Archives for category: Gunboat escorts on Puget Sound

Seeing a bunch on social media about The Day of Jihad. Here in the USA, people are posting about having your guns ready, lock and load, get ready to kick some ass, etc.

I am with the energy here Re: keeping the USA safe and secure.

I think people are missing something about the big GWOT.

Terrorists are not on their way to have a shootout between the good guys and the bad guys. They will drive a truck across the playground at some daycare center in the Midwest. They will blow up the kid’s school bus. They will stand in the “be sure to arrive early” line at the airport and cause a disruption short of the screening checkpoint. They will roll past the non-security on Puget Sound area ferry boats and play Oklahoma City bomber.

All of this will happen on a day not announced on the internet.

 

Related:

Newspeople Avoid Questions – WSF Security

Never Forget

GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023

Leave it cleaner than you found it-

Possibly of interest:

Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Out for a little plinking – a few years back.

 

Sept. 19, 2023 The Spokesman-Review

Another WA ferry out for at least a month, forcing fleet shuffle

“The ferry Walla Walla, which had been sailing between Seattle and Bremerton, will be out of service for at least four weeks as crews repair a propeller that broke near Rich Passage last week.”

Meantime, the state has begun converting its largest Jumbo Mark II boats to hybrid-electric. When the Wenatchee returns in fall of 2024, the Tacoma will be pulled from service followed by the Puyallup in 2025.”

Hybrid-electric?

The companies with fleets of merchant ships serving the ports of Seattle and Tacoma are moving cargo all over the world every day. Are they converting to hybrid-electric?

How about the companies that move cargo on an ongoing basis from Seattle to Alaska. Are they converting to hybrid-electric?  How about the trucking companies that move shipments of cargo from the port of Tacoma to Denver. Are they converting to hybrid-electric?

Love to see the press interview the owners of these companies to learn more.

The mainstream press provides news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.

The press release style of news reporting means that a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.

Newspeople post this statement as is.

A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

Love to see the mainstream press get out and interview people on various sides of any issue.

Nice example here –

0:41 in the video below:

If ethanol made a lot of sense we wouldn’t have to subsidize it or mandate its consumption:

I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.

 

Here at Oak Bay Starfish, we have been posting Re: WA State Ferries for years. A favorite story was the auto tollbooth upgrade at Mukilteo. Here is what we found on the web:

Photo source/credit: Washington State Ferries

Click image once or twice to show detail.

Dec 29, 2020 The Everett Herald

New Mukilteo ferry terminal makes a much anticipated debut

“The $187 million project, which opened Tuesday evening, replaces a 63-year-old terminal nearby.”

We grabbed a camera and headed over to the Keystone ferry terminal. We knew what we would find:

We asked:

If the style of tollbooth used at Port Townsend and Keystone gets the job done, why the upgrade at Mukilteo?

The stripped down design seems cost effective?

Original blog: Auto Tollbooth Upgrade At Mukilteo

Related:

Newspeople Avoid Questions – WSF Security

Information Suppression – The Press is Weak

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo- Keystone ferry inbound

Coupeville/Penn Cove is on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island-no ferry link to Port Townsend exists there.

 

Yesterday, somebody posted:

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.

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Things were up and running in the 80s and 90s

 

Later in the day:

“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.

Information Suppression – The Press is Weak

For sure, the last couple decades have been a lesser version of life in the USA. Both major parties have taken turns in power.

My simple request for the world: Just Be Honest

A more positive look at life:

Coastal Favorites

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Extinct ferry at Kingston

 

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.

Anybody fired over this?

A special marketing tribute to a catastrophic military failure:

For the US federal government, the event is remembered as a day about victims, heroes and patriotism.

Honor and commemorate the sacrifices made that day by remembering the heroes, armed forces, first responders, and countless others’ acts of service to defend our nation’s freedom. On 9/11 Day of Service, Americans of all ages and backgrounds are again invited to join and lead community service projects to honor the lives and service of those we lost on September 11.”

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.

Nothing wrong with volunteer work. The manipulative federal government can stay out of it.

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.

Precinct 4 SET detectives conducted the operation with the assistance of other KCSO detectives from contract partners of Shoreline, SeaTac, Maple Valley, Metro, and TAC-30.”

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:

Seattle media: Heroin busts could finance police construction in Snohomish

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.

The All Volunteer Force 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:

Freedom?

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?

May 28, 2020 WMAR

Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard

I am honored to do my part to ensure that the citizens of this community and all Americans remain safe and free.”

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.”

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our 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, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, federal toilet regulations, sports betting, federal gas can regulations/free enterprise system,
voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

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.

The uniparty promotes the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms. The press plays along by not asking questions.

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.

The country struggles with:

Cultural Honesty

Search Engines

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?

Land of Information Suppression

Refusal To Release Sept. 11 Documents

Aug. 6, 2021 NBC News

9/11 families to President Biden: Don’t come to our memorial events

“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?

Welcome Home Troops

Jan 27, 2023 KONP FENTANYL NOW TOP DRUG IN CLALLAM COUNTY OVERDOSES

Have opioid lawsuits played any role in improving the situation?

How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?

Has a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security created any shortage of opioids in the Puget Sound area?

If Americans lived in a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking public policy related questions all of the time. This is not the case.

Thanks For Your Service

Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.

Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:

Related:

GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023

Port Angeles – Cartel Drugs

Homeland Security Is A Scam

GWOT questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:

REAL ID

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?

Fred Reed December 4, 2015

Security Theater: Customary Federal Pointlessness

“…the intelligence agencies have proved useless. NSA did not prevent the first attack on the Twin Towers in 1993, nor the successful one.”

“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.”

Warnings at airports that unattended vehicles will be ticketed, towed, and perhaps destroyed are also Security Theater. By the time the vehicle was noticed, and somebody sent to check it out, an easy five minutes would have passed and the driver would be somewhere else. Boom.”

