TGIF
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Above created and originally posted by another person, years ago.
By now, some Americans may feel that both major political parties are manipulative and dishonest.
American freedoms may come and go:
Celebrating Opposite Freedoms on the Fourth of July
by Jacob G. Hornberger
May 8, 2026
The Future of Freedom Foundation
Possibly of interest:
National Parks Hospitality & Goodwill Program
Take An Oath To The Constitution
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Above: A view from Westport, WA – March, 2025
What’s Going on With Shipping?
Completely Unrelated
Good luck with any plans to get people to comply with a draft:
NBC Bay Area
What makes elected officials believe we have some sort of 1950s crop of citizens now who would comply with a draft?
Has the US ever won an undeclared war using a draft?
Above: A meetup with newspeople who ask questions.
Sponsored by a local Invisible Veteran chapter.
In The News
At 4:56 below: Meth came from Mexico.
KOMO News
ABC News
May 7, 2026
11 face charges in international drug trafficking ring spanning from DC to South Korea
“Pirro said the investigation into this ring began two years ago, stemming from a drug overdose death in Washington, D.C.”
Reported as a big team effort and success in May of 2026 after drug traffickers defeat all federal efforts to keep drugs out.
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
What was happening at border crossing/port of entry inspections during this 2 year investigation?
Do the good guys who made the local busts notify the good guys at border crossings and ports of entry about the weak links in their process?
How much illegal product moved into Hometown, USA during this 2 year investigation?
How many victims were harmed by the drugs involved in this 2 year investigation?
Love to see newspeople ask:
Were federal authorities at border crossings and ports of entry notified of this ongoing investigation?
Did the drug traffickers get fast track screening at border entry points so as not to disrupt this ongoing investigation?
If the drug traffickers were given a pass at the border- would that have tipped them off as to the investigation- or would that have been seen as standard protocol?
Imagine LE authorities observe a shoplifter or bank robber in action. Instead of going in to make an arrest they back off and conduct an investigation that goes on for 2 years. What if they applied the same tactic Re: crimes involving arson, terrorism, child abuse, DUI, etc.
Has any city, county or state jurisdiction been able to cleanup their drug problem using these methods?
Did the advantage of designating cartels as terrorist organizations back on Feb 20, 2025 reduce the availability of fentanyl in the Puget Sound area?
If Kristi Noem tells us on Feb 4, 2026 that the border is secure, how are drugs still coming in?
Standard newspeople remain silent.
Has the removal of any cartel boss ever created any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US?
If Kristi Noem has sealed US borders why would suspected drug trafficking boats be a problem?
Since the Vietnam-Style Drug Boat Body Count has kept cartel drugs out, are Seattle area drug addicts having any problem finding their cartel product of choice?
Has any US community announced that first responders are finding less need for Narcan, buprenorphine, Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, or any similar product used in overdose response situations?
Is there any possibility that any DEA office or DEA budget will be downsized due to the success of all US Dept. of Homeland Security/Dept. of War efforts in recent months?
The US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002. This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US.
More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
Some version of REAL ID has been required at border crossings and ports of entry since 2009.
More drug overdose deaths now, or before REAL ID?
Has any community anywhere in the US downsized or shut down any local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team due to the success of Dept. of War strikes on narcoterrorist drug boats, ICE crackdowns and designating cartels as terrorist organizations?
Any questions from newspeople?
Whatever is here, it’s been going on for decades. The fantasy newsperson still waits for answers.
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.
Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Possibly of interest:
Federal Drug War Scam Rolls On
Investigation Took Nearly 3 Years – Drug War Scam Update
Made For TV
Various big companies will remind us that they support veterans and The Troops. Always wonder if any of those companies advocate for less in the way of undeclared/unwon wars. Maybe these big companies are more about expanding their marketing footprint.
Do traditional veterans organizations advocate for less in the way of undeclared/unwon wars? Would a move in this direction attract more new members?
Have any newspeople ever asked about this?
