Decades of politics and life in America leads us to the realization that both major parties are OK with undeclared/unwon wars that never end, wasteful Homeland Security spending, the drug war, federal prohibition of marijuana, treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens, an ongoing glorification of military service, forced charity and newspeople who take a pass on asking questions on these issues.
The idea is to live in a free and honest society.
Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All
Undeclared/unwon wars that never end
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.
Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes
Post-9/11 Wars Have Cost American Taxpayers $6.4 trillion, Study Finds
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.
The formal congressional declaration of war would also be the time for a careful review of important issues such as: PTSD, suicide, GTMO/torture, use of contractors, war crimes, a $6.4 trillion price tag, lies about freedom, propaganda, dressing women to look like men, exit strategy, mission creep, nation building, reduction of traditional military benefits offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, who should register for the draft, etc.
Wasteful Homeland Security spending
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?
What We Have Now
A $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartel product from showing up all over the US.
Billions of dollars spent every 12 months to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Newspeople ask zero questions in this area.
Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure
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?
Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent
The Drug War
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.
Snohomish 2015
Local law enforcement agencies may benefit when the US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep heroin out of the US.
Seattle media: Heroin busts could finance police construction in Snohomish
Zero questions from newspeople:
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
Any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US since General Milley launched his big DOD crackdown?
Any questions from newspeople?
Tried to stay out of it. Posting news-related items
Cartel Moves Product Past General Milley, CBP & Into The Puget Sound Area – Newspeople Remain Silent
Federal prohibition of marijuana
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.
Freedom Re: marijuana?
Still controversial.
Treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd 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?
An ongoing glorification of military service
We’re often told that The Troops are in distant lands fighting for American rights and freedoms, and that we should thank them for defending our freedoms.
The reality is that freedoms may come and go.
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.
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
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?
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in these areas.
Forced charity
Tax money-which some people intend to be used to help others via public assistance programs-also goes for failed wars that never end.
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.
Newspeople who take a pass on asking questions on these issues
The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks are welcome to do interviews related to public policy. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.
Ready to purchase a subscription to any Puget Sound area newspaper that will show initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound
Related:
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
The Press Is Weak – Newspaper Revenue Down Compared To 20 Years Ago
Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Not A Democrat Or A Republican
What does the Medal of Freedom have to do with freedom?
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
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