Washington Coast – The North Beach
A society that phased out Armistice day in the 1950s. A society where decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. A society in 2023, that can’t stay out of or win undeclared wars, but has come to offer up a big Memorial Day freebies for veterans marketing campaign. Way to go guys.
This may be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Do the companies that offer free Memorial Day 2023 chow advocate for phasing out undeclared wars?
A society where a giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
From 2015:
Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea that The Troops are in distant lands- fighting for American rights and freedoms.
Growing up in the 60s & 70s- veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.
In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.
There were none.
Today, in Washington State, these assemblies are mandatory.
The VA tells teachers that The Troops are Defending Liberty and Freedom.
Back in the 60s and 70s there were probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store.
People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.
These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.
Where are the veterans who don’t want free meals, discounts, head of the line privileges at the airport, etc.
Original blog:
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
The US federal government now promotes the idea that people who did time in uniform are all about making a list of free deals they can score during one of several holidays honoring those who were once considered routine Americans, but now are seen as a separate part of American society:
“Comments are turned off. Learn more”
It turns out that I am OK with whatever veterans and Americans in general want to do with their time during federal holidays. I am OK with whatever businesses want to do with their marketing plans.
I put together my thoughts on all this back in 2012:
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Related:
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Decades After The Lessons of Vietnam
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part
Photo-
Early winter morning – Point No Point
Sadly, the Fresnel lens has gone dark.
Local info here.
Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?
Did these forces constantly brag about freedoms while mandating what kind of showerhead must be installed in the bathroom of private homes, and what type of gas can must be purchased for a lawnmower? Did these hostile forces spend $6.3 million in federal cash on a used hotel and prompt the press to ask no questions?
Was it Saddam Hussein who made a move to sign off on federal law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20?
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Did foreign terrorists set up a land of the free holding pattern where alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults?
Did foreign terrorists mandate what sort of toilet you must install in your home?
Did foreign terrorists cause local papers to strip away all comments from past articles, and remove the opportunity to post comments to new articles?
Various newspapers in the Puget Sound area have gone with this trend.
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.
Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.
Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections
Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island
Did Saddam Hussein take over small town papers and turn them into propaganda outlets?
From 2017:
Here, in this military town, the local paper seems to go with family friendly and patriotic themes.
About a year ago, their hometown pride was running high when they posted:
“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our 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 the 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?
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.
More here: Military Town – Hometown Pride
Did foreign invaders get members of the press to play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl?
TV newspeople perform like paid actors reading a script:
The US Dept. of Defense is the very best at militarized pageantry for pro sports events.
Did Al-Qaeda craft a list of formerly legal weapons and set deadlines for prohibition of future sales? Will General Motors and Budweiser be eliminating products due to drunk driving?
Image source: Mises Caucus
@LPMisesCaucus
Possibly of interest:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Love to see newspeople interview elected officials and let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
1967
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
Related:
Decades After The Lessons of Vietnam
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Did foreign terrorists shut down an individual who was operating a camera in a public place?
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
If TV newspeople were still about asking questions, they might come up with something like this:
Candidate ____________,
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
What would be your role be in all this?
Democrat Of The Past
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Full text here.
Republican Of The Past
A society in 2023, that can’t stay out of or win undeclared wars, but has come to offer up a big Memorial Day freebies for veterans marketing campaign. Way to go guys.
This may be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Do the companies that offer free Memorial Day chow advocate for phasing out undeclared wars?
A society where a giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Lies About Freedoms
American culture is good with lies about freedoms.
Americans are told that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, federal toilet regulations, sports betting, federal gas can regulations/free enterprise system,
voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
American freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our 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.
1967
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
2019
While the troops were deployed, was it Saddam Hussein who made a move to sign off on federal law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20?
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Possibly of interest:
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Related:
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
The Press
Much of what we get today 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.
Local papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.
Various newspapers in the Puget Sound area have gone with this trend.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Full text here.
Lies About Freedoms
American culture is good with lies about freedoms.
Americans are told that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, federal toilet regulations, sports betting, federal gas can regulations/free enterprise system,
voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
American freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our 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 Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over for what DOD has done with the US Armed Forces during the fake GWOT era.
Homeland Security Is A Scam
Huge US Dept. of Homeland Security budgets after 911 and more cartel drugs than ever arriving in Hometown, USA?
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Would the DEA be out of work if a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
DEA’s drug threat report: Mexican cartel flooding Northwest with fentanyl
Source: March 2, 2021 KTVZ
Welcome Home Troops
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Both major parties and the press appear to be OK with undeclared/unwon wars.