Don’t miss out:
Get on down to the dealership to pay your respects to those we have lost:
Get Ready To Celebrate
Those who never made it back from the war won’t be headed out with family and friends to be making any purchases. Because of this reality, here’s how it was set up in 2024:
Discounts, Deals and Free Meals for Veterans and Military Members on Memorial Day 2024
“Treat your veteran and military family members (or yourself if you’ve served) to some special deals and freebies this Memorial Day.”
More Is Better
Folks, bigger sales and more customers is better. This is why we are not limiting the good deals to those lost on foreign soil.
“Many offers also apply to active duty and reserve military as well as spouses and families (and some for civilians as well), so be sure to take advantage of these deals while kicking off summer and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Here are the best Memorial Day meals, deals and freebies for veterans, military, military dependents and more for 2023.”
TRICARE
Pick a decade anytime after the war in Vietnam. No matter what political party or personality is in the White House, Uncle Sam struggles to get veterans health care to work properly. Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and young people have access to this info.
TRICARE was allowed to crash and burn in 2025. How are things going in 2026?
In The News
‘Got to Get Fixed:’ Billing Delays, Coverage Issues Still Plague Tricare Patients and Providers
By Annie Sciacca – The War Horse
April 23, 2026
“Patient frustrations with Tricare claims continue to mount in Reddit threads and TikTok posts, with military family members and veterans swapping outrage over stalled claims, scheduling troubles, unpaid bills, and little explanation.”
More TRICARE News
“You’re going to have medical and dental for the rest of your life.”
Maybe while on active duty this is true. After leaving active service, free of charge medical and dental care provided by DOD would be extremely rare. When is the last time DOD provided free of charge medical and dental care to retired military members? Zero questions from newspeople.
This guy is now 64. He would have known the promise was not true when he was a recruiter. Maybe a recruiter working in the 1950s or 60s honestly believed this was true. Over inflating the image of military benefits destroys the respect for those benefits that may come from the general public. Not a good image for modern day recruiting.
More here:
“In 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., ruled 9-to-4 that whatever recruiters had promised was not binding unless supported by statute, and that Congress never passed a law authorizing free lifetime health care. The court acknowledged the “moral claims” of plaintiffs but rejected every legal argument on their behalf. These were arguments a three-judge panel of the same court had embraced a year earlier.’
Source:
Was Free Health Care for Life Promised?
Military.com Network
Published May 22, 2012
Back to TRICARE:
“…one of a flood of complaints tied to TRICARE’s transition to TriWest, which is now responsible for administering military health benefits in more than half the country under a nine-year contract worth about $65 billion.”
“Within months of the transition to TriWest, problems were already apparent: Pregnant women and new mothers saw their care disrupted; veterans received massive bills for previously approved and paid claims; and providers went months without reimbursement. In February 2025, the Defense Health Agency, which oversees TRICARE, acknowledged that challenges had cropped up nationwide since the transition. At the time, a spokesperson said the agency was working with contractors to resolve the issues.”
“A year later, problems persist. NBC News spoke to 13 other TriWest beneficiaries who say their care suffered following the transition. Since then, more beneficiaries continue to contact NBC News with their stories. Services have been denied. Approvals have been overturned. And finding answers and explanations has led to repeated dead ends.”
“The Defense Health Agency declined an interview request.”
Source:
By Berkeley Lovelace Jr., Sara G. Miller, Jason Kane and Erin McLaughlin – NBC News
May 6, 2026
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
What penalties are written into the TriWest contract for failing to provide service, meet deadlines, etc?
Free of charge healthcare provided by DOD?
Watch for support the troops nonsense rolled out at federal holidays.
Post-Vietnam guilt
The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared/unwon wars or managing federal contracts related to TRICARE.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Related:
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Monica grew these over the winter.
Above: years ago- taking a look at maritime culture. Port Townsend boatyard.
