Love to see the mainstream press get out and interview people on various sides of any issue.
I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.
Related:
Global Warming and Climate Change Update
Photo-
South Indian Island scene
Archives for category: Information Suppression Specialists
Alternative media continues to ask questions.
The mainstream press provides news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.
We are at a place where alternative media and comedians are asking the questions and highlighting the issues.
Small town newspaper (image at top of page) displays junk mail style advertising instead of front page news. The small papers will say they need more support from subscribers and advertising dollars or cash from the federal government to stay alive. All this because COVID or the internet or lack of newspaper sales, or a free and independent press that needs taxpayer support.
People who take no public funds, private donations or advertising dollars are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press? Call for unpaid volunteers and you’d get better news coverage than what we have now.
Same newspaper as in the photo at top of page:
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Zero questions from newspeople.
No sense in subscribing to newspapers that do not ask public policy-related questions.
Related:
Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island
It looks like both Whidbey papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.
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:
Related:
Land of Information Suppression
Consumer demand replaced with government demand
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
Love to see the mainstream press get out and interview people on various sides of any issue.
I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.
Video above is from comedian Jimmy Dore – a progressive democrat.
$51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security Vote of Confidence:
Question for the uniparty press:
Currently serving four-star officers and high level DOD civilians have been associated with what wars won by the US?
Let’s Invade Mexico!
by Fred Reed | Dec 6, 2019
“America starts its wars by overestimating its own powers, underestimating the enemy, and misunderstanding the kind of war on which it is embarking.”
“A pack of rapists armed with garden trowels couldn’t possibly be difficult to defeat by the US. I mean, get serious: Dope dealers against the Marines? A cakewalk.”
“You know, like Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. That sort of cakewalk.”
Welcome Home Troops
RNC and DNC are good with aging leaders:
Related:
Photo-
Cape Meares Light
Free enterprise is not the state governor setting deadlines for new restrictions, bans and mandates while creating cash giveaways for selected industries.
Favorite comment from the video below:
Favorite comments from the video above:
“If they weren’t trying to force it then I wouldn’t have a problem with it”
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.
Related:
Consumer demand replaced with government demand
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Independence Day Has Lost Its Meaning
Vice President Harris – Seattle Climate Crisis Visit
More COVID & Climate Change? – The Press is Weak
Goodbye Free Enterprise System
Photo-
Working Waterfront – Anacortes
Vice President Harris recently made a trip to Seattle to speak on the climate crisis topic. I was looking forward to a news event that created a record of differing viewpoints in various blogs, videos and articles on the web.
Taking a look now, it appears that most of what is available is the routine news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.
The general trend on the web and in the news has been to suppress voices of dissent.
Land of Information Suppression
Love to see the press get out and interview people on various sides of any issue.
I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.
A video from comedian Jimmy Dore – a progressive democrat:
Google Is RIGGING Search Results For “Climate Change”
Honest and meaningful ideas stand up to questioning and discussion.
In a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking questions related to public policy all of the time. This is not the case.
State-owned news network: In Seattle, VP Harris Touts Administration Efforts to Boost Clean Energy
Where are the news articles that question the carbon footprint created by this cross country campaign trip? Multiple aircraft, motorcade, support staff, advance security, layers of federal and local law enforcement supervision for the event, local traffic idling and waiting for permission to proceed on normal routes, etc. How does all this impact on climate change? Any questions from newspeople?
Seattle – About the time of the VP visit:
The folks who manage this, want to tell you what kind of car you should drive and manipulate the price of your gasoline with taxes. Welcome Home Troops.
Really no need to pick on the VP
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?
US jet aircraft have been able to strike targets in what wars won by the US?
Currently serving four-star officers and high level DOD civilians have been associated with what wars won by the US?
Did decades of undeclared/unwon wars (The Department of Defense track record with undeclared wars goes back to 1949.) play any role in the DNC climate crisis? Zero questions from newspeople.
Today’s American culture is truly weak in terms of newspeople asking questions.
Penn Cove
Your local, small-town newspaper:
August 11, 2023 Whidbey News-Times
Whidbey sewer plants win state awards
“The Oak Harbor Clean Water Facility was recognized as outstanding by the Department of Ecology.”
“The Coupeville treatment plant received the outstanding performance award for the 13th consecutive year, and the Holmes Harbor plant was awarded for the 17th year in a row. The Penn Cove wastewater treatment plant was also a recipient this year.”
Love to see newspeople interview WDFW and ask why beaches adjacent to award winning sewage treatment plants are unsafe for recreational shellfish harvest due to sewage treatment plant outfall.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Newspeople remain silent.
Image above: 8/19/2023
Source/Daily Status Reports: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Click image once or twice to show detail.
