Where were you? along with a photo of a peaceful/standing twin towers.
My response:
With my GF in Kingston. Had already done some time in uniform. Took me several years to become skeptical and see that the federal government and the press had lost credibility.
Today:
My feeling is that a man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment. That was maybe the best of America in my lifetime.
“What I remember most about 9/11 is the way America was unified the day after. During uncontrollable times we controlled our response. Race, Gender and Political Party were equally irrelevant.”
“We focused on loving each other, how did we get so segregated? We never would have made it this far if we embraced division on September the 12th. We are where we are because we got here TOGETHER let’s embrace love yet again.”
“God Bless The USA.”
My response:
Good Stuff
Let’s keep that and add a free and independent press that will ask questions/rock the boat, no matter who is in office.
The mainstream press provides news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.
We got our ass kicked on 911.The federal government has been squandering credibility ever since. If the US Armed Forces were keeping us safe– first responders would have had a routine day at work on 911. The giant government and “Dept of Defense” were nowhere to be found on 911. For federal government convenience, take the day, follow along, pledge your allegiance and behave as that government sees fit. Do as you are told. Fly your flag as you are told. Think and behave as that government tells you. Divert your attention away from federal government failure and stay busy with federal suggestions for the day.
Here at Oak Bay Starfish, we will observe the day by avoiding network TV. At the bottom of this page, we will offer up some readings featuring voices of dissent and alternative media.
Aftermath
Let’s say the federal government did everything right before and on the day of Sept. 11th, 2001. The uniparty press avoids questions on how things have come together since.
Big Homeland Security spending
The US Dept of Homeland Security was established on November 25, 2002. Plenty of time for lessons learned, and more cartel drugs entering Hometown, USA than ever before?
Lessons Learned?
Anytime there is a plane crash, a loss at sea, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents. A major aircraft manufacturer grounds certain airplanes after mishaps. Time is required to investigate and find out what went wrong.
Any similar effort after a big cartel drug bust inside the US?
The folks who show up and investigate the plane crash don’t spend time congratulating each other. Their work is designed to try and prevent similar future incidents, not promote themselves.
Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities.
Wonder what was happening at border crossing/port of entry inspections during the 12 months Operation P-22 (to take down just one branch of the cartel activity) took place. Do the good guys who made the local bust notify the good guys at the border about the weak links in their process?
Were federal authorities at the border notified of this ongoing investigation?
Did the cartel traffickers get fast track screening at the border so as not to disrupt this ongoing investigation?
If the drug traffickers were given a pass at the border- would that have tipped them off as to the investigation- or would that have been seen as standard protocol?
Imagine that LE authorities observe a shoplifter or bank robber in action. Instead of going in to make an arrest they back off and conduct an investigation that goes on for months. What if they applied the same tactic Re: crimes involving arson, terrorism, child abuse, DUI, etc.
This time next year- will there be any shortage of cartel product in the Puget Sound area? Has any city, county or state jurisdiction been able to cleanup their drug problem using these methods?
Snohomish 2015
Local law enforcement agencies may benefit when the US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep heroin out of the US:
Newspeople are good about posting a drug bust press release. Newspeople remain silent when it comes to asking questions about Homeland Security funding and performance.
Big DOD spending on undeclared/unwon wars for our freedoms.
School children are taught about a free enterprise system. They grow up to find out that the federal government will tell them what kind of shower head they must install in the bathroom, and what type of gas can they must buy for their lawn mower.
Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?
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?
Freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
Maybe a few more decades of undeclared/unwon wars and the freedoms will get better.
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Both major parties are OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Both major parties are good with a land of the free holding pattern where alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18? Are The Joint Chiefs of Staff working to change any of this?
Doesn’t seem to fit with a society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.
Has it become harder to find blogs, videos and alternative media that ask questions or point to the failures of 911 and its aftermath? How about COVID? How about a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security?
“Nearly 1,800 victims’ relatives, first responders and survivors are calling on Biden to refrain from attending any memorials over his refusal to release Sept. 11 documents.”
