Newspeople show a lack of initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
The press promotes messages handed down by elected officials & government agencies.
Voices of dissent, and their social media accounts, are suppressed.
This whole structure brings government messages into question.
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
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.
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.
Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.
Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections
Earliest days of WA COVID concern: We were told that COVID-19 was a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and school while marijuana and booze sales were designated as essential. This policy may have made people wonder about the science here.
Marijuana and booze sales roll on:
March 25, 2020 The Seattle Times
Special construction projects are approved:
May 12th, 2020
Got it.
The state took money from some people, and gave it to some other people.
If your construction crew is working on a project based on any sort of voluntary exchange or honest demand for services, you might have to stay home for a while.
Source:
May 12, 2020 South Whidbey Record
Iconic inn gets new cedar roof thanks to grant
Related:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Never Used To Care About Political Parties
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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Shallow water at Keystone Harbor
When I was a kid, Jimmy Carter was elected to replace Gerald Ford.
20 years ago in WA, Gary Locke was governor. He was followed by Christine Gregoire.
Never really cared much.
Today, political parties and personalities are out to aggressively control people’s lives. Things are very much different than they were in decades past.
Some examples:
Today, there is a perception that democrats may be OK with 2020 rioting. They may hate the police, or maybe they are just OK with a political party where some do.
My view is that we need to maintain strong and ready police departments.
Unprofessional behavior is not to be tolerated.
Similar to public school teachers- date your 15 year old student and you are vaporized.
We do not eliminate/defund or downsize school teachers because a few are violators.
Maintain professional standards and zero tolerance for those who involve themselves in misconduct.
DNC:
They want to get rid of cars powered by internal combustion engines.
They predict worst-case scenarios related to climate change.
They believe you should turn in your guns.
More here:
Public Safety Deal Breaker
Washington State Patrol yields the right of way to protests on I-5.
July 5, 2020 KIRO 7
Death of I-5 protester sparks end of nighttime freeway protests
“But the Washington State Patrol looked the other way, even setting up barriers during the nearly three weeks of nighttime protests on the freeway.”
After enabling criminal conduct, WSP will no longer enable criminal conduct:
“Blocking a freeway is a crime and no longer are we going to enable that criminal conduct to continue,” said State Patrol Capt. Ron Mead, who made the decision to no longer close the interstate. “We are not going to be allowing protesters to access the freeway unimpeded, and there are consequences for criminal conduct.”
“State Patrol had shut down the interstate 19 nights in a row in response to protests, said Capt. Mead, who oversees the agency’s district that includes King County. For weeks, troopers operated in response to protesters’ movements, shutting down a stretch of the interstate when it looked as if protesters would enter the roadway.”
Plastic Bag Ban
I’d be for letting business owners and their customers decide on plastic bags.
No good:
Plastic bags banned in Washington starting October 1
I always thought of a plastic bag problem as a litter problem.
Never understood the concept of:
Packing along a bag to cleanup after the dog.
Using the bag to cleanup after the dog.
Setting the bag down next to the trail & walking off.
Watch for the next big crisis to be a climate emergency.
Voices of science and dissent:
July 13, 2021 Cliff Mass Weather Blog
Flawed Heatwave Report Leads to False Headlines in Major Media
July 5, 2021 Cliff Mass Weather Blog
Was Global Warming The Cause of the Great Northwest Heatwave? Science Says No.
Governor Inslee,
Can you help us to understand why several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall?
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED 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
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor City Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Daily status reports here:
Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Following the situation on our blog for several years now.
Not Just The Democratic Party
A society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can any member of the press, or any political party 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.”
Related:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
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
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Foggy morning at Libbey Beach
July 28, 2021 Opinion by Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst
Mandating vaccines for the military would send a powerful message
The powerful message is that you have some of the most patriotic and committed Americans who doubt federal credibility.
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.
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Questions that go unasked by TV National Security Analysts:
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
Since the end of WWII, information is 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.
Dec. 23, 2013 Tampa Bay Times
USS Calhoun County sailors dumped thousands of tons of radioactive waste into ocean
“For up to 15 years after World War II, the crew of Albernaz’s ship, the USS Calhoun County, dumped thousands of tons of radioactive waste into the Atlantic Ocean, often without heeding the simplest health precautions, according to Navy documents and Tampa Bay Times interviews with more than 50 former crewmen.”
“Albernaz began a battle for his life in 1988 when part of his brain began to die, mystifying doctors who eventually concluded the rare ailment might be linked to radiation. He filed a VA claim for benefits in 2001 that was repeatedly rejected, often with tortured government reasoning.”
“The VA and Navy told Albernaz he was not exposed to radiation on the Calhoun County, a vessel the Navy ordered sunk in 1963 because it was radioactive. The VA ignored Navy documents discovered by a former congressional aide proving the ship’s radioactivity, telling Albernaz they were “unsubstantiated.” And the Navy today points to Cold War records that are incomplete and unreliable as proof crewmen were not exposed to dangerous radiation.”
Using GIs in mustard gas experiments
June 23, 2015 NPR
The VA’s Broken Promise To Thousands Of Vets Exposed To Mustard Gas
“In secret chemical weapons experiments conducted during World War II, the U.S. military exposed thousands of American troops to mustard gas.”
“When those experiments were formally declassified in the 1990s, the Department of Veterans Affairs made two promises: to locate about 4,000 men who were used in the most extreme tests, and to compensate those who had permanent injuries.”
“But the VA didn’t uphold those promises, an NPR investigation has found.”
Using GIs to test nuclear weapons
You guys stand over here and watch for the mushroom cloud. Take notes and your observations will be used to continue development of this weapons system.
Decades later, we will look into any evidence of gruesome medical complications:
January 22, 1978 The Washington Post
Effects of Nuclear Tests on GIs Probed
“…at least six GIs of 2,235 who participated in a 1957 test developed leukemia – a blood cancer associated with radiation – the congressional inquiry is expected to disclose, among other findings, sloppy procedures in the handling of film badges, the primary means used to measure individual radiation exposure.”
“Allan M. Harris, a California insurance man, was a Marine who observed a 1952 shot and thereafter was marched into the vicinity of ground zero. Harris said in a recent interview that no badges were given his unit.”
“Troops often were marched into the immediate vicinity of ground zero shortly after major shots.”
“Dann said recently that, within a year of the tests, “I lost my teeth, my hair fell out in blotches . . . my joints ached and I had a low sperm count.” Several years later, Dann developed a dizziness problem and now is a paraplegic as the result of an accident.”
