This concept has been big in the news recently.
When comment sections are open, people seem to make this issue about their most or least liked political parties and personalities.
If I was 20 years old today, I could think of a half dozen reasons to be less patriotic than I was at age 20 in 1980.
What has changed since 1980
More in the way of undeclared/unwon wars.
US dollars are worth less.
Renting an apartment was routine stuff in 1980. Looks like those days are gone now.
The catastrophic military failure of 911.
Frequent claims by both major parties that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Both major parties have taken turns in power over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better.
As time goes on, the choices we have are becoming more restricted by a combination of government and big business policies, not Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden or the next bad guy DOD will be going after in distant lands.
Since 1980-
A giant US Dept. of Homeland Security and mixed messages on cartel product inside the US.
Recent News – 2024
With a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence at Port Angeles:
“Clallam County has one of the highest per capita rates of drug overdoses in the state…”
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area:
Were Clallam County drug overdose death numbers higher before the US Dept. of Homeland Security was established (2002) or are the numbers higher with a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security in place?
This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US.
More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
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
Across The Nation
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in Hometown, USA.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
If you are part of DOD you avoid barracks maintenance in order to pay for sending The Troops three states over to secure the border while failing to manage federal contracts related to TRICARE.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Seattle News
Seattle libraries offer Narcan, fentanyl test strips to combat overdose epidemic
Joel Moreno – KOMO News
July 1st 2025
Related: Kristi Noem/Seattle Drug War Progress Report
Both major parties are OK with federal prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for adults age 18-20.
No such thing the day I graduated from high school.
That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.
Since 1980-
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?
Ongoing Breakdown of Society
In past decades, people could do time in uniform, then return to the US with a feeling that they were living in the best country on the planet.
Standards have deteriorated. Today, the troops return to an ongoing breakdown of society.
Take a look at KOMO news on any random day for an ongoing breakdown of society update.
The comment section will advise on where we’re at.
Man dies after shootout in notorious south Seattle homeless encampment
Jeremy Harris – KOMO News
June 23rd 2025
From KOMO comments:
Since 1980-
Newspeople have moved away from asking questions. Several examples here:
Sound Publishing And Black Press Media
The WWII Generation had things up & running in the 80s and 90s. Will best advances in REAL ID & AI technologies make it better?
Will newspeople ask questions?
Just Be Honest
Elected officials from both major political parties and high level DOD civilians speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
The press plays along by not asking questions.
The post 911 era has been a time to tell the American people that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American freedoms. This urban legend has run its course. People have seen enough now to know this is no more than a marketing strategy. Uniparty newspeople play along by not asking questions. Please see video below.
Memorial Day Marketing Strategy
The idea that the US Armed Forces are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms is repeated many times over.
The reality is that American freedoms may come and go and appear to be completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom over Coupeville.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in this area:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Love to see newspeople interview elected officials and let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?
Related:
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
The country struggles with:
Old Man Blog category:
Thoughts on changes in American culture relating to those born roughly in the late 50s & early 60s.
Original Old Man Blog here: https://oldmanblogdotcom.wordpress.com
New updates here: https://oakbaystarfish.com/category/old-man-blog/
Photo at top of page:
A symbol of newspeople not asking questions over the past 35 years or so.
People may be less proud of this.