“The administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump also declined to declassify supporting documents, citing national security concerns.”
22 Years Later
Part of the reaction was to send The Troops into undeclared wars.
If DOD was an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over for what DOD has done with the US Armed Forces during the fake GWOT era.
Fake GWOT?
The US Dept. of Homeland Security was invented after the catastrophic military failure of 911. The idea was to keep bad people from coming to the US to do bad things/attempt another 911, etc.
Wouldn’t the giant War on Terror be a cartel drug trafficker’s worst nightmare?
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 – May 7, 2025
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $51.6 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?
If the CIA (est 1947) serves as an advantage to the US, why does the Department of Defense have such a poor record of winning undeclared wars going back to 1949, the year DOD was established?
Show up early to wait in line and squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube at the airport?
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?
“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.”
Will sending the National Guard, active, reserve and IRR forces to support NATO/Ukraine stimulate new enlistments over at the recruiting office?
National Guard
The people of Minnesota need more applicants to maintain a place to live and a regular job in their hometown area when they are not doing time in foreign lands helping DOD with undeclared/unwon wars and missions completely unrelated to their home state.
A few decades back, people might think of the National Guard as one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer plus a way to support your home state by being ready to get called out for floods, fires, natural disasters, civil unrest, etc. Maybe a way to help the next state over if they needed it.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Home State, USA needed services in distant lands, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials, top Pentagon Generals and the press earned it.
Thousands of men and women who signed up for the National Guard in the past 25 years did tours in places like Syria, Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.
These families have stories to tell and they’re not all positive. Will their stories support a draft?
Free enterprise is not the state governor setting deadlines for new restrictions, bans and mandates while creating cash giveaways for selected industries.
Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?
As the years go by, it seems like celebrating independence on July 4th makes less and less sense. Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
0:41 in the video below:
If ethanol made a lot of sense we wouldn’t have to subsidize it or mandate its consumption:
We are hearing about a US Armed Forces Recruiting crisis. Maybe young people and their parents and grandparents are starting to wonder what The Troops are fighting for in undeclared/unwon wars. I am.
The crisis was earned by the politicians, generals, and high ranking civilians who have been running the Pentagon over the past 30 years or so. The crisis is also upon us due to newspeople not asking questions going back to the time the Cold War ended.
National Guard
Jun 30, 2022 WCCO – CBS Minnesota
1:41 Reporters interviewing reporters from within their TV studios.
Back in the 1960s, TV newspeople had a different style of reporting and working to keep the public informed.
At 3:49 an interview with Maj. Sgt. Kor. Rank insignia on uniform does not match rank description in WCCO TV news video. Weeks later, title remains uncorrected.
The people of Minnesota need more applicants to maintain a place to live and a regular job in their hometown area when they are not doing time in foreign lands helping DOD with undeclared/unwon wars and missions completely unrelated to their home state.
A few decades back, people might think of the National Guard as one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer plus a way to support your home state by being ready to get called out for floods, fires, natural disasters, civil unrest, etc. Maybe a way to help the next state over if they needed it.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Home State, USA needed services in distant lands, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.
Regular Active Duty
Jul 26, 2022 CBS Evening News
If DOD was an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.
The press heads out to ask top generals and recruiters what is going on. No interviews with National Guard people who have done multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, etc. No interviews with Moms and Dads who have raised physically fit children but will not recommend the US Armed Forces to them.
Zero questions from newspeople on why the Moms and Dads of America wouldn’t recommend the US Armed Forces to their kids.
Love to see TV newspeople interview some of the veterans commenting here:
The parents and grandparents of today may have a tricky time recommending an enlistment to a younger generation. This would be true even in families who are proud of having a history of military service.
Some of these folks are commenting on the video below. Look for TV newspeople to seek out and do zero interviews with the veterans commenting here:
TV newspeople perform like paid actors reading a script.
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl.
Sorry, no time for newspeople to ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
Freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
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. Don’t look for any of this discussion to be prompted by newspeople showing initiative or curiosity in asking questions.
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?
The Dept. of Defense has a truly poor track record with undeclared wars. This record goes back to 1949, the year DOD was established. Has this record damaged the brand?
