More than two decades past 911:
A US Armed Forces Recruiting Crisis
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. Understandable why young people & their parents & grandparents would take a dim view on all this.
Thousands of American families have now had a loved one who did one or more tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Will they support new enlistments?
Some will say obese teens and young adults are to blame for the big recruiting crisis.
Thousands of young, intelligent and athletic Americans participate in college athletics each year. Certainly, they would qualify to enlist.
US press plays along by not asking questions.
Many comments are posted with the video above:
“Veterans are telling their young family members not to join.”
“I don’t have any kids, but as a Vietnam vet, I will tell ANYONE! Not to join…”
“Because they don’t wanna die in stupid, elective wars or wars for countries they aren’t citizens of. The kids aren’t stupid.”
A few reasons why people may steer away from doing time in uniform in 2024:
US troops remain in Iraq
Sep 27, 2024 Air Force Times
US-led task force to fight ISIS in Iraq to end by 2026, officials say
“The U.S., which has 2,500 troops in Iraq, will then negotiate directly with the government in Baghdad on its military presence inside the country.”
Cartels move product into all 50 states:
DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas:
“…HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states…”
Airport Security Screening – Zero questions from newspeople:
Oct 5, 2024 KIRO 7 News
TSA upgrades identity verification process with facial recognition at Spokane Airport
Would any newsperson ever ask:
What keeps the bad guys from creating a disruption at the back end of the screening line?
Port Angeles CBP – Zero questions from newspeople:
Unlike many cities of its size, Port Angeles, WA maintains a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Port Angeles Homeland Security funding and performance?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
New Port Angeles USBP Station opened more than a decade ago. Has the new station been able to prevent cartel drugs from entering the Olympic Peninsula?
Newspeople remain silent.
After a Port Angeles CBP buildup that took place more than a decade ago, is there any follow up made by the press to inform the public on whatever results have been achieved?
If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
In the news – Port Angeles/Clallam County:
Massing US Border Patrol agents at the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca fails to keep more than 80 grams of fentanyl and 110 grams of meth, from arriving in Port Angeles:
Oct 8, 2024 KIRO 7 News
Suspected drug dealer arrested in Port Angeles after ‘nodding off’ behind the wheel
“Deputies say they could see drug paraphernalia inside the car.”
“When they searched it, they found more than 80 grams of fentanyl, over 110 grams of meth, digital scales, and plastic baggies.”
Aug 22, 2024 KONP
CLALLAM COUNTY HAS THIRD HIGHEST OVERDOSE RATE IN WASHINGTON
“PORT ANGELES — Clallam County ranks among the top three counties in Washington state with the highest overdose death rates, recording 59.3 deaths per 100,000 residents from June 2023 to June 2024. This rate places Clallam just behind King County, with 62.2 deaths per 100,000, and Grays Harbor, which leads with 77.6.”
“Clallam County Prosecutor and Coroner Mark Nichols says the data highlights the significant impact of the opioid crisis in Clallam County.”
Zero questions from newspeople:
When is the last time Port Angeles CBP made an arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
When is the last time Port Angeles CBP prevented cartel product from entering Port Angeles/Clallam County?
Security At Washington State Ferry Terminals
A state-run media report from June, 2012-
This video tells us that security personal are on site every day-at 2:56
Maybe security personnel are present at some specific terminal each day. Dozens of round trip crossings from various terminals indicate that in many cases-no security screening takes place prior to boarding ferries.
Washington State ferry passengers are advised via PA system not to leave backpacks or packages unattended during ferry crossings.
Meanwhile-on the car deck-cars, trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, etc. are left unattended during ferry crossings.
I have made dozens of round trip ferry crossings over the past 20 years. In many cases, there has been no security screening at either terminal.
On occasion, the press will do a story about a ferry security drill.
If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry-how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?
Has anyone ever seen any member of the press asking questions related to WSF security?
Newspeople Avoid Questions – WSF Security
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Related:
More Homeland Security – More Puget Sound Drugs?
More here:
Port Angeles Homeland Security & CBP
Port Angeles – Homeland Security/Drug War Scam 2011- 2024
WA Fentanyl Scam – What Got Better?
Port Angeles CBP – Cartel Product and Seattle Overdose Trends
Port Angeles Drug War – Fentanyl
Port Angeles – High Seas Drug Patrols
“declining trust in news media”
US Troops To Iraq and Afghanistan – Never Forget
Sound Publishing And Black Press Media
A Truly Weak Culture In Terms of Newspeople Asking Questions
I would have loved to see the moderators ask questions on how both major parties have taken turns in power/had their hands on the wheel as things went downhill after putting a Man on the Moon in 1969.
Over in Island County
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?
Newspeople remain silent.
Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent
Possibly of interest:
Years ago, I lived in several different small town areas. Places like Kingston, Port Hadlock and north of Penn Cove.
These areas had small, local newspapers and those papers featured active, online comment sections. Paying for a newspaper subscription was OK with me. There were basic rules for commenting, but it did not seem to matter what name people went by. I never cared.
I used to love the comment sections.
Local 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.
Suppressing comments, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.
Got it.
Photo-
No Hurry To Change – Port Hadlock