Visitors over the past 4 years:
Occasional Visitors/Still Looking for Bigfoot
Visiting
0
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
In The News
Seattle’s drug diversion plan falters as open-air use persists in neighborhood hotspots
by Joel Moreno
KOMO News
April 28, 2026
“Crowds gather on sidewalks, some openly using drugs while others sell stolen goods. The area has become one of Seattle’s most visible hotspots for crime, disorder, and overdose response.”
“…our seniors trying to navigate through crowds of people engaged in fentanyl use and sales, it’s just distressing.”
“Open drug use remains a common sight in some of Seattle’s hardest-hit neighborhoods…”
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
Is the cartel drug situation in the greater Puget Sound area any different now than it was under Biden?
Did the advantage of designating cartels as terrorist organizations back on Feb 20, 2025 reduce the availability of fentanyl in the Puget Sound area?
If Kristi Noem tells us on Feb 4, 2026 that the border is secure, how are drugs still coming in?
Standard newspeople remain silent.
Has the removal of any cartel boss ever created any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US?
If Kristi Noem has sealed US borders why would suspected drug trafficking boats be a problem?
Since the Vietnam-Style Drug Boat Body Count has kept cartel drugs out, are Seattle area drug addicts having any problem finding their cartel product of choice?
Has any US community announced that first responders are finding less need for Narcan, buprenorphine, Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, or any similar product used in overdose response situations?
Is there any possibility that any DEA office or DEA budget will be downsized due to the success of all US Dept. of Homeland Security/Dept. of War efforts in recent months?
The US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002. This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US.
More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
Has any community anywhere in the US downsized or shut down any local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team due to the success of Dept. of War strikes on narcoterrorist drug boats, ICE crackdowns and designating cartels as terrorist organizations?
Any questions from newspeople?
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.
Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
KOMO News
Seattle street videos here:
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Possibly of interest:
Sealed Border Fails To Keep Drugs Out Of WA
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
Not here to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
Shopping On Base & Staying At Base Lodging Locations
CNBC
From comments:
“I’m a veteran myself and I’m not going to spend money at AAFES especially when I can get it cheaper at another retailer. Trust me the government has plenty of money to take care of active duty members if they really wanted to.”
“Bottom line is the Nex/BX is not cheaper than Walmart, Dollar General or Amazon!
Even with the “tax free” savings it’s still not cheaper than most retail stores! Even billing on base is higher than local hotels.”
“The brands at the px are often too premium for the active service member. Need a strainer for your spaghetti? The only option is Cuisinart, which is very nice, but also 40 dollars. A tv or other electronics? The only choice is samsung, sony, or apple. The prices for the merchandise is competitive but there are absolutely no low or mid tier brands for anything”
“It’s not just the Navy Exchange, AAFES is military wide. Nobody shops at the Exchange anymore. It was Supposed to be Cheaper than civilian stores but it’s Not. The only advantage is no tax, but items are often More expensive than at Walmart.”
“They overcharge you to thank you for your service . I know for a fact the little daypacks are twice what amazon charges for the same thing .”
“My personal opinion – the military has gone SOFT. Military stores. Military hotels. Military marinas, tennis courts, golf courses, loans, time off… so much bureaucracy and unnecessary overhead and waste.”
“Guys have to fight in Iran, so let it provide goods to their family in low price!”
If you are great at retail, why would you work for the federal government?
Recent Experience
NEXCOM Hospitality Group
For several years now, we have been happy Navy Lodge customers.
We are happy with the local staff. Good people are on the job. We know that local people are not forcing the changes we see.
Change should be in the form of obvious improvements (If NEXCOM is bragging) not setbacks.
Random changes we have seen:
Handsome tall ship logo is being replaced with sterile branding that shows nothing in the way of artistic design.
Towel rack by the sink that worked well in our room was removed and placed below sink level at the front of the counter. You may not stand upright and make use of the new towel rack.
Leave the rack in place if there is a reason for it and add the original rack again so people have an option.
Old style luggage carts that work well have been replaced with small, cramped aluminum frame carts that hold less and are difficult to use. What happened to the old carts? They were built to last.
The old Navy Lodge had decent coffee in the morning. New, NEXCOM Hospitality Group coffee is served from a compact vending machine and is some of the worst coffee I have ever tasted.
Do NEXCOM Hospitality Group executives drink this coffee?
A slick, photo magazine has been placed in the room to market NEXCOM.
We went to the NEX to buy a coffee pot. We wanted a basic/inexpensive model. We found high end pricey models. The original intent of shopping on base was to provide basic needs for people on a budget?
The troops would never be seen shopping at Costco, Walmart, or WinCo if prices on base were the better deal. No slick promotional photo-ad marketing magazine required.
