U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin of New York’s 1st Congressional District:
“Pat Tillman would have been a better choice for @Nike’s new “Just Do It” promotion. Pick a former NFL player and Army Ranger who died for our flag and national anthem rather than @Kaepernick7, a former NFL player who protested it.”
A large number of interesting comments follow the tweet linked above.
Congressman Zeldin,
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include a mission to die for our flag and national anthem?
Do the planners verify a mission to protect American rights and freedoms?
Does someone make sure the mission is to defend the constitution?
Is there anyone who verifies that the mission is to protect our physical security?
How does the executive branch of government defend the constitution via US foreign policy?
Congressman Zeldin,
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Never Forget:
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
I am indifferent to jet noise on Whidbey Island. I reject the idea that it is linked in any way to American rights and freedoms.
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Never Forget:
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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, federal minimum drinking age, interracial marriage, gay marriage, voting rights, etc. None of these have anything to do with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, 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.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
The NRA tells us that contacting elected representatives and voting is the way to protect gun rights. What role do The Dept. of Defense & The Troops play here?
“It was a risky play made by a desperate team that is well aware of its run-scoring issues over the past month and the current fight for a postseason spot that felt like an inevitability in June.”
Ever see a pro football coach or quarterback refer reporters to his press secretary for answers? Presidents do so on a daily basis. Professionals are hired to provide only the desired version of answers to questions.
Ever see a pro football coach or quarterback refer reporters to a public information officer for answers to questions?
The open attitude about sports reporting does not cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, The Troops, the War on Terror or local water quality.
The story is always reported as a big success. Zero questions asked about why cartels are somehow able to move product past National Guard Troops, strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- before the drugs end up in Hometown, USA.
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions.
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin? Even one time?
Newspeople, reporters and journalists are free to ask basic public policy questions and post updated reports at any time.
Has anyone ever seen the press question the Port Angeles Border Patrol/CBP on their role in keeping heroin out of the Puget Sound area?
US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA
Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 8 years, and zero questions from the press.
Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?
Each year, at the Super Bowl, the US Dept. of Homeland Security promotes their own image Re: preventing criminal activity. Why do these impressive capabilities fail to keep meth and heroin trafficking cartels from moving product into the US?
The Troops
Local paper in a military town-
About two years ago, hometown pride was running high when they posted:
“Last year, signs went up closing the waters around Penn Cove to any shellfish harvesting because testing revealed high levels of paralytic shellfish poison. The biotoxin can potentially lead to fatal paralytic shellfish poisoning in humans if consumed.”
Sports has tended to be a more honest part of American culture. Lately, well known players are involved in a marketing campaign featuring Salute to Service TV ads to fix the glorification of military service messages in our minds.
Undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
0:24
The purpose is to protect our freedoms:
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
No matter what political party or personality is in power, federal prohibition of marijuana remains in place.
Same country that staged a big celebration of smaller/limited government earlier this month:
Trade, travel, friendship, business, jobs, economy and a top ally to the north. Across the border- a country that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking The Troops for freedoms, and fighting undeclared/unwon wars for freedom.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, federal minimum drinking age, private liquor sales, interracial marriage, federal regulations on toilet fixtures, gay marriage, gas cans for your lawn equipment, gas for your lawn equipment, etc. All of these are completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
The Department of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.
Took a ferry ride and went to see my sister yesterday. At the end of our visit she pointed out the new flag she had placed at the front of her home and asked why she didn’t see one when she came to visit us on July 4th. I was able to provide her with some answers.
Bait and switch on incentives used to get people to stay for 20 years in the US Armed Forces
No matter what political party or personality is in power, there are ongoing moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
I’ve never been one to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
Undeclared/Unwon Wars That Never End
No matter what political party or personality is in power, the wars roll on.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
We’re told that we are in a life and death struggle in the War on Terror. Bad people will come here to destroy our American way of life if we don’t send The Troops to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2009, we need a special ID to go have lunch in Canada and then return home.
Seems like strict post-911 security protocols, the War on Terror, and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security would be a drug cartel’s worst nightmare.
No matter what political party or personality is in power there is no shortage of cartel-sourced meth or heroin anywhere in the US.
I’ve never been one to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
Defense Commissary Agency – trying to explain themselves:
Where did my coffee go?
A large number of comments have been posted in response on the Defense Commissary Agency Facebook page. Real people who aren’t paid by the federal government to post articles and comments aren’t having it.
Many comments about Cooper cheese and why it’s gone. The article posted by DeCA says items are removed if they are slow to sell?
I’d have more respect for local TV news stations if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.
Examples:
Zero questions asked Re: the US Dept. of Homeland Security/CBP role in keeping heroin away from the Puget Sound area. Local law enforcement agencies may benefit when the US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep heroin out of the US:
A new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility, secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin in the community & a Border Patrol whistleblower investigation Re: fraudulent overtime that resulted in further suppression of information- keep the focus on asking questions in these areas.
No cross-border USBP arrest has happened here in more than 7 years.
Newspeople, reporters and journalists are free to ask basic public policy questions and post updated reports at any time.