Agent Orange
Decades later, we will continue to look into providing disability compensation:
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation
Changes based on Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019
“Blue Water Navy Veterans who served aboard ships in the open waters off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War are now presumed to be exposed to Agent Orange. If we denied your claim in the past, you can file a new claim based on Public Law 116-23.”
“Children of U.S. Veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War may now be eligible for benefits. If your child was diagnosed with spina bifida (except spina bifida occulta), learn more about eligibility for birth defects linked to Agent Orange.”
MCAS El Toro
“A TCE plume was discovered off base in 1985. MWSG-37 was ground zero for the TCE plume, spreading miles into Orange County. In 1997 EPA reported that the MWSG-37 area was the source of the toxic plume. EPA found that: “approximately 1,500 pounds of TCE are estimated to be present in soil gas; an additional 4,000 pounds of TCE would be present in the soil moisture.”
“The risk of serious illness for those who worked in MWSG-37 in or near the maintenance hangars was high because of exposure to toxic vapors from open containers and from vapor intrusion.”
Much additional info is available on the web. Begin your studies here.
Camp Lejeune water contamination
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Camp Lejeune water contamination health issues
“If you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, you may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water there. Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and development of certain diseases later on.”
“From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals.”
Much additional info is available on the web. Begin your studies here.
Gulf War Syndrome
Decades later, we will continue to look into expanding coverage of veterans’ benefits to include side effects from exposure to burn pits.
April 16, 2021 NCPR
Senators seek expanded veterans coverage for burn pit exposure
“We had Agent Orange in Vietnam. Years later, there was also Gulf War syndrome from the first Iraq war, that’s still not very well understood and it seems like burn pits are going to be the example of [environmental illness] from the War on Terror.”
JBLM – US Armed Forces Vaccine Hesitancy
Maybe the troops out at JBLM are wary because of US history. Maybe the third grade pledge of allegiance drills are wearing off now.
Related:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
The effort to stamp out misinformation in social media does not apply to major TV networks promoting the idea that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Schmoozy TV Freedom Nonsense – Leaving Afghanistan
Love to see the press, school teachers, sports announcers and politicians come clean on how any of this was linked to American rights and freedoms or defending the constitution.
Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms
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
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here and people who opt out on attending services.
Today, crisis requires a one size fits all, guilty until proven innocent approach.
The press tends to support this.
Today, people who offer up a voice of dissent, and their social media accounts, are suppressed.
If they accept whatever message is handed down by elected officials and government agencies, their voice is authorized.
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
Look for scolding, shaming, guilt tripping, dividing people up into groups and pitting one group against another in dealing with the next crisis.
Maybe all of the US should function like one, giant military base.
Freedom of individual expression could be fully controlled. No distractions. No dissent.
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Some may have become skeptical along the way.
Related:
Press Release Style of News Reporting – Lazy Newspeople
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
WA COVID – Press Release Style of News Reporting
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
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Crescent Beach
About 12 miles west of Port Angeles
Today, it seems as if the press promotes whatever message is handed down by elected officials and government agencies.
If the policy does not work to achieve goals, reporting on the policy may end completely.
Here is an example:
Puget Sound area shootings roll on.
WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.
The new requirements have had time to take hold.
Did the new requirements reduce gun crimes?
Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?
I find zero reporting on how enhanced background checks have played any role in reducing Puget Sound are shootings.
Newspeople appear to show little initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
Would TV newspeople consider creating an interview setting where people from various sides of an issue are given a chance to speak?
The press release style of reporting does not allow for that. Is there any news here, that wouldn’t show up on a law enforcement facebook page?
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
The press release style of news reporting means that a statement is prepared by whatever agency just created a new policy or was involved in the latest 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.
Related:
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Another DEA Press Release – Zero Questions From Newspeople
Reporting The News by Press Release
Port Angeles Drug War Covered By Press Release
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
WA COVID – Press Release Style of News Reporting
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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The COVID situation may be confusing. Gov. Inslee ended statewide COVID restrictions on June 30, 2021.
June 28, 2021 The Seattle Times
Inslee to celebrate end of COVID-19 restrictions with stops in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane
“On Wednesday evening, Inslee will head to a celebration at River Square Park in Spokane, to be joined by Mayor Nadine Woodward.”
“Then, on Thursday morning, Inslee will raise a “Washington Ready” flag above the Space Needle. Afterward, the governor is expected to make a stop at Pike Place Market.”
July 14, 2021
Less than one month after ending statewide COVID restrictions:
July 22, 2021 Peninsula Daily News
Time to mask up again against COVID-19
Honor system ‘not working’
Earliest days of WA COVID concern: We were told that COVID-19 was a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and school while marijuana and booze sales were designated as essential. This policy may have made people wonder about the science here.
Marijuana and booze sales roll on:
March 25, 2020 The Seattle Times
Special construction projects are approved:
May 12th, 2020
Got it.
The state took money from some people, and gave it to some other people.
If your construction crew is working on a project based on any sort of voluntary exchange or honest demand for services, you might have to stay home for a while.
Source:
May 12, 2020 South Whidbey Record
Iconic inn gets new cedar roof thanks to grant
Related:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities
Does the science still say WA marijuana and booze sales are essential?
WA COVID – Press Release Style of News Reporting
WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint
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 miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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Port Townsend
Big marketing campaign tells us that veterans must be accurately portrayed in TV shows.
1:55
“Fought for freedom on foreign battlefields”
The effort to stamp out misinformation in social media does not apply to major TV networks promoting the idea that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
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.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Just Be Honest.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Some veterans would offer up a voice of dissent and have a few questions to ask if they had a moment on TV. Our questions appear in bold type.
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
Love to see the press, school teachers, sports announcers and politicians come clean on how any of this was linked to American rights and freedoms or defending the constitution.
Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can CBS 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.”
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?
Grew up in the 70s.
Seems like the press was better at asking questions back then.
Related:
Wouldn’t Real Newspeople Ask Questions?
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Defending The Constitution With Decades Of Undeclared Wars
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
1967
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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Watching the waves at Fort Casey
Before the internet and social media-
If different people selected different churches to attend, or they decided to attend no church at all, was this because of misinformation?
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature.
Today, it seems as if the press promotes whatever message is handed down by elected officials and government agencies.
The press release style of news reporting means that a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest 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.