If cutbacks must be made, I’d rather just hear the truth, not:
“NEXCOM Hospitality Group is rebranding its portfolio of Navy Lodge and Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (NGIS) properties to reflect best commercial practices, elevate the guest experience, work more efficiently…”
“As we embark on this journey to modernize our brand, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality to our service members, their families and all who serve our country…”
“…a strategic decision to align our services with modern hospitality standards, ensuring that we continue to provide unparalleled comfort and support to our military community…”
“We are confident that this focus will help enhance guest satisfaction and brand loyalty…”
Real people do not talk like this.
Source:
Turn the clock back 45 years. It’s 1981. The base commissary is well thought of and is a solid benefit to those who did 20 years in uniform. Go there to shop and you will see WWII veterans, Korean War veterans, Vietnam War veterans and anyone else who stayed for 20 years.
This benefit is an incentive for active duty people to show up for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
More here: Working To Kill Commissaries 2024
People who did time in uniform during the last century will remember Base Auto Hobby Shops. I used them on various US bases from the early 80s until the shop at NAS Whidbey was shut down a few years back.
It appears that all Navy base shops in the Puget Sound area are now shut down.
I will agree with the idea that modern cars require less work under the hood to keep them on the road.
In some cases, people used base auto hobby shops to restore or fix up old cars. It was a good way to chill out.
Maybe less veteran suicides back then. Maybe no recruiting crisis and no need to raise the enlistment age limit to 42. Maybe no need to put automatic draft registration in place.
In the old days, registering for the draft was like the old version of voting. You had to take certain steps to make it work.
Old Man Blog category:
Thoughts on changes in American culture relating to those born roughly in the late 50s & early 60s.
Original Old Man Blog here: https://oldmanblogdotcom.wordpress.com
New updates here: https://oakbaystarfish.com/category/old-man-blog/
Possibly of interest:
Is the cartel drug situation in the greater Puget Sound area any different now than it was under Biden?
Photo-
Something from the last century
Post-Vietnam guilt
The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared/unwon wars, maintaining the barracks or managing federal contracts related to TRICARE.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Craven Rock in the distance:
Craven Rock
Marrowstone Point
Fort Flagler
River Otter tracks?
Old dock location:
Some will remember:
We were on foot for three hours including a short break.
Pay off:
Near Craven Rock
Happy Hours – Out and about with dogs in the PNW.
We’ve been at it since 2012. The collection is here.
Big driftwood out there.
The mouth of the creek has moved a bit south since last summer.
June, 2025:
We walked out from the State Park. It was chilly and breezy to start, the sun came out later. We were on foot for 2.5 hours including a short break.
Copalis Rock
Copalis State Airport
Above: A meetup with newspeople who ask questions.
Sponsored by a local Invisible Veteran chapter.
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
Is the cartel drug situation in the greater Puget Sound area any different now than it was under Biden?
In The News
Fentanyl, meth and cocaine arrive in Sequim:
Police: Sequim man arrested after running into traffic; drugs, scales, gun found in car
KOMO News
April 16, 2026
Just up the road, Port Angeles maintains a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence.
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made any seizure that kept any amount of meth, fentanyl, heroin or any opioid from entering Clallam County?
More here:
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
More News :
Zero Mention Of Strikes On Suspected Drug Boats In Distant Waters
Drug life rolls on:
Washington drug use shifts to more smoking, less injecting; Meth remains #1 drug of choice
KOMO News
April 16, 2026
choeshow
Whidbey Island News
Drug use, human waste lead to parking closure
By Marina Blatt – Whidbey News-Times
March 20, 2026
Island County
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Newspeople remain silent.
Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.
Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Possibly of interest:
The era of newspeople not asking questions brings on private citizens who go out and ask questions.
Instead of waiting for school teachers to teach about individual rights and limited government authority, waiting on the press to ask questions, or courts to handle cases, these guys go out and update us with a quick reality check.
These guys were also never waiting on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein or the take down of any other bad guy in distant lands, as DOD defends the constitution, etc.
Maybe they are tired of being lied to.
Long Island Audit
KULT NEWS
Public Records Request
It is very common that public offices in various states will say something like: Go to our website to submit your public records request online.
They would prefer the person with the camera leave the office as soon as possible.
It is common in various states that open records laws allow the public records request to be submitted in person orally or in writing and that the public records request may be made anonymously.
Public records laws set up an open door policy for people to go and interact in person with government offices and agencies during normal business hours at public offices.
Tyrant Terminator Audits!!! is a favorite channel where he has explained all this over and again in public offices.
Tyrant Terminator Audits!!!
More here:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Possibly of interest:
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks – Airport Security
Photo:
Symbol of the American mainstream press over the past 30 years.
