re: #351 Gus 802

Technically, we don’t need a nuclear class aircraft carrier to provide bottled water for the people of Japan. That is in effect justifying that use in reverse. Warships aren’t really designed for humanitarian relief but are used as such to maintain an international public image.

Actually, warships are arguably _better_ designed for humanitarian relief than most other ships. In particular, aircraft carriers are perfect for air-based operations; they have a large population capacity; they have adequate equipment for mostly self-contained operation; in short, they are a floating city. You could design and build a ship to perform the same functions, but it’d cost almost as much and turn out almost exactly the same.