These guys are making the effort with what is inside the can and offering an easy to read and understand date too.
Sold.
Related:
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols, and a $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and meth out of US communities.
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
In the news-
After squandering DOD credibility for decades in distant lands, a new WWII style uniform look and a pledge to clobber the cartels:
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.
Now, General Milley delivers a bold speech describing bold action.
Every 12 months, the US Department of Homeland Security gets another $51.6 billion in taxpayer funds.
If the drug war excuse now, is that COVID-19 is somehow working to the advantage of cartels-remember that heroin was a problem in US communities prior to COVID-19. Heroin is still here and now meth has taken hold.
May 17, 2013 Q13 News
Heroin epidemic gripping Port Angeles
October 23, 2019, Q13 News video:
Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?
Newspeople remain silent.
Stars and Stripes April 1, 2020
“Drug cartels are taking advantage of the United States focus on responding to the coronavirus outbreak, Trump said, and America needs to return to stopping the flow of drugs.”
Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:
Was there any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US prior to the coronavirus outbreak?
What was the plan to keep cartels out 6 months ago?
How will ships, aircraft and troops in the Caribbean & eastern Pacific keep cartels from moving product through US ports of entry?
Has the US been at risk without ships, aircraft and troops in the Caribbean & eastern Pacific?
If the Dept. of Defense holds the keys to keeping cartel product out of the US, why wasn’t this plan put into action years ago?
US Ports of Entry
March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner
DEA Announces Launch of Methamphetamine Initiative
Billions of dollars spent every 12 months on a US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartels from moving product into Hometown, USA.
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:
Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced product out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
REAL ID
Get ready to enjoy your $6.4 trillion worth of War on Terror freedom over at the airport with your REAL ID card.
March 26, 2020 CNN
Deadline to get a REAL ID pushed back at least a year due to coronavirus
“The deadline to obtain a REAL ID, federally mandated identification that will be needed for passengers to board aircraft, will be extended until October 1, 2021 — a year past the current deadline, according to the Department of Homeland Security.”
If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?
Border Wall
If a border wall will keep cartels out, why the need for ships, aircraft and troops in the Caribbean & eastern Pacific?
Newspeople have stopped asking questions.
Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release
Related:
Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree
Away from Border Crossings and Ports of Entry
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger–a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
A symbol of various agencies sending various messages and newspeople not asking questions.
Image above: Sign posted at Coupeville Wharf on 4/2/2020.
Image above: 4/2/2020
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
We are told that stewardship is a priority:
Sign below educates the public on local waters.
Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area
Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?
Looks like a significant area.
Penn Cove site visits 4/2/2020:
Coupeville
Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
Site Visit – Another Month With An R at Monroe Landing
Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Asking questions about local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls:
Has anyone ever seen any news report asking questions related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Has any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization asked questions related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
Coupeville
Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Arriving at Coupeville 4/2/2020:
Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.
Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?
Three reasons why it looks like a warning sign should still be posted:
1 On 4/2/2020 the Washington State Department of Health tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest: Shellfish Safety Map
Image above: April 2nd, 2020
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
2 WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest:
3 The sign posted at the west end of Penn Cove by WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest.
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:
Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish
Related:
Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?
More Than A Week Since The Big Rains
Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?
Ocean Water in Snohomish County?
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
After my visit to Monroe Landing this morning, I went on to Coupeville to see if a similar sign was still posted there.
I found the sign above posted near the boat launch at Captain Thomas Coupe Park on 4/2/2020.
Maybe good days and bad days, but the sewage odor by the boat launch today at this location was intense.
On the way, I stopped at the west end of Penn Cove.
Image above:
I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.
WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.
Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.
This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.
Arriving at Coupeville 4/2/2020:
Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.
Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?
Three reasons why it looks like a warning sign should still be posted:
1 On 4/2/2020 the Washington State Department of Health tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest: Shellfish Safety Map
Image above: April 2nd, 2020
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
2 WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest:
3 The sign posted at the west end of Penn Cove by WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest.
Arriving at Captain Thomas Coupe Park, I found the sign posted at the top of the page.
One or more sewage treatment plants are sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
Coupeville
Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
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:
Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish
Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Related:
Site Visit – Another Month With An R at Monroe Landing
More Than A Week Since The Big Rains
Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?
Ocean Water in Snohomish County?
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Image above:
This sign was seen posted near the boat ramp on my 4/2/2020 site visit to Monroe Landing.