Welcome Visitors
Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden
Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
Seems like immigrant farm labor has been in place for decades. Can it be managed better than this?
Chasing down the workers, creating tariffs and disrupting oil prices will not be looking good for US grocery bills.
In The News
‘Get them all’: Why are WA farmers blindsided by an ICE crackdown?
By Danny Westneat – Seattle Times columnist
April 11, 2026
Many comments are posted with the article. People have different attitudes about what is going on here.
The WWII generation set up a modern society that seemed to be working pretty well during the last century. Still room for improvement, but mostly, things seemed to be up and running. The post-911 era has not gone well.
Failed Drug War
Some version of REAL ID has been required at border crossings and ports of entry since 2009.
More cartel drug overdose deaths now, or before REAL ID?
Any questions from newspeople?
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Think back to a time before the US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002. This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US. More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
We’re not impressed.
Credibility squandered, enthusiasm dried up.
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
Old Man Blog category:
Thoughts on changes in American culture relating to those born roughly in the late 50s & early 60s.
Original Old Man Blog here: https://oldmanblogdotcom.wordpress.com
New updates here: https://oakbaystarfish.com/category/old-man-blog/
Possibly of interest:
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
In The News
Looks like the big federal War on Drugs over the past year (Blowing up boats in foreign waters, big DHS budgets, taking out the leader of Venezuela, violent ICE operations, sealed borders, and designating cartels as terrorist organizations) has not delivered results in the Puget Sound area. Zero questions from newspeople on how all this fits together.
The ongoing breakdown of society rolls on. A quick glance at the KOMO home page tells the story.
“This is a drug-fueled camp. They live near the dealers – they live near the action, that’s why this camp exists in this area.”
Source:
Seattle faces tough decisions on sweeping homeless encampments
by Jeremy Harris – KOMO News
April 9, 2026
KOMO News
Several comments are posted with the video above.
choeshow
We get big, ass kicking statements about sealing the border and treating cartels as terrorist organizations while cartel product still shows up in all 50 states.
DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas:
“…HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states…”
Mar 20, 2025:
Here in the greater Puget Sound area, the drug situation seems to look no different now than it was under Biden.
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.
Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
Related:
Sealed Border Fails To Keep Drugs Out Of WA
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
Above:
Grass clippings for mulch back in 2019.
The baby deer will be here in the coming weeks. New bamboo shoots are here now.
Created a new Fargesia bamboo category to show some of how it’s been going over the years.
Years ago – Skagit Valley
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
Four-star officers and high level DOD civilians built careers made of undeclared/unwon wars. Now they must mastermind ways to recruit a new generation.
US Army – Age Limit Up To 42
How many elected officials have kids and grandkids age 17-42?
Isiah Factor: Uncensored
From comments:
“A 42 year old being ordered around by a 22 year old isn’t going to go well. I see nothing but headaches with this.”
“I served Marine Corps and husband retired Army.
Thankful our adult children decided not serve or serve in military or civil service.
We remember the Iraq wars and Afghanistan. 🫤”
Sentinel
What’s Going on With Shipping?
From 2004
“Today, however, the Congress has relinquished its delegated powers, giving the President license to do whatever he and his office determine that they can get away with. Consequentially, the presidential and legislative oaths to the Constitution have just turned into a great photo op on inauguration day.”
“It is a sad and hard realization for a grunt who loves the Marine Corps to admit that the organization is not used in the preservation of liberty, and has not been used toward that end for a very long time.”
Source:
By Casey Khan
February 14, 2004
Armed Forces Recruiting – 1980s
Part of what made it work:
In past decades, people could do time in uniform, then return to the US with a feeling that they were living in the best country on the planet.
They believed it and their parents and grandparents believed it.
Those who did may have wished to hand down a better version of the modern American society to their kids and grandkids.
Today-
Standards have deteriorated. The troops return to an ongoing breakdown of society.
Both major parties have taken turns in power over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better.
Emergency/crisis/chaos mode is what we get now.
Feeling The Energy – USA 250
Back home:
Possibly of interest:
Blame It On Gen Z – Armed Forces Recruiting
Air Travel – TV Newspeople Will Never Question The War On Terror
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks – Airport Security
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
A new season at Perkins Pond
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
This appears to be the case no matter what political party or personality is elected to office.
“I support our president, I support our troops. But I hope we’ve learned from Vietnam and Iraq and Afghanistan,” said GOP Rep. Jeff Van Drew, adding “I pray to God” the US isn’t drawn into a protracted war. “We can’t get involved in every country in the world. We just can’t.”