REAL ID And The Fake War on Terror

 

Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces. The Cold War ended in the early 90s. The Pentagon was happy with the All Volunteer Force.

Look what they did with it.

Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.

Understandable why young people and their parents and grandparents would take a dim view on all this.

Will an older generation encourage a younger generation to do time in the US Armed Forces in the years ahead?

How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

Secretary Wormuth,

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?

Return to a Military Draft?

Related:

Uniparty No Good For Confidence in US Armed Forces?

Over at the US Armed Forces recruiting office

Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis

Candidate (Fill in last name)

Hostile Forces in Distant Lands

Operation Macho Swagger

 

Possibly of interest:

Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

 

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.

Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in these areas.

Veterans Day Nonsense

Voices of Dissent and Alternative Media

Sep 19, 2017 By Laurence M. Vance

Five Lessons from 9/11

I much prefer Thomas Jefferson’s foreign policy to Shaprio’s: “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none.”

“Even with all of its resources and military might, the U.S. government failed miserably to protect Americans on 9/11.”

“Lesson number 1: Never trust the government. Ever. And especially when it has anything to do with terrorism, foreign policy, war, or the military. The government is a giant lie-making machine. Never trust what the government says about the events leading up to 9/11, the causes of the 9/11 attacks, or what actually happened on 9/11.”

“Lesson number 4: Government can’t keep us safe. The government couldn’t even protect its Pentagon.”

 

Sep 1, 2007 by

Bushs AmeriCorps Fraud

“Two months after the 9/11 attacks, Bush announced that he was expanding AmeriCorps and that all of us can become a September the 11th volunteer by making a commitment to service in our own communities.”

 

Samuel Cohen Sep 8, 2021 Los Angeles Times

Op-Ed: We hide an ugly truth when we call Sept. 11 ‘Patriot Day’

 

Recommended:

LewRockwell.com
anti-state•anti-war•pro-market

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Quality time at Point Partridge

 

In the news:

August 3, 2023 Peninsula Daily News

PHOTO

Training exercise

“A multi-agency police force walks up the ramp after conducting a high-risk, low-frequency training exercise on board the M/V Kennewick on Wednesday. High risk refers to the level of danger to people and property, i.e., a hostage situation, and low frequency refers to the chance of it actually happening, but the agencies want to be prepared by training.”

The force was made up with personnel from the Port Townsend, Port Angeles and Sequim police departments and both the Clallam and Jefferson county sheriff’s departments as well as from customs enforcement. The 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. ferries from Port Townsend were cancelled due to low tides, so travel was not impacted during the exercise.”

Trying to make sense of ongoing war on terror/security theater mixed messages. Love to see more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

Looks like no WSF security staff present at:

Mukilteo or Clinton for inbound/outbound DUI driver. Two fatalities.

Gunfire on Bremerton ferry during Puget Sound crossing.

Security breach on the Bremerton ferry

FatalityGuemes ferry dock

Winslow ferry dock – Belligerent motorist blows past toll booth and onto ferry.

Credit to the press for asking questions on the Winslow incident. Excellent reporting here.

FatalitySouthworth ferry dock

FatalityAnacortes ferry dock

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?

 

The Press

Much of what we get today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.

Newspeople post this statement as is.

A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

Alternative media/bloggers

People who take no public funds, private donations or advertising dollars are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press?

I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

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.

Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.

Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:

More here:

Any Security at Washington State Ferry Terminals?

Washington State Ferry Ride

Washington State Ferries Security

Jan, 2015-

No security personnel here, here, or here.

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

Update – Newspeople Not Asking Questions

Possibly of interest:

Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo- Keystone ferry inbound

Coupeville/Penn Cove is on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island-no ferry link to Port Townsend exists there.

 

June 15, 2006 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Ferry incident exposes security weaknesses

“This week’s incident in which an angry 51-year-old man prompted a two-hour shutdown of the Seattle ferry dock exposed security weaknesses in the state ferry system, identified earlier by federal officials as the country’s No. 1 target for marine terrorism.”

“We’d like the patrol to be everywhere, all the time, but they don’t have the staff or the money,” said ferry spokeswoman Susan Harris-Huether. “If they’d have been (at Bainbridge), none of this would have happened.”

sometimes we have troopers and sometimes we don’t. It’s a random kind of thing.”

I was researching old news links after I posted a blog on WSF security. I found the above example of excellent news reporting. There have been several incidents at ferry terminals over the years. Instead of asking any questions, newspeople will often post a press release from agencies handling the situation.

 

Homeland Security is a scam

I remember when this story came out:

September 1, 2007 Peninsula Daily News

Harpist on Port Townsend-Keystone ferry silenced after 17 years

“Washington State Ferries officials had received two complaints from passengers, saying that they had to abide by security measures while Michael did not.”

“State ferries officials say they had no choice but to fairly enforce security policies that were stepped up in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on the East Coast on Sept. 11, 2001.”

My reaction at the time: What security?

The Washington State Patrol uses dogs to check vehicles at some ferry terminals on some days. Walk-on passengers are not checked at any terminal- at any time.

 

My interest in WSF security comes up now because it looks like there was no security staff present at:

Mukilteo or Clinton for an inbound/outbound DUI driver. Two fatalities.

 

If You See Something, Say Something

November 18, 2022 Everett Herald

Lawsuit: Ferry staff could have prevented crash that killed 2 from Everett

Inbound:

“On Dec. 18, 2021, Cruz was driving her Ford Explorer toward the Mukilteo ferry terminal, according to court papers. Witnesses reported she drove erratically, as she stopped at a green light, swerved across lanes and drove over a curb. Once she got a ferry ticket to Clinton, she rear-ended another car in her ferry lane, police reported.”

State ferries employees saw the crash, but still ordered Cruz to get on the ferry to Whidbey Island despite her appearing “obviously impaired,” the lawsuit states.”

Outbound:

“When the ferry arrived in Clinton, everyone got off the ship, except Cruz. She had reportedly fallen asleep over her steering wheel.”