The script tells us that we’re seeing a big law enforcement success story when federal agents swing into action to nab 140 pounds of methamphetamine after product moved past strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents staffing a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security.
Do the good guys who made the local bust notify the good guys at the border about the weak links in their process? Check the script.
“…crystal meth from Mexico has become the preferred choice among users.”
“We’re seeing a lot more meth, and it’s a different kind of meth than we were seeing five or six years ago,” Gupta said. “There’s a push from the cartels to get these drugs out there.”
Question for newspeople: With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do Heroin-Trafficking Cartels continue to move product into local communities?
Any newspeople available to ask where the “…7 known or suspected terrorists a day – 50 a week…” statistic comes from? Do we need to look for the script?
More from The US Dept. of Homeland Security:
The Troops:
TV networks may be prone to emphasize the idea that everyone who shows up is a hero. They’re not about to ask any questions about the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Tearful reunions and spreading the idea that it’s for your freedoms helps to normalize failed wars that never end.
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949) let’s hear all about it.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
Undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
0:24
The purpose is to protect our freedoms:
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
I’ve never been one to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
Over the past few months, things have gone downhill.
DeCA can’t keep the shelves stocked. A year ago- things were good. Not anymore.
DFAS can’t mail out IRS Form 1095. No problem with this a year ago.
Extended time on hold with DFAS to request 1095 form results in being transferred to TRICARE. Message during TRICARE holding time tells us to contact DFAS. After another extended time on hold, TRICARE says they are unable to send out the form because of some sort of problem with their system. No attempt is made to update web sites so people will know what to expect or to reduce phone calls.
Each one of these agencies maintains a Facebook page. It’s easy to post comments there, and people are letting them know how things are going.
Recommendation for budget savings:
Phase out ongoing undeclared/unwon wars overseas.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
Thanks for your multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan guys. Sorry, we’re spending so much on undeclared/unwon wars that we can’t pay for the benefits that were in place last time you re-enlisted.
The plan is to save money by defunding the commissaries. Less people will want to shop there after the transition, then we’ll have the numbers to show that it makes no sense to continue to support funding the commissaries.
We didn’t plan for this.
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949. This would be the time to look hard at how much all this costs.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
School teachers, Congress, the press, and people in general have taken a vacation from asking questions.
Checks and balances are gone.
School teachers-
Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea that The Troops are in distant lands- fighting for American rights and freedoms.
Congress-
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
“Other officials favor trial for terrorism suspects in federal courts. Since 2001, federal prosecutors have obtained hundreds of convictions in international terrorism cases.”
In previous undeclared wars, how did the US deal with prisoners without a Guantanamo Bay prison facility?
School teachers- whatever happened to Armistice Day?
Hey school teachers– it took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.
What powers are granted to the federal government here?
Posting a press release from a federal agency is all there is to reporting the news. Reporters asking questions? Not a chance.
No Credible Threat?
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.
When the news is created by federal employees, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press:
The folks who can’t keep Heroin-Trafficking Cartels from moving product into local communities are keeping the Super Bowl safe.
CBP Public Affairs Officer interviews CBP Supervisory Office of Field Operations Officer.
Federal employees creating the news:
Did sending The Troops to Iraq and Afghanistan make US more safe?
Welcome Home Troops. Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
If special games require special security– what keeps regular games safe? Crowd size/capacity is similar at several stadiums.
What prevents terror strikes at hundreds of events & locations unsupervised by federal authorities?
What other parts of the entertainment industry feature uniformed federal agents as part of the security team?
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security screening– why do Heroin-Trafficking Cartels continue to move product into local communities?
Hey school teachers– it took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
At a checkpoint- away from any border crossing or port of entry- the US Border Patrol stopped a legal medical marijuana user with a legal amount of medical marijuana. He was a passenger in a car:
SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.
What powers are granted to the federal government here?
No need to worry about losing gun rights if you are on federally approved meds that come with chronic side effects. Ditto for the overprescribed opiates we hear so much about and any of the “do not drive or operate heavy machinery” meds out there.
0:24 May cause suicidal thoughts or actions:
0:07 Hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts or actions:
How about legal anti-depression meds that may bring on thoughts of suicide (0:34)
All this from a country that makes a big deal of celebrating freedom & independence each July 4th.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
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.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
In the news: The VFW, American Legion and the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department tell us that people who did time in uniform are heroes who protect our freedoms:
“The purpose of this program is to remind the public of the vital service given and sacrifice made by our neighbors through their military service, and to thank them for their service protecting our freedoms,” Posada said”
“Each hero, or his or her family, received a plaque Tuesday night and soon will be recognized with a personalized banner to be displayed above South College Road near Bradley Square for the next six months.”
Doing time in the US Armed Forces & living in the community are the two qualifications for being a hero and protecting our freedoms.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
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.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Good luck to today’s youngest generations. The indoctrination levels are higher now than when I grew up during the Cold War.
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
The Troops were nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Sports has tended to be a more honest part of American culture. Lately, well known players are involved in a marketing campaign featuring Salute to Service TV ads to fix the glorification of military service messages in our minds.
