Portland Tribune's “On the town” columnist Phil Stanford wants a retired aircraft carrier. And not just any carrier. Oh, no. Stanford has his eyes on the U.S.S. Ranger, (CVA-61), a Forrestal-class supercarrier.
It's huge: 81,000 tons displacement and 1,071 feet long — that's over three football fields. The Vietnam era ship was decommissioned in 1993, and now sits mothballed at Bremerton, Wash.
Mr. Stanford wants to tow the Ranger to the Rose City and dock her on the Willamette River, by the new aerial tram. I guess he wants to upstage, or perhaps launch an air attack on those eloquent and highly efficient little cable cars he hates so much.
Be that as it may, what would our beautiful little city do with such a big boat?
Some suggestions on the Tribune's website include housing a maritime museum or a convention center/hotel. One person suggested a dual use: an interstate bridge on top and a new jail below deck.
Of course, we already have the very fine Oregon Maritime Center and Museum, at 115 SW Ash St., thank you very much. And I think we had better finish fixing the crumbling bridges we already have, i.e., Sellwood, before adding any more. Meanwhile, due to “overcrowding,” Multnomah County continues to “matrix” — i.e., dump potentially dangerous criminals, drug-sick addicts and mentally ill people — while a new state-of-the-art county jail, Whapato, sits empty for lack of operating funds.
OK, the hotel idea might be good, someday, but as the “City that works,” I think we have more pressing needs; like ending homelessness, NOW! Not in 10 years.
So, how about this: the city brings the old warhorse into port, cleans her up and perhaps paints her in tie-dye with large peace signs on both sides of the bow. Re-christen her the U.S.S. Dignity Village 2.0, and then allow the poor and homeless to establish residence and, with our collective assistance, build a new Portland community.
The evolution of Portland's original Dignity Village, as documented since its beginning here in Street Roots, is living proof that it is possible. As I understand it, the established Dignity Village is now full, and doing very well for about 60 full-time residents. DV 2.0 takes a good idea to the next level.
I'm serious! Did I mention Ranger is huge? She has accommodation for 3,826 people. Essentially, she's already a floating village just waiting to happen. Of course, Ranger already has a full sickbay and industrial-size galleys and dining halls, plus there's plenty more room to accommodate full mental health services, clinics, workshops, classrooms and offices.
I suggest DV 2.0 could be populated by a core community of residential and day workers, student interns and volunteers and teachers, streetwise elders and artisans, city staff, social services, public health workers and private contractors. The flight deck could be used for growing food, solar panels or an open-air market on weekends. All rent-free.
DV 2.0 would be dedicated to supporting poor people in need of immediate housing, while also acting as a gateway for anyone serious about reclaiming their life from demons of all sorts. This, and so much more, could be accomplished in one place that is both easily accessible and secured. Operating in relative proximity to the city center, without creating a cultural clash in any residential neighborhood or commercial district.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't mean any disrespect to the history of this, or any of the seven other war ships that have sailed under the illustrious Ranger name. Indeed, the Ranger ships are dripping with our nation's history. For example, in 1777, the first Ranger was commanded by the famous revolutionary, John Paul — “I have not yet begun to fight!” — Jones. Against all odds, he led a ragtag American Navy with few ships and turned back the invading British fleet, which at the time was the mightiest navy in the world. Now the Ranger can help another ragtag group of Americans reclaim their own independence from the tyranny of poverty and hopelessness.
Of course, I'd understand if Mr. Stanford, who refers to poor people as “bums” in his twice weekly screed, might take umbrage with my idea. I'd also understand if some of the thousands of Navy vets who proudly served on this Ranger might take offense at my suggestion. However, none is intended.
Instead, I respectfully ask everyone to please consider my suggestion from a biblical, very Christian perspective: turning a massive sword into an even more massive plowshare (see Micah 4:3).