What a Scam
Cartels react to General Milley by moving more product into the US:
MAY 10, 2023 CBS News
“The Sinoloa cartel is responsible for a significant portion of illicit fentanyl trafficked into the United States, and has operated since the 1980s. The organization increased its power and influence in the early 2000s, and has since become one of the largest drug trafficking operations in Mexico, OFAC said. The cartel also traffics heroin and methamphetamine in multi-ton quantities, the agency said.”
18-20 Year Old Adults Are Seen As Second Class Citizens
A society where, in addition to freedoms possibly enjoyed by all adults, those who are 18-20 years old are placed in a land of the free holding pattern.
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?
Doesn’t seem to fit with a society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Both major political parties are OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Same society where transgender messaging is OK for kids.
Jimmy Dore has a discussion of transgender messaging directed at children at 37:49 in the video below:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
The folks who can’t keep cartel product from showing up all over the US are ready to question the guy with the camera.
Please see 7:35 in the video below:
Contact at 5:45 in the video below:
Related:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
1967
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
Possibly of interest:
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Photo-
Symbol of a society that phased out Armistice day in the 1950s. A society where decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. A society in 2023, that can’t stay out of or win undeclared wars, but has come to offer up a big Memorial Day freebies for veterans marketing campaign. Way to go guys.
This may be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Do the companies that offer free Memorial Day chow advocate for phasing out undeclared wars?
A society where a giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Photo above: Several years back at a farmers market somewhere in the greater Puget Sound area.
To me, the most interesting people in politics are the people who are willing to question their chosen political party.
A video from Jimmy Dore, a progressive Democrat:
Related:
Internet was better 20 years ago
18 Years Ago
June 22, 2005 Whidbey News-Times
Penn Cove listed as ‘polluted’
“…DOE took 28 samples from Penn Cove in the years 1993 to 2000. Scientists found that 24 of the samples had less than the minimum healthy level of dissolved oxygen.”
Today
Love to see newspeople ask:
When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?
Image above: 5/22/2023
Source/Daily Status Reports: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Background
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater. Not climate change.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
A photo tour of Penn Cove here:
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
In a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking questions related to public policy all of the time.
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?
Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?
Distance learning idea:
Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls
Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern
March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times
4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea
“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”
School teachers,
Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?
Related:
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
WDFW Monitors Water Quality at Penn Cove
Cliff Mass Weather Blog
May 23, 2023
Are the Large Alberta Fires the Result of Climate Change?
Mar 16, 2023
Serious Climate Misinformation In Seattle Time Headline Article
Mar 03, 2022
Misinformation about Sea Level Rise
Dec 13, 2022
More Climate Misinformation and Factual Errors in the Seattle Times. Should You Care?
Dec 29, 2022
The Origin of Seattle and Tacoma Flooding This Week
Enjoying a little downtime.
Washington Coast – The North Beach
It feels like a chunk of our high school off-hours, from about 1975-1979 were sponsored by Rainier Brewing.
Along for the afternoon: Classic Deep Cuts
Related:
Instead of waiting for school teachers to teach about individual rights and limited government authority, waiting on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, waiting on the press to ask questions, or courts to handle cases, these guys go out and update us with a quick reality check:
1:31 in the video below-
“Request denied, you’re dismissed.”
Request for the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks:
Show some initiative and curiosity in asking questions and in an effort to keep people informed. Please be accurate and honest with news reporting. If young people get the idea that they can’t trust the news, or that they do not live in a free and honest society, they may stop showing up to enlist in the US Armed Forces.
We are often told that The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
These guys evaluate where we are at with all this. The mainstream press is not here today. They may be about avoiding controversy.
Operating a camera in a public place:
GWOT in action. Meanwhile, cartels move product into all 50 states:
Related:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Possibly of interest:
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Honest and meaningful ideas stand up to questioning and discussion.
Zero questions from newspeople:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Love to see newspeople interview elected officials and let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Photo-
Winter scene at Damon Point
Cod and clam strips.
Photo above-
Potlatch State Park – Hood Canal
Road Trip Report – Mask Up For Watersports – WA COVID
More from Washington State Parks:
Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit
I am a wait and see sort of person. I was not quick to believe the GWOT was fake. It took years for me to look and see what was happening.
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
During the COVID time-
I did not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.
Around September of 2021, we moved to a new community. My wife and I agreed that in the first few weeks, while getting settled, we would find a local place where we could get the shot. Just about that time, there seemed to be some question about which version of the vaccine was the one to take or avoid.
Restaurants were still changing up inside dining protocols.
From a Sept 2021 blog:
Dining Out
Ocean Shores, WA: Took a guest and went out to a place we enjoyed several weeks ago.
Small waiting line to get in.
Masks must be worn to enter.
So far, so good. Just like last time.