Wouldn’t Real Newspeople Ask Questions?
The press tells us that:
A recent heat wave caused a spike in shellfish-related illnesses.
Press asks zero questions:
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED 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
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor City Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Daily status reports here:
Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Following the situation on our blog for several years now.
Port Angeles CBP – Zero Questions From Newspeople
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?
Is Port Angeles CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering the Puget Sound area?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Local meth news stories here.
Local heroin news stories here.
Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure
What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from Port Angeles?
Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?
Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay
Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree
REAL ID
If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?
The new REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel has now been extended out more than 20 years past 911.
Show up early to wait in line and squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube at the airport?
May 5, 2021 KOMO News
Wash. lab develops scanner that may eliminate need to remove shoes at airport
“This new technology could speed up the screening process by about 20% and eliminate the hassle of taking off shoes and putting them back on, researchers say.”
What keeps the terrorists of the GWOT from creating a disruption at the back end of the screening line?
Has anyone ever seen any member of the press ask questions on this?
Fred Reed December 4, 2015
Security Theater: Customary Federal Pointlessness
“…the intelligence agencies have proved useless. NSA did not prevent the first attack on the Twin Towers in 1993, nor the successful one.”
“What goes on at airports is not security. It is Security Theater. When the government’s own agents try to smuggle “weapons” aboard airliners to test the system, they succeed ninety-five percent of the time.”
“Further, a terrorist doesn’t need to get aboard an airliner to blow up spectacularly. At many airports, hundreds of people line up at ticket counters during peak hours. A carry-on bag of explosive would easily create enough slaughter to shut down air travel and to make international headlines for weeks.”
“Warnings at airports that unattended vehicles will be ticketed, towed, and perhaps destroyed are also Security Theater. By the time the vehicle was noticed, and somebody sent to check it out, an easy five minutes would have passed and the driver would be somewhere else. Boom.”
REAL ID And The Fake War on Terror
REAL ID & Drug Cartels
Love to see newspeople interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
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?
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.
Local press:
“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?
Military Town – Hometown Pride
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
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.”
Is it possible that over the past 40 years or so, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation?
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Possibly of interest:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms
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
Photo-
Quality time at Point Partridge
Look for a big daily doomsday report in the news.
Learn about:
Wildfire Smoke moving across North America
A drug-resistant “superbug” fungus now spreading
Several reports on heat wave damage to shellfish
Zero reports on why several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall?
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED 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
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor City Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Daily status reports here:
Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Following the situation on our blog for several years now.
News tip/story idea:
WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.
The new requirements have had time to take hold.
Did the new requirements reduce gun crimes?
Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?
Enhanced Background Checks Update
Public Safety Reaction Mode
Clearing out Seattle homeless camps after rock throwing on highways may be seen as controversial.
Public Safety Deal Breaker
Washington State Patrol yields the right of way to protests on I-5.
Seattle protests on I-5 go on for 19 nights resulting in a fatality.
After enabling criminal conduct, WSP will no longer enable criminal conduct:
“Blocking a freeway is a crime and no longer are we going to enable that criminal conduct to continue,” said State Patrol Capt. Ron Mead, who made the decision to no longer close the interstate. “We are not going to be allowing protesters to access the freeway unimpeded, and there are consequences for criminal conduct.”
“State Patrol had shut down the interstate 19 nights in a row in response to protests, said Capt. Mead, who oversees the agency’s district that includes King County. For weeks, troopers operated in response to protesters’ movements, shutting down a stretch of the interstate when it looked as if protesters would enter the roadway.”
Public Safety/Routine Stuff
WSP knows that more people are out drinking and driving during the holidays. WSP gets involved to promote public safety before lives are lost.
Why did protests on I-5 go on for 19 nights?
Where are the Washington State Patrol resignations?
Possibly of interest:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Wouldn’t Real Newspeople Ask Questions?
Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms
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
Today, it seems as if the press promotes whatever message is handed down by elected officials and government agencies.
The press release style of news reporting means that a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest 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.
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
The press tells us that:
A recent heat wave caused a spike in shellfish-related illnesses.
Press asks zero questions:
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED 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
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor City Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Daily status reports here:
Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Following the situation on our blog for several years now.
Fentanyl
When news/social media posts are created by federal employees, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press.
Questions for newspeople:
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 in all 50 states?
Have opioid lawsuits played any role in reducing opioid/fentanyl overdose deaths?
How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?
DEA/Homeland Security Wasteful Spending Partnership – Newspeople Remain Silent
Opioid lawsuits
Four companies on verge of settling U.S. opioid lawsuits
Zero questions from newspoeple Re:
A $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartel product from showing up all over the US.
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?
Questions for newspeople to ask:
Has local CBP been able to reduce access to fentanyl in WA or the Puget Sound area?
Have opioid lawsuits played any role in reducing opioid/fentanyl overdose deaths?
How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
TSA
“More than 1.87 million people traveled through airport security checkpoints yesterday.”
Zero questions from newspeople.
In the USMC, the War on Terror started well before 911.
Show up early to wait in a long line out at the airport?
What keeps the terrorists we are meant to stay scared of from creating a disruption at the back end of the screening line?
Has anyone ever seen the press ask questions on this?
Puget Sound ferries and the GWOT
Another round trip ferry crossing last weekend. No security screening at either terminal.
Ferry thoughts here:
Occasionally looking for the Coupeville Ferry
On occasion, the press will do a story on a ferry security drill.
Question for newspeople:
If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?
More here:
Washington State Ferries Security
Recent fatality at Anacortes Ferry Terminal:
Washington State Ferries Security – Looking for Clarification
Port Angeles CBP – Zero Questions From Newspeople
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?
Is Port Angeles CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering the Puget Sound area?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Local meth news stories here.
Local heroin news stories here.
Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure
What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from Port Angeles?
Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?
Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay
Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
REAL ID
If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?
The new REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel has now been extended out more than 20 years past 911.
Show up early to wait in line and squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube at the airport?
May 5, 2021 KOMO News
Wash. lab develops scanner that may eliminate need to remove shoes at airport
“This new technology could speed up the screening process by about 20% and eliminate the hassle of taking off shoes and putting them back on, researchers say.”
What keeps the terrorists of the GWOT from creating a disruption at the back end of the screening line?
Has anyone ever seen any member of the press ask questions on this?