Ferry staff tried to rouse her, but were unsuccessful. Finally, with the help of more employees, they were able to wake Cruz up. The lawsuit alleges the state Department of Transportation destroyed surveillance video showing this.”

“At this point, WSF staff had already observed Cruz strike another vehicle in the ferry lineup, they had received passenger reports of Cruz’s intoxication, they called to request assistance from Washington State Patrol, they required the assistance of multiple crewmembers to wake her up from her unconscious state,” the lawsuit reads. “Despite being informed that Cruz was impaired, the Vessel’s crew directed Cruz to drive her vehicle off the ferry.”

 

Recommendation:

Be honest. Report the facts. Eliminate ongoing war on terror/security theater mixed messages. Insist on more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

If the GWOT is bogus, just say so.

Forget about the War on Terror and The US Dept. of Homeland Security and ask yourself:

When motorists at a local ferry terminal witness erratic driving/driving over a curb and the rear-ending of another car in the ferry lane, should they be ignored when they report it? Should WSF terminal staff & boat crews be placed in a situation where they make it up as they go along because no impaired driving response protocols are in place on the job?

 

Background

Looks like no security staff present at several incidents:

Mukilteo or Clinton for inbound/outbound DUI driver. Two fatalities.

Gunfire on Bremerton ferry during Puget Sound crossing.

Security breach on the Bremerton ferry

FatalityGuemes ferry dock

Winslow ferry dock – Belligerent motorist blows past toll booth and onto ferry.

Credit to the press for asking questions on the Winslow incident. Excellent reporting here.

FatalitySouthworth ferry dock

FatalityAnacortes ferry dock

 

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?

 

This state-run media video shows US Coast Guard gun boats escorting the ferries. K-9 teams are on site to detect explosives:

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.

 

Newspeople play along by not asking questions:

May 23, 2017 KIRO 7 News

Ferry drill: Police train how to respond to security threats aboard a ferry in Puget Sound

 

Puget Sound Ferry Ride

GWOT/security theater mixed messages:

Does a routine ferry ride require a gunboat escort?

Dec 22, 2014 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

Coast Guard Station Seattle conducts ferry escort

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry?

 

More here:

Any Security at Washington State Ferry Terminals?

Washington State Ferries Security – Looking for Clarification

Mixed Messages On Transportation Security/Firing Gun From the Ferry Update

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Washington State Ferry Ride

Washington State Ferries Security

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Extinct ferry at Kingston

 

Trying to make sense of ongoing war on terror/security theater mixed messages. Love to see more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

Looks like no security staff present at:

Mukilteo or Clinton for inbound/outbound DUI driver. Two fatalities.

Gunfire on Bremerton ferry during Puget Sound crossing.

Security breach on the Bremerton ferry

FatalityGuemes ferry dock

Winslow ferry dock – Belligerent motorist blows past toll booth and onto ferry.

Credit to the press for asking questions on the Winslow incident. Excellent reporting here.

FatalitySouthworth ferry dock

FatalityAnacortes ferry dock

 

November 18, 2022 Whidbey News-Times

Lawsuit: Ferry staff could have prevented crash that killed 2 from Everett

“On Dec. 18, 2021, Cruz was driving her Ford Explorer toward the Mukilteo ferry terminal, according to court papers. Witnesses reported she drove erratically, as she stopped at a green light, swerved across lanes and drove over a curb.

Once she got a ferry ticket to Clinton, she rear-ended another car in her ferry lane, police reported.

State ferries employees saw the crash, but still ordered Cruz to get on the ferry to Whidbey Island despite her appearing “obviously impaired,” the lawsuit states.

Passengers behind Cruz reported the crash and Cruz’s impairment to ferry staff who called the command center on the island to see if a Washington State Patrol trooper could meet the vessel. But none were available. They made no effort to contact local police as an alternative, according to the complaint. A crewmember told the passengers to call 911.

When the ferry arrived in Clinton, everyone got off the ship, except Cruz. She had reportedly fallen asleep over her steering wheel.

Ferry staff tried to rouse her, but were unsuccessful. Finally, with the help of more employees, they were able to wake Cruz up. The lawsuit alleges the state Department of Transportation destroyed surveillance video showing this.

“At this point, WSF staff had already observed Cruz strike another vehicle in the ferry lineup, they had received passenger reports of Cruz’s intoxication, they called to request assistance from Washington State Patrol, they required the assistance of multiple crewmembers to wake her up from her unconscious state,” the lawsuit reads. “Despite being informed that Cruz was impaired, the Vessel’s crew directed Cruz to drive her vehicle off the ferry.”

Moments later, around 1 p.m., Cruz crossed over the center line on Highway 525 near Campbell Road, hitting the Mercedes occupied by Gamble, 77, and Weikle, 78. Gamble died at the scene. Almost two weeks later, Weikle died from his injuries. They were both from Everett.”

No security staff present at Mukilteo?

No security staff present at Clinton?

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?

 

Past Incidents

Gunfire on the Bremerton ferry:

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:

Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)

“Furthermore, the initiative rendered it illegal to hand off a firearm to people outside a person’s immediate family, though exceptions were mentioned, including situations in which people are at a shooting range or hunting.”

 

January 27, 2020 Kitsap News Group

Man arrested after allegedly firing gun from ferry

“…WSP Vessel and Terminal Security Troopers responded to the MV Kaleetan upon its arrival at Colman Dock. By that time, WSF crews had already secured the suspect, who had boarded the vessel by vehicle.”

WSF Bremerton to Seattle crossing time: ~ 60 min

Not my idea to promote the concept that riding safely on the ferry requires gun boat escorts, SWAT teams and K-9s on the job to detect explosives.

If a guy decides to fire a gun during a 60 minute ferry crossing and WSP waits to respond until the ferry arrives at Colman Dock, how is this security?