Liberty Vault
More Discussion Please
Both major parties tell us The Troops are in distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
CNN Nov 11, 2023
Biden honors Americans who ‘stood on the front lines of freedom’ in Veterans Day remarks
Sorry, no newspeople available to ask:
Mr President,
Going back to the 1990 Operation Desert Shield,
How would American freedoms today be any different if US troops were never sent to Iraq?
Both major parties are OK with federal prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for adults age 18-20.
No such thing the day I graduated from high school.
That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.
Both major parties are also good with big spending for DHS.
The US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002. This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US. More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
Please let us know when Seattle area drug addicts have any problem finding their cartel product of choice.
choeshow
Some version of REAL ID has been required at border crossings and ports of entry since 2009.
More cartel drug overdose deaths now, or before REAL ID?
Any questions from newspeople?
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Possibly of interest:
Blame It On Gen Z – Armed Forces Recruiting
Air Travel – TV Newspeople Will Never Question The War On Terror
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks – Airport Security
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
Above: Approved Flag Images
Valhalla VFT
Face the Nation
Possibly of interest:
Blame It On Gen Z – Armed Forces Recruiting
Air Travel – TV Newspeople Will Never Question The War On Terror
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks – Airport Security
The big federal drug war show of force over the past six months fails to keep drugs from arriving in the Puget Sound area.
Sealed borders, the Vietnam-Style Drug Boat Body Count, massing US Border Patrol agents at the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the post 911 surveillance state (fusion centers, license scanners, Homeland Security grant money, monitoring of e-mails, text messages, & social media sites, no fly/terror watch lists, tracking of cell phones, best advances in REAL ID and AI technologies, etc.) fail to keep 97.26 pounds of meth and about 5 pounds of heroin from showing up in Pierce County.
In The News
Nearly 100 pounds of meth seized in Lakewood raid; heroin and cash also found
KOMO News
Mar 25, 2026
Love to see newspeople out asking questions.
What we get now is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.
Newspeople post this statement as is. A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
We were told the border is sealed. How are drugs still coming in?
Kristi Noem tells us on Feb 4, 2026 that the border is secure:
Did the Vietnam-Style Drug Boat Body Count play any role in keeping these drugs out?
The US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002. This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US. More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
Has the removal of any cartel boss ever created any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US?
If Kristi Noem has sealed US borders why would suspected drug trafficking boats be a problem?
Since the Vietnam-Style Drug Boat Body Count has kept cartel drugs out, are Seattle area drug addicts having any problem finding their cartel product of choice?
Has any US community announced that first responders are finding less need for Narcan, buprenorphine, Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, or any similar product used in overdose response situations?
Is there any possibility that any DEA office or DEA budget will be downsized due to the success of all US Dept. of Homeland Security/Dept. of War efforts in recent months?
Has any community anywhere in the US downsized or shut down any local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team due to the success of Dept. of War strikes on narcoterrorist drug boats, ICE crackdowns and designating cartels as terrorist organizations?
Any questions from newspeople?
Some version of REAL ID has been required at border crossings and ports of entry since 2009.
More cartel drug overdose deaths now, or before REAL ID?
Any questions from newspeople?
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Related:
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
Newspeople Not Asking Questions
Sound Publishing And Black Press Media
Grays Harbor Fentanyl & Meth Not Stopped By Kristi Noem
Air Travel – TV Newspeople Will Never Question The War On Terror
Above: Approved Flag Images
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
This appears to be the case no matter what political party or personality is elected to office.
In The News
Army raises enlistment age to 42, eases marijuana restrictions
Patty Nieberg – Task & Purpose
Mar 24, 2026
From comments:
“The desperation of the pedophile regime is obvious. They will sacrifice as many as they can to defend the indefensible.”
“Boy Baron better be enlisting also!!”
Valhalla VFT
Pentagon Signals Military DRAFT Is Coming
Sentinel
Secular Talk
Occupy Democrats
The Young Turks
Government Shutdowns Won’t Stop Airport Security If Airport Security Isn’t Run by the Government
Jack Nicastro – Reason
Mar 18, 2026
NBC10 Philadelphia
TODAY
Possibly of interest:
Blame It On Gen Z – Armed Forces Recruiting
Air Travel – TV Newspeople Will Never Question The War On Terror
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks – Airport Security
DDGeopolitics
Judge Napolitano – Judging Freedom
US Armed Forces Recruiting
The Recruiting Surge Was Engineered. Can It Last in a War with Iran?
By Douglas Lindsay – Military.com
Mar 24, 2026
Possibly of interest:
Air Travel – TV Newspeople Will Never Question The War On Terror
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks – Airport Security
Blame It On Gen Z – Armed Forces Recruiting
Photo-
Something from the last century
Post-Vietnam guilt
The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared/unwon wars.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.