Military Town – Special parking spots marketing strategy over at the grocery store:
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 overseas. The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Related: Victory Celebration
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Photo- Fog clears at Hill Road
Featuring narration by Willard Scott:
National Victory Celebration Persian Gulf war Parade JUNE 8, 1991
Desert Storm US Casualties
148 U.S. battle deaths, 145 nonbattle deaths
2003 Iraq Mission Accomplished
2003 Iraq Mission Accomplished US Casualties
American casualties: 139 killed, 542 wounded
2015 update:
“Since the speech, 4,637 military members in the Iraq War coalition led by the U.S. have lost their lives, versus 172 prior, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.”
2016 update:
“As of June 29, 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Defense casualty website, there were 4,424 total deaths (including both killed in action and non-hostile) and 31,952 wounded in action (WIA) as a result of the Iraq War.”
2018 update:
War in Afghanistan – Operation Enduring Freedom
2018 update:
“If You Forget About a War, It’s Time to End It”
“And a democracy that spends more time debating kneeling before the flag than the justification for issuing folded ones desperately needs to get reacquainted with the Constitution – and its moral compass.”
“Our loved ones didn’t sign up to serve a president. They signed up to serve the American people, most of whom have no idea what they’re fighting for.”
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.
Any chance the midterm elections feature any talk of shutting down undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea to children that The Troops are in distant lands- fighting for American rights and freedoms- as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
In Washington State, these assemblies are mandatory.
The VA tells teachers that The Troops are Defending Liberty and Freedom.
Love to see a student ask: 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?
Love to see a student ask: If the wars aren’t won- how can they protect our freedom?
Love to see a student ask: When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.- how is that defending the US Constitution– or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
Love to see a student ask: Whatever happened to lessons about Armistice Day?
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Ready for business.
A few towns obviously have people who work together to set priorities and make a positive impression for visitors.
Winthrop, WA
Photo above: Out for an early weekday coffee in Winthrop. We walked from our room and watched the town wake up.
Lynden, WA
Seaside, OR
Family friendly. Pedestrian friendly.
We used to visit Ocean Shores, WA. Ocean Shores is a much less pedestrian friendly town. This works against seeing the sights on foot, walking to dining, shopping, drinking, etc.
Leavenworth, WA
Local info here.
A huge success for the legal drug dealers- they sold more than 2.7 million pounds of prescription drugs to people who did not need them:
October 1, 2018 WTVQ ABC 36 News
EASTERN KENTUCKY TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $3.7 MILLION TO COMBAT OPIOID CRISIS
“DOJ expanded on DEA’s Drug Takeback Days and has collected more than 2.7 million pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs since April 2017.”
That’s a lot of product since April of 2017.
October 1, 2018 SCV News
Feds Earmark Almost $320M to Combat Opioid Crisis
This is the same federal government that can’t keep cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of Hometown, USA
Welcome Home Troops
Questions that go unasked:
Each year, at the Super Bowl, the US Dept. of Homeland Security promotes their own image Re: preventing criminal activity. Why do these impressive capabilities fail to keep meth and heroin trafficking cartels from moving product into the US?
The script says opioid.
When additional restrictions are placed on prescription drugs- what will prevent heroin-trafficking cartels from moving more product into local communities?
Newspeople remain silent.
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Photo- Fort Ebey beach walk
Washington State Parks
Have Washington State Parks been taken over by a culture of enforcement?
Sept. 26, 2018 The News Tribune
Bad guys will be up the river when these cops finish their training
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission provides training to sheriff’s deputies Re: “…a terrorist threat or protester boat was getting too close to a high-value target: A nuclear submarine, commercial boat or cruise ship, among others.”
“…Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. The agency is in charge of training all 53 law enforcement agencies in the state that have marine units.”
“An Island County sheriff’s boat was in hot pursuit as deputies on board that boat played the part of, well, themselves.”
On the water/related:
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
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
Back to Washington State Parks-
Wondering if something like 89 cents of each dollar collected for daytime parking fees goes directly towards funding of the manufacturing, installation and maintenance of enforcement related warning signs, kiosks, pay boxes, fluorescent placards, and the manufacturing and distribution of enforcement related literature, blank forms and documentation materials.
I’d like to think that purchasing a Washington State Parks Discover Pass means no further hassles as long as the pass is not expired and displayed while parked.
Enforcement and over supervision are the first impressions of an afternoon getaway.
Driving over to the local state park these days is like asking permission to enter a military base.
People who are willing to purchase a parks pass should face a very minimum in the way of hassles. Oregon comes out way ahead of Washington on this.
More here:
Less Hassle – Oregon State Parks
Meth
Strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of Hometown, USA.
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Sept. 27, 2018 Nashville Tennessean
As cartel drugs flood Tennessee, meth and cocaine deaths are climbing fast
Sept. 27, 2018 Interlochen Public Radio
Imported crystal meth now a ‘crisis’ in Michigan
Sept. 26, 2018 CNN
Homeland Security Vote of Confidence:
“He said the meth problem in Oklahoma is getting worse, and points to Mexican cartels — in particular, the powerful Sinaloa cartel — as the reason.”
While America wages war on opioids, meth makes its comeback
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.
Heroes
Ongoing glorification of military service update:
Sept. 27, 2018 Stars and Stripes
Half of Americans Surveyed Say All Service Members Are Heroes
Clearly, these folks have no honest relationship with the US Armed Forces.