Will newspeople follow up and let us know if the guy who purposefully fired his handgun from the ferry had a concealed carry permit?

Did he pass any sort of background check?

A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

 

Security breach on the Bremerton Ferry

August 21, 2019 Kitsap Sun

Man charged with security breach on ferry Walla Walla

“…jumped over a barrier on the ferry Walla Walla and tried to access the wheelhouse during a sailing Monday afternoon from Seattle.”

“A Washington State Patrol trooper called to the Bremerton ferry terminal at 2:06 p.m. wrote in reports that Miller appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant or was in mental crisis, according to court documents. The incident occurred on the 1:30 p.m. sailing.”

“Trooper Kevin Fortino, spokesman for the State Patrol’s Homeland Security Division, said troopers respond to calls on ferries and at terminals for impaired drivers, assaults and other incidents the same as they would to incidents occurring on highways.”

Same as on highways?

Well, not exactly. The Seattle to Bremerton crossing time is about an hour. Seems like response times to incidents on highways might be faster.

Instead of asking any questions, newspeople post a press release from agencies handling the situation.

 

This state-run media video shows US Coast Guard gun boats escorting the ferries. K-9 teams are on site to detect explosives:

 

Fatality – Guemes ferry dock

June, 2006-

Security nowhere to be found.

 

Winslow ferry dock

Belligerent motorist blows past toll booth and onto ferry:

Ferry incident exposes security weaknesses

Credit to the press for asking questions on this one. No need for this blog if the press handled each incident as they did here.

 

Fatality – Southworth ferry dock

Where were security personnel on the day this motorist blew past the ticket booth, ignoring personnel assigned to proper staging of vehicles:

Video: Man dies after SUV crashes through gate at Southworth ferry dock, sinks in Sound

Post-911 security protocols kept him safe.

 

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.

 

Fatality – Anacortes ferry dock

Where were security personnel when this fatality motor vehicle incident took place at the Anacortes ferry terminal?

Newspeople remain silent.

2018- Anacortes in the News: 1 dead after SUV plunges into water at Anacortes ferry dock

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry?

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if Joe Sixpack decides to take a gun and fire it into Puget Sound during a ~ 60 min crossing?

 

Puget Sound Ferry Ride

GWOT/security theater mixed messages:

Does a routine ferry ride require a gunboat escort?

Dec 22, 2014 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

Coast Guard Station Seattle conducts ferry escort

Why, if there is a threat, would regular people not be able to purchase a more than 10 round magazine?

Love to see more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

 

More here:

Washington State Ferry Ride

Washington State Ferries Security

Jan, 2015-

No security personnel here, here, or here.

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

 

 

 

 

Photo- Keystone ferry inbound

Coupeville/Penn Cove is on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island-no ferry link to Port Townsend exists there.

 

March 4, 2022 KING 5 News

Ban on sale of high-capacity magazines passes state House, moves to Gov. Inslee’s desk

“SB 5078 prohibits the sale of gun magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, along with the manufacturing, distribution, possession, import or purchase of high-capacity magazines in Washington state.”

Some random thoughts and questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:

Our questions appear in bold type.

Why do newspeople avoid reporting on, and asking questions on the efficacy of past gun control measures?

TV newspeople avoid asking questions/reporting on WA voter-approved enhanced background checks from back in 2014.

The new requirements have had time to take hold.

Did new requirements reduce gun crimes?

Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?

Puget Sound area shootings roll on.

Looks like gun control is a failure?

Newspeople, please work to inform the public on this.

More here:

Enhanced Background Checks Update

 

Puget Sound Ferry Ride

Trying to make sense of war on terror/security theater mixed messages.

Does a routine ferry ride require a gunboat escort?

Dec 22, 2014 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

Coast Guard Station Seattle conducts ferry escort

Why, if there is a threat, would regular people not be able to purchase a more than 10 round magazine?

Love to see more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

 

Gunfire on the ferry:

January 27, 2020 Kitsap News Group

Man arrested after allegedly firing gun from ferry

“…WSP Vessel and Terminal Security Troopers responded to the MV Kaleetan upon its arrival at Colman Dock. By that time, WSF crews had already secured the suspect, who had boarded the vessel by vehicle.”

WSF Bremerton to Seattle crossing time: ~ 60 min

Not my idea to promote the concept that riding safely on the ferry requires gun boat escorts, SWAT teams and K-9s on the job to detect explosives.

If a guy decides to fire a gun during a 60 minute ferry crossing and WSP waits to respond until the ferry arrives at Colman Dock, how is this security?

Will newspeople follow up and let us know if the guy who purposefully fired his handgun from the ferry had a concealed carry permit?

Did he pass any sort of background check?

A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

Newspeople remain silent.

More here:

Mixed Messages On Transportation Security/Firing Gun From the Ferry Update

 

A well regulated militia?

Has any state, ever in history, required proof of membership in a militia to purchase, transport, or carry, guns and ammo/participate in shooting sports, etc.

Remember grandpa? Yeah, he was the only one we ever knew growing up who had guns. He was the one that was in a militia.

Washington State Constitution:

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?

More here:

Militia Nonsense

A well regulated militia?

 

Heading to a safe place in the hills, spending a couple of hours shooting at tin cans, cleaning up the trash and heading home. What Fun.

Leave it cleaner than you found it-

Shooting is an Olympic Sport

 

Claims about freedoms that cry out for questioning:

Two major political parties continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.

School teachers and newspeople are OK with promoting this urban legend.

Local press:

Hometown pride running high. High enough to stop asking questions?

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

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?

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

 

 

The Washington State more than 10 round magazine ban is another of many examples where freedoms may come & go-completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom.

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our 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.

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

 

Related:

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.

WA State Ferries

In the news:

Sep 12, 2021 KING 5 News video

‘The ferry system is our lifeline’: San Juan Island residents scramble as several weekend ferry routes are canceled

“This comes after weeks of rumors of WSF employees staging a “sick-out” to protest the governor’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.”

