Click image above to enlarge.
What to expect: Annual Rainfall
Location:
Grays Harbor County
Washington Coast
Ocean City State Park
Got into an interesting excahge here.
My take: TV newspeople tend to report only one side of the story.
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.
I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.
Today, voices of dissent, and their social media accounts, are suppressed.
This whole structure brings government messages into question.
In the interaction above, I was told:
“What other side should we be learning about besides the cdc or world health organization?”
My answer:
The idea that people who have already recovered from COVID have antibodies and natural immunity and may not require vaccination.
Here is a local story telling of about 40 people who work at a medical center who have declined the COVID vaccination and will loose their jobs.
TV newspeople-
This is a story all by itself.
People who work in and around the medical field who have been on the job over the past 18 months and reject the vaccine? Why not connect with a couple of these people and interview them?
October 17, 2021 Peninsula Daily News
Monday is state’s deadline for vaccine
“Berry said that at OMC in Port Angeles, out of 1,675 staff members, only about 40 had not fulfilled requirements as of last week and were at risk of termination.”
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Would it have helped for the press to present views from people other than the Dept. of Defense?
I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.
Concerns here are not specific to any political party, personality or group identity.
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
North of Perego’s Lagoon, looking towards Fort Ebey.
Local info:
Just a few years back, I was pretty neutral on politics.
Suppression of dissenting voices, press reporting only one side of the story and bans/mandates have changed that.
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
Related:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Walk to the beach at Fort Ebey
When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?
Image above: 10/15/2021
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Penn Cove
Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park
“Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons CLOSED for harvest 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
“Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons CLOSED for harvest year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Newspeople tend to avoid asking questions.
Our questions appear in bold type.
In the news:
August 10, 2021 South Whidbey Record
Oak Harbor absent from sewage treatment awards
“Facilities in Coupeville, Holmes Harbor and Langley were named as winners of the Department of Ecology’s Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant Award for 2020.”
The award is for 2020. Wondering why it was not reported on until August of 2021.
Full compliance with water quality permits does not result in recreational shellfish that is safe for harvest?
View the Island County closed beach list here.
Oct 1st, 2021 site visit:
A sign remained posted at Coupeville and Monroe Landing warning of a sewage drain pipe.
Image above:
Coupeville
Image above:
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
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?
Background here:
Make Sure Beaches Aren’t Closed Because of Biotoxins?
Local Waters And The Puget Sound Area Press
A photo tour of Penn Cove here:
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance
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?
More here:
Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound
Local Waters And The Puget Sound Area Press
High Quality Water For Puget Sound? – Recreational Shellfish Harvesting CLOSED Year-Round
“…talking to officials at the Town of Coupeville…”
Whidbey Signs of Water Quality
When Things Get Back To Normal
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Washington Coast
A fantastic October day.
Looking from Damon Point over to Westport Jetty.
Washington Coast
The crew shortage story is now more than 15 months old:
June 30, 2020 at 5:43 pm PDT
By Ryan Simms, KIRO 7 News video:
Ferry wait times spike following staff shortages
Today:
Oct 11, 2021 KOMO News
Washington State Ferries near full staffing by end of weekend, but delays still possible
“More than 150 sailings were canceled from the San Juans Islands to the Central Sound Friday in an unprecedent day.”
“WSF said they are experiencing a severe staffing shortage due to an aging workforce, recruiting challenges, while feeling the impact of the global pandemic and now a vaccine mandate for state workers.”
The Puget Sound area includes several military bases. Has the US Navy delayed or canceled sailings because of crewing issues? Any chance that TV newspeople could go and do some interviews and ask these sorts of questions?
I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.
I am OK with the Washington State Ferries workforce protesting COVID mandates.
TV News
Would TV newspeople be willing to interview people from various sides of an issue?
Much of what we get today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency is 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.
Random thoughts and questions newspeople seem to avoid:
Within WSF, what incentives are in place to keep customers happy?
Does the WSF HR Director get paid more to keep the system running smoothly?
Are crew member incentives in place for perfect attendance?
Extra pay, promotions, extra vacation days, earlier retirement?
15 months of poor play would be enough to get an NFL or college football coach fired.
Is there pressure on the WSF HR Director to do better?
Would TV newspeople be willing to interview people from various industries and public agencies on how they have handled the impacts of COVID?
HR policy away from WA government:
UPS aims to hire 100K ahead of ‘record peak holiday season’
Love to see TV newspeople ask: How has the greater maritime industry dealt with COVID crewing challenges? How have various industries and public agencies handled this? Airlines? US Navy? FedEx? UPS? Costco? Local fire dept?
Related:
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Keystone Ferry – inbound
Coupeville/Penn Cove is on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island-no ferry link to Port Townsend exists there.
Possibly of interest:
Occasionally Looking for the Coupeville Ferry
Don’t book a bed and breakfast stay in Coupeville and plan to walk from the ferry terminal to your accommodations.
