk and put in the hard work to help us meet our industry’s needs. Ideals we share.

I ask all our readers to put aside their past, their voting record and partisan beliefs to help Barack get this ship underway. We will need teachers willing to help the public understand maritime affairs, we will need those with ideas to put in the work needed to make them happen and we will need heretics like Barack who are willing to assume the risk needed to stand up and call attention to the problems they so clearly see. We need hope and we need action.

I ask, regardless of your decision today or even your nationality that you join us in your support of Obama and his message of getting this ship of ours back on course. gCaptain intends to put our full support behind his message and relay it to our industry. If you are looking for motivation, here are his words:

Topic: Community

Tags: · editorial, obama, president

This Article Was Written By John Konrad
Captain John Konrad is co-founder of Unofficial Networks and Editor In Chief of this blog. He is a USCG licensed Master Mariner of Unlimited Tonnage and, since graduating from SUNY Maritime College, has sailed a variety of ships from ports around the world.John currently lives in Morro Bay, California with his wife and two children.

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texino
Capt. I am very taken by your comments regarding out newly elected president. It is the true understanding of the issues at hand by persons of character, that helped lead to the acceptance of Mr. Obama's ideas. We are facing hard times on a world wide basis and I feel that only a firm and fresh approach will serve to pull us through to emerge once again as a nation undivided. I can only hope that we as a people will put in the hard work necessary to succeed and not just lean on our shovels listening to the old hate driven messages that would twist the truth simply for radio ratings. It really is a time for all hands to lay to and save the ship. I'm full of words because I am excited. It's been 40 some years since I felt this level of connection with my country and I'm ready to face the days ahead in full cry.
Peter A. Mello
Nice job!
gCaptain
Well I can't say all of the private emails I have received are as supportive as the comments posted here but I'm encouraged the fact that those who say my support arethe ones willing to do so publicly. The true BZ goes to all our commenters!
Tom Wyld
Dear Captain John,

That was a very inspiring and intensely personal commentary you shared with us all about President-elect Obama. BRAVO ZULU. Well done.

As a former naval officer who still had to devote considerable time to comprehending the maritime crisis, I can only hope that President-elect Obama has a shorter learning curve than I have.

We are all ready to do the deed for the maritime industry, whether that's briefing the new President and his circle, or defending law-abiding mariners who are assaulted.

You and I have corresponded more than once, and I deeply appreciate the e-friendship.

I invite your attention to an article I sent to "Cap'n Will" (a.k.a. "Tugster") at his maritime blog, http://tugster.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/whatzit/

I am hopeful you will link to that article, as all mariners should know what one of the pirate mother-ships looks like.

And thank you, Cap'n John, for helping me with the BURUM OCEAN weeks ago, the Japanese longliner. Best I know, she's still out in the Gulf of Aden as well.

I am hopeful that we can inform the Obama Administration and urge it comes to grips with the difficult task we face off the coast of Somalia and the mind-numbing task we face ashore. That will be a monumental challenge, because, as you and I know, the roots of the piracy problem stretch ashore to a starving, diseased and powerless population of people that suffers not under a failed state, but a post-failed state.

With best wishes for fair winds and a following sea, I remain,

V/R

Tom
Cindy
The new logo is inspiring and I enjoyed reading your entry.