News links/sources here: Penn Cove – Award Winning Sewage Treatment Plant
Background
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater. Not climate change.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
People who take no public funds, private donations or advertising dollars are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press?
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel
Zero questions from newspeople.
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
Related:
More COVID & Climate Change? – The Press is Weak
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
Goodbye Free Enterprise System
Photo-
West side of Whidbey Island – high ground in the distance includes the Bluff Trail.
Local info:
Honest and meaningful ideas stand up to questioning and discussion.
In a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking questions related to public policy all of the time. This is not the case.
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Some may have become skeptical along the way.
The general trend has been to suppress voices of dissent and provide news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.
Land of Information Suppression
Love to see the press get out and interview people on various sides of any issue.
I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.
More COVID
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
News video:
Uptick in Covid-19 hospitalizations and a timeline for an updated vaccine.
Progressive democrat comedian asking questions:
August Climate Crisis
Many stories here.
August 07, 2023 Cliff Mass Weather Blog
“During the past weeks, profoundly flawed and error-filled stories on climate change have been headlined in the Seattle Times. Stories that can easily be demonstrated to have serious factual and interpretative errors.”
Many comments have been posted.
KUOW Aug 10, 2017
Why did it change? Too much gas powered lawn equipment?
August 20, 2023 Smoke Increased Rapidly this Afternoon But Soon Will Be History
“A topic for another blog.”
Related:
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
Below are several topics where newspeople have an established history of not asking questions.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
Would the DEA be out of work if a a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
Beach adjacent to award winning sewage treatment plant
Image above: 8/19/2023
Source/Daily Status Reports: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Beach adjacent to award winning sewage treatment plant is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvest due to sewage treatment plant outfall.
Zero questions from newspeople.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
News links/sources here:
Penn Cove – Award Winning Sewage Treatment Plant
WA Gun Control
Newspeople avoid reporting on the efficacy of past gun control measures.
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?
Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?
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.”
Has any gun control measure or public policy effort improved the situation over the past 20 years?
What works? What fails?
Newspeople remain silent.
Everett updates here.
Seattle updates here.
Tacoma updates here.
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
More here: Puget Sound Area Shootings Roll On
Glorification of Military Service
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? Not no, but fuck no.
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.
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
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 ban, interracial 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.
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:
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?
The country struggles with:
Related:
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Uniparty No Good For Confidence in US Armed Forces?
Possibly of interest:
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.
Random Fake War on Terror/Recruiting Crisis Questions
Currently serving four-star officers and high level DOD civilians have been associated with what wars won by the US?
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.
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?
May 5, 2021 KOMO News
Wash. lab develops scanner that may eliminate need to remove shoes at airport
“This new technology could speed up the screening process by about 20% and eliminate the hassle of taking off shoes and putting them back on, researchers say.”
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?
Newspeople Avoid Questions – WSF Security
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
US jet aircraft have been able to strike targets in what wars won by the US?
Related:
Over at the US Armed Forces recruiting office
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
Related: Room For Improvement – 98569
The press is a friend of the uniparty
Image source here.
Random Questions for The Uniparty
Photo-
Tongue Point – A view from Crescent Beach
Vancouver Island in the distance
Newspeople have moved away from asking questions. Regular people go out to see what is going on. Things become controversial.
Who does this information belong to?
Connecticut traffic ticket scandal
Many comments posted with the video above.
Government property is private property:
We are frequently told that The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
This urban legend has run its course. People have seen enough now to know this is no more than another giant marketing strategy.
American freedoms come and go. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense, and a truly poor track record with undeclared/unwon wars play no role here:
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Alternative media takes a look at news culture:
Kansas update:
Photo:
A free and honest society?
May 19, 2021 Harper’s BAZAAR
Megan Rapinoe Is Still Changing the Game
“Money is the way our society shows people, especially in sports, how we value them,” Rapinoe says.”
“We know exactly what’s in a contract every time a man signs it. We never know what women make. Why is it?”
Some people would consider sports to be a part of the entertainment industry.
Various sports, music concerts, movies, plays, motorsports and comedy clubs sell tickets at different prices for different artists, acts and events.
Related: Separate Sports Leagues, Equal Pay and US Army
8:23
Never forget, this was the story that the media did not cover prior to the election:
Alternative media continues to ask questions:
Personal blog:
May 22, 2023
January 14, 2023
Internet was better 20 years ago
Google was a clean and simple search engine. AOL was there for those who were OK with the convenience of more central control. AOL steered you to use their internet connection, browser, email, their version of searching to find AOL sports, shopping, entertainment, finance, news, travel, etc. Every move you made on the web could happen under the AOL regime.
Today, Google wants you to create a user name and password. Register, sign in, and hand