Ferry Traffic Leaving Coupeville Terminal Routed Away From Coupeville
Above: Watching the waves come in at North Jetty
Same ship we saw yesterday?
A beach with a lonely feel.
An October view of North Bay from Damon Point.
A fantastic October day.
Looking from Damon Point over to Westport.
Washington Coast
The ship in the photo may be this one.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
This Halloween 2021 blog is not about COVID.
Halloween has been restricted in various communities for years now.
For sure, this was the case before current news Re: COVID-19.
I grew up on the West Coast.
When I was a child in the 1970s, local authorities, elected officials and newspeople played no role in telling families when trick or treating would begin or end.
Today, Moms and Dads wait until their trick or treat schedule is published in order to map out family plans for the event.
In the news:
Local trick or treat times
Central Kentucky
Moved to Thursday:
Mom or Dad might have to jump through their ass to commute home from work on Thursday to get the kids ready for trick or treating and get started at 5:00. The rest of the community might also be rushing during the rush hour in order to get home in time to welcome the little ones to their door.
Deal with it families.
“Fleming County/Flemingsburg: October 28 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.”
Iowa
The Columbus Day spirit of adventure, taught to small children earlier in the month is nowhere to be found by Halloween:
“…drive through the trail and pick up their candy without having to leave their vehicle.”
Pennsylvania
“Jim Thorpe historically scheduled trick-or-treat midweek in conjunction with surrounding municipalities…”
Northeast Ohio
“Brewster
Sunday, Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.”
Authorities grant a one hour window:
Your family will start at 6:00 and be done for the year at 7:00 p.m.
“Cuyahoga Heights
Sunday, Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.”
Wisconsin
Mayville: 1 to 3 p.m.
Maine
Illinois and Iowa
North Carolina
Roanoke Rapids
Cumberland County
Extensive info on child safety including tips on suspicious candy, flame-retardant materials for costumes, sex offender registry, pining a piece of paper with child’s name, address and parent’s phone number to child’s clothing, flashlights, reflective tape, and masks that could obscure vision can be found here.
Western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota
My kind of town:
Baldwin. On 10/31 trick-or-treat begins at Dusk. Moms and Dads decide when it ends.
Related:
When did American families start waiting to be told when trick or treating would begin & end?
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Trick or treater showing up outside of prescribed times and age limits.
Washington Coast
Washington Coast
Washington Coast
Washington Coast
Image above:
Looking towards Perego’s Lagoon from the Fort Ebey Bluff Trail
Enjoying the woodsy trails
Watching the fun at Point Partridge
Local info:
Photo above-
Potlatch State Park – Hood Canal
More from Washington State Parks:
Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit
Port Townsend – Trip Report
We spent some time today waiting on the Keystone Ferry. Ferry waits can be a little longer now, due to one boat service.
Port Townsend is a good walking town. We have visited many times to take a look around, go shopping, drink a couple beers, enjoy a local restaurant or pub, meet friends and family, etc.
Today we had to wait for the ferry and it was time for lunch. Several restaurants are within an easy walk of the ferry dock. Over the years, these restaurants must have done a significant business serving people waiting for the ferry or showing up in town just to visit.
We quickly realized that the county we were in would not let people enter to dine in a restaurant without proof of vaccination.
One of the restaurants closest to the ferry was clearly open, but the parking lot was completely empty.
The outdoor dining area was completely empty. There was no sign of life.
Like many other locations, they are looking to add staff.
The lunch rush appears to be dead. If the customers are gone, how will new hires serve customers?
Snohomish County – Trip Report
Later in this same trip, we visited a traditional Mexican restaurant.
A very active dining and cantina scene here. Customers and staff seem happy. Masks required to enter. We have been here several times over the years. Recommended for anyone who still wants to get out to a Mexican restaurant. It looks like the large cantina has a bit of a sports bar vibe too.
Visiting/Shopping at more than one Puget Sound area military installation
Installation number one:
Saw a Got Freedom? t-shirt. The concept behind this could be discussed for hours.
Installation number two:
On Oct 2nd, 2021, plastic bags are still readily available and in use. No extra fees/questions, etc.
Having/wanting a choice on plastic bags does not indicate a disregard for the planet.
Related:
COVID Restrictions Are Like Wearing A Seatbelt?
Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.
Look for TV newspeople to avoid asking public policy questions similar to those posted below.
Letter to the editor describes what seems like a worst case scenario:
September 28, 2021 Whidbey News-Times
Letter: Those who are unvaccinated put the rest of us at risk
Another letter to the editor:
Sequim Gazette
Letters to the editor — Sept. 8, 2021
If COVID concerns are becoming extremely serious, will we see a return to:
Dining in tents attached to restaurants?
Locating an Army Field Hospital in Seattle?
Will people avoid non-essential trips outside the home and gathering in groups?
Will additional restrictions be placed on grocery store shopping?