Previous site visit here.
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
Let’s take a look at today’s another month with an R status update:
Image above: April 2nd, 2020
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
West end of Penn Cove
Image above:
I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.
WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.
Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.
This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.
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:
Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish
Related:
More Than A Week Since The Big Rains
Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?
Ocean Water in Snohomish County?
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
March 28, 2020 Military.com
‘We Are Putting Lives in Danger’: Recruiters Urge Boot Camp Closures Amid Pandemic
Update:
March 30, 2020 Military.com
Marine Corps Closes Parris Island Boot Camp to New Recruits as COVID-19 Cases Spread
Possibly of interest:
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
March 25, 2020 KREM
Gov. Inslee signs Washington plastic bag ban into law
“The legislation bans retailers from giving out single-use plastic carryout bags and requires an 8-cent charge for others. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.”
March 26, 2020 The Inlander
Rosauers is banning reusable bags, putting up Plexiglas, to protect employees and customers
“Plexiglas shields Rosauers clerks from sneezing customers, while a sign informs customers that they aren’t allowed to bring their own reusable bags.”
“As of today at our stores, we’re going to suspend the use of reusable bags,” Rosauers CEO Jeff Philipps said at a Spokane Regional Health District press conference this morning. “I think there’s some concern by some that those bags may have viruses that are being brought from home. So we’re going to suspend that practice.”
If we’re going to show concern about the environment, maybe take a look at local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls.
One or more sewage treatment plants are sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Coupeville
Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:
“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
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Is the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.
I’m a fan of voluntary action and allowing businesspeople to make business decisions.
If the green friendly cafe wants to make moves that are supported by their customers, I’m all for that.
If the truck stop wants to sell discount cartons of cigarettes, I’m good with that.
Americans were never meant to live in a one size fits all society, that’s why we have so many churches here and people who may opt out on attending services.
The plastic bag ban is another of many examples where freedoms may come & go-completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom.
More here:
Leave it cleaner than you found it-
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Pizza delivery, marijuana and booze sales roll on as government agencies phase out access and services.
Local press responds with reduced coverage and less in the way of asking questions.
Island County WA
“You may renew your license up to 90 days prior to the expiration date for a fee of $32.00, or up to 90 days after the expiration date for a late renewal fee of $42.00. During the closure of our offices to the public you may mail in your completed CPL renewal paperwork along with the appropriate fees in check or money order payable to Island County Sheriff – please do not send cash…”
“Upon receipt of your paperwork and fee our office will renew your license and hold it until we are able to open our offices to the public. At that time you will be able to come in with your state or federally issued identification and pick it up. Please check back often to the website to see when the restrictions have been lifted.”
“***Also in your application packet please indicate where you would prefer to pick up the license once the closures are lifted. (Camano Island, Freeland Precinct or Coupeville Offices)”
Island County WA elected a new Sheriff more than a year ago. I’m not seeing his name show up in the news related to public meetings, policy updates, press releases, public statements, etc. Maybe local newspeople can arrange for an interview?
Maine media works to keep the public informed:
March 29, 2020 Q 96.1
CARIBOU POLICE STATEMENT ON CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS
“State of Maine Resident Permit to Carry Concealed Firearms is still valid for 6 months following the expiration date so do not worry if yours has expired.”
Whidbey Pizza delivery rolls on.
Several local outlets still at it:
Domino’s Pizza Oak Harbor, WA
Papa John’s Pizza State Route 20
Maybe local newspeople can arrange for an interview with the ranger in charge of state parks on Whidbey Island?
State Parks
We’re sort of surrounded by State Parks here on Whidbey Island.
On March 26th, I was surprised to find the gate at Fort Ebey closed.
When I returned home, I checked the State Parks web site and found:
“Day-use areas and trails remain open.”
Seems like people should be welcome to get past a gate at the perimeter of the park to access day-use areas and trails if the intent is to keep them open.
Maybe local newspeople can arrange for a telephone interview with a representative from WDFW?
WDFW
Day-use areas and trails remain open at State Parks, but digging a bucket of clams places people at risk?
“All recreational fishing and shellfishing, wildlife areas, and water access areas are closed for at least two weeks starting Wednesday, March 25. Visit the COVID-19 webpage for more information.”
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Is the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
Marijuana and booze sales roll on:
March 25, 2020 The Seattle Times
Local press:
https://twitter.com/WhidbeyNews
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Light Show – Ebey’s Landing
A little more time working outside. Reaching more often for a cold brew.