Fred Reed December 4, 2015
Security Theater: Customary Federal Pointlessness
“…the intelligence agencies have proved useless. NSA did not prevent the first attack on the Twin Towers in 1993, nor the successful one.”
“What goes on at airports is not security. It is Security Theater. When the government’s own agents try to smuggle “weapons” aboard airliners to test the system, they succeed ninety-five percent of the time.”
“Further, a terrorist doesn’t need to get aboard an airliner to blow up spectacularly. At many airports, hundreds of people line up at ticket counters during peak hours. A carry-on bag of explosive would easily create enough slaughter to shut down air travel and to make international headlines for weeks.”
“Warnings at airports that unattended vehicles will be ticketed, towed, and perhaps destroyed are also Security Theater. By the time the vehicle was noticed, and somebody sent to check it out, an easy five minutes would have passed and the driver would be somewhere else. Boom.”
REAL ID And The Fake War on Terror
REAL ID & Drug Cartels
Love to see newspeople interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
Grew up in the 70s.
Seems like the press was better at asking questions back then.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Port Hadlock Transit Center
Several years have passed since our last road trip. Over the weekend, we traveled from the Keystone ferry terminal to Ocean Shores and back.
Ferry thoughts here:
Occasionally looking for the Coupeville Ferry
Another round trip ferry crossing. No security screening at either terminal.
On occasion, the press will do a story on a ferry security drill.
Question for newspeople:
If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?
More here:
Washington State Ferries Security
Recent fatality at Anacortes Ferry Terminal:
Washington State Ferries Security – Looking for Clarification
It’s about 145 miles from Port Townsend to Ocean Shores. On the way back, we went though Matlock, WA and on up to the south end of Hood Canal. This route is like getting home via country roads. I enjoyed it.
Lodging Night One
Days Inn by Wyndham Ocean Shores
Very strongly recommend avoiding this facility. If you took a chance on a Mom & Pop place and found out it was disagreeable, you could just be more careful next time. A nationwide chain/brandname would be expected to maintain some standards. Many issues here. Take a look for reviews on the web if you are interested.
View from room (no screen for window).
Lodging Night Two
Fled the Days Inn and checked into a spot we have stayed before.
Friendly & helpful staff. Great location. Happy to return for another stay anytime:
Ocean Shores Paradise Hotel & Resort
Eating and Drinking
Years ago, we were very familiar with several Ocean Shores restaurants, taverns and pubs. We began to get away from Ocean Shores and were taking trips to Seaside Oregon, the last few times we went to the coast.
What we found on Friday was a combination of places that were fully open, partially open and closed or maybe gone for good.
Fully Open
Very friendly place, even to total strangers. Drank my first beer at a bar in maybe 18 months or more. Really like this place.
Friendly spot. Recommended.
Partially open:
Quinault Beach Resort & Casino Ocean Shores
Went out Saturday morning for breakfast. We had been here before and enjoyed it. Entrance to casino was confusing. Sign says masks preferred. Security staff meets us at entrance and asks us if we are there to eat/drink, gamble or are we staying there?
Not a welcoming vibe.
We said we wanted to eat breakfast. “It does not open until 8:30.” We said thank you and left, not to return on this visit. Why no security asking what we want at the grocery store?
Another casino on the way home:
It was time for a break. We rolled up to the Lucky Dog Casino.
Sign at entrance says unvaccinated people to wear masks.
We step in and the person assigned to the door immediately says: “You guys are good.”
A welcoming approach to running a casino. Love it. Clean restrooms are very well maintained.
Placed a couple dollars in the slots before we left.
Good vibe for us.
Other places:
Common for staff in restaurants to be wearing masks and for customers to go without.
Some places seemed so busy (or had imposed their own restrictions) that there was some sort of waiting line outside.
Bennett’s Fish Shack is a decent restaurant. Would go there again. They had a bit of a waiting line outside.
The COVID situation is confusing because Gov. Inslee ended statewide COVID restrictions some weeks ago.
Closed or maybe gone for good
We used to enjoy the Viet Hoa Restaurant. Building is now for sale.
Used to enjoy the cantina at Las Maracas Mexican Restaurant. Looks like it was closed while we were there. Still open?
Many years ago, we enjoyed Waves Restaurant & Bar. Gone now?
Small bar used to be here too. Closed for now.
Possibly of interest:
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here and people who opt out on attending services.
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Photo-
The beach near North Jetty
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
Today, crisis requires a one size fits all, guilty until proven innocent approach.
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here and people who opt out on attending services.
Watch for scolding, shaming, and guilt tripping in dealing with the next crisis.
3:35
Even with a huge marketing and promotional campaign, many people rejected the vaccine:
Maybe all of the US should function like one, giant military base.
Freedom of individual expression could be fully controlled. No distractions. No dissent.
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Some may have become skeptical along the way.
Watch for the next big crisis to be a climate emergency.
Voices of science and dissent:
July 13, 2021 Cliff Mass Weather Blog
Flawed Heatwave Report Leads to False Headlines in Major Media
July 5, 2021 Cliff Mass Weather Blog
Was Global Warming The Cause of the Great Northwest Heatwave? Science Says No.
Governor Inslee,
Can you help us to understand why several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall?
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED 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
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor City Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Daily status reports here:
Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Following the situation on our blog for several years now.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Rocky Brook Falls
Taking care of chores and projects.
Enough time now to look back and ask a few questions. The fact that the press has never been in the habbit of questioning the GWOT, by itself, seems a little odd.
Think about American culture and sports. Americans know and care about the rules in sports. The rules are critical. Missed calls by NFL officials may be discussed for weeks on end. Sports writers have permission to be critical of coaches, teams, players, the rule book, the league, referees, team owners, when the season starts and ends, etc.
Are people who work for newspapers and TV news folks given permission to go out and to do interviews related to public policy? If elected officials and people who run government agencies are not available to be interviewed, that should become the story.
March 9, 2021 Whidbey News-Times
First lady Jill Biden talks to families at NAS Whidbey
“The press was not permitted to attend that portion of her visit or ask the first lady any questions.”
Did the press attempt to ask questions at a more appropriate time?
If I was a member of the press I would ask public policy-related questions at an appropriate time. If questions were not answered, that would become the story.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Visits Whidbey
General Milley – No Questions From The Press
Today, we see a press release style of news reporting, where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest 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.
Recommendation for newspeople:
Interview people from various sides of any given issue. Use the web to post videos of these interviews if you are a newspaper struggling for subscription and advertising dollars.
