About a two hour walk in wet fog.
Washington Coast – The North Beach
When the time is right, the top of Mount Rainier is visible from this cam:
Westport – coastal weather cam here.
Looking over the jetty that connects to the former Damon Point recreation area:
Never collect or burn driftwood.
The era of newspeople not asking questions brings on private citizens who go out and ask questions.
Instead of waiting for school teachers to teach about individual rights and limited government authority, waiting on the press to ask questions, or courts to handle cases, these guys go out and update us with a quick reality check.
These guys were also never waiting on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein or the take down of any other bad guy in distant lands, as DOD defends the constitution, etc.
Maybe they are tired of being lied to.
I.A.M. Free – Inland Auditing Media
Public Records Request
It is very common that public offices in various states will say something like: Go to our website to submit your public records request online.
They would prefer the person with the camera leave the office as soon as possible.
It is common in various states that open records laws allow the public records request to be submitted in person orally or in writing and that the public records request may be made anonymously.
Public records laws set up an open door policy for people to go and interact in person with government offices and agencies during normal business hours at public offices.
Tyrant Terminator Audits!!! is a favorite channel where he has explained all this over and again in public offices.
Tyrant Terminator Audits!!!
More here:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Photo-
Symbol of the American mainstream press over the past 30 years.
Welcome Visitors
Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden
Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
Democracy Now!
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam. Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Some may have become skeptical along the way.
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
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?
Armed Forces Day
“The first observance took place May 20, 1950…”
At about this time, the US Dept. of Defense began a decades long tradition of not being able to stay out of or win undeclared wars in distant lands.
Related:
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
National Military Appreciation Month
“…Gen Z is the least likely generation to enlist…”
The people of Alaska need services in the Middle East
Vortex IPA – Fort George Brewery
Astoria, Oregon
The beer photo fetish page features a true grab bag of different beer styles and brands. We’ve been at it since 2012.
Possibly of interest:
Green/Clear Beer Bottle Myths?
Part Two – Green/Clear Beer Bottle Myths?
They can be seen on the Westport waterfront cam here.
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
Good News For New College Graduates & Families
Tough job market awaits class of 2026, but experts have advice for new grads
by Cory Smith – The National News Desk
May 13, 2026
“It might be harder than usual, but hard doesn’t mean impossible,” said David Prisco, the director of the Center for Career Readiness at Drexel University. “So, for students, perseverance is going to be key.”
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.
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/
Possibly of interest:
“…Gen Z is the least likely generation to enlist…”
The people of Alaska need services in the Middle East
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Above: A view from Westport, WA – March, 2025
What’s Going on With Shipping?
Completely Unrelated
All is well:
WatchlistTYT
Any elected official or retired elected official who tells us The Troops were sent to protect American rights and freedoms needs to explain how those rights and freedoms are any different today because US troops were sent to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dave Smith
Possibly of interest:
“…Gen Z is the least likely generation to enlist…”
Take An Oath To The Constitution
The people of Alaska need services in the Middle East
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
National Military Appreciation Month
Photo-
Point Wilson scene
Sentinel
Related:
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.
We were on foot for about two hours.
Below: Click image once or twice to show detail.
Circa 1982 daypack:
Rare WA state park sign:
We saw several tent campers today at Lake Sylvia State Park.
This was a really great setting and I was very happy to know that tent camping lives on.
The whole area is a throwback to the last century. Love it.
We were out tent camping a few years back.
More here:
Possibly related:
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/
Above: Approved Flag Images
A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
In The News
US Gen Z, Young Millennials Less Patriotic Than Older Generations: Poll
Newsweek
May 12, 2026
I am in the oldest group and my patriotism is at an all time low.
I finished my time in the Marines in 1999 with a solid attitude and a patriotic spirit. The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
The USA has taken a dive in the post 911 era.
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
Mainstream Media Functions Like Paid Actors Reading A Script
Americans do not live in a free and honest society. Today, the mainstream media will function like paid actors reading a script:
Would any newsperson ever ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
US jet aircraft have been able to strike targets in what wars won by the US?
Currently serving four-star officers and high level DOD civilians have been associated with what wars won by the US?
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.
Macho Swagger
Watch Secretary of War Pete Hegseth takes thrilling fighter jet ride with ‘Top-Gun’ pilots:
Since 1986 Top Gun:
The US Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. Is it understandable that young people and their parents and grandparents would take a dim view on all this?
Lies About Freedom
It’s all about freedom folks.
Biden honors Americans who ‘stood on the front lines of freedom’ in Veterans Day remarks
CNN Nov 11, 2023
Sorry, no newspeople available to ask:
Mr President,
How would American freedoms and the Constitution be any different today if US troops were never sent to Iraq way back in 1991?
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in this area.
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
Both major parties are OK with federal prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for adults age 18-20.
No such thing the day I graduated from high school.
That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.
Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Good luck with your US Armed Forces recruiting crisis.
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/
Related:
“…Gen Z is the least likely generation to enlist…”
Take An Oath To The Constitution
The people of Alaska need services in the Middle East
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Blowing up suspected drug boat crews, bold PR statements from Kristi Noem, sealed borders, REAL ID mandates, designating cartels as terrorist organizations, DHS guarding Super Bowls, US troops at the border and the Seattle drug situation appears to be no different in May of 2026 than it was under Biden.
The Fantasy Newsperson Asks
If Kristi Noem tells us on Feb 4, 2026 that the border is secure, how are drugs still coming in?
Standard newspeople remain silent.
In The News
Homeowners near Sandel Park call for enforcement over drug activity stemming from RVs
by Tyler Cunnington – KOMO News
May 10, 2026
Many comments are posted above and below.
KOMO News
May10, 2026
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:
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.
More here:
Sealed Borders Fail to Keep Drugs Out
The era of newspeople not asking questions brings on private citizens who go out and ask questions.
Instead of waiting for school teachers to teach about individual rights and limited government authority, waiting on the press to ask questions, or courts to handle cases, these guys go out and update us with a quick reality check.
These guys were also never waiting on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein or the take down of any other bad guy in distant lands, as DOD defends the constitution, etc.
Maybe they are tired of being lied to.
KULT NEWS
KULT NEWS
Bank computer screen exposed to the public at 12:26 below:
More here:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Possibly of interest:
Sealed Borders Fail to Keep Drugs Out
Photo: One I took a few years back.
A symbol of operating a camera in a public place.
Salmon Season – Whidbey Island – Driftwood Park
Above: Beachcombing – Pacific Coast
Sealed borders still unable to keep drugs out of local communities:
In The News
Much federal work over the past 12 months to keep drugs out.
Mountlake Terrace overdose death leads to two arrests
By Ian Davis-Leonard – The Everett Herald
May 7, 2026
More here:
Sealed Borders Fail to Keep Drugs Out
Something Needs To Be Done
Maybe YouTube needs to be shut down in order to stop discussion of various ideas related to politics.
Breaking Points and Good Politic Guy
Post 911 Airport Security Update:
The post 911 surveillance state (fusion centers, license scanners, Homeland Security grant money, monitoring of e-mails, text messages, & social media sites, no fly/terror watch lists, tracking of cell phones, best advances in REAL ID and AI technologies, etc.) appears to have played no role in preventing the incident reported below:
The Hill
We did not cut the fern down to the ground in early February this year as we have done in the past.
Looking good.
Visitors over the past 4 years:
Occasional Visitors/Still Looking for Bigfoot
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