Advantages:
Much lower priced than premium beers.
Lower alcohol content too.
Maybe start off with sharp taste buds and a couple of good craft beers. Wanting to have a couple more? Coors Light could be the answer.
Here’s a review that won’t be featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, etc.
The best beers require the least advertising:
More from independent media:
Along for the afternoon: Classic Deep Cuts
A 6 pack of IPA can be costly.
It is expensive to experiment. It can be very tricky when there is not a date to work with on the can or bottle you may want to purchase.
With a dozen possible IPA choices, why go for one without a date?
The Crafty Beer Girls
“Regardless of where the beer is coming from, I urge everyone to either enforce or demand legible date codes on beer. If you see a smudgy date code on your can (or no code at all), bring it to the brewery’s attention. If you can’t decipher a stamped date code, email the brewery and ask for an explanation (I plan to email Merchant du Vin). As consumers, we should demand transparency from the companies we’re supporting with our dollars. Being duped into purchasing old beer is a terrible thing, and I would think it’s in the brewery and retailer’s best interest to provide accurate and legible freshness information on packaging.”
Thank you Crafty Beer Girls.
I recently purchased a six pack of IPA and did not check the date carefully at the store. When I got home I found a confusing and possibly old date on the can. I sent a polite email to this brewery asking about the freshness of their product and providing info about where (Haggen 98277) and when I made the purchase.
They never got back to me. I will make note of that. I will attempt to support the breweries that offer fresh product and an easy way for customers to verify dates.
Today, I passed over a six pack of this product, because there was only an ink smudge where the date would go on the bottom of the cans.
These guys are making the effort with what is inside the can and offering an easy to read and understand date too.
Sold.
Along for the afternoon: Classic Deep Cuts
Awkward/pained look on faces:
Photo source:
March 24, 2020 Eyewitness News WTVO/WQRF
Coronavirus briefings are the new campaign rallies for Trump
Related:
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Slow speed mayhem – Oak Harbor
A man on the moon in 1969. Church, Boy Scouts, patriotism, pledge of allegiance, the WWII generation in charge. Signing up for the Marines.
Families with married parents and maybe a stay at home Mom. It was common for your friends to have 3 or 4 brothers and sisters.
It started out with a positive sense of American culture.
Much has changed.
Over the past 40 years or so, both major parties have taken turns in power. A wide variety of political personalities have occupied the White House.
What’s new?
People haunted by healthcare concerns.
It’s been this way for years now. It was this way prior to the current news Re: COVID-19.
People haunted by student loan debt.
Homelessness and drug addiction to the extent that people are living in tents on city sidewalks.
Children might go hungry when school is out?
March 13, 2020 CNN
The coronavirus pandemic is closing schools. How will kids eat?
“But as other schools deliberate shutting their doors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some parents may be left to wonder: If schools close, how will my child eat?”
More discussion and news coverage please.
Questioning claims about freedoms:
Two major political parties that continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.
School teachers and newspeople who are OK with promoting this urban legend.
Local press:
Hometown pride running high. High enough to stop asking questions?
“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?
In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.
There were none.
Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store.
Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea to children that The Troops are in distant lands-fighting for American rights and freedoms-as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
In Washington State, these assemblies are mandatory.
The VA tells teachers that The Troops are Defending Liberty and Freedom.
Love to see a student ask: 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?
Love to see a student ask: If the wars aren’t won-how can they protect our freedom?
Love to see a student ask: Whatever happened to lessons about Armistice Day?
Congressman Derek Kilmer:
Wars are for freedom and democracy.
WA Secretary of State:
“Our right to vote is protected by the extraordinary men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.”
Page 7 of the Washington State Elections Voters Pamphlet for the November 5th, 2019 General Election:
“Our right to vote is protected by the members of the U.S. Armed Forces.”
One of the nation’s largest, oldest and most respected veterans organizations:
Any newspeople available to ask:
Congressman Kilmer,
If wars are fought for democracy-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?
Veterans give rights?
It turns out The Troops were in no hurry to enable all adults to act on their right to vote.
US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s didn’t get the job done.
It wasn’t until July of 1971 that 18 year old adults could take delivery on one of the freedoms we hear so much about.
After the Cold War:
The Cold War had ended. DOD was happy with their all volunteer military.
Look what they did with it.
A Dept. of Defense that was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
A Dept. of Defense with a truly poor track record for winning wars since DOD was established way back in 1949.
Undeclared/unwon wars that never end.
Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes
Post-9/11 Wars Have Cost American Taxpayers $6.4 trillion, Study Finds
More here:
Unsustainable Military Spending
Billions of dollars spent every 12 months on a US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartels from moving product into Hometown, USA.
March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner
DEA Announces Launch of Methamphetamine Initiative
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:
Newspeople who have stopped asking questions.
Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release
Newspeople who show no curiosity.
Went out on 3/18/20 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Monroe Landing:
The sewage drain pipe sign is still posted.
Went out on 3/18/20 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Captain Thomas Coupe Park:
I found that the sign is still posted.
Much in the way of voting over the decades since that man landed on the moon.
TV newspeople tell us that we are in a key election season again. Lots of coverage. Another panel of experts, another debate. More voting.
Stay tuned for more of the same.
Being positive is a good thing. Emotions can be based on experience.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Platoon 3049, MCRD San Diego
Jun-Sep 1979
Here is an altenative media update with some ideas about price gouging laws:
I lived in coastal N. Carolina in the early 90s. During my time there, a hurricane had developed and the community was potentially in the path of a powerful storm.
A letter to the editor later described a small engine shop that was charging too much to tune up & repair generators prior to the storm.
I feel like I understand why the shop wanted to charge more.
The small engine shop was staffed for a routine work load. Here comes a storm and an unusual number of people who may not have maintained their generators. The shop is not a NASCAR pit crew. If it could hire the pit crew it would have to raise prices.
Maybe trim your trees and tune up your generator before storm season.
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Photo-
The area where I lived in N.C. was surrounded by fresh and saltwater areas that were very appropriate for a canoe.
I found a used canoe and separately, a used outboard. In many cases I would leave the outboard off and enjoy quiet paddling and much in the way of wildlife sightings out and about in the stillness of rivers and wetlands. I made good use of this rig later in California and in Washington State.
In the photo above I’m ready to launch at Twin Spits (N.E. entrance to Hood Canal) on a low tide day.
Several examples:
March 5, 2020 KCPQ
Body found inside SUV after fire, explosion in Woodinville
Sounds pretty serious. Mob hit? Cartel job?
Any follow up of any kind from newspeople anywhere?
Please post in comments if you have updated info.
Gunfire on the ferry:
January 27, 2020 Kitsap News Group
Man arrested after allegedly firing gun from ferry
“…WSP Vessel and Terminal Security Troopers responded to the MV Kaleetan upon its arrival at Colman Dock. By that time, WSF crews had already secured the suspect, who had boarded the vessel by vehicle.”
WSF Bremerton to Seattle crossing time: ~ 60 min
Not my idea to promote the concept that riding safely on the ferry requires gun boat escorts, SWAT teams and K-9s on the job to detect explosives.
If a guy decides to fire a gun during a 60 minute ferry crossing and WSP waits to respond until the ferry arrives at Colman Dock, how is this security?
Will newspeople follow up and let us know if the guy who purposefully fired his handgun from the ferry had a concealed carry permit?
Did he pass any sort of background check?
Whatever happened to this guy?
A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
Puget Sound area shootings roll on.
WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:
November 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area
Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)
“Furthermore, the initiative rendered it illegal to hand off a firearm to people outside a person’s immediate family, though exceptions were mentioned, including situations in which people are at a shooting range or hunting.”
Looks like frequent gun crimes are still with us.
Enhanced background checks approved back in 2014 have had time to take hold.
Any reporting or updates on this?
Your 5th grade teacher just rejected your book report. Try again.
No Word on Enhanced Background Checks – No Comments Allowed
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:
Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish
Another month with an R status update:
Went out on 3/18/2020 to check on Monroe Landing.
Sewage drain pipe sign is still posted:
More here:
Out on 3/18/2020 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Captain Thomas Coupe Park. I found that the sign is still posted.
More here:
Site Visit – Captain Thomas Coupe Park
One or more sewage treatment plants are sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Coupeville
Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:
“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
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Nordland Transit Center
In the news:
Mar 17, 2020 CNBC
Treasury and IRS to delay tax season deadline by 90 days
Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes
Post-9/11 Wars Have Cost American Taxpayers $6.4 trillion, Study Finds
More here:
Unsustainable Military Spending
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo – Hill Road
Mini Spring Break update:
The beer photo fetish page features a true grab bag of different beer styles and brands. We’ve been at it since 2012.