Seated at table when new format and protocols kick in:
Entire order will be taken all at the same time and will be paid for in advance.
Can we order a beer to start? No, entire order will be taken all at the same time.
Bar is open, several beers are on tap. No beer list at the table to let us know what is available.
When you are ready to order-slide menus over the edge of the table.
We saw a ketchup bottle on the table recently at another place. Works for us.
Last night, ketchup comes in tiny cups. Water comes in a bottle.
The place we went last night appeared to be fully staffed with good people. Not here to complain about restaurant staff.
Here to ask:
How much of the new dining format (not masks) is forced by the state and how much is made up by the local business?
Is there any medical advantage that comes with the new format?
If it is the choice of the business, what are they trying to achieve?
It seems like the plan is to cause meaningless inconvenience.
If you notice the inconvenience, maybe you will think that the establishment is somehow going out of their way because they care about protecting you.
I will wait on the sidelines if dining out features unpredictable new protocols. The whole idea of returning to a place you like is to duplicate the experience you had before.
Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities
About this time, info on vaccine side effects was being discussed somewhere. We were aware that getting the shot did not mean getting to go without a mask. The idea that more than one shot would be required was out there. Somewhere along in there, people were being accused of spreading misinformation and having their social media accounts suspended if they questioned the government version of COVID protocols.
Before the internet and social media-
If different people selected different churches to attend, or they decided to attend no church at all, was this because of misinformation?
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature.
Back into wait and see and never did get the shots.
We were aware that some employers required vaccines, but employees were still getting sick and in some cases facilities were shut down because too many people on staff could not come to work or something like that.
I always wore a mask when entering a business, post office, etc. Always took it off when I stepped back outside. I never spent a day on lockdown. The term lockdown seemed to apply to people who were associated with an employer, school, or maybe a church that was shut down. None of that applied to me.
Every day I wanted to go out and visit a state park or go shopping, I was able to do so.
COVID restrictions handed down by WA
My personal preference would be to let business people make business decisions.
Let customers support or walk away from the businesses of their choosing.
Avoid one size fits all mandates. Mask required? Let the business owner decide. Make the whole thing voluntary, like a stop smoking, or wear your seatbelt campaign.
WA COVID Oddities
Do property taxes go down because fleets of school buses sat idle and students remained at home? Any questions from newspeople?
Dining in tents attached to restaurants.
Locating an Army Field Hospital in Seattle.
Earliest days of WA COVID concern: We were told that COVID-19 was a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and school while marijuana and booze sales were designated as essential. This policy may have made people wonder about the science here.
Marijuana and booze sales roll on:
March 25, 2020 The Seattle Times
Special construction projects are approved:
May 12th, 2020
Got it.
The state took money from some people, and gave it to some other people.
If your construction crew is working on a project based on any sort of voluntary exchange or honest demand for services, you might have to stay home for a while.
Source:
May 12, 2020 South Whidbey Record
Iconic inn gets new cedar roof thanks to grant
During COVID, a few letters and editorials compared this time to the past and made the case that people did a better job of pulling together during WWII.
They are correct.
A man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment.
Since that time, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation.
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Some may have become skeptical along the way.
WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint
WA – Dining Outside While Sealed Inside A Tent Is Legal
Fast food drive-thru:
It seems typical that the cashier, who handles cash, coins and cards-also places napkins in the to-go bag.
This really doesn’t seem to make sense even before concerns Re: COVID-19.
Food handler card? Cross-contamination? Health Department? State of the art protocols practiced by global corporations, restaurant management professionals, etc. No one seems to notice.
No Contact Drive Thru – Magic Tray Update
Not Complaining – Just Noticing
Play by the rules and we’ll make more rules
WA COVID – Press Release Style of News Reporting
Stay-at-home, except when purchasing liquor up until 9 p.m.
Rules are easier to follow if the reason for them is well understood. What time zone does the coronavirus operate on?
Alcohol Sales Must End At 10 p.m.
What was going on over at the local military base?
Not Really A Life And Death Situation?
Over at Walmart:
Whoever designed the building did so by code/permit. Size of building dictates number of exits/entrances and how large the space is where people are able to move shopping carts, enter with their family, etc.
COVID brings on restricted store entrances and exits. To enter the store, the normal access is restricted and made more narrow, forcing people to bunch up in order to get into the store. What is the medical advantage of this?
Landlords required to provide rent-free housing during COVID
Dec 23rd 2020 KOMO News
Gov. Inslee extends state’s eviction moratorium
“Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has again extended the state’s eviction moratorium, this time through the end of March.”
Love to see newspeople ask:
Have any arrangements been made to cover property owner’s costs for mortgages, taxes, repairs, maintenance, water, trash pickup, sewer, insurance, etc.
