The open attitude about sports reporting does not cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, The Troops, the War on Terror or local water quality.
Recovery, rehab, treatment, & addiction are important parts of this story.
What part of the story is missing?
Has anyone ever seen the press question the US Dept. of Homeland Security/CBP on their role in keeping heroin, meth and fentanyl away from the Puget Sound area?
As always- zero questions asked about why strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep cartels from moving product into local communities.
The story is always reported as a big success. Zero questions asked about why cartels are somehow able to move product past US Troops, strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- before the drugs end up in Hometown, USA.
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.
Has anyone ever seen the press question the Port Angeles Border Patrol/CBP on their role in keeping heroin out of the Puget Sound area?
US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA
An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 8 years, and zero questions from the press.
Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?
“The nature of fentanyl — extremely potent in small doses when pure — makes it ideal to move through the mail, keeping packages small and inconspicuous.”
“Experts say it’s hard to know just how much fentanyl is coming direct from China to the U.S.”
Mexico-
“Flowing in one direction, this fentanyl pipeline runs through Mexican cartel strongholds and heads north on well-established drug trafficking routes. It funnels 80 percent of the drug through the San Diego border before dispersing throughout the U.S.”
“I’ve encouraged using the term “Fentanyl Crisis” rather than “Opioid Crisis” to describe the situation, because it more accurately points to its cause—nonmedical users accessing drugs in the dangerous black market fueled by drug prohibition—hoping this will redirect attention and lead to reforms that are more likely to succeed.”
CBP is quick to boast about their role in keeping contraband out:
How do you keep terrorists and their weapons out by checking retail items after they show up in Minneapolis? Did the confiscated items make it through any port of entry?
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin-trafficking cartels continue to move product into local communities?
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 open attitude about sports reporting does not cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, The Troops, the War on Terror or local water quality.
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.
Some people question post 911 protocols where everyone is seen as a suspect.
Some people question the idea that people are expected to yield the right of way Re: their peaceful/nonviolent and legal activities because terrorists might be planning to disrupt American culture. All this while thanking Troops for freedoms.
Independent/alternative media- out asking questions and told to stop filming at 2:46 and 5:12. Policy explained at 7:48. Entire video here:
The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks are more welcome to do interviews related to public policy. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
US Troops at the border, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security not yet able to shut down Eastern Tennessee meth supply:
“Unlike opioids, meth is relatively inexpensive and the flow of the highly addictive stimulant from Mexico through distribution hubs like Atlanta continues almost unchecked.”
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin-trafficking cartels continue to move product into local communities?
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?
“A New Hampshire judge ruled in May that the checkpoints violated the state and federal constitutions. He suppressed evidence against more than a dozen people who were charged with drug possession after being stopped and searched by agents of Customs and Border Protection, which includes the Border Patrol, in 2017.”
Puget Sound Area History
In 2008, the US Border Patrol came to Jefferson County, WA and set up suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry.
At a local Border Patrol forum a lady asked:
“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”
US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.
Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.
Question about providing ID is at 0:35
State and local law enforcement agencies do not conduct suspicionless checkpoints in Washington State.
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The local paper has upgraded their web format. Several stories from their news archives are no longer viewable. Might be a good time for some updated reporting.
Checkpoints on the Olympic Peninsula ended after the public forum shown in the video above. Is there any other community in the US that objected to checkpoints and was able to shut them down?
The open attitude about sports reporting does not cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, The Troops, the War on Terror or local water quality.
The strip club is another of many examples where freedoms may come & go- completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, jet noise over Coupeville or the Sound of Freedom.
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.
US Troops at the border, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security not yet able to shut down West Virginia meth supply:
Sorry- no time for newspeople to ask what sort of drugs led to the drug house earning its reputation.
Why does it matter?
Some “drugs” are domestic, such as marijuana.
Some drugs, like heroin or cocaine, and now meth, must get past strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs before they arrive in local communities.
The Drug War is based on public policy.
What methods are working? What methods are failing?
Wonder what was happening at border crossing inspections during the 12 months these folks were under investigation. Do the good guys who made the local bust notify the good guys at the border about the weak links in their process?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin? Even one time?
The free and well armed people who populate the North American continent could be forced to speak a language not of their choosing? Some invading force wearing military uniforms could dictate events without facing resistance?
Doubt it.
Please see Operation Sea Lion.
US Armed Forces:
The world’s most modern & powerful military force has had their hands full for years now in Afghanistan.