In the news:
Sept. 10, 2021 CNBC
People are booking Christmas vacations earlier than ever before
Sept. 27, 2021 CNN
5 reasons you should book your holiday travel now
Sep 29, 2021 Rapid City Journal
If you haven’t booked holiday travel yet, you’re already late
Alternative media continues to ask questions:
Related:
COVID Restrictions Are Like Wearing A Seatbelt?
Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Looking from Damon Point towards the Westport Jetty.
Washington Coast
I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.
Holiday gatherings are not canceled because people go without seatbelts.
People do not lose their jobs because they go without seatbelts.
Travel is not shut down because people go without seatbelts.
Sept. 20, 2021 USA TODAY
“Border restrictions on nonessential travel have been extended again, this time through Oct. 21, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said Monday. The restrictions were first implemented in March 2020 and have since been extended on a monthly basis.”
Landlords are not required to provide rent free apartments because people go without seatbelts.
Sept. 21, 2021 Office of the Mayor Mayor Jenny A. Durkan
Sept. 23, 2021 KING 5 News
“Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday he is extending Washington state’s eviction moratorium for one month. The state’s moratorium was set to expire on Sept. 30, 2021.
The extension will keep the moratorium in place through Oct. 31, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.”
Employers do not face federal mandates because people go without seatbelts.
Promoting a one size fits all society:
Maybe all of the US should function like one, giant military base.
Freedom of individual expression could be fully controlled. No distractions. No dissent.
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.
People choose different churches to attend, or attend no church at all. This is a safety valve.
WWII Generation
A few letters and editorials have compared recent months 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
Since WWII, information has become available on:
USS Calhoun County sailors dumped thousands of tons of radioactive waste, using GIs in mustard gas experiments, using GIs to test nuclear weapons, Agent Orange, MCAS El Toro and Camp Lejeune water contamination & Gulf War Syndrome.
News links and sources here:
JBLM – US Armed Forces Vaccine Hesitancy
June 24, 2020 Jacob G. Hornberger
The “Greatest” Generation’s Refusal to Fight the “Good War”
“The U.S. government had to force 61.2% of the “greatest generation” to fight in World War II.”
Most troops did not volunteer.
Related:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Nordland Transit Center
A fantastic late September day.
Looking from Damon Point towards the Westport Jetty.
Washington Coast
Out this past week to get some clams. First time in many years. Last outings were in the Oak Bay area, where I had a couple favorite spots that were healthy and had an abundant crop of clams.
This past week-
Grays Harbor County
Washington Coast
I lived for several years in an area that featured year-round recreational shellfish closures due to sewage treatment outfalls.
Summer 2021 update:
The text “This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.” has been removed by WDFW for beaches at Coupeville, the north side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing and Oak Harbor.
In its place:
“Health status: Closed by Biotoxin and Pollution”
Sewage treatment plant outfall has been changed to pollution. Biotoxin is a seasonal status.
Several Island County beaches remain closed all year for recreational shellfish harvest.
A year-round closure seems significant, but the WA State Dept. of Health does not provide specific info on why each beach is closed. The word pollution is as close as we get to understanding what is going on.
View the closed beach list here.
The WA State Dept. of Health once made more of an effort to tell the story of why a beach was closed by posting red signs at the beach for all to see.
Earlier this year, a sign remained posted at Coupeville and Monroe Landing warning of a sewage drain pipe.
Image above:
Coupeville
Image above:
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
Are the two signs above still in place?
Why was the text changed on the WDFW pages?
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?
Background and beach links here:
Make Sure Beaches Aren’t Closed Because of Biotoxins?
Local Waters And The Puget Sound Area Press
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo at top of page:
Jefferson County clams
Love to see newspeople out asking questions.
What we get now 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.
Sep 22, 2021 Q13 FOX
Burien Police seize more than 40,000 fentanyl-laced tablets during arrest
Newspeople didn’t show up to ask questions, so we will ask a few here. Our questions appear in bold type.
What role does a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security play in keeping fentanyl from entering the Puget Sound area?
The pills seized were cartel product or were they stolen from local pharmacies, hospitals, etc. Were the pills the same as what would come in a legal prescription or were they manufactured for the illegal drug trade?
We have been hearing of opioid lawsuits in recent years. How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?
Would the DEA be out of work if a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up all over the US?
Has local CBP been able to reduce access to cartel product in the Puget Sound area?
Port Angeles
Local people find drugs and report to local (not federal) law enforcement authorities. Federal employees create news story and say that federal agents used a K-9 to “seize” the drugs.
Question for CBP:
Why does the news story created by CBP not line up with local reports?
Mainstream newspeople remain silent.
News links and Sheriff’s Dept. Facebook post here:
Port Angeles Border Patrol – Investigation Stalled For 3 Weeks?
Original blog post:
Port Angeles Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth?
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, and newspeople will play along by not asking any questions:
Related:
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions
Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press
The Press Is Weak – Newspaper Revenue Down Compared To 20 Years Ago
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Grays Harbor County
Washington Coast
Click image once or twice to show detail in the distance.
Grays Harbor County
Washington Coast