No specific emphasis on any particular brand this afternoon.
Mexican beer has always been one of our favorite styles.
Before cracking a beer today, we made sure that all schools had been shut down for the coming weeks.
We verified that all bars and restaurants in Illinois and Ohio were headed for complete shut down prior to drinking at home today.
As a public service, we hired a sign language interpreter to stand on our porch and deliver ongoing public safety updates to the neighborhood while the sun shines this afternoon.
More than $10.00 for a 6 pack of IPA update:
I have no specific brand in mind here. It is expensive to experiment. It can be very tricky when there is not a date to work with on the can or bottle you may want to purchase.
With a dozen possible IPA choices, why go for one without a date?
The Crafty Beer Girls
“Regardless of where the beer is coming from, I urge everyone to either enforce or demand legible date codes on beer. If you see a smudgy date code on your can (or no code at all), bring it to the brewery’s attention. If you can’t decipher a stamped date code, email the brewery and ask for an explanation (I plan to email Merchant du Vin). As consumers, we should demand transparency from the companies we’re supporting with our dollars. Being duped into purchasing old beer is a terrible thing, and I would think it’s in the brewery and retailer’s best interest to provide accurate and legible freshness information on packaging.”
Thank you Crafty Beer Girls.
I may send a polite email to a brewery asking about the freshness of their product and providing info about where and when I made a purchase.
If the brewery ignores me, I will make note of that. I will attempt to support the breweries that offer fresh product and an easy way for customers to verify dates.
In the news:
March 13, 2020 The Seattle Times
Inslee expands coronavirus K-12 school closure, 250-person gathering ban, across Washington
“…school districts here have begun planning for ways to get core services, such as food, to families.”
March 13, 2020 WHSV
Schools scramble to feed students after coronavirus closures
“Kiyana Esco needs free school lunches and breakfasts to feed her six children. But with schools shutting down over coronavirus concerns, she’s scrambling to pick up the meals, care for her kids and keep her job.”
Thank you WHSV, for acknowledging that we are talking about a federal free and reduced school breakfast and lunch program. The press often calls it a free lunch program. The average person, who has no kids in school may not realize that breakfast is also part of the program.
March 13, 2020 CNN
The coronavirus pandemic is closing schools. How will kids eat?
“But as other schools deliberate shutting their doors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some parents may be left to wonder: If schools close, how will my child eat?”
Former Lunch Lady here.
I do not object to public assistance programs. The press should make an effort to keep the public informed on how these programs are working.
Again, I am not against public assistance programs, but did the WWII generation rely heavily on public school districts to feed their kids?
100 years ago, did families rely on school districts to feed their children to such an extent that, if school was shut down, school districts would scramble to fill busses with food and send it out into the neighborhoods?
Voluntary action:
February 25 Fox News
Ohio church pays off lunch debt for students at 11 school districts
Love to see newspeople ask:
If a family’s household income level qualifies for free & reduced breakfast and lunch at school, wouldn’t they also qualify for various other publicly funded food assistance programs?
Do free and reduced breakfast and lunch meals consumed at school reduce what a family receives or qualifies for each month in publicly funded food assistance?
If school shuts down, does the family still qualify for publicly funded food assistance? If food assistance programs remain in place outside of school-why would children be at risk of going hungry?
If the programs aren’t working-let’s hear all about it.
Related:
Tax money-which some people intend to be used to help others via public assistance programs-also goes for bombing Iraq and Afghanistan.
Helping others by donating to churches or private charities, food banks, etc. can avoid these conflicts.
Donors are free to opt out if a charity misbehaves.
People could keep more of their own money to donate to causes of their choosing if the federal government was not taking it to pay for wasteful programs.
More here:
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
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Welcome Visitors
Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden
Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.
On Twitter
March 6, 2020 W.J. Astore
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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Beach walk – South Indian Island
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
In the news:
March 6, 2020 NBC 7 San Diego
$558K Worth of Cocaine, Fentanyl Hidden in Seats of Man’s Car in Escondido
“The bust happened at around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday on northbound Interstate 15 in Escondido. CBP officials said a Border Patrol agent and his K9 partner stopped a 2007 Toyota Camry on the freeway for inspection.”