If DOD was an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since. Whatever they touch turns to crap.
Senator Tillis,
Is there any talk of going back to a draft in order to deal with your recruiting crisis?
Before making any plans to start up a draft, let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Senator Tillis,
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
This is the same country where both major parties invite veterans to be momentarily honored at State of the Union events when they control the White House.
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.-how is that defending the US Constitution-or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in these areas.
Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
Try for less blaming of a new generation and the Moms and Dads of today for any hesitation related to doing time in uniform. Time to take a hard look at what elected officials and the US Dept. of Defense did with the brand after the first Cold War ended in the early 90s and after the lessons of Vietnam were on the table.
Enough time now to look back and ask a few public policy questions. The fact that the press has never been in the habit of questioning the GWOT, by itself, seems a little odd.
Much talk about The Constitution and a Supreme Court vacancy coming just before election day.
Dave Smith isn’t trying to please everyone:
A society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.
The two major parties will not fight about:
Undeclared/unwon wars that never end, wasteful Homeland Security spending, the drug war, federal prohibition of marijuana, treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens, an ongoing glorification of military service, and newspeople who take a pass on asking questions on these issues.
In some of these areas, The Constitution doesn’t seem to play a big role.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
DOD had a September 11th message for us. Instead of a catastrophic military failure, state-run/DOD social media accounts told us that the Sept. 11th attacks are somehow linked to supporting and defending the Constitution and defending freedom.
Certainly, Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
American culture is good for dividing adults up into groups of first and second-class citizens.
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?
We’re often told that The Troops are in distant lands fighting for American rights and freedoms, and that we should thank them for defending our freedoms.
The reality is that freedoms may come and go.
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.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
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?
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.-how is that defending the US Constitution-or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
The NRA has been big on supporting The Troops.
If The Troops are fighting to protect American rights and freedoms-why does the NRA emphasize domestic politics instead of overseas military operations to preserve gun rights? Where does The Constitution play in all this?
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?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
The US Armed Forces are overemphasized in American culture.
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.
Vaping is big, but so are risks and unknowns: A look at the issues
“It’s also illegal for minors to vape. (A growing number of states have even raised the vaping age to 21.) And using e-cigarettes may make teenagers more likely to smoke real cigarettes in the future.”
No word on the banning of real cigarettes so far.
Oct. 9, 2019 Reason
Muddled Message About Vaping Causes Costly Confusion
“Federal law says it’s illegal, in any quantities.”
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.
The freedom talk is just for federal holidays & overseas military operations.
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?
Discussions on news sites seem to be more about group identities and less about issues. I am not anti-government, anti-military or anti-law enforcement. My concerns are not specific to any political party, personality or group identity.
After years of reading comments posted to news articles, here’s my take-
“The Troops are keeping us safe.”
Except on 911. Except when heroin-trafficking cartels want to move product into the Seattle area:
The Troops are keeping us safe- except when violent offenders are on the loose.
After spending huge amounts of cash on these programs:
The post-911 surveillance state (fusion centers, war on terror crime fighting tactics, license plate scanners, Homeland Security grant money, monitoring of e-mails, text messages, and social media sites, no fly/terror watch lists, Real ID, tracking of cell phones, use of drones, etc.) the system needs your help in locating the whereabouts of these folks:
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?
“We would all be speaking German today if it weren’t for those amazing individuals back then.”
The free and well armed people who populate the North American continent could be forced to speak a language not of their choosing?
Please see Operation Sea Lion.
The world’s most modern & powerful military force has had their hands full for years now trying to pacify the locals in the Greater Middle East.
We’ve got such a good handle on the situation- National Guard units are doing multiple tours in distant lands– absent any military emergency, draft, or declaration of war:
“The Troops are fighting to protect our rights and freedoms.”
As if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include 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?
How are decades of undeclared/unwon wars protecting our freedoms? People are quick to pass the buck & blame politicians when The Troops return home without a victory. When The Troops are defending freedom house of cards collapses- politicians are to blame? Is it politicians that defend rights & freedoms?