In The News
Port of Port Townsend in WA’s Olympic Peninsula quits social media
By Kai Uyehara – Seattle Times
May 5, 2026
“…government agencies are increasingly using social media to communicate with constituents. But the Port of Port Townsend said it is hopping off the bandwagon this month.”
Port of Port Townsend quits social media, citing studies on its harm on human connection
KOMO News
May 5, 2026
The Oak Bay Starfish take:
Some people do not want to be on Facebook and should not have to go that route to find good, updated info on public agencies. Public websites, public interaction and the local press are the way to go.
Time for the local press to take their power back.
No social media- no need to use your giant web company account to create profile/register/sign in/create user name/password, etc.
Also prefer local papers that have a comment section.
Years ago, I lived in several different small town areas. Places like Kingston, Port Hadlock and north of Penn Cove.
These areas had small, local newspapers and those papers featured active, online comment sections. Paying for a newspaper subscription was OK with me. There were basic rules for commenting, but it did not seem to matter what name people went by. I never cared.
I used to love the comment sections.
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.
Suppressing comments, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.
Got it.
Related:
Sound Publishing And Black Press Media
Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections
People who take no public funds, private donations or advertising dollars are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press? Call for unpaid volunteers and you’d get better news coverage than what we have now.
Newspeople Not Asking Questions
Photo by Monica
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
Sentinel
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
Living, retired four-star officers and high level DOD civilians have been associated with what wars won by the US?
Do traditional veterans organizations advocate for less in the way of undeclared/unwon wars?
Would a move in this direction attract more new members? Have any newspeople ever asked about this?
Armed Forces Recruiting – 1980s
Part of what made it work:
In past decades, people could do time in uniform, then return to the US with a feeling that they were living in the best country on the planet.
They believed it and their parents and grandparents believed it.
Those who did may have wished to hand down a better version of the modern American society to their kids and grandkids.
Today-
Standards have deteriorated. The troops return to an ongoing breakdown of society.
Both major parties have taken turns in power over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better.
Emergency/crisis/chaos mode is what we get now.
From 2004
“Today, however, the Congress has relinquished its delegated powers, giving the President license to do whatever he and his office determine that they can get away with. Consequentially, the presidential and legislative oaths to the Constitution have just turned into a great photo op on inauguration day.”
“It is a sad and hard realization for a grunt who loves the Marine Corps to admit that the organization is not used in the preservation of liberty, and has not been used toward that end for a very long time.”
Source:
By Casey Khan
February 14, 2004
If the CIA (est 1947) serves as an advantage to the US, why does the Department of Defense have such a poor record of winning undeclared wars going back to 1949, the year DOD was established?
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.
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in these areas.
Whatever is here, it’s been going on for decades. The fantasy newsperson still waits for answers.
Possibly of interest:
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Not really a fan of group identities. Yesterday, I ran across one that is new to me: Generation Jones.
I land at about the middle of this group. I had no parent returning from WWII. I was too young for Vietnam. Too young for Woodstock. I was not born in the 40s. This feels like a better fit than Baby Boomer.
I thought growing up in the last century was a pretty good deal. Ditto for adult life.
The WWII generation set up a modern society that seemed to be working pretty well. Still room for improvement, but mostly, things seemed to be up and running. The post-911 era has not gone well.
Several years back, I started the Old Man Blog category. It involves thoughts on changes in American culture relating to those born roughly in the late 50s & early 60s.
Original Old Man Blog here: https://oldmanblogdotcom.wordpress.com
New updates here: https://oakbaystarfish.com/category/old-man-blog/
Photo-
No Hurry to Change – Nordland
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
In The News
Seattle’s drug diversion plan falters as open-air use persists in neighborhood hotspots
by Joel Moreno
KOMO News
April 28, 2026
“Crowds gather on sidewalks, some openly using drugs while others sell stolen goods. The area has become one of Seattle’s most visible hotspots for crime, disorder, and overdose response.”
“…our seniors trying to navigate through crowds of people engaged in fentanyl use and sales, it’s just distressing.”