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:
Back at Ports of Entry
“Virtually all methamphetamine in the United States comes through major ports of entry along the Southwest Border and is transported by tractor trailers and personal vehicles along the nation’s highways to major transfer centers around the country.”
Source:
March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner
DEA Announces Launch of Methamphetamine Initiative
“On a typical day, more than 70,000 commercial trucks and a quarter of a million private vehicles make their way across the U.S.-Mexico border.”
“That represents $7.3 billion in legitimate trade. But with only a fraction of those vehicles subjected to exhaustive inspection, it also opens a path for the Mexican drug cartels to flood American streets with methamphetamines.”
Source:
Feb 25, 2020 WCBD
Fentanyl-laced meth from Mexico poses new deadly threat, DEA says
More here:
Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release
Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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South entrance-Port Townsend Ship Canal
Life wasn’t meant to change after the big Saddam Hussein & Osama bin Laden takedowns.
Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.
War on Terror
9 Mar 2020 Medill News Service
Senior al-Shabaab Leader Killed by US Strike in Somalia, Pentagon Says
Oct 28, 2019 Defense One
Killing Terrorist Leaders Gets Attention, But It Doesn’t Stop Terrorism
“The kingpin strategy provides instant gratification…”
The Price of Freedom: Americans at War
“Iraqi Most Wanted” Deck of Playing Cards
Date: 2003
Because freedom comes from decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
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.
The people of Minnesota need services in the Horn of Africa for Operation Enduring Freedom:
March 5, 2020 Echo Press
Alexandria-based Army National Guard unit to be deployed this fall
“The largest deployment will come this summer and involves about 700 soldiers from the Mankato-based 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry, who are expected to deploy to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.”
Operation Enduring Freedom sure is spread out:
Vietnam body count
March 2, 2011 The New Republic
“The relentless charting of dead bodies meant a relentless drive to generate dead bodies…”
Related:
Both major political parties continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.
The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?
War on Drugs
Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?
Newspeople remain silent.
March 9, 2020 Texas Standard
Here’s What Life Is Like For National Guard Troops On The Border
“Guardsmen operate surveillance cameras along the border, reporting what they see to Border Patrol agents.”
Have these efforts resulted in any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US?
Newspeople remain silent.
March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner
DEA Announces Launch of Methamphetamine Initiative
More here:
Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release
Feb 25, 2020 WCBD
Fentanyl-laced meth from Mexico poses new deadly threat, DEA says
“On a typical day, more than 70,000 commercial trucks and a quarter of a million private vehicles make their way across the U.S.-Mexico border.”
“That represents $7.3 billion in legitimate trade. But with only a fraction of those vehicles subjected to exhaustive inspection, it also opens a path for the Mexican drug cartels to flood American streets with methamphetamines.”
“Commercial cargo — trucks and other conveyances — coming to the port of entry is the perfect opportunity for the drug cartels to conceal and bring meth into the United States,” said Kyle W.
More here:
Waiting for the DEA to stop smuggling update:
March 5th 2020 KTVO
As meth deaths rise, Heartland awaits nationwide DEA effort to stop smuggling
Any newspeople available to ask why cartels continue to move product through US ports of entry in uninspected tractor trailers and personal vehicles?
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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About this time of year – Skagit Valley
Daytime beach walks are back.
Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.
Both major political parties continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.
Congressman Derek Kilmer:
May 26, 2019
Wars are for freedom and democracy.
If wars are fought for democracy-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?
March 3, 2020
Congressman Kilmer tells us that wars are waged to defend our freedom.
Congressman Kilmer,
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.”
Congressman Kilmer,
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?
Feb 28, 2020 WPSD Local 6
Second lady Karen Pence visits Fort Campbell
“It is our priority to come alongside you and your children so that our military service members can stay focused on their mission and remain ready to fight and protect our freedom.”
Feb 17, 2020
Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper:
“This Presidents Day, let us never forget the extraordinary men and women serving our Country. As we remember our founders that formed our great Nation, we also remember our Service Members fiercely defending the freedoms we value every day.”
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
More here:
Honest Promotion of the US Armed Forces in the Puget Sound Area
“…ready to fight and protect our freedom…”
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part
Questions We’d Love To See In The Made For TV Debates
Unsustainable Military Spending
A Formal Congressional Declaration of War
How did Rhode Island freedoms get over to the Middle East?
Military Town – Hometown Pride
Let’s Honor The Troops In Honest Ways
Men Died For the Right to Vote?