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?
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.
How do The Troops defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
Plenty of questions here that don’t get asked. Not asked by veterans, newspeople, school teachers, and maybe school students.
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.
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: Whatever happened to lessons about Armistice Day?
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?
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.
Is post-Vietnam guilt OK with undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
How do The Troops defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
If veterans fought for our right to vote- how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
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.
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.
Meet a veteran who isn’t shy about going out & grabbing a couple free meals- it’s a proud thing:
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include 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?
Back home- freedoms come & go:
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, federal minimum drinking age, interracial marriage, gay marriage, voting rights, etc. None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, or the outcome of military operations in distant lands.
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 free and well armed people who populate the North American continent could be forced to speak a language not of their choosing by people wearing military uniforms?
Doubt it.
Please see Operation Sea Lion.
The world’s most modern & powerful military force has had their hands full for years now in Afghanistan.
You don’t have to look too far to find comments that refer to the troops as “heroes.”
Some are.
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.
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.
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.
Do school teachers still teach lessons about the more meaningful Armistice Day?
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…
Finished MOS school and had a chance to fill out a “dream sheet” in 1980.
A small number of us chose Okinawa, and we all got to go.
I was 19 and had no wife, kids, or even a girlfriend back home. I joined the Marines to go and see places like Okinawa.
I was assigned to Makiminato, Camp Kinser. We could walk to Naha. Naha was large enough that you might go all night without seeing any other Americans. Attempting to escape the influence of military bases and seeing how the local people lived their lives was enjoyable. There was no curfew at the time. Atrocities committed by US personnel would come later. We drank more than our share, but stayed out of trouble. Mind your manners and you’d find the local people to be warm and friendly. We made friends and were invited out to a few gatherings.
Christmas Tree
Many of us were spending our first Christmas away from home. In those days, If you were old enough to be in the Marines, you were old enough to drink on or off base. We had a shop Christmas party where people wrapped and exchanged bottles of booze.
A guy from California received a small Christmas tree from his Mom back home. The tree came with real pinecones and lights. After unpacking the box and putting the tree together the lights were plugged in. Now it was time to look sad and lonely and pose for the photo I took. Then off to something else besides thinking of Christmas.
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
“The U.S. government cracked down on purchasing certain ingredients for meth in 2006, which significantly cut the number of meth labs found on this side of the border. That’s when the cartels stepped in to meet the market demand.”
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?
General Dunford speaks of the intelligence community. The CIA was established in 1947. If the intelligence community provides an advantage in fighting undeclared wars, why does the Dept. of Defense have such a poor record in winning these wars going back to 1949, the year DOD was established?
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
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.
Meet a veteran who isn’t shy about going out & grabbing a couple free meals- it’s a proud thing:
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.
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.
I think it is strange that modern American culture sees veterans as separate & different from the rest of society.
Veteran’s parking spaces-
Some businesses are now setting aside parking for veterans. The designated spots we are talking about here are for all veterans– no requirement Re: earning the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, having any physical disability, etc.
There is no possibility that I would use one of these spots.
Meet some veterans who have become disgruntled Re: discount availability:
Hey school teachers– do you still teach lessons about the more meaningful Armistice Day?
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.
When additional restrictions are placed on prescription drugs- what will prevent heroin-trafficking cartels from moving more product into local communities?
If the US Dept. of Homeland Security was a College Football or NFL team, we’d have all the stats all the time. Is there some sort of Hometown Pride that gets in the way of newspeople asking questions in these areas?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound heroin? Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Has anyone ever seen the press question the Port Angeles Border Patrol/CBP on their role in keeping heroin out of the Puget Sound area?
The open attitude about sports reporting does not cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, The Troops, the War on Terror or local water quality.
It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now. They were self-reliant people who would have had no use for the dumbed-down messages of our modern culture, like this one-
A message to teach you and your family how to put candy into a bowl so you can pass it out to trick or treaters:
Federal support for the Cincinnati area after heroin moves past federal agents staffing a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, then on into local communities:
“The US Drug Enforcement Administration said in its 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment, however, that Mexican transnational criminal organizations transported illicit drugs into the US across its southwest border using varied methods.”
“The most common method employed by these TCOs,” it said, “involves transporting illicit drugs through US ports of entry in passenger vehicles with concealed compartments or commingled with legitimate goods on tractor trailers.”
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin-trafficking cartels continue to move product into local communities?
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?
Dec 7th, 2018 The News Tribune
