Jennifer Rubin says…

from The Washington Post…

Distinguished person of the week: He put human life first

Who stood out last week?

By JENNIFER RUBIN | 7:45AM EDT — Sunday, April 05, 2020

Navy Captain Brett Crozier, commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, in December 2019. — Photograph: U.S. Navy/via Reuters.

WITH A president willfully indifferent to the needs of states around the country, his callow son-in-law lecturing us that the national stockpile of equipment is not meant for the states, a right-wing website calling for us to sacrifice New York City so the rest of the country can get back to work, and a batch of Trumpian governors reluctant to issuing stay-at-home orders, we needed a reminder last week of a fundamental religious and ethical value: Every human life is precious.

Navy Captain Brett Crozier of the USS Theodore Roosevelt took that seriously, as well as his obligation to protect the sailors under his command. The Washington Post reported on Crozier's efforts to protect his crew, many of whom had been stricken with covid-19:

Quote

In a letter to senior officials on Monday, subsequently leaked by an anonymous source to the San Francisco Chronicle, Crozier asked that 90 percent of the ship's crew be moved into isolation for two weeks on Guam, warning that if the leadership didn't take such extraordinary measures, “we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our Sailors.”

The Pentagon has rejected the type of full-scale evacuation Crozier sought, saying the ship must remain ready at any time and about 1,000 service members must be aboard to safeguard the ship and its weapons. The situation aboard the Roosevelt is by far the U.S. military's largest coronavirus outbreak to date….

As of Friday, 41 percent of the Roosevelt crew had been tested for covid-19, with 137 coming back positive, the Navy said.

The Navy relieved him of command, apparently taking umbrage that his complaint went public. Soon, video surfaced showing the crew applauding their commander as he left the ship.

Seventeen Democratic senators sent a letter seeking an inspector general's investigation. (Did Republicans — once thought to be pro-military — not care to find out what happened?)

The episode underscored the twisted priorities in the Trump administration that have corrupted even the military. Celebrate war criminals; punish commanders who fight bureaucracy for their men and women. Reward liars; sanction truth-tellers.

Former vice president Joe Biden tweeted his reaction: “Captain Crozier was faithful to his duty — both to his sailors and his country. Navy leadership sent a chilling message about speaking truth to power. The poor judgment here belongs to the Trump Admin, not a courageous officer trying to protect his sailors.” If Biden wins in November, he might consider a promotion for the captain.

In November, the voters can choose which value system they want for the country. The can indulge Trump's narcissistic, dishonest character or they can elevate decency, kindness, honor, respect, competence and empathy.

For demonstrating courage and elevating the safety of his sailors, we can say, well done, Captain Crozier.

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• Jennifer Rubin writes reported opinion from a center-right perspective for The Washington Post. She covers a range of domestic and foreign policy issues and provides insight into the conservative movement, the Republican Party and threats to Western democracies. Rubin, who is also an MSNBC contributor, came to The Post after three years with Commentary magazine. Prior to her career in journalism, Rubin practiced labor law for two decades, an experience that informs and enriches her work. She is a mother of two sons and lives in Northern Virginia.

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