A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
In The News
‘Psychological’ Trump wall on WA’s border has repelled a million trips
By Danny Westneat – Seattle Times columnist
Feb. 21, 2026
“It was well documented last spring how furious Canadians were about President Donald Trump’s threats to annex their country as a “51st state.” They went “elbows up,” booing the U.S. national anthem, boycotting American booze and generally writing off the States for shopping trips or summer vacations.”
“Cars with Canadian plates coming southbound into northwest Washington dropped 39% in the first 365 days of Trump’s term, Jan. 20, 2025, through Jan. 19, 2026, as compared to the same time span a year earlier.”
“The trust has been broken,” Blaine Mayor Mary Lou Steward said…”
“Canadians look across the border and see “a population of easily distracted fools…”
No argument from Oak Bay Starfish.
Exhibit One:
The weak-minded culture expects very little from its newspeople.
Three on air personalities work the report below.
Live camera crew sent from Seattle to the middle of nowhere to stand in the dark and wait for flakes to fall update:
KING 5 News
Welcome Home Troops
KING 5 News again:
National parks announce ‘America-first’ fee surges for international tourists
By Yahya Salem – CNN
Nov 26, 2025
“…as of January 1, 2026, the annual pass will cost non-US residents $250 to obtain, more than triple the standard $80 which US residents will continue to pay.”
“Foreign tourists who don’t purchase the pass will pay a $100-per-person fee, in addition to the standard entrance fee, to enter 11 of the most visited national parks…”
“This announced price hike comes amid a decline in international tourism to the US, fueled by changes to tariff policies and crackdowns on immigration.”
The Interior Department’s statement also highlighted “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” for next year which includes Memorial Day, Fourth of July Independence Day weekend and June 14, “Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday.”
“resident-only patriotic fee-free days”
Good news folks-
We are rationing out free access to federal lands you paid for the same as the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan.
Will big cash/aid to foreign governments for war related projects continue to flow?
People who visit from distant lands probably don’t want or need the annual pass. Ditto for some who live here too. The day pass will be good enough.
The article fails to mention that people who want the day pass will now be required to show papers to establish citizenship?
Some of us may want to travel about inside the USA as anonymous persons.
The Oak Bay Starfish Take
American popular & political culture insists on dividing people up into groups- then assigning a separate value to different groups.
Step over here and show us your papers before entering the park.
How many passengers are in the vehicle? All US citizens? Please pull over into the inspection lane for a brief interview and REAL ID check.
Trade, Travel and Friendship
Some might say trade, travel and friendship (as much as possible) are good for the economy. This approach may help to avoid misunderstandings and wars.
What we get instead:
Tariffs/tariff threats, threatening Greenland, talk of making Canada the 51st state, increased entry fees at national parks for foreign visitors, etc.
Welcoming Visitors – USA Style – 2026
Friends and family or an exchange student visiting from Canada, Japan or Europe?
You’d like to have a good visit when you travel to see them. Plan to roll out the welcome mat when they visit here next summer.
A trip to a national park might be a chance to leave the pressures of the world behind for a few hours. Now, it will be a stop and ID event? Sort of like trying to enter a military facility?
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
In The News
National parks announce ‘America-first’ fee surges for international tourists
By Yahya Salem – CNN
Nov 26, 2025
Imagine a Japanese family. They are not US citizens. They come to the US each summer to visit family, go to Disneyland, see the Grand Canyon, etc.
For USA 250, will they be forced to interact with masked and militarized ICE agents?
Feeling The Energy – USA 250
Back home:
More cartel drug overdose deaths now, or before REAL ID?
Any questions from newspeople?
Why It Matters
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
If all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
Possibly of interest:
National Parks Hospitality & Goodwill Program
Take An Oath To The Constitution
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays