Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Does hometown pride cause newspeople not to ask questions?
Oak Harbor
New sewage treatment plant in operation since Nov 15th, 2018.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
The colors on the recreational shellfish safety map are telling:
Oak Harbor – State Of The Art Sewage Treatment Plant
In the news:
May 14, 2019 Whidbey News-Times
Oak Harbor asks Navy to pay $39 million to connect to city sewer system
Zero questions from newspeople on why:
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into local waters?
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?
Military Town – Hometown Pride
Coupeville
“Keystone terminal gives way to ‘Coupeville’ ferry”
“The name change will help eliminate confusion visitors may find when they research ways to travel to Whidbey Island.”
Don’t book a bed and breakfast stay in Coupeville and plan to walk from the ferry terminal to your accommodations.
Coupeville/Penn Cove is on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island- no ferry link to Port Townsend exists there.
Ferry Traffic Leaving Coupeville Terminal Routed Away From Coupeville
Island County
Several Island County beaches are closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.
View the Washington State Department of Health list here.
Love to see newspeople get out and ask questions about why:
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Brinnon
Loyalty Day – A little understanding of freedom
Union
Congressman Derek Kilmer
Wars are for freedom and democracy.
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?
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
Port Angeles
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Port Angeles CBP Staffing & Infrastructure – Newspeople Remain Silent
Port Angeles CBP – Keeping Meth Out of Town?
Puget Sound Homeland Security Industrial Complex
Port Angeles Heroin – Newspeople Remain Silent
Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Washington’s 6th congressional district
Question for newspeople:
What role do Port Angeles based 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping meth and heroin away from the Puget Sound area?
Puget Sound Homeland Security Industrial Complex
Island County
2014
Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:
Federal grant money goes to “…gain a better grasp on cross border activity and to prevent illegal crossings.”
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Has there been any post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey Island?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Background: Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent
Related:
Local stories where newspeople seem to refrain from asking questions:
Newspeople Remain Silent – Missing A Chance To Ask Questions
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Photo- How long would it take to walk to the Welcome To Oak Harbor sign?