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.
At a checkpoint- away from any border crossing or port of entry- the US Border Patrol stopped a legal medical marijuana user with a legal amount of medical marijuana. He was a passenger in a car:
In 2008, the US Border Patrol came to Jefferson County, WA and set up suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry.
At a local Border Patrol forum a lady asked:
“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”
US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.
Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.
Question about providing ID is at 0:35
Will the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
No time to change out of camo prior to this tearful homecoming staged as a booze promotion. Local TV station released the moment as a news video: KUAM News video
This may be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949) of undeclared/unwon wars that never end.
The National Guard was never meant to be an enforcer of US foreign policy, or used for nation building schemes or occupational duties in foreign lands.
Checks and Balances-
The US form of government is meant to include checks and balances.
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record since DOD was established in 1949.
This would be a time to remind people that the National Guard is meant to serve the people of their home state or other states and territories in the case of fires, floods, storm relief, etc. This would be the time to discuss ending multiple National Guard deployments to distant lands- absent any military emergency, draft, or declaration of war.
General Frank J. Grass Chief, National Guard Bureau:
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
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.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Until July of 1971, 18 year old adults did not have full voting rights. Why didn’t US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s get the job done on this?
With all this talk of American rights and freedoms can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
Strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs- unable to keep Mexican mafia and drug cartel out of Southern California:
“The majority of meth comes out of Mexico from the drug cartels down there,” Fuller said. “Many states, South Dakota one of them, have made it very hard to find the precursors to make meth locally, so we’re not seeing the manufacturing sites up here. It’s coming from super labs in Mexico, brought in illegally across the border to source cities, like Denver, for example, and from there, it’s transported here. The majority in our area comes from Denver or L.A.”
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.
Newspeople, reporters and journalists are free to ask basic public policy questions and post updated reports at any time. Do they ever question any of this?
Is there a perception that people who did time in uniform are needy or disadvantaged? This news report gives us no hint as to how these veterans were selected. Was this a publicity stunt for the local NFL team? Newspeople play along by not asking questions.
Another story with zero information or reporting on how these families were selected:
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949) let’s hear all about it.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Growing up in the 60s & 70s- veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.
People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.
These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.
Is there a perception that people who did time in uniform are needy or disadvantaged? This news report gives us no hint as to how these veterans were selected. Was this a publicity stunt for the local NFL team? Newspeople play along by not asking questions.
Another story with zero information or reporting on how these families were selected:
“With less than one percent of Americans wearing the uniform, this trend is only accelerating. To reverse it, more non-military families must encourage their children to serve.”
Looks like most people aren’t interested in involving themselves in undeclared/unwon wars that never end.
The country also did away with a formal congressional declaration of war.
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record since DOD was established in 1949.
During this process, top generals would testify before congress and lay down realistic expectations and requirements for success.
Also did away with Armistice Day.
Also got public school teachers to host annual Veterans Day assemblies where students are told that The Troops are in distant lands defending American rights and freedoms- as if the US Armed forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
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.
Stop telling us that undeclared/unwon wars overseas are somehow linked to American rights & freedoms.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
Some businesses are now setting aside parking for veterans. The designated spots we are talking about here are for all veterans- no requirement Re: earning the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, having any physical disability, etc.
Where are the veterans who don’t want free meals, discounts, head of the line privileges at the airport, etc.
Hey veterans- do you get special parking spots on base? Why move to divide people up into groups of first & second-class citizens away from the base?
This may all be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas.
Finally, find some newspeople who are willing to ask questions.
Several comments here, saying that parks need to be better about stopping people as they enter these federal lands to verify that the proper day use permits are in hand. Heading out for your picnic might feel something like trying to enter a military base. Washington State Parks are already on to this. They are now in the habit of stopping vehicles at guilty until proven innocent checkpoints to verify that you have purchased what started out to be a parking pass several years ago. Fort Ebey State Park is good for this.
But-what about discrimination?
The federal government is A-OK with dividing people up into groups- then assigning a separate value to each group.
Parking pass for federal lands you paid for the same as the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan:
How about an opt in/out pass to pay for decades (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949) of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands?
If people don’t want to show proper support by paying a special fee- above and beyond April 15th federal taxes- then the wars would have to be shut down.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949) let’s hear all about it.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Hey school teachers,
Do the US Armed Forces really function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Until July of 1971, 18 year old adults did not have full voting rights. Why didn’t US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s get the job done on this?
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
With all this talk of American rights and freedoms can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
Whatever happened to a formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense since it was established in 1949.
During this process, top generals would testify before congress and lay down realistic expectations and requirements for success.
16 years past 911-
Strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs- fail to keep heroin out of local communities.
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.
Newspeople, reporters and journalists are free to ask basic public policy questions and post updated reports at any time. Do they ever question any of this?
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.
Some believe that The Troops are in distant lands defending American rights and freedoms. The recent attention to flag rituals at football games brings out comments along these lines.
U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin of New York’s 1st Congressional District:
