Hey-with all this talk of freedom-can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) and her REAL ID down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
Hey-newspeople, we all want to stay safe.
Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
Looks like a decade of checking passports/enhanced and Real IDs at the border has not kept bad guys from moving product into the Puget Sound area.
Since 911, have people been at risk out at the airport because there has not been any requirement for REAL ID in order to fly within the United States?
When you finish your Armistice Day tributes, maybe you could ask some questions on this.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
Why are we told that American rights and freedoms are somehow connected to decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas?
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
If The Troops fight for your right to sit, stand, kneel, etc.- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
Freedom of Speech
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
1965
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that restricted rights to freedom of speech or expression in public schools?
JUNE 10, 2019 TIME
High School Students’ Graduation Speeches Keep Getting Censored. But They’re Seen by Millions Anyway
“…Send in the U.S. military and the CIA into Mexico.”
“Just ask the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen. Bombs, missiles, shootings, arrests, indefinite detention, torture, raids, prison camps, kangaroo military tribunals, extra-judicial executions, warrantless searches, and state-sponsored assassinations.”
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep bad guys from moving product into the Puget Sound area-
Zero questions from newspeople.
The large drug bust story is always reported as a big success. This, after drug traffickers are somehow able to move product past National Guard Troops, strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- before product arrives in Hometown, USA.
Lessons Learned?
Anytime there is a plane crash, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents. Any similar effort after a big drug bust?
Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities:
“Federal, state and local law enforcement fanned-out throughout the Puget Sound region Wednesday, arresting 17 people – two from Auburn, another from Pacific – in connection with multiple counts of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said.”
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Rear Adm. Gray,
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Rear Adm. Gray,
The people in our country completely take for granted the peace, prosperity and freedoms that are somehow linked to the US Armed Forces?
People might come around if they had a say in undeclared/unwon wars that never end. When do we get to vote on all this?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top Admirals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Do the folks who honor veterans also advocate for phasing out undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
Rear Adm. Gray,
The freedom talk brings questions related to credibility.
If the troops are fighting for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
Rear Adm. Gray,
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
If the U.S. Armed Forces protect the right to vote- how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
It turns out The Troops were in no hurry to enable all adults to act on their right to vote.
US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s didn’t get the job done.
It wasn’t until July of 1971 that 18 year old adults could take delivery on one of the freedoms we hear so much about.
Did you serve?
This is a question I see often when reading comments on the web. This question may be directed at those who question US foreign policy.
The vibe from some veterans seems to be:
Don’t say things that I disagree with. If you didn’t do time in uniform you have no right to speak out. If you did time in uniform- you should see society as a group of first & second-class citizens. Those who never wore a uniform are second class citizens and their commentary should be supervised by those who once wore a uniform.
My answer to the question:
I did some time in the Marines. It did not serve to prevent 911.
Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
Any War on Terror Generals getting fired for failed efforts?
Any Homeland Security people getting fired for failing to keep bad guys from moving meth & heroin into the Puget Sound area?
Do public schools still teach Armistice Day lessons?
Any newspeople asking questions?
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
Local elections matter! With paid postage, every mailbox is a drop box — mail your ballot envelope before Election Day or use a Snohomish County drop box.
Basic public policy questions related to the drug war, war on terror, and Homeland Security funding and performance seem to go unasked.
Terrorists must not be trying very hard. Can’t they come to the US the same way cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, or meth does?
In the news:
$200 million worth of meth somehow enters the US after getting past US Troops at the border and federal agents manning $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security. Product not discovered until after arriving in Australia.
Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Don’t worry- The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
Representative Crenshaw,
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.
What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?
Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:
What sort of track record does the DEA have in keeping meth out of American communities?
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of the Puget Sound area:
Enhanced background checks approved back in 2014 have had time to take hold.
Any reporting or updates on this?
Another of many examples where freedoms may come & go- completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom:
Tacoma gun and ammo tax
Why would this be necessary if the 2014 move to require enhanced background checks has been effective?
Some of us who were kids in the 60s and 70s remember gun racks in trucks. The sight of rifles out in public didn’t seem to cause a stir. Seemed like there was less in the way of mass-casualty shootings too.