Does all this freedom mean it would be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
A few months back there was a discussion about NAS Whidbey jets training over the Olympic Peninsula.
A question came up:
Why are NAS Whidbey jets not doing their training over a military reservation in Eastern WA, California, Nevada, etc. The federal government has set aside huge amounts of land for this purpose.
Answer:
It would take too much jet fuel to move aircraft back & forth over a long distance. Discussion in comments here.
New info:
Whidbey jets recently preformed a public relations flyover at the Indy 500. Is NAS Whidbey the closest military installation capable of performing a flyover in Indiana?
Looks like jet fuel may not be an issue here. Hometown pride means not asking questions.
The US should maintain a strong & ready military to be used for defensive purposes in wars declared by congress. People should find honest ways to honor the military. Stop with the nonsense about freedom & free speech rights.
Recommendation: phase out decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas.
You may choose to take a friend and travel to wine country.
Maybe you will stay over at a hotel or B&B.
You tour one or more wineries- you buy a bottle to take home, or maybe a dozen bottles– no doctor’s authorization required.
No controversy.
Why is marijuana any different?
Prohibition remains in place for adults age 18-20.
The law should not divide adults into groups of first & second class citizens.
You are free to do as we tell you.
Bill Hicks
Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.
Government permissions, authorizations, permits, and applications for marijuana should be no more complicated than those required to use a glass of wine.
“The total amount of funds unaccounted for has now reached a staggering $7 billion, officials say — and they warn that the Iraqi government is likely to demand at least some of that money back.”
– a control freak society that brags about freedom anytime federal holidays and overseas military operations are in the news.
After playing make-believe during federal holidays, it’s back to reality and living in a world of authoritarian mandates on personal behaviors that harm no one.
Possession laws, paraphernalia laws, open container laws, sales restrictions linked to location, hours, day of the week, holidays, prohibition laws for adults age 18-20, suspicionless roadblocks and checkpoints away from border crossings, etc.
In Washington State- we’re all set to divide adults up into groups of first and second class citizens then see what the majority thinks about them smoking marijuana for fun or marrying their lover.
The White House position on ballot initiatives in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington that would legalize marijuana can be seen here.
The freedom talk from politicians is just for federal holidays and overseas military operations.
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.
America is a land of freedom that struggles to control peaceful & voluntary adult behavior.
Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.
Pay to camp here overnight- but don’t get caught drinking a beer during your stay-
The people who run both major parties & the conventions that nominate presidential candidates agree on the Drug War.
Ditto for the TV networks that host presidential debates & ask scripted questions of candidates.
Both major parties are OK with decades of ongoing, undeclared wars overseas.
Talks about legalizing marijuana while including restrictions that leave prohibition and the drug war in place for adults age 18-20, those who want to grow a plant at home, possess more than an ounce, or possess marijuana from non-state sanctioned outlets.
Talks about placing high taxes on legal marijuana.
Dealers, traffickers and cartels are good with this idea.
Veterans Day is for honoring veterans. Memorial Day is for honoring those who died in wars. Sept 11th is for honoring the victims and heroes of 911- a time to remember how the nation pulled together in the days following the event.
Commenting on newspaper web editions-
The story has to do with the tenth anniversary of 911, a large number of troops lost in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, or a federal park ranger gunned down in Washington State. Many comments asking for or offering prayers for the families who have suffered a loss, etc. (praying to the same god who watched over as the tragedy unfolded?) Someone posts a public policy question or comment related to the story-
“This isn’t the place for your political views, we don’t want to hear your comments about the war, or gun control, have some respect for the families, this is not the time”, etc.
Hey folks- this is a news site- not a church service. I would never scold anyone for offering prayers- why the effort to suppress ideas?
Think terrorists are smart enough to pose as drug traffickers- then cross into the US free of screening, scanning, pat downs, special IDs, inspection of personal items, etc.
Domestic heroin busts are reported as some sort of law & order success-
Each one is evidence that- 11 years after 911– the US Dept. of Homeland Security is unable to prevent criminal traffic from entering the US.
