October 28, 2020 The Seattle Times
Report released by Sen. Maria Cantwell slams Google and Facebook for decimating local news outlets
“Local journalism has been the policeman on the beat against misinformation,” Cantwell said in an interview Tuesday. “Keeping local news is too important to let these unfair market practices continue.”
October 28, 2020 Seattle P-I
Senator Cantwell calls out big tech companies for hurting local news organizations
“Broadcasting is facing similar losses, with advertising revenues down more than 40% in the past two decades.”
The Press Is Weak
People go to alternative media because the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks have moved away from asking questions.
Sept. 28, 2020 FOX 7 Austin
Friends, family say goodbye to Texas National Guard soldier deploying overseas
During the Vietnam War, US troops were sent to Vietnam.
Today, the Texas National Guard is sent to the U.S. Central Command Area in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Newspeople post whatever press release is handed off.
A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
Is there any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to this movement of troops?
Journalism Needs Our Support Now, More Than Ever
The press is also good for telling everybody to get out and vote.
People could do a better job of voting if they were better informed.
Both Whidbey 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.
Newspapers are suppressing online comment sections, 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.
Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island
Independent/alternative media
We are big fans of Independent/alternative media here at Oak Bay Starfish.
The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks are more welcome to do interviews related to public policy. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.
Alternative media is also good about keeping an active comment section up & running. There’s always something to learn or think about from the points others make in the comment section.
Mainstream Press
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
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, rare and mysterious cross-border arrests, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.
If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Comments are turned off.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
More here:
Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure
0:40
We’re going to have one company to make all the bombs, TV shows and deliver the news:
Years ago, reader comments were also a feature of TV news web pages. That seems to be all gone now.
Zero Questions/Zero Curiosity from Newspeople
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
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.
Image above: 10/29/2020
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Click image to enlarge.
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?
Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park
“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
More here:
Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern
“…talking to officials at the Town of Coupeville…”
Distance learning idea:
Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls
WA voters approved enhanced background checks for firearms back in 2014.
The new requirements have had time to take hold.
Newspeople, please update us on this.
Oct. 26, 2020 The Seattle Times
Homicides, assaults with firearms spike in King County, reflecting national trend, prosecutors say
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?
Billions of dollars are spent every 12 months to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Has General Milley’s big DOD/cartel crackdown played any role in keeping fentanyl, meth or heroin from entering the Puget Sound area?
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
Newspeople remain silent.
Spokane – Opioid Lawsuit Update
Miss America & The DEA vs. Drug Cartels
Cartels Respond to General Milley’s Big DOD Crackdown
Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure
Cartel Moves Product Past General Milley, CBP & Into The Puget Sound Area – Newspeople Remain Silent
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
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Social Media Feelings Are Weak/Group Identities Are Favored As Long As What You Are Thinking Is Agreeable
No hate speech, insults, threats, foul language, attacking other commenters, etc.
Still not good enough:
October 29, 2020 DAVID CRARY AP National Writer
Girl Scouts tweet, then delete post about Amy Coney Barrett
American popular and political culture insists on dividing people up into groups-then assigning a separate value to each group.
Veterans Support All Candidates 2020!
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