“Mello’s request comes after recent shootings, including several in Tacoma this month. Mello’s letter was also signed by Mayor Victoria Woodards and Council member Catherine Ushka.”
SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”
Remember the old tradition of having your Halloween candy X-rayed?
It is still a good idea.
Before the kids are allowed to eat any candy- round them up and carpool with neighbors to the hospital, courthouse or law enforcement HQ to get the loot X-rayed.
The X-ray will reveal any needles, razor blades, or metal filings in the treats.
Is there a test for weed killer or rat poison? Ask about it.
“While your trick-or-treating, I know it’s probably tempting to grab some and start eating, but please check what the kids are eating before they eat it.”
“An appointment is highly suggested. You can schedule one by calling…”
Houston, Texas
“Memorial Village ER to offer Halloween candy X-ray screenings”
“The event from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, will feature X-ray screenings of Halloween candy to look for any foreign objects such as glass or metal before the children (and parents) partake. Children will learn about how the X-ray machines work.”
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Love to see more in the way of newspeople out asking questions. Get away from posting the press release handed down from whatever agency was involved in the latest bust.
Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.
What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?
Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:
The large drug bust story is always reported as a big success. This, after drug traffickers are somehow able to move product past National Guard Troops, strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- before product arrives in Hometown, USA.
Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Don’t worry- The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
The drug war is especially fascinating because preventing bad people from coming here to do bad things became a bigger priority after 911.
We’re told that we are in a life and death struggle in the War on Terror. Bad people will come here to destroy our American way of life if we don’t send The Troops to fight in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2009, we need a special ID to go have lunch in Canada and then return home.
Every 12 months, the US Department of Homeland Security gets another $40 billion in taxpayer funds.
If the drug war excuse now, is that migrant surges are diverting attention away from cartel traffic- remember that heroin was a problem in US communities prior to the recent migrant surges. Heroin is still here and now meth has taken hold.
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep bad guys from moving 50 pounds of methamphetamine into Oak Harbor:
Is the local meth situation linked in any way with the US/Canada border?
“It is comprised of law enforcement from Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations, Border Patrol, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.”
Question for newspeople:
Has local Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations been able to intercept any meth headed to Whidbey Island, or do they react after product arrives in local communities?
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth from entering the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat
Back in 2014:
Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Questions for newspeople:
Has there been any post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey Island?
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?
Real ID
Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
Lessons Learned?
Anytime there is a plane crash, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents. Any similar effort after a big drug bust?
Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities:
“Federal, state and local law enforcement fanned-out throughout the Puget Sound region Wednesday, arresting 17 people – two from Auburn, another from Pacific – in connection with multiple counts of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said.”
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
In the weeks ahead, public school teachers will host Veterans Day (not Armistice Day) assemblies, where young students will be told that The Troops, and veterans before them were sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
This idea does not stand up to questioning and mostly will not be questioned by traditional veterans groups, public school teachers, moms, dads, students or the press.
The View hosts clash on Clinton attacks against Gabbard:
Foreign policy disaster update:
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
When a sports team falls short, hometown loyalty does not stand in the way of questioning players, coaches, referees, team owners, league rules, etc.
No similar open & honest discussion seems to exist Re: the Dept. of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars.
If the US Armed Forces were an NFL team, or a top 25 college football team, sports talk radio would feature comments like: DOD was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Glorifying Military Service
No similar open & honest discussion seems to exist Re: the idea that undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms.
Both major political parties, sports announcers, public school teachers, and the press promote the idea that wars are for freedom. This idea does not stand up to questioning and mostly will not be questioned by traditional veterans groups, public school teachers, the press, or readers commenting on news-related web sites.
When the US returns from an undeclared war or military conflict without a victory- what becomes of American rights and freedoms?
The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks not only shy away from asking questions, they promote urban legends about freedom.
A popular slogan around here: Jet Noise is the Sound of Freedom
Maybe the sound is the reminder of a Dept. of Defense that is not good at winning, preventing, or shutting down wars.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Until July of 1971, 18 year old adults did not have full voting rights. Why didn’t US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s get the job done on this?
With all this talk of American rights and freedoms- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard? Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
A symbol of a culture where voting and giant flag rituals at sporting events are highly emphasized, while asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
May 5, 2019 The New York Times