Who pays to have the apartment complex dumpster emptied if the property manager cannot collect rent?
Had an interaction on Twitter and was told:
Love to see the press provide more details on the updated situation.
How does the trash company get paid for services?
Killing incentives to maintain apartment complexes and homes for rent. Killing incentives to pay rent on time. Killing incentives to be a good tenant.
April of 2020:
If you called 911 to report an emergency and described why the local state park is shut down, would the operator agree that this situation involves an emergency?
Mixed Messages On What Is An Emergency
Podcast 3 Closing All Recreational Fishing & Shellfishing Statewide
Whidbey Island
Pizza delivery, marijuana and booze sales roll on as government agencies phase out access and services.
Local press responds with reduced coverage and less in the way of asking questions:
Concealed Carry Processing Suspended
Conclusion:
If there is a list of the things government does well, it must be a small one. Will people have a never again attitude towards restrictions during a future crisis? Will the government think it was able to prove that people can be herded into submission?
To me, the most interesting people in politics are the people who are willing to question their chosen political party.
A video from Jimmy Dore, a progressive Democrat:
Possibly of interest:
Podcast 6 Fake July 4th Freedom
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Washington Coast – The North Beach
It was warm on Mother’s Day. By Monday afternoon, temps in the area had fallen into the upper 50s.
A Tuesday morning walk to the beach and we are back to hoodie weather.
A moment for some beachcombing:
Regional weather info:
In my small town, leaving the neighborhood often means driving past the fire station. It seems like several times a month, for different reasons, the US flag may be at half mast. When I was a child in the 60s and 70s, the flag would go to half mast on what seemed to be rare occasions. Now it seems routine.
KXLY in Spokane tells us at 1:08
“…behind every half-staff flag is a man or woman who laid down their life for our country.”
“…the tradition began centuries ago.”
KXLY,
Was the flag flown at half staff more than 58,000 times for individuals who lost their lives during the Vietnam War?
In reality, the flag is lowered for various occasions:
A tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
For Madeleine Jana Korbel Albright.
Hmong-Lao Veterans Day
“…to honor the thousands of Hmong-Lao veterans who fought alongside the United States during the Vietnam War and now live in Wisconsin.”
For Rep. Jackie Walorski who died tragically in a car accident in Indiana.
For Whitney Houston.
Zero Questions/Zero Curiosity from Newspeople
Local press:
“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our 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 the 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?
Military Town – Hometown Pride
Weak News Reporting
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our 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.
We’ve been told for decades that DOD sends the troops to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Glorification of military service / total nonsense:
WA Secretary of State
“Our right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.”
If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, 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?
If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
Men Died For the Right to Vote?
Right To Vote Linked To Military Operations/US Troops in Distant Lands?
Conclusion:
Consider the idea that lowering the flag on a routine basis may take away from the significance of the protocol. Over time, the flag may be seen as a political symbol, something like a Presidential Medal of Freedom that may have nothing to do with freedom.
Please be accurate and honest with news reporting. If young people get the idea that they can’t trust the news, or that they do not live in a free and honest society, they may stop showing up to enlist in the US Armed Forces.
Related:
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Schmoozy Interview With The General – Recruiting Crisis
Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Possibly of interest:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Love to see newspeople interview elected officials and let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Would President Biden be up for answering unscripted questions on TV in front of a live audience? Would President Biden be OK with a news media person who is critical of the federal government asking the questions?
To me, the most interesting people in politics are the people who are willing to question their chosen political party.
Four videos from Jimmy Dore, a progressive Democrat:
Here are some live clips of President Biden:
Ship above may be TAI SUMMIT.
Pelican out there too.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Washington Coast – The North Beach
Merchant ship partially concealed over the horizon- just to the right of the surf fisherman. This one may be headed for the Astoria area.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Washington Coast – The North Beach
Please see 4:50 in the video below.
Part of the internet says the video was edited.
Forget about what POTUS does here. Watch the faces of the two uniformed military members immediately to his right. Look at the expression on the face of the man holding the football. This looks like something out of an SNL skit. The smiling woman in uniform awkwardly backs away and moves offstage. The people in the audience quickly get to their feet as if startled when POTUS walks down the aisle.
Is this the way the event was rehearsed?
White House event video shows same:
We are hearing that no primary debates will take place.
Many comments are posted with the video above.
Foreign media describes elder abuse:
Foreign media again. From comments:
Here’s a crisp military review in Poland.
Welcome Home Troops
Other events here.
Comments from video above:
“It’s like pulling a random person from the nursing home and letting them be president.”
Quite a grab bag of videos on the web now. Different events and different sources. View them here.
Photo-
Something from the last century.
Washington Coast – The North Beach