I am OK with the Washington State Ferries workforce protesting COVID mandates.

WSF COVID crewing challenges have been in the news for well over 12 months now.

HR policy away from WA government:

UPS aims to hire 100K ahead of ‘record peak holiday season’

Love to see KING 5 ask: How has the greater maritime industry dealt with COVID crewing challenges? How have various industries and public agencies handled this? Airlines? US Navy? FedEx? UPS? local fire dept?

Blogged about it back in May:

WSF COVID Crewing Challenges – Now 10 Months In

 

Dining Out

Took a guest and went out to a place we enjoyed several weeks ago.

Small waiting line to get in.

Masks must be worn to enter.

So far, so good. Just like last time.

Seated at table when new format and protocols kick in:

Entire order will be taken all at the same time and will be paid for in advance.

Can we order a beer to start? No, entire order will be taken all at the same time.

Bar is open, several beers are on tap. No beer list at the table to let us know what is available.

When you are ready to order-slide menus over the edge of the table.

We saw a ketchup bottle on the table recently at another place. Works for us.

Last night, ketchup comes in tiny cups. Water comes in a bottle.

The place we went last night appeared to be fully staffed with good people. Not here to complain about restaurant staff.

Here to ask:

How much of the new dining format (not masks) is forced by the state and how much is made up by the local business?

Is there any medical advantage that comes with the new format?

If it is the choice of the business, what are they trying to achieve?

I will wait on the sidelines if dining out features unpredictable new protocols. The whole idea of returning to a place you like is to duplicate the experience you had before.

 

Possibly of interest:

Recent Memes

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Extinct ferry at Kingston

 

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.

The new requirements have had time to take hold.

Did the new requirements reduce gun crimes?

Local press avoids providing updates.

 

Initiative 594

Nov 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

 

Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)

“The measure was designed to require background checks to be run on every person purchasing a gun in the state of Washington, even those who do so via private sales.”

“Furthermore, the initiative rendered it illegal to hand off a firearm to people outside a person’s immediate family, though exceptions were mentioned, including situations in which people are at a shooting range or hunting.”

 

Puget Sound area shootings roll on.

Will the press ever do a follow up on the enhanced background check requirements that have been in place for years now?

 

Back in 2014 – Initiative 594 – Attempting to comply:

 

Gunfire on the ferry:

January 27, 2020 Kitsap News Group

Man arrested after allegedly firing gun from ferry

“…WSP Vessel and Terminal Security Troopers responded to the MV Kaleetan upon its arrival at Colman Dock. By that time, WSF crews had already secured the suspect, who had boarded the vessel by vehicle.”

WSF Bremerton to Seattle crossing time: ~ 60 min

Not my idea to promote the concept that riding safely on the ferry requires gun boat escorts, SWAT teams and K-9s on the job to detect explosives.

If a guy decides to fire a gun during a 60 minute ferry crossing and WSP waits to respond until the ferry arrives at Colman Dock, how is this security?

Will newspeople follow up and let us know if the guy who purposefully fired his handgun from the ferry had a concealed carry permit?

Did he pass any sort of background check?

Whatever happened to this guy?

A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

 

Related:

Newspeople Show Little Curiosity Unless It’s A Sports Story

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

Mixed Messages On Transportation Security/Firing Gun From the Ferry Update

Washington State Ferry Ride

Washington State Ferries Security

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Just north of Perego’s Lagoon – Looking north to Fort Ebey

Local info:

Two Bluff Trails

 

$49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security nowhere to be found on 1/6/21.

CBP social media posts, post 911 surveillance state (fusion centers, license scanners, Homeland Security grant money, monitoring of e-mails, text messages, & social media sites, no fly/terror watch lists, Real ID, tracking of cell phones, etc.) and strict post 911/GWOT security protocols in Washington DC appear to have played no role in preventing these crimes:

Jan 6, 2021 The Texas Tribune

“Find a place to hide or seek cover”: A harrowing day at the U.S. Capitol for Texans in Congress

 

Back in September, DHS tells us they are ready with this state run media update featuring paid spokespeople.

When the news is created by federal employees, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press:

 

We’d love to see more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

State-Run Media/CBP Social Media Posts

CBP tells us:

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units!

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units?

Surely, a free and independent press will step up and ask for clarification on this wild CBP claim.

Hey newspeople, how did 2,224 pounds of meth tied to the Sinaloa cartel enter Riverside County, if nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units?

Why is there a deadly fentanyl problem in Eastern Washington if nothing gets past CBP social media posts?

 

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan-working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:

Related:

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

The Press Is Weak – Newspaper Revenue Down Compared To 20 Years Ago

Press might need less bailout cash if it was more in the habit of asking questions

Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Taxpayer funded message seen on local ferry ride.

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.

On occasion, the press will do a story on a ferry security drill.

If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry-how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?

Washington State Ferry Ride

 

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.

 

The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.

We haven’t won a war since.

 

Considering the aftermath of 911

Since 911, have people been at risk out at the airport because there has not been any requirement for REAL ID in order to fly within the United States?

Mar 23, 2020 USA Today

Travelers get a break: REAL ID deadline extended to Oct. 1, 2021, due to coronavirus

 

Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes

Post-9/11 Wars Have Cost American Taxpayers $6.4 trillion, Study Finds

 

We fight over there, so we don’t have to fight here.”

 

Did American culture begin to overemphasize and glorify military service after 911?

Local press:

Hometown pride running high. High enough to stop asking questions?

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

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?

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

 

September 27, 2019 Whidbey News-Times

Sound Off: Freedom doesn’t come free, and it’s sometimes noisy

“…the men and women of the armed forces guarantee our freedom…”

 

1967

Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?

Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?

Jet Noise Made Them Free?

 

May 28, 2020 WMAR

Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard

I am honored to do my part to ensure that the citizens of this community and all Americans remain safe and free.”

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.”