Conspiracy Theory-
More information is better- this is how science and medicine works. Over the years some people have been freed from prison based on new DNA evidence becoming available.
Are the people who took steps to discover that new evidence conspiracy theorists?
Apply this same curiosity and desire for knowledge to some controversial topics and you’ll be labeled a conspiracy theorist.
The more tortuous inspection procedures become out at the airport- the more I wonder what prevents terrorists from disrupting security in that crowded part of the airport just outside of the screening checkpoint.
What stops hardcore terrorists from blowing themselves up in crowded airports just prior to being questioned at security checkpoints?
Terrorists have access to hundreds of crowded public places in the US- free of federal supervision, screening, scanning, pat downs, etc.- why aren’t they blowing themselves up at these locations?
No inspection of personal items for those moving illegal drugs into North America-
Waiting in line policy to show special biometric ID fails to prevent hardcore criminals from crossing into the US- even while packing large quantities of contraband. Maybe an enhanced driver license or U.S. Passport Card will keep terrorists out- they wouldn’t be smart enough to just ride on in with shipments of illegal drugs.
Most people do no time in the military- they don’t want to.
There seems to be a quiet guilt about this, so American popular and political culture almost worships those who do.
You don’t have to look too far to find comments that refer to the troops as “heroes.”
Some are.
No one who has done time in an average military unit would be comfortable with everyone present being called a hero. Some units would be the exception, but for most people who have done time over the years, calling everyone a hero would have no connection to reality.
Reality, and an honest understanding of why we send The Troops to far away places isn’t what we’re about though.
Reaching for an honest understanding of US foreign policy makes more sense than “Thanks for your service.”
Perhaps four handguns could have saved thousands on 911?
American culture is OK with lies told about US foreign policy and where military service fits into our way of life.
Somewhere after 911- many patriotic Americans seem to have embraced the idea that “The Troops” are fighting to protect our rights and freedoms– as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.- how is that defending the US Constitution– or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
When we return from an undeclared war or military conflict without a victory- what becomes of American rights and freedoms?
One person wrote: “…spend this Memorial Day honoring those who have defended your right to have an opinion on this matter.”
As if we are wards of the state or mindless drones– somehow dependent on people in military uniforms to enable us to think or to have an opinion.
If the troops are fighting for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include 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?
Many veterans refer to their oath of enlistment Re: defending the constitution- when & how do The Troops act on behalf of the executive branch of government to defend the constitution?
If the US Armed Forces are somehow connected to defending the constitution- how did public policy serve up due-process-free assassinations?
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.
People who question US foreign policy on newspaper websites are told:
“You wouldn’t have the freedom to post your nonsense if people were not giving their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect that freedom”, etc.
Perhaps four handguns could have saved thousands on 911?
American culture is OK with lies told about US foreign policy and where military service fits into our way of life.
Somewhere after 911- many patriotic Americans seem to have embraced the idea that The Troops are fighting to protect our rights and freedoms– as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.- how is that defending the US Constitution– or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
When we return from an undeclared war or military conflict without a victory- what becomes of American rights and freedoms?
One person wrote: “…spend this Memorial Day honoring those who have defended your right to have an opinion on this matter.”
As if we are wards of the state or mindless drones– somehow dependent on people in military uniforms to enable us to think or to have an opinion.
If the troops are fighting for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
Freedom isn’t free?
If a house is prevented from burning, is it because firefighters protect our rights and freedoms?
Think of your local fire dept.- it serves a clear-cut purpose, no need for people to repeat phrases or slogans in order to justify its existence.
We don’t claim that firefighters protect our rights and freedoms- as if they are part of some kind of civil rights organization.
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include 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?
Many veterans refer to their oath of enlistment Re: defending the constitution- when & how do The Troops act on behalf of the executive branch of government to defend the constitution?
If the US Armed Forces are somehow connected to defending the constitution- how did public policy serve up due-process-free assassinations?
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.
Post 911 efforts to keep terrorists from visiting the homeland- still unable to keep illegal drugs out.
Yesterday, somebody posted:
