National Guard To Africa

December 1, 2021 //

Will there ever come a time when newspeople ask if there is any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to the movement of National Guard troops to an overseas location?

Nov 29 2021 Military.com

1,000 National Guard Soldiers to Deploy to Africa as Mid East Wars Wind Down

“The U.S. has been increasingly operating in countries like Somalia and Niger as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have drawn down.”

Claims about freedoms that cry out for questioning:

Mayor Day told us that sending hometown troops to Africa was meant to keep Salisbury Maryland safe and free.

Source:

May 28, 2020 WMAR

Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard

“I am honored to do my part to ensure that the citizens of this community and all Americans remain safe and free.”

Several news sources published this quote. View them here.

The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.

Mayor Day,

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.

Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

December 21st 2019 KOMO News

Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide

“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”

Kosovo too:

Nov 28, 2021 WHAS11

Kentucky infantry company deploys to Horn of Africa with Virginia National Guard

The people of Kentucky and Virginia also need services in Kosovo:

“Those soldiers will work with the Virginia National Guard in Southeast Europe as they deploy to conduct peace support for NATO-led Kosovo Force in early 2022.”

Oct. 15, 2021 NATO

“NATO has been leading a peace-support operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of wider international efforts to build peace and stability in the area.”

Nov 12, 2021 National Guard Bureau

National Guard leader to Croatia president: ‘Thank you for quarter-century partnership’

“Minnesota and Croatia formed a partnership in 1996, five years after the Southeastern European country declared independence from the former Yugoslavia. Croatia joined NATO in 2009 and the European Union in 2013.”

Did the advantage of NATO allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?

The people of Nevada need services in Africa:

Nov 23 2021 KRNV

Nevada Air Guard to deploy to Africa for airlift mission after Thanksgiving

Also:

Nov 30, 2021 Military.com

Oklahoma Guard Paychecks Under Threat as Vaccine Battle with Pentagon Escalates

“…a spokesperson with the Oklahoma Guard said there is no change in the state’s plan to defy the vaccine mandate.”

“However, it was unclear what mechanisms would allow DoD to track unvaccinated troops and withhold their pay. Personnel and pay systems are mostly handled at the state level. Also, troops flagged under other circumstances, such as failing a fitness test, are not typically denied pay.”

Love to see the press find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.

Look for TV newspeople to play along by not asking questions.

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Categories Armistice Day, National Guard

First season with a wood stove

November 29, 2021 //

Categories Pacific Time, Simple Living

Carl Is Cooking

November 28, 2021 //

On the Weber

Thanksgiving – 2021

Categories Carl

Closed – WA Interstate 5 Rest Areas

November 27, 2021 //

It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now.

The WWII generation did a better job of running a modern society.

Nothing new about highway rest stops. They have been around for a long time now.

Oct. 15, 2021 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington closes several rest areas along Interstate 5 indefinitely due to vandalism, trash

“Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the long-term closure of several rest areas between Everett and the Canadian border this week due to vandalism and ongoing maintenance issues.”

Long-term closure? No chance for a quick cleanup, ongoing State Patrol enforcement, maintenance & volunteer groups to keep rest stops cleaned up and ready to go?

49 other states operate highway rest stops. If I was Governor, I would insist on picking the top 3 states that are best at running rest stops and running WA rest stops in a similar manner until further improvements could be made.

These are federal highways. Publicly funded highway safety facilities will be shut down because of misbehavior? WTF?

“…some visitors have not been using the facilities for their intended purpose…”

Living at rest stops, illegal dumping, littering, vandalism and verbal threats against employees will keep gasoline tanker truck and HAZMAT transport operators from stopping to take a break for safety?

Oct. 15, 2021 Seattle Times

Five I-5 rest areas to close in Snohomish and Whatcom counties over trash, vandalism

“…another Snohomish County traveler mentioned filthy conditions in August, including sewage around the crowded RV waste-disposal areas, and suggested tighter State Patrol enforcement.”

A large number of comments follow the article.

From comments:

“Also not mentioned is the fact that the state has a law enforcement agency responsible for policing the state and interstate freeways, including rest stops. Where is the WSP in this issue?”

Oct 15, 2021 KING 5 News video:

Several rest areas along I-5 closed in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties

Misbehavior will keep Mom & Pops, who are visiting from out of state, from getting a positive and welcoming impression of WA?

Welcome TF Home Troops

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Washington State Ferries & A Press Release Style Of News Reporting

Remain in your homes and wait for further instructions

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

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Symbol of a culture that was once strong (Man On The Moon in ’69). A culture that is now weak. A culture that will yield the right of way to violators while pushing good citizens to the side & collecting big tax money all along the way.

Categories Ongoing Breakdown of Society, Restricted Activities, Road Trip

No Hurry To Change

November 22, 2021 //

Port Hadlock

Categories Best of Port Hadlock

A break in the storms on Saturday

November 21, 2021 //

Washington Coast

Categories Pacific Time

A November View

November 16, 2021 //

Duck Lake from the Weatherwax Trail.

Categories Pacific Time, Weatherwax

Pet Store Cat Bed?

November 16, 2021 //

No, Thanks.

Categories A Small Nonprofit Rescued & Adopted Cat Daycare Center That Is Always Open

Out for a walk near Duck Lake

November 15, 2021 //

On the Weatherwax Trail.

Categories Pacific Time, Weatherwax

Out for a walk near Duck Lake

November 14, 2021 //

On the Weatherwax Trail.

Categories Pacific Time, Weatherwax

Independent Press Needs Federal Cash?

November 14, 2021 //

Love to see newspeople showing initiative and curiosity in asking questions.

People who take no public funds or private donations are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press?

I think people could reject alternative media and be totally good with mainstream media, but it would require the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks to try harder.

Nov 13, 2021 KOMO News

Biden bill would give local news outlets ‘shot in the arm’

“The measure would allow newspapers, digital news outlets and radio and television stations to claim a tax credit of $25,000 the first year and $15,000 the next four years for up to 1,500 journalists.”

“Already, about one-fourth of the country’s newspapers have closed and half of local journalism jobs have evaporated in the past 15 years, according to research from the University of North Carolina.”

KOMO News on Twitter:

“The help would come in the form of a payroll tax credit for companies that employ eligible local journalists.”

This is journalism:

KOMO News Nov 14, 2021

Arby’s to sell two vodka flavors inspired by its curly and crinkle fries

KOMO News on Twitter:

“Would you try Arby’s curly fry or crinkle fry flavored vodka?”

I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

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 federal support.

Got it.

Ready to purchase a subscription to any Puget Sound area newspaper that will show initiative and curiosity in asking questions.

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

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

A few public policy questions newspeople will not ask:

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press

TV News – Interview people from various sides of any issue?

Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions

“How do you thank a veteran?”

JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:

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

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A symbol of newspeople who play along by not asking questions.

Categories Alternative Media, Information Suppression Specialists, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent

A break in the storms on Saturday

November 14, 2021 //

Out for a walk in the woods on the Weatherwax Trail.

Categories Pacific Time, Weatherwax

A break in the storms on Saturday

November 13, 2021 //

Out for a walk in the woods on the Weatherwax Trail.

Categories Pacific Time, Weatherwax

A few hours of dry weather

November 13, 2021 //

Weatherwax Trail

Categories Pacific Time, Weatherwax

Fun Stuff

November 10, 2021 //

Found on the Weatherwax Trail.

Local group: Ocean Shores Rocks

Categories Pacific Time, Weatherwax, Whidbey Rocks

Weatherwax Trail

November 9, 2021 //

A few hours of dry weather on Tuesday. This trail was well sheltered from the wind.

Local info here.

Categories Local Stuff, Pacific Time, Weatherwax

Federal Trust and Credibility

November 9, 2021 //

There’s nothing like being direct… pic.twitter.com/GGdzx7pUY8

— ZNeveri (@ZNeveri) November 8, 2021

Random thoughts:

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

Secrecy Re: JFK assassination files that remain sealed does not enhance government credibility.

Since WWII, information now 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.

Links & sources:

JBLM – US Armed Forces Vaccine Hesitancy

JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:

Possibly of interest:

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

“How do you thank a veteran?”

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo-

Quality time at Point Partridge

Categories Alternative Media, Information Suppression Specialists, Just Be Honest, More discussion please

For Eileen – A break in the storms on Saturday

November 6, 2021 //

Washington Coast

Categories Pacific Time

“How do you thank a veteran?”

November 6, 2021 //

Seen on Twitter:

“How do you thank a veteran? Here’s what our employees had to say.”

My answer:

Reach for an honest understanding of US foreign policy.

Find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.

Look for TV newspeople to play along by not asking questions.

Claims about freedoms that cry out for questioning:

Two major political parties continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.

School teachers and newspeople are OK with promoting this urban legend.

Local press:

Hometown pride running high. High enough to stop asking questions?

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

Glorification of military service / total nonsense:

WA Secretary of State

“Our right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.”

If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?

Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?

If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

Right To Vote Linked To Military Operations/US Troops in Distant Lands?

May 28, 2020 WMAR

Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard

“I am honored to do my part to ensure that the citizens of this community and all Americans remain safe and free.”

Several news sources published this quote. View them here.

The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.

Mayor Day,

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.

Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

December 21st 2019 KOMO News

Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide

“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”

USMC Birthday and Veterans Day Memories

Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?

School Teachers, Please Help Out With Lessons About Where Freedom Comes From

Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Do Americans have an honest relationship with the US Armed Forces?

Veterans Day Nonsense

Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our 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.

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Several questions newspeople will avoid asking:

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Categories Armistice Day, Federal Holidays, Just Be Honest, More discussion please, Newspeople not asking questions, Veterans Day Propaganda

Low Tide 1921

November 4, 2021 //

Thursday – Washington Coast

Categories Pacific Time

Bogeymen In The News

November 4, 2021 //

Domestic terrorists, COVID for kids, murder hornets, unsafe Halloween candy, white supremacists, ISIS threat close to election day, climate change, and voting rights restrictions.

All recent stories linked to source.

Love to see more discussion Re:

ISIS Threat

Oct. 29, 2021 CBS News

Virginia malls and shopping centers increase security amid ISIS threat

The War on Terror has prompted law enforcement authorities to inform the public by looking into the future and announcing that a threat may exist.

If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it-surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.

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, Real ID, tracking of cell phones, etc.) appears to have played no role in preventing these crimes:

Mar 16, 2021 NBC News video

8 dead in Atlanta-area spa shootings, suspect arrested

Voting Rights

What voting rights are currently restricted?

Climate Change

Aug, 10, 2017 KUOW

What was Washington State like during the last ice age?

Did the last ice age end because of man-made causes?

What role will other parts of the world play in acting on environmental concerns?

Why do environmental concerns not lead newspeople to ask:

When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?

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

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

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

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Out on the tails at Fort Ebey

Categories More discussion please

WA State Parks Rants

November 2, 2021 //

Wondering if something like 89 cents of each dollar collected for daytime parking fees goes directly towards funding of the manufacturing, installation and maintenance of enforcement related warning signs, kiosks, pay boxes, fluorescent placards, and the manufacturing and distribution of enforcement related literature, blank forms and documentation materials.

I have purchased a daytime parking pass for WA State Parks every year since the pass was first required.

I don’t purchase the pass because I believe in it. Taxes are meant to pay for parks. I purchase the pass to avoid being hassled.

I love the parks. I’m sure many good people work for the parks. Somewhere up in the chain of command, things don’t look right.

In the past few months, I have spent time in various state parks in different parts of the state.

Fort Ebey

The blacktop road to the beach is trashed and has been for years now.

A showroom quality fleet of vehicles are driven by parks staff on the property.

Are the trucks changed out for new when they are only 12 months old?

Oyhut State Park Ocean Beach Access

The parking area features ponding water and blacktop that was worn out a long time ago.

If the parks require a daytime parking fee, we should see parks that have been well maintained.

Fort Casey

Several years ago at Fort Casey in the camping area near the ferry dock:

All of the metal fire rings were replaced. Not a few that were damaged or worn out, but every single one.

How can this be justified?

Daytime parking pass fees are also used to fund the manufacturing, installation and maintenance of sturdy gates to keep you and your annual parking pass out of selected parks during winter months.

Park shown here (Rosario Beach) is located at sea level. More fees should bring greater access, not less.

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Categories Discover Pass, Washington State Parks