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?
Was It A Fake War On Terror?
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
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?
American Rights and Freedoms?
Love to see the press, school teachers, sports announcers and politicians come clean on how any of this was linked to American rights and freedoms or defending the constitution.
Several federal holidays feature a theme related to the idea that the troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms
April 9, 2021 Whidbey News-Times
Letter to the editor:
“There are so many people here on the island who complain about jet noise, but I like it and to me it truly is the sound of freedom and so I thank them for all they do to keep the rest of us safe.”
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Do Americans have an honest relationship with the US Armed Forces?
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
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.”
Puget Sound Ferry Ride
If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?
Maybe security personnel are present at some specific terminals each day. Over the past 20 years, dozens of round trip crossings from various terminals indicate that in many cases- no security screening takes place prior to boarding ferries.
Washington State Ferries Security – Looking for Clarification
REAL ID
If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?
The new REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel has now been extended out more than 20 years past 911.
Show up early to wait in line and squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube at the airport?
May 5, 2021 KOMO News
Wash. lab develops scanner that may eliminate need to remove shoes at airport
“This new technology could speed up the screening process by about 20% and eliminate the hassle of taking off shoes and putting them back on, researchers say.”
What keeps the terrorists of the GWOT from creating a disruption at the back end of the screening line?
Has anyone ever seen any member of the press ask questions on this?
Fred Reed December 4, 2015
Security Theater: Customary Federal Pointlessness
“…the intelligence agencies have proved useless. NSA did not prevent the first attack on the Twin Towers in 1993, nor the successful one.”
“What goes on at airports is not security. It is Security Theater. When the government’s own agents try to smuggle “weapons” aboard airliners to test the system, they succeed ninety-five percent of the time.”
“Further, a terrorist doesn’t need to get aboard an airliner to blow up spectacularly. At many airports, hundreds of people line up at ticket counters during peak hours. A carry-on bag of explosive would easily create enough slaughter to shut down air travel and to make international headlines for weeks.”
“Warnings at airports that unattended vehicles will be ticketed, towed, and perhaps destroyed are also Security Theater. By the time the vehicle was noticed, and somebody sent to check it out, an easy five minutes would have passed and the driver would be somewhere else. Boom.”
REAL ID And The Fake War on Terror
REAL ID & Drug Cartels
Love to see newspeople interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
Strict Post 911/Global War on Terror Security Protocols No Match For Cartels
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
DEA’s drug threat report: Mexican cartel flooding Northwest with fentanyl
Source: March 2, 2021 KTVZ
July 8, 2021 The Chronicle
“The problem isn’t just in Eastern Washington, but North Idaho. Notably, Kootenai County was added to the Idaho/Oregon High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area last year by the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, allowing the region to receive grants focused on helping law enforcement agencies coordinate and share information.”
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 in all 50 states?
DEA/Homeland Security Wasteful Spending Partnership – Newspeople Remain Silent
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Both major parties and the press are OK with undeclared/unwon wars.
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
Love to see the press, school teachers, sports announcers and politicians come clean on how any of this was linked to American rights and freedoms or defending the constitution.
Several federal holidays feature a theme related to the idea that the troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Do Americans have an honest relationship with the US Armed Forces?
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Tomi Lahren video 0:11
“I’ve got loved ones overseas right now fighting for your right to sit on a bench…”
If The Troops fight for your right to sit, stand, kneel, etc.- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
Tomi Lahren at 2:37
We have the freedom to enjoy a backyard BBQ because of undeclared/unwon wars that never end:
June 12, 1967
“…an interracial couple who had been sentenced to a year in jail for violating Virginia’s ban on marriage between people of different races.”
1967
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi-
Defensive airstrikes in the Iraq-Syria border region are for protecting:
“…the military heroes who defend our freedoms…”
Madam Speaker,
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.”
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.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Just Be Honest.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
2:30
In 8 conflict areas.
Never met an enemy of the US Constitution:
1:14
Both major parties are good with undeclared/unwon wars that never end.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Think of a list of things the government is not very good at. Is this list bigger than a list of the things government does well?
Alternative media is OK with asking these sorts of questions. Mainstream media seems to avoid reporting on various topics.
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Six US Presidents have now had their hands on the wheel in Iraq
Defending The Constitution With Decades Of Undeclared Wars
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
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
Climate Emergency
July 06, 2021 KIRO 7 News
‘A forest fire in Puget Sound’: Heat wave bakes Washington shellfish industry
Zero Questions From The Press
Living on an Island near Puget Sound, there seems to be great concern for salmon, orca, eagles, recreational shellfish and clean water.
Maybe the press should be better about asking questions if they are going to line up for federal bailout cash.
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?
Image above: 7/7/2021
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Click image to enlarge.
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED 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
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor City Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
More here:
Make Sure Beaches Aren’t Closed Because of Biotoxins?
Any talk of reducing environmental impacts by shutting down undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
Any questions from newspeople?
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Strict Post 911/Global War on Terror Security Protocols No Match For Cartels
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?
All 50 states:
DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
July 8, 2021 The Chronicle
“The problem isn’t just in Eastern Washington, but North Idaho. Notably, Kootenai County was added to the Idaho/Oregon High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area last year by the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, allowing the region to receive grants focused on helping law enforcement agencies coordinate and share information.”
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 in all 50 states?
DEA/Homeland Security Wasteful Spending Partnership – Newspeople Remain Silent
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Getting the story straight on REAL ID.
If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?
The new REAL ID requirement/deadline for domestic air travel has now been extended out more than 20 years past 911.
REAL ID And The Fake War on Terror
Show up early to wait in line at the airport?
Newspeople have moved away from asking questions. Our questions appear in bold type.
May 5, 2021 KOMO News
Wash. lab develops scanner that may eliminate need to remove shoes at airport
“This new technology could speed up the screening process by about 20% and eliminate the hassle of taking off shoes and putting them back on, researchers say.”
What keeps the terrorists of the GWOT from creating a disruption at the end of the screening line?
Leaving Afghanistan
Love to see the press, school teachers, sports announcers and politicians come clean on how any of this was linked to American rights and freedoms or defending the constitution.
More here:
School Teachers, Please Help Out With Lessons About Where Freedom Comes From
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Do Americans have an honest relationship with the US Armed Forces?