“Open drug use remains a common sight in some of Seattle’s hardest-hit neighborhoods…”
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
Is the cartel drug situation in the greater Puget Sound area any different now than it was under Biden?
Did the advantage of designating cartels as terrorist organizations back on Feb 20, 2025 reduce the availability of fentanyl in the Puget Sound area?
If Kristi Noem tells us on Feb 4, 2026 that the border is secure, how are drugs still coming in?
Standard newspeople remain silent.
Has the removal of any cartel boss ever created any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US?
If Kristi Noem has sealed US borders why would suspected drug trafficking boats be a problem?
Since the Vietnam-Style Drug Boat Body Count has kept cartel drugs out, are Seattle area drug addicts having any problem finding their cartel product of choice?
Has any US community announced that first responders are finding less need for Narcan, buprenorphine, Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, or any similar product used in overdose response situations?
Is there any possibility that any DEA office or DEA budget will be downsized due to the success of all US Dept. of Homeland Security/Dept. of War efforts in recent months?
The US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002. This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US.
More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
Has any community anywhere in the US downsized or shut down any local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team due to the success of Dept. of War strikes on narcoterrorist drug boats, ICE crackdowns and designating cartels as terrorist organizations?
Any questions from newspeople?
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.
Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
KOMO News
Seattle street videos here:
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Possibly of interest:
Sealed Border Fails To Keep Drugs Out Of WA
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
Not here to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
Shopping On Base & Staying At Base Lodging Locations
CNBC
From comments:
“I’m a veteran myself and I’m not going to spend money at AAFES especially when I can get it cheaper at another retailer. Trust me the government has plenty of money to take care of active duty members if they really wanted to.”
“Bottom line is the Nex/BX is not cheaper than Walmart, Dollar General or Amazon!
Even with the “tax free” savings it’s still not cheaper than most retail stores! Even billing on base is higher than local hotels.”
“The brands at the px are often too premium for the active service member. Need a strainer for your spaghetti? The only option is Cuisinart, which is very nice, but also 40 dollars. A tv or other electronics? The only choice is samsung, sony, or apple. The prices for the merchandise is competitive but there are absolutely no low or mid tier brands for anything”
“It’s not just the Navy Exchange, AAFES is military wide. Nobody shops at the Exchange anymore. It was Supposed to be Cheaper than civilian stores but it’s Not. The only advantage is no tax, but items are often More expensive than at Walmart.”
“They overcharge you to thank you for your service . I know for a fact the little daypacks are twice what amazon charges for the same thing .”
“My personal opinion – the military has gone SOFT. Military stores. Military hotels. Military marinas, tennis courts, golf courses, loans, time off… so much bureaucracy and unnecessary overhead and waste.”
“Guys have to fight in Iran, so let it provide goods to their family in low price!”
If you are great at retail, why would you work for the federal government?
Recent Experience
NEXCOM Hospitality Group
For several years now, we have been happy Navy Lodge customers.
We are happy with the local staff. Good people are on the job. We know that local people are not forcing the changes we see.
Change should be in the form of obvious improvements (If NEXCOM is bragging) not setbacks.
Random changes we have seen:
Handsome tall ship logo is being replaced with sterile branding that shows nothing in the way of artistic design.
Towel rack by the sink that worked well in our room was removed and placed below sink level at the front of the counter. You may not stand upright and make use of the new towel rack.
Leave the rack in place if there is a reason for it and add the original rack again so people have an option.
Old style luggage carts that work well have been replaced with small, cramped aluminum frame carts that hold less and are difficult to use. What happened to the old carts? They were built to last.
The old Navy Lodge had decent coffee in the morning. New, NEXCOM Hospitality Group coffee is served from a compact vending machine and is some of the worst coffee I have ever tasted.
Do NEXCOM Hospitality Group executives drink this coffee?
A slick, photo magazine has been placed in the room to market NEXCOM.