No one who has done time in an average military unit would be comfortable with everyone present being called a hero. Some units would be the exception, but for most people who have done time over the years, calling everyone a hero would have no connection to reality.
Reality, and an honest understanding of why we send The Troops to far away places isn’t what we’re about though.
This may all be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
More here:
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
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Photo- Fort Ebey surf
Image above: NRA midterm elections 2018 literature.
If The Troops are fighting to protect American rights and freedoms- why does the NRA emphasize domestic politics instead of overseas military operations to preserve gun rights?
NRA War Propaganda video:
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.- how is that defending the US Constitution– or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Maybe all of the US should function like one, giant military base.
Freedom of individual expression could be fully controlled. No distractions. No dissent.
More here:
Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
I’d like to think that purchasing a Washington State Parks Discover Pass means no further hassles as long as the pass is not expired and displayed while parked.
Enforcement and over supervision are the first impressions of an afternoon getaway.
Driving over to the local state park these days is like asking permission to enter a military base.
Old policy:
People who need to register to camp must stop at the guard shack to sign in & pay.
People who are in the middle of their camping stay & people who have already purchased a valid daytime parking pass use the lane provided to bypass the cars, RVs and camp trailers waiting in line to register.
New policy:
A portable stop sign has been set up to get both lanes of inbound traffic to stop and show the pass before entering the park.
Twice now, I have stopped to show the pass and then I have been reminded to remember to display the pass properly after parking so that I do not receive a citation. Elementary school field trip levels of supervision are in place. I am an adult. If I have done nothing wrong, please let me travel along without any forced interaction with parks staff. The parks are where we go to get away from the grind of everyday life. Let’s go with innocent until proven guilty sorts of protocols here.
In Washington, you may use your discover pass for two vehicles. Vehicle license numbers must be recorded on the pass for the pass to be valid.
Down in Oregon, you are free to enter state parks without being stopped and asked to show your parking pass.
In Oregon, there is no requirement to enter any vehicle license number on the pass. Driving a new car? A rental car? The church van? A borrowed car? Aunt Mary’s car on family reunion weekend? No problem. Enjoy your day.
People who are willing to purchase a parks pass should face a very minimum in the way of hassles. Oregon comes out way ahead of Washington on this.
Related:
Enjoy Washington’s Natural Heritage
Another Season – Another WA State Parks Checkpoint
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Photo- Indian Beach, Oregon
Local info here.
Local info here.
U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin of New York’s 1st Congressional District:
“Pat Tillman would have been a better choice for @Nike’s new “Just Do It” promotion. Pick a former NFL player and Army Ranger who died for our flag and national anthem rather than @Kaepernick7, a former NFL player who protested it.”
A large number of interesting comments follow the tweet linked above.
Congressman Zeldin,
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include a mission to die for our flag and national anthem?
Do the planners verify a mission to protect American rights and freedoms?
Does someone make sure the mission is to defend the constitution?
Is there anyone who verifies that the mission is to protect our physical security?
How does the executive branch of government defend the constitution via US foreign policy?
Congressman Zeldin,
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.
Never Forget:
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
Possibly of interest:
Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part
The Sound of Freedom is an Urban Legend
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Watching the fog clear on a Fort Ebey walk with Olivia. Later, back home for Harvest Fest 2018 with friends and family. The rain left us alone for the day.
From the generation that uses things until they wear out.
Training ordnance got away from us:
Sep 5th, 2018 Port Townsend Leader
Navy investigation of mine complete
“Murray explained that it was unknown at the time if the mine was inert, so it could not safely be towed to shore for further assessment, although she added the mine was towed to a location “determined to be safest to the immediate population” for this operation.”
Urinals and toilets routed into Sinclair Inlet:
Sept. 7th, 2018 Kitsap Sun
Navy reports 450,000-gallon sewage spill over two years in Bremerton
Urinals and toilets routed to stormwater system rather than wastewater system. Sewage then “…flowed through the underground pipes to an outfall and into Sinclair Inlet, Leppard said.”
More here.
Possibly of interest: Temporary Kitsap Wastewater Spill
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
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Astoria
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Tomi Lahren video 0:11
“I’ve got loved ones overseas right now fighting for your right to sit on a bench…”
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?
Tomi Lahren at 2:37
We have the freedom to enjoy a backyard BBQ because of undeclared/unwon wars that never end:
Military Town – Letter to the Editor:
Every day except on 911.
I am indifferent to jet noise on Whidbey Island. I reject the idea that it is linked in any way to American rights and freedoms.
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?
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Never Forget:
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
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.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, federal minimum drinking age, interracial marriage, gay marriage, voting rights, etc. None of these have anything to do with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, 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.
Just Be Honest.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
The NRA tells us that contacting elected representatives and voting is the way to protect gun rights. What role do The Dept. of Defense & The Troops play here?
A Pro-Gun Majority in U.S. House Will Preserve American Freedom
“While the ins and outs of America’s electoral system might conjure memories of high school civics classes, knowing the details will do more than help you dominate trivia contests. They are fundamental to protecting your most cherished rights.”
So- thanking The Troops for freedoms will not advance gun rights objectives? What role do overseas military operations play here?
In many cases- public policy stands in the way of freedom- no foreign enemy required.
Possibly of interest:
The Sound of Freedom is an Urban Legend
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Photo-
A symbol of freedom, federal government credibility and newspeople not asking questions.