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
COVID – Guilty Until Proven Innocent – Scolding & Shaming
Proven to be safe and effective/still waiting approval update:
WA Dept. of Health
@WADeptHealth
“With millions of doses administered and the vaccine proven to be safe and effective, Dr. Lockwood is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated to support their own health and the health of their community.”
Take a look at the extensive number of comments here.
Scolding, shaming and a guilty until proven innocent/us against them vibe comes out in the comments.
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here and people who do not attend religious services.
A free society is not a one size fits all society.
The number of people who have been vaccinated plus the number of people who have had prior COVID infection:
Gun Control
4th of July weekend shootings update.
News tip/story idea:
WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.
The new requirements have had time to take hold.
Did the new requirements reduce gun crimes?
Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?
More here:
Enhanced Background Checks Update
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
Jun 28, 2021 ABC News video:
“Kirby said the U.S. acted within its legal rights and said the airstrikes were a matter of self-defense.”
US in Iraq for defensive purposes?
Life wasn’t meant to change after the big Saddam Hussein takedown.
Six US Presidents have now ordered precision airstrikes in the region.
We’ve been seeing videos like this out of Iraq since 1991 Desert Storm:
What stays the same?
Newspeople fail to ask questions.
Bad guys in the region are not wanting to cooperate.
The press seems supportive of the GWOT.
Wars go on no mater what political party or personality is in the White House.
Both major parties and the press are OK with undeclared/unwon wars.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi-
Defensive airstrikes in the Iraq-Syria border region are for protecting:
“…the military heroes who defend our freedoms…”
Coalition of the willing update:
Jun 28, 2021 By ROBERT BURNS AND LOLITA C. BALDOR
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Troops are often sent to distant lands to fight people who:
“…had never attacked the United States or even threatened to do so.”
May 27, 2021 Jacob G. Hornberger
The Lies of the National-Security State
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
The Dept. of Defense has a truly poor track record for winning wars since DOD was established way back in 1949.
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
Related:
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Original post January 18, 2012
Well done to any newsperson who is willing to take personal risk and show initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
Those who do not are like paid actors performing in a scripted play or advertisement.
April Moss
Ivory Hecker
The norm:
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl.
Sorry, no time for newspeople to ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
US fighter jet aircraft have been able to strike targets in what wars won by the US?
Federal Permission To Celebrate Independence From A Giant Federal Government
Staged news scene to make hospital look busy:
May 6, 2020 The Washington Post
Opinion: CBS News edits testing story after Project Veritas exposes clinic’s line-stuffing ploy
“…Project Veritas revealed that the clinic packed a line of patients waiting for tests. The story aired last Friday on the franchise program “CBS This Morning” and was reported by Adriana Diaz.”
“Large national broadcasters stand by their on-air work if at all possible. So the fact that CBS News is removing the Cherry Health portion of the Diaz story amounts to a significant concession that something went awry in Grand Rapids.”
Welcome Home Troops
Much concern these days about spreading misinformation on the web while newspeople tell us The Troops are sent to distant lands to protect American rights and freedoms:
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
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.”
Some people are OK with opting out on COVID vaccines. The government is trying their very best with lottery giveaway events, to pull people in.
June 17, 2021 KING 5 News video
Washington launches COVID-19 vaccine incentive for military members, veterans
“…Washington is launching a new COVID-19 vaccine incentive called “A Heroes Thanks” for the state’s military members and veterans.”
People who do or did time in the US Armed Forces and staff and veterans and their families are assigned the bulk identity of heroes.
“Staff Sgt. Chazz Newbill found out about the new lottery game moments after getting his second vaccine at a clinic on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Thursday.”
He found out about the new lottery game moments after getting his second vaccine?
News cameras were rolling to promote the “A Heroes Thanks” program, but the people being interviewed by KING 5 TV and getting their vaccine didn’t know about the “A Heroes Thanks” program?
Got it.
“I feel pretty good about it,” said Newbill.
“He said one of the reasons he was getting the vaccine to set a good example for the soldiers he supervises.”
Now, it’s a good example to participate in the lotto prize game of chance scenario crafted by Governor Inslee.
Sorry, no time for KING 5 to let us know how many military supervisors were fully vaccinated before the lotto incentives were rolled out.
“Newbill thought the chance at winning cash might convince skeptics in the military to get vaccinated.”
”I feel like money can help anybody convince anything,” said Newbill, “My wife is not vaccinated, so this is a convincing point with her too.”
Way to go Newbill.
The value of the meds does not stand on its own. A carnival game will help people to make up their mind.
The press is not available to interview people who still opt out over at the military base? Thanks newspeople.
Related:
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island
It looks like both Whidbey papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.
Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.
Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Early winter morning – Point No Point
Sadly, the Fresnel lens has gone dark.
Local info here.
Several years ago, we lost a chunk of a plum tree. Much of this was set aside for a future BBQ project.
Today was the day to use this aged wood for smoking on the grill.
Pork steak can be sliced/cubed and used for tacos or added to stir-fried asian noodles.
This is the plan for tonight.
Along for the afternoon: Classic Deep Cuts
Images above:
Looking towards the San Juan Islands from Point Partridge.
Border Is Closed
In the news:
June 24, 2021 The Seattle Times
Inslee vents about Point Roberts as Canadian border remains closed due to COVID-19
Keeping regular people in place for safety while a $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep cocaine and crystal meth from moving into the US from Mexico, and later into Canada.
June 22, 2021 Global News
Toronto police seize $61M worth of drugs in takedown of alleged international drug-smuggling ring
“A six-month investigation dubbed “Project Brisa” looked at the importation of cocaine and crystal meth from Mexico to California and then into Canada through tractor-trailers.”
“The investigation began in November 2020 and police alleged tractor-trailers were equipped with hydraulic traps capable of smuggling as much as 100 kilos of drugs in one trip.”
Looks like a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security played zero role in preventing product from moving into the US and later into Canada.
What role do US fusion centers play here?
US press remains silent.
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Related:
DEA/Homeland Security Wasteful Spending Partnership – Newspeople Remain Silent
More news from WA related to COVID
12 months back:
June 30, 2020 at 5:43 pm PDT
By Ryan Simms, KIRO 7 News video:
Ferry wait times spike following staff shortages
Today:
Not enough time for a hiring blitz?
Love to see 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? local fire dept?