We went to the NEX to buy a coffee pot. We wanted a basic/inexpensive model. We found high end pricey models. The original intent of shopping on base was to provide basic needs for people on a budget?
The troops would never be seen shopping at Costco, Walmart, or WinCo if prices on base were the better deal. No slick promotional photo-ad marketing magazine required.
If cutbacks must be made, I’d rather just hear the truth, not:
“NEXCOM Hospitality Group is rebranding its portfolio of Navy Lodge and Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (NGIS) properties to reflect best commercial practices, elevate the guest experience, work more efficiently…”
“As we embark on this journey to modernize our brand, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality to our service members, their families and all who serve our country…”
“…a strategic decision to align our services with modern hospitality standards, ensuring that we continue to provide unparalleled comfort and support to our military community…”
“We are confident that this focus will help enhance guest satisfaction and brand loyalty…”
Real people do not talk like this.
Source:
Turn the clock back 45 years. It’s 1981. The base commissary is well thought of and is a solid benefit to those who did 20 years in uniform. Go there to shop and you will see WWII veterans, Korean War veterans, Vietnam War veterans and anyone else who stayed for 20 years.
This benefit is an incentive for active duty people to show up for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
More here: Working To Kill Commissaries 2024
People who did time in uniform during the last century will remember Base Auto Hobby Shops. I used them on various US bases from the early 80s until the shop at NAS Whidbey was shut down a few years back.
It appears that all Navy base shops in the Puget Sound area are now shut down.
I will agree with the idea that modern cars require less work under the hood to keep them on the road.
In some cases, people used base auto hobby shops to restore or fix up old cars. It was a good way to chill out.
Maybe less veteran suicides back then. Maybe no recruiting crisis and no need to raise the enlistment age limit to 42. Maybe no need to put automatic draft registration in place.
In the old days, registering for the draft was like the old version of voting. You had to take certain steps to make it work.
Old Man Blog category:
Thoughts on changes in American culture relating to those born roughly in the late 50s & early 60s.
Original Old Man Blog here: https://oldmanblogdotcom.wordpress.com
New updates here: https://oakbaystarfish.com/category/old-man-blog/
Possibly of interest:
Is the cartel drug situation in the greater Puget Sound area any different now than it was under Biden?
Photo-
Something from the last century
Post-Vietnam guilt
The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared/unwon wars, maintaining the barracks or managing federal contracts related to TRICARE.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Craven Rock in the distance:
Craven Rock
Marrowstone Point
Fort Flagler
River Otter tracks?
Old dock location:
Some will remember:
We were on foot for three hours including a short break.
Pay off:
Near Craven Rock
Happy Hours – Out and about with dogs in the PNW.
We’ve been at it since 2012. The collection is here.
Big driftwood out there.
The mouth of the creek has moved a bit south since last summer.
June, 2025:
We walked out from the State Park. It was chilly and breezy to start, the sun came out later. We were on foot for 2.5 hours including a short break.
Copalis Rock
Copalis State Airport
Above: A meetup with newspeople who ask questions.
Sponsored by a local Invisible Veteran chapter.
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
Is the cartel drug situation in the greater Puget Sound area any different now than it was under Biden?
In The News
Fentanyl, meth and cocaine arrive in Sequim:
Police: Sequim man arrested after running into traffic; drugs, scales, gun found in car
KOMO News
April 16, 2026
Just up the road, Port Angeles maintains a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence.
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made any seizure that kept any amount of meth, fentanyl, heroin or any opioid from entering Clallam County?
More here:
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
More News :
Zero Mention Of Strikes On Suspected Drug Boats In Distant Waters
Drug life rolls on:
Washington drug use shifts to more smoking, less injecting; Meth remains #1 drug of choice
KOMO News
April 16, 2026
choeshow
Whidbey Island News
Drug use, human waste lead to parking closure
By Marina Blatt – Whidbey News-Times
March 20, 2026
Island County
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Newspeople remain silent.
Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.
Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Possibly of interest: