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