More here:
WSF COVID Crewing Challenges – Now 10 Months In
Related:
Cartels open for business no matter who is in the White House
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
List of Things the Government is Good At – TV News Avoids Asking Questions
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Fake War on Terror and Glorification of Military Service
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
Image above: 6/23/2021
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Click image to enlarge.
In the news:
June 22, 2021 Whidbey News-Times
Digging 4 Dinner Clamming classes planned
“When clamming, people should check online at doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety to make sure beaches aren’t closed because of biotoxins.”
Newspeople,
Are there any concerns or news updates Re: recreational shellfish harvest and Whidbey sewage treatment outfalls?
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED 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
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor City Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Living on an Island near Puget Sound, there seems to be great concern for salmon, orca, eagles, recreational shellfish and clean water.
Maybe the press should be better about asking questions if they are going to line up for federal bailout cash.
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?
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
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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 in all 50 states?
All 50 states:
DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions Re: federal efforts to control drugs.
Our questions appear in bold type.
June 21, 2021 Oil City News
CASPER PD: TRAFFIC OPS USING DEA ‘CANNABIS SUPPRESSION’ FUNDS NOT JUST ABOUT DRUGS
“…a March 29-30 “drug interdiction operation” in Natrona County which was paid for using U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration grant funding for cannabis eradication/suppression.”
Federal funding for traffic stops to look for marijuana:
“The Casper Police Department said on Wednesday , April 7 that a “drug interdiction operation” with funding support from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program was carried out in the Casper area last week.”
“During the March 29-30 operation, various law enforcement agencies made a total of 389 traffic stops.”
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
Hard to tell what the major political parties believe in. They get a pass during long Presidential primary seasons, because the press shows no initiative or curiosity in asking questions.
Are Biden voters OK with federal prohibition of marijuana?
Are Biden voters OK with using federal funds for traffic stops to look for marijuana?
Are conservative/GOP voters OK with using federal funds for traffic stops to look for marijuana?
Are conservative/GOP voters OK with sending US troops to Iraq and Afghanistan to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things and spending $49.8 billion (every 12 months) on a US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
Are voters who support both major parties OK with newspeople who don’t ask questions?
DEA Drug Take Back Day
A huge success for the legal drug dealers- they sold more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs to people who did not need them.
April 20, 2021 Drug Enforcement Administration
DEA to hold 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
“Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs.”
“With opioid overdose deaths increasing during the pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration is holding its 20th Take Back Day on Saturday, April 24th.”
When news/social media posts are created by federal employees, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press.
Questions newspeople will not ask:
Have opioid lawsuits played any role in reducing opioid overdose deaths?
How do drug cartels react to opioid lawsuits?
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
DEA’s drug threat report: Mexican cartel flooding Northwest with fentanyl
Source: March 2, 2021 KTVZ
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
June 22, 2021 Global News
Toronto police seize $61M worth of drugs in takedown of alleged international drug-smuggling ring
“A six-month investigation dubbed “Project Brisa” looked at the importation of cocaine and crystal meth from Mexico to California and then into Canada through tractor-trailers.”
“The investigation began in November 2020 and police alleged tractor-trailers were equipped with hydraulic traps capable of smuggling as much as 100 kilos of drugs in one trip.”
Looks like a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security played zero role in preventing product from moving into the US and later into Canada.
What role do US fusion centers play here?
US press remains silent.
Deep into the GWOT – No CBP inspection of rail shipments entering the US?
US Troops at the border, big El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911/GWOT security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep cartel from moving meth into the US and on into Canada:
Feb 27, 2019 The Canadian Press
Police find meth smuggled into Canada through new Ford cars built in Mexico
“Police say they have busted an alleged drug smuggling operation where methamphetamine was being hidden in new cars built in Mexico that were then transported by rail to Canada.”
“Ontario Provincial Police say employees at four Ford dealerships discovered the drugs stashed within spare tires that didn’t match the cars.”
“Police say they found 180 kilograms of meth during the investigation.”
More here.
State-run media update:
Jun 3, 2020 DEA NewYork
Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units!
Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units?
Surely, a free and independent press will step up and ask for clarification on this wild CBP claim.
Any word on how the more than $50 million worth of methamphetamine was able to move past federal agents staffing a $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security before showing up in Polk County?
Polk County Florida “…Our Partnership With Homeland Security…”
If the big meth shipment was prevented from crossing into the US, we’d have no big news of a big bust in Polk County?
No border with Mexico.
No coastal borders.
Any word on why the highly controlled environment that exists inside a federal prison in Georgia would allow a federal inmate to be an active drug trafficker?
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?
Related:
Cartels open for business no matter who is in the White House
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
List of Things the Government is Good At – TV News Avoids Asking Questions
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Fake War on Terror and Glorification of Military Service
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
Photo-
A symbol of a culture that seems mostly OK with whatever they are told.
A symbol of a culture that is more about political brand names than finding out what the major political parties believe in.
A symbol of newspeople who do not ask questions.
Local sunset
2116
As time goes on, we can see that there is a list of things the government is not very good at. Is this list bigger than a list of the things government does well?
Alternative media is OK with asking these sorts of questions. Mainstream media seems to avoid reporting on various topics.
Some people are OK with opting out on COVID vaccines. The government is trying their very best with lottery giveaway events, to pull people in.
June 17, 2021 KING 5 News video
Washington launches COVID-19 vaccine incentive for military members, veterans
“…Washington is launching a new COVID-19 vaccine incentive called “A Heroes Thanks” for the state’s military members and veterans.”
People who do or did time in the US Armed Forces and staff and veterans and their families are assigned the bulk identity of heroes.
“Staff Sgt. Chazz Newbill found out about the new lottery game moments after getting his second vaccine at a clinic on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Thursday.”
He found out about the new lottery game moments after getting his second vaccine?
News cameras were rolling to promote the “A Heroes Thanks” program, but the people being interviewed by KING 5 TV and getting their vaccine didn’t know about the “A Heroes Thanks” program?
Got it.
“I feel pretty good about it,” said Newbill.
“He said one of the reasons he was getting the vaccine to set a good example for the soldiers he supervises.”
Now, it’s a good example to participate in the lotto prize game of chance scenario crafted by Governor Inslee.
Sorry, no time for KING 5 to let us know how many military supervisors were fully vaccinated before the lotto incentives were rolled out.
“Newbill thought the chance at winning cash might convince skeptics in the military to get vaccinated.”
”I feel like money can help anybody convince anything,” said Newbill, “My wife is not vaccinated, so this is a convincing point with her too.”