Too Many Lies From Veterans – Straight Out of a Land of Make Believe
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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Whidbey agriculture – no hurry to change
A view from the Bluff Trail
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security and a large CBP force at Port Angeles fail to keep high grade methamphetamine from flooding Pacific Northwest neighborhoods.
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
Our questions appear in bold type.
March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner
DEA Announces Launch of Methamphetamine Initiative
“The increased volume of high grade methamphetamine flooding our Pacific Northwest neighborhoods coupled with increased overdose rates is alarming,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis.”
“Operation Crystal Shield builds on existing DEA initiatives that target major drug trafficking networks, including the Mexican cartels that are responsible for the overwhelming majority of methamphetamine trafficked into and within the United States.”
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:
Border Wall?
What will change after spending big cash on a border wall?
State-run media:
When the news is created by federal employees, public agencies are seeking to avoid any awkward/real questions from the press:
“The above is a press release from the DEA. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its content and encourages our readers to personally verify any information they find may be overly biased or questionable. The publication of this press release does not indicate an endorsement of its contents.”
Federal agencies get their wish when newspeople post the agency press release without asking any questions.
Not picking on the Auburn Examiner:
Port Angeles Drug War Covered By Press Release
Is Port Angeles CBP at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering the Puget Sound area?
US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA
An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 9 years, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.
Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
More here:
Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions:
October 23, 2019, Q13 News video:
Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?
Newspeople remain silent.
More here:
Zero questions from newspeople:
Local meth news stories here.
Local heroin news stories here.
Plenty of questions here:
Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger–a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Related:
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
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A symbol of the Homeland Security meth scam and newspeople posting a press release instead of asking questions.
My critique here is directed at the made for TV newspeole who occaisionaly stage tearful reunions featuring military personnel returning from far away lands.
I have solid respect for the people who serve in the National Guard.
Unlike active duty folks, these guys need to have a regular job and a place to live back home when not helping DOD squander credibility in distant lands.
Some people are working hard to keep the National Guard out of undeclared wars in distant lands:
Idaho
Feb 26, 2020 Post Register
“As lieutenant governor, I support efforts by Rep. Tammy Nichols — backed by former Idaho National Guard Sgt. Dan McKnight and BringOurTroopsHome.US — to enact “Defend the Guard”legislation requiring that Idaho’s Guard personnel shall not be activated for combat duty overseas unless Congress has first declared war.”
West Virginia
Jobs program:
Bill would disrupt West Virginia’s National Guard
February 10, 2020 West Virginia MetroNews Network
“Second, and perhaps more important, the state and the National Guard benefit significantly from the Guard’s federal roles in federal allocations and civilian jobs here. If West Virginia were able to withdraw from its federal role (except in the case of a declared war), it would lose millions of federal dollars, civilian jobs and critical military training and support.”
Feb 29, 2020 WOWK News video:
West Virginia National Guard Sgt. holds baby girl for first time after deployment
Nowhere in the text of this report is there any hint of where this West Virginia National Guard unit went for nine months, or why they were there.
The news video intro is all smiles and refers to the entire unit as heroes. Nowhere in the video do newspeople reveal the location to which the unit was deployed.
At 2:35, the little girl in the video lets us know that the unit was in Afghanistan.
If calling the West Virginia National Guard away to distant lands is vital to the people of West Virginia, it seems like newspeople would want to make some effort to inform the public on the importance of this mission.
Hero
Military culture is very careful about who is called a hero. The Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Silver Star are awarded to heroes.
In mainstream culture, you don’t have to look too far to find comments that refer to the troops as “heroes.”
Some are.
No one who has done time in an average military unit would be comfortable with everyone present being called a hero. Some units would be the exception, but for most people who have done time over the years, calling everyone a hero would have no connection to reality.
Reality, and an honest understanding of why we send The Troops to far away places isn’t what we’re about though.
Reaching for an honest understanding of US foreign policy makes more sense than “Thanks for your service.”
Love to see newspeople show up and ask why the people of West Virginia needed services in Afghanistan, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Related:
Various states have recently sent National Guard troops to distant lands. Each one claims that military operations overseas are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms:
How did Rhode Island freedoms get over to the Middle East?
Maryland Freedoms Found In The Middle East?
West Virginia Freedom Found In The Middle East?
How did our freedom and liberties get over to Kosovo?
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:
A symbol of TV newspeople playing a show business role, instead of asking questions.