 

Glorification of military service / total nonsense:

WA Secretary of State

Our right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.”

If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?

Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?

If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

Right To Vote Linked To Military Operations/US Troops in Distant Lands?

 

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

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, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

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.

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.

Just Be Honest.

Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.

 

Puget Sound After 911

Does a routine ferry ride require a gunboat escort?

Is it seen as controversial for people to legally obtain weapons?

 

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?

Don’t look for newspeople to ask any questions on this.

Related:

Mixed Messages On Transportation Security/Firing Gun From the Ferry Update

Washington State Ferry Ride

Washington State Ferries Security

 

Cartels Move Product Into the US

People need to carry a special ID to go have lunch in Canada, then return home. Have these ID requirements helped to keep cartel product from entering the US?

Don’t look for the press to go and interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security and ask any questions on this.

Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.

 

I was thinking that 911 should have been a drug trafficker’s worst nightmare. The US Dept. of Homeland Security- a whole new federal department-was created to stop terrorists and prevent another 911.

What happened?

 

Sept. 5, 2020 Fox News

Meth floods across US-Mexico border during coronavirus pandemic

Part of the article describes cartel product seized at the border. Part of the article talks about product that gets past federal agents at the border.

“The extremely potent meth smuggled from Mexico contributes to more deaths in San Diego County than opioids.”

 

Aug 31, 2020 KOB 4 News Video

US Attorney for New Mexico blames Mexican meth ‘superlabs’ for state’s growing violent crime

Federal agents swing into action after meth from Mexico moves past federal agents manning a $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security-then, on into New Mexico:

Federal authorities are seizing larger amounts of drugs in the state, and Anderson said there are a few reasons why.”

“I think it’s the cost and it’s also a function that the fact that tremendously greater amounts of it are being produced in what we call the super labs in Mexico,” he said. “I think for many years our meth was made locally, was made in much smaller quantities. That has largely been eclipsed by the mass production and cheap production that we’re seeing coming from Mexico.”

 

State-run media update:

Jun 3, 2020 DEA NewYork

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units!

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units?

Surely, a free and independent press will step up and ask for clarification on this wild CBP claim.

 

Border Wall update:

Sept 4, 2020 Maui Now

$4 Million In New Federal Funds To Help Hawai‘i Respond to Meth Crisis, Opioid Misuse

 

Nov 12, 2019 Honolulu Civil Beat

Meth Deaths Soar in Hawaii Even As Opioids Grab Public Attention

“Historically, crystal meth in its purest and most potent form came to the islands from markets in Asia and the Pacific as documented by the Hawaii’s Ice Age reporting series that Civil Beat and Hawaii Public Radio published five years ago.”

Now, much of it is manufactured in Mexico and makes its way to Hawaii through states like California and Nevada, says Callery.”

 

July 28, 2019 Big Island Now

Why Have There Been No Meth Lab Busts in Hawai‘i in 15 Years?

“Lt. Serrao explained, “We have no evidence to support the manufacturing of meth on the Big Island of Hawai‘i.” He believes this is due to the decreased availability of pseudophedrine, which makes clandestine manufacturing difficult.”

“Lt. Serrao said most of Hawai‘i’s meth is produced in Mexico and California. The meth is commonly shipped here by way of shipping containers, Fed Ex and the US Postal Service.”

 

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan-working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:

Billions of dollars are spent every 12 months to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.

Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?

How are post 911 terrorists kept out while meth comes in?

 

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, rare and mysterious cross-border arrests, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?

Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay

 

Is Port Angeles CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering the Puget Sound area?

Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?

Even one time?

Local meth news stories here.

Local heroin news stories here.

 

Newspeople avoid asking questions by going with a press release style of news reporting.

A statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest bust/federal grant money award, etc. Newspeople post this statement. No questions asked:

Sept. 4, 2020 KONP Award-winning news/talk station serving the north Olympic Peninsula

DEA, OPNET PARTICIPATE IN MAJOR BUST OF AREA DRUG TRAFFICKERS

“…one member of the drug trafficking organization (identified as 24 year-old Lionel Gonzalez-Torres of Burlington, WA), was providing large quantities of meth and heroin to the Olympic Peninsula.”

Question for newspeople:

Does Port Angeles CBP play any role in keeping meth and heroin from entering the Olympic Peninsula?

If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:

If a $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security was preventing cartel product from arriving in American communities, why would General Milley need to launch Operation Macho Swagger?

Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger prevented cartel product from entering WA?

Newspeople remain silent.

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

Related:

Cartel Moves Product Past General Milley, CBP & Into The Puget Sound Area – Newspeople Remain Silent

Nothing Gets Past CBP

Kitsap and Island County Meth & Heroin

Always Reported as a Highly Successful Team Effort – The Big Puget Sound Drug Bust

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

Port Angeles/Blaine Drug War Scam – Zero Questions From The Press

What I Like About Local Government

Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree

Rare & Mysterious Port Angeles Border Patrol Arrests

Port Angeles Drug War Covered By Press Release

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: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin

 

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

A symbol of newspeople asking questions.

 

I do not advocate for increased security on Washington State Ferries.

Simply trying to make sense of ongoing war on terror/security theater mixed messages. Love to see more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

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?

 

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.

November 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

 

Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)

“Furthermore, the initiative rendered it illegal to hand off a firearm to people outside a person’s immediate family, though exceptions were mentioned, including situations in which people are at a shooting range or hunting.”

Any reporting or updates on this?

 

Gunfire on the ferry:

January 27, 2020 Kitsap News Group

Man arrested after allegedly firing gun from ferry

“…WSP Vessel and Terminal Security Troopers responded to the MV Kaleetan upon its arrival at Colman Dock. By that time, WSF crews had already secured the suspect, who had boarded the vessel by vehicle.”

WSF Bremerton to Seattle crossing time: ~ 60 min

Not my idea to promote the concept that riding safely on the ferry requires gun boat escorts, SWAT teams and K-9s on the job to detect explosives.