Way to go Newbill.
The value of the meds does not stand on its own. A carnival game will help people to make up their mind.
The press is not available to interview people who still opt out over at the military base? Thanks newspeople.
Love to see TV news reporters interview people who might give an alternative viewpoint.
A man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment.
Much has changed.
Over the past 50 years or so, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation. A wide variety of political personalities have occupied the White House.
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Some may have become skeptical along the way.
Since WWII, information is 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.
Sources/links here:
JBLM – US Armed Forces Vaccine Hesitancy
Some things the government is not very good at:
Reaching COVID vaccine goals without lotto prize giveaways.
Using a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security to keep cartel product from showing up all over the US.
Getting the story straight on REAL ID.
If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?
The new REAL ID requirement/deadline for domestic air travel has now been extended out more than 20 years past 911.
Being able to stay out of or win undeclared wars in distant lands.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Fixing Daylight Saving Time
Getting away from treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Certainly, Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
American culture is good for dividing adults up into groups of first and second-class citizens.
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?
Lifting federal prohibition of marijuana.
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in this area.
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.- how is that defending the US Constitution– or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
The Troops are often sent to distant lands to fight people who:
“…had never attacked the United States or even threatened to do so.”
May 27, 2021 Jacob G. Hornberger
The Lies of the National-Security State
Some things the government is very good at:
We are the very best at militarized pageantry for pro sports events.
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl.
Sorry, no time for newspeople to ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
US fighter jet aircraft have been able to strike targets in what wars won by the US?
Federal Permission To Celebrate Independence From A Giant Federal Government
Promoting the idea that The Troops are fighting in distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
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?
Getting TV newspeople to promote their programs.
Much concern these days about spreading misinformation on the web while newspeople tell us The Troops are sent to distant lands to protect American rights and freedoms:
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
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.”
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?
Related:
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
School Teachers, Please Help Out With Lessons About Where Freedom Comes From
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Do Americans have an honest relationship with the US Armed Forces?
Port Townsend and the Sound of Freedom
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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Jun 17, 2021 Military.com
Top General Downplays Report of 1,900 Lost Military Weapons, But Promises an Accurate Count
“But, Milley said, the numbers the services reported to him as of Thursday morning “are significantly less” than what has been publicly reported.”
“And it’s uncertain exactly how many weapons are lost or stolen right now, he said.”
Jun 15, 2021 Military.com
Military Stumped by Stolen Box of Armor-Piercing Grenades
“Investigators determined the waylaid grenades were last seen eight months prior on an ammunition train that rolled out from Florida.”
“A series of security failures covered any tracks the thief left.”
“Armed guards who accompanied the shipment reported nothing. When the train reached Letterkenny, it was shuttled for the night to Rail Yard 1, an unsecured staging area outside the installation with no surveillance.”
Homer Simpson at the wheel:
“Upon arrival, workers didn’t verify whether anti-theft seals on each container were intact. An inspector didn’t check the seals the next day either, later saying it was because he couldn’t see them.”
“Military investigators would conclude that no one checked the seals in the weeks after the train departed Blount Island.”
This article includes an excellent comment section that appears to be unfiltered/suppressed by politicians or the mainstream press.
Strict post 911/GWOT military ordnance security protocols update
Also Downplaying:
Dec 20, 2019 C-SPAN
General Milley Rejects Afghanistan Papers
Dec 14, 2019 Guardian US
Afghanistan papers detail US dysfunction: ‘We did not know what we were doing’
After squandering DOD credibility for decades in distant lands, a new WWII style uniform look and a pledge to clobber the cartels:
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
Have General Milley’s efforts reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Related:
Fake War on Terror and Glorification of Military Service
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Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
June 15, 2021 The Washington Post
The Daily 202: Biden takes steps to rein in ‘forever wars’ in Afghanistan and Iraq
We are told several times each year that The Troops are in distant lands fighting for American rights and freedoms.
What will become of American rights and freedoms when the US returns home without a victory?
Look for newspeople, sports announcers, school teachers and politicians to ask zero questions in this area.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Hey school teachers–
If The Troops fight for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
One of the nation’s largest, oldest and most respected veterans organizations tells us: Veterans, not politicians, ‘give us the right to vote,’ observers at Amherst Veterans Day ceremonies told
Veterans give rights?
School Teachers, Please Help Out With Lessons About Where Freedom Comes From
If veterans fought for our right to vote- how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
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
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 elected officials of any party or any member of the press 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.”
The terrorists of the GWOT must not be trying very hard to disrupt American society.
Our questions appear in bold type.
If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?
The new REAL ID requirement/deadline for domestic air travel has now been extended out more than 20 years past 911.
May 5, 2021 KOMO News
Wash. lab develops scanner that may eliminate need to remove shoes at airport
“This new technology could speed up the screening process by about 20% and eliminate the hassle of taking off shoes and putting them back on, researchers say.”
What keeps the terrorists of the GWOT from creating a disruption at the end of the screening line?
REAL ID And The Fake War on Terror
If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?
Fred Reed December 4, 2015
Security Theater: Customary Federal Pointlessness
“…the intelligence agencies have proved useless. NSA did not prevent the first attack on the Twin Towers in 1993, nor the successful one.”
“What goes on at airports is not security. It is Security Theater. When the government’s own agents try to smuggle “weapons” aboard airliners to test the system, they succeed ninety-five percent of the time.”
“Further, a terrorist doesn’t need to get aboard an airliner to blow up spectacularly. At many airports, hundreds of people line up at ticket counters during peak hours. A carry-on bag of explosive would easily create enough slaughter to shut down air travel and to make international headlines for weeks.”
“Warnings at airports that unattended vehicles will be ticketed, towed, and perhaps destroyed are also Security Theater. By the time the vehicle was noticed, and somebody sent to check it out, an easy five minutes would have passed and the driver would be somewhere else. Boom.”
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
DEA’s drug threat report: Mexican cartel flooding Northwest with fentanyl
Source: March 2, 2021 KTVZ
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
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?
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
The idea that freedom comes from overseas military operations does not seem to stand up to any discussion or questioning. In a free and honest society it would be OK to ask questions related to public policy.
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.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Just Be Honest.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared wars.
Related:
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
If Politicians Were Serious About Memorial Day…
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Do Americans have an honest relationship with the US Armed Forces?
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part
Appreciation For Alternative Viewpoints And Voices of Dissent
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
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