THE NEWS CHICK BLOG

New ‘crazy’ conspiracy theory on Stennis Rear Admiral

Nov 4, 2012, 3:48 PM | Updated: 8:55 pm

Investigation continues into why a commander of the Bremerton-based Stennis carrier group was remov...

Investigation continues into why a commander of the Bremerton-based Stennis carrier group was removed from duty. Photo courtesy the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Facebook page.

(CVN 74)

The Pentagon shoots down theories about why the commander of the John C. Stennis Carrier Group was removed from duty and sent back to the homeport in Bremerton.

The latest conspiracy theory was reported in the state-owned Iranian news outlet Press TV as fact. The report said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Charles Gaouette was part of a plot to overthrow the U.S. government if Barack Obama should be re-elected as president.

Where would an idea like that come from? A senior editor of a website called Veterans Today.

“The decision was made based on a conversation with the Secretary of Defense who, at the end of the talk, believed Gaouette was part of a group of military officers who have been under suspicion for planning a ‘Seven Days in May’ type overthrow of the US government if President Obama is re-elected,” according to columnist Gordon Duff.

Duff is a frequent guest on the Coast to Coast radio show with George Noory. His ideas are considered “out there” by many people.

Military analysts I’ve talked with say the “crazy” conspiracy theories are popping up due to a lack of information from the government.

Gaouette was removed for “inappropriate judgment,” although the Navy won’t define what that means. Retired U.S. Army Major Mike Lyons, who is a trusted CBS News military analyst, says it is most likely related to inappropriate personal conduct.

He bases that “educated guess” on the fact that 13 Navy officers have been removed from duty this year for misbehavior, such as drinking or sexual harassment.

A source I’ve contacted with the USS Stennis carrier group says he “doesn’t buy that” and has known Rear Admiral Gaouette to be a the “consummate officer.”

The U.S. Navy has denied another report that has been circulating, which claims Gaouette’s removal was related to the Sept. 11 U.S. consulate attack in Libya.

Reports have claimed the admiral wanted to send help during the deadly attack and disobeyed orders to stand down.

Rear Admiral John Kirby, chief of naval information at the Pentagon says, “Rumors of this having anything to do with Libya and the Benghazi attack are simply false and ridiculous.”

The Stennis didn’t arrive in the Persian Gulf until October 10th. On September 11, the ships were still in the Pacific.

Rear Admiral Gaouette appears in an “Admiral’s Blog” video posted on the Stennis group Facebook page September 15th.

In the video he talks about leaving Bremerton four months early in order to maintain a two carrier presence in the Middle East. Gaouette said that the carrier group was in the Pacific, heading toward the Indian Ocean.

The Navy Inspector General’s investigation into Gaouette continues.

By LINDA THOMAS

The News Chick Blog

The wife of Seattle attorney Danford Grant moved his car away from one of the alleged crime scenes ...

No Author

Equal justice for Seattle lawyer accused of several rapes?

Has accused serial rapist Danford Grant gotten preferential treatment because both he and his wife are Seattle attorneys?

12 years ago

The Seattle-based I Can Has Cheezburger network now includes 60 humor sites. Many of their 90 emplo...

No Author

Seattle humor network, built with funny cat pictures, becomes a reality TV show

A small Internet empire with a funny name has billions of page views on its network of 60 humor websites based in Seattle. Now, I Can Has Cheezburger has a reality TV show too.

12 years ago

President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney spent a combined $30.33 every second this election cycle. Wa...

No Author

Democracy and dollar signs – 2012 campaign spending

Washington initiative campaigns spent $34 million trying to win your vote, while President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney spent a combined $30.33 every second this election cycle.

12 years ago

Chef Tom Douglas says Seattle’s restaurants are ‘a little homemade’ compared with...

No Author

Chef Tom Douglas says ‘Seattle is a funny restaurant town’

Chef and restaurateur Tom Douglas, with 13 Seattle restaurants and more on the way, says Seattle is a "funny restaurant town."

12 years ago

Seattle photographer Paul Souders captures an adult polar bear up close in Hudson Bay in Churchill,...

No Author

Seattle photographer comes face to face with a polar bear

A wildlife photographer, who lives in Ballard, has taken thousands of stunning shots. None put him on "a razor's edge" more than a series of photos swimming with a polar bear.

12 years ago

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Staff Sgt. Robert Bales appears in a public, military courtroom today for ...

No Author

‘Prove it’ – Defense for solider accused of Afghan massacre

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, a four-tour combat soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians in March, faces an Article 32 hearing today.

12 years ago

New ‘crazy’ conspiracy theory on Stennis Rear Admiral