If a guy decides to fire a gun during a 60 minute ferry crossing and WSP waits to respond until the ferry arrives at Colman Dock, how is this security?

Will newspeople follow up and let us know if the guy who purposefully fired his handgun from the ferry had a concealed carry permit?

Did he pass any sort of background check?

A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

 

August 21, 2019 Kitsap Sun

Man charged with security breach on ferry Walla Walla

“…jumped over a barrier on the ferry Walla Walla and tried to access the wheelhouse during a sailing Monday afternoon from Seattle.”

“A Washington State Patrol trooper called to the Bremerton ferry terminal at 2:06 p.m. wrote in reports that Miller appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant or was in mental crisis, according to court documents. The incident occurred on the 1:30 p.m. sailing.”

“Trooper Kevin Fortino, spokesman for the State Patrol’s Homeland Security Division, said troopers respond to calls on ferries and at terminals for impaired drivers, assaults and other incidents the same as they would to incidents occurring on highways.”

Same as on highways?

Well, not exactly. The Seattle to Bremerton crossing time is about an hour. Seems like response times to incidents on highways might be faster.

Instead of asking any questions, newspeople post a press release from agencies handling the situation.

 

This state-run media video shows US Coast Guard gun boats escorting the ferries. K-9 teams are on site to detect explosives:

June, 2006-

Security nowhere to be found.

Belligerent motorist blows past toll booth and onto ferry:

Ferry incident exposes security weaknesses

Oct, 2014-

Fatality

Where were security personnel on the day this motorist blew past the ticket booth, ignoring personnel assigned to proper staging of vehicles:

Video: Man dies after SUV crashes through gate at Southworth ferry dock, sinks in Sound

Post-911 security protocols kept him safe:

Man dies after driving car off Southworth ferry dock

 

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.

 

Fatality

Where were security personnel when this fatality motor vehicle incident took place at the Anacortes ferry terminal?

Newspeople remain silent.

2018- Anacortes in the News: 1 dead after SUV plunges into water at Anacortes ferry dock

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry?

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if Joe Sixpack decides to take a gun and fire it into Puget Sound during a ~ 60 min crossing?

More here:

Washington State Ferry Ride

Washington State Ferries Security

Jan, 2015-

No security personnel here, here, or here.

 

I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

Photo- Keystone ferry inbound

Coupeville/Penn Cove is on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island-no ferry link to Port Townsend exists there.

 

 

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.

Another round trip ferry crossing the other day. No security screening at either terminal.

On occasion, the press will do a story on a ferry security drill.

If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?

More here: Washington State Ferries Security

Recent fatality at Anacortes Ferry Terminal:

Washington State Ferries Security – Looking for Clarification

 

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

In the News: 1 dead after SUV plunges into water at Anacortes ferry dock

“But witness Farley McClean who watched it happen told KOMO News, “It was not an accident. Period. You could tell.”

“Another witness said the driver appeared to know exactly what he or she was doing.”

“Skagit County sheriff’s officials earlier said they received a call from Anacortes police about a vehicle in the water near the terminal. The Sheriff’s Office sent a dive team to assist with the recovery of the vehicle and driver. A Border Patrol dive team and the U.S. Coast Guard also responded to the scene.”

@wspd7pio: Witnesses say the driver of a white Jeep approached the #Anacortes ferry terminal at a high rate of speed, broke through the traffic arm & went into water.”

 

June, 2006-

Belligerent motorist blows past toll booth and onto ferry:

Ferry incident exposes security weaknesses

 

Here is a state-run media report from June, 2012-

This video tells us that security personal are on site every day- at 2:56

Jan 25th, 2017:

If security personal are on site every day- why did Skagit County sheriff’s officials say they received a call from Anacortes police about a vehicle in the water near the terminal? What was the Washington State Patrol’s role in making this report?

If the Washington State Patrol was on site- why does the story rely on witness reports instead of a report from the WSP staff on site at the time of the incident?

What was Washington State Patrol staff doing during the moments the following took place:

“The driver later started the engine and drove the wrong way back toward the ticket booths, then turned back around and returned to the staging area and parked again.”

“After a couple of minutes, the driver put the vehicle back into drive, took off at a high rate of speed and went flying off the end of the loading dock, Axtman said.”

“Witnesses say the driver of a white Jeep approached the #Anacortes ferry terminal at a high rate of speed, broke through the traffic arm & went into water.”

 

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.

 

Oct, 2014-

Where were security personnel on the day this motorist blew past the ticket booth, ignoring personnel assigned to proper staging of vehicles:

Video: Man dies after SUV crashes through gate at Southworth ferry dock, sinks in Sound

Post-911 security protocols kept him safe:

Man dies after driving car off Southworth ferry dock

 

Jan, 2015-

No security personnel here, here, or here.

 

This state-run media video shows US Coast Guard gun boats escorting the ferries. K-9 teams are on site to detect explosives:

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry?

Washington State ferry passengers are advised via PA system to not 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.

More here: Washington State Ferries Security

 

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

 

Photo- Extinct ferry at Kingston

 

 

DSC_0061 Port Townsend disaster preparation update:

“During a real disaster, the agency would “embed” a local professional news reporter who would volunteer to broadcast information about the event, Hamlin said.”

“The content of that person’s news reporting would be restricted.”

“Everything that goes out will go through me,” Hamlin said.

“We have a list of rules as to what information goes on the air and what does not, and we won’t allow a reporter to broadcast what is happening in real time.”

 

Re: Information suppression protocols-

The Port Angeles Border Patrol would approve.

Port Angeles USBP station- grand opening:

“Jones asked a Peninsula Daily News reporter to interview only Border Patrol personnel selected by the agency and to confine interviews of selected personnel to topics concerning the station’s opening.”

No topics to be discussed unless pre-approved by the agency in question.

More here: US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA- News tip/story idea

The Press has been Neutralized

 

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society-

Similar items posted daily on facebook at:

Groupthink Alternative

US Department of Credibility

Newspeople will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Our free and independent press has stopped asking questions.

and Sound of Freedom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

 

Photo- Welcome visitors

Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.

 

DSC_0002_005 A busy news week:

Seattle Times-

It’s full speed ahead for SAFE Boats in the law-and-order market

Marine Log-

SAFE Boats International makes milestone delivery

Q13 Fox-

‘We need that power’: New Interceptor vessels designed to stop smugglers built in Puget Sound

Local company builds interceptor boats for U.S. Customs

KPUG-

Smugglers beware: new patrol boats are coming

 

Instead of showing up to ask any questions- Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel.

What role do coastal patrol boats play in keeping heroin out of the Puget Sound area?

 

Same busy news week-

Nearly nine pounds of heroin get past Homeland Security coastal patrol boats & into Snohomish:

Police, agents haul in 9 pounds of heroin potentially worth millions

Snohomish again:

Local law enforcement agencies may benefit when the US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep heroin out of the US-

Seattle media:

Heroin busts could finance police construction in Snohomish

 

Port Angeles heroin-

Question for newspeople:

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from the Puget Sound area?

2011-

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

2013-

Heroin epidemic gripping Port Angeles

2015-

Port Angeles residents fed up with heroin problem

PA police to carry heroin overdose antidote

Clallam commissioners asked to consider heroin problem in next year’s budget

“Clallam County’s death rate from prescription opioid and heroin overdose was 29 per 100,000 in 2013, nearly twice the state’s overdose death rate of 14.8 per 100,000, health officials have said.”

Frequent updates here.

More here:

Bremerton Homeland Security Jobs Program

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA- News tip/story idea

 

Similar items posted daily on facebook at:

Groupthink Alternative

US Department of Credibility

Newspeople will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Our free and independent press has stopped asking questions.

and Sound of Freedom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

Photo- A symbol of the free press & federal government credibility

 

DSC_0080 copyAnother round trip ferry crossing on Saturday. No security at either terminal.

 

June, 2006-

Belligerent motorist blows past toll booth and onto ferry:

Ferry incident exposes security weaknesses

 

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.

Oct, 2014-

Where were security personnel on the day this motorist blew past the ticket booth, ignoring personnel assigned to proper staging of vehicles:

Video: Man dies after SUV crashes through gate at Southworth ferry dock, sinks in Sound

Post-911 security protocols kept him safe:

Man dies after car drives off ferry dock

 

Jan, 2015-

No security personnel here, here, or here.

 

This video shows US Coast Guard gun boats escorting the ferries. K-9 teams are on site to detect explosives:

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry?

 

If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?

More here:

The Press has been Neutralized

Washington State ferries post-911 security protocols update:

Washington State Ferries Security

 

Washington State ferry passengers are advised via PA system to not 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.

More here:

Washington State ferries post-911 security protocols update:

If You See Something, Say Something?

 

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

Photo- Keystone ferry inbound

 

DSC_0080 copy

PINAC Reporter Assaulted by Government Official for Recording Public Facility in Washington

Any signs posted at the ferry dock stating that photography is prohibited?

More here:

Non-terrorist demonstrates lack of security protocols at typical Washington State ferries terminal.

 

Washington State ferry passengers are advised via PA system to not 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.

If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?

 

Related: A post 911 Puget Sound area

 

Discuss on facebook here:

US Department of Credibility

 

 

Photo- Keystone ferry inbound

 

Another roundtrip ferry crossing yesterday. No security at either terminal.

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry?

 

Oct. 2014-

Non-terrorist demonstrates lack of security protocols at typical Washington State ferries terminal-

Vehicle blows by ticket booth, ignoring personnel assigned to proper staging of vehicles:

Washington State ferries post-911 security protocols update:

 

SWAT teams to drop from choppers in unique ferry terrorism drill

Just the ticket for the day terrorists abandon the sneak attack (Oklahoma City, 911, USS Cole, US Marine barracks Beirut, etc.) and go with a good old fashioned shoot-out between the good guys and the bad guys.

If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?

Training scenario-

Are the bad guys allowed to fire on the good guy’s boats and helicopters?

No hostages, bewildered passengers or suicide bombers in the mix?

How about the bad guys drive a vehicle from the car deck onto the good guy’s boat as they pull up?

See bottom photo here.

Related: Video- Reporters Doing Promotional & Public Relations Work-

 

It will be easy to spot an attempted strike. Expect the bad guys to be sloppy- the packages they send will look like they were put together by drunken 3rd graders, or Wile E Coyote.

 

Washington State ferry passengers are advised via PA system to not 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.

 

One of our local TV stations recently informed us about Homeland Security gunboats on Puget Sound.

Video here

This hard-hitting interview was an opportunity to answer most FAQs.

Serious subject matter- covered like an elementary school field trip down to the fire station- except- students might come up with some intelligent or interesting questions at the fire station.

What questions went unasked?

1) How does the gunboat protect the ferry if a bad guy is already onboard? The Washington State Patrol uses dogs to check vehicles at some ferry terminals on some days. Walk-on passengers are not checked at any terminal- at any time.

2) “Terrorists” (If they really are out to get us) can communicate just like teenagers- they can wait in line and ride the ferry just like anyone else. What would stop terrorists from riding the ferry and alerting each other if they see a US Coast Guard escort or Washington State Patrol dogs sniffing cars prior to loading?

3) If a terrorist wanted to get their boat dangerously close to a ferry- they could just put it on a trailer and drive it on- what would prevent this?

4) What stops terror strikes on the days US Coast Guard gunboats are not providing escorts on any given route or Washington State Patrol dogs are not on duty at any given terminal?

 

Once again- no hostages, bewildered passengers or suicide bombers in the staged ferry boat rescue at 0:45

 

Washington State Ferries propaganda video-

 

Related:

Gunboat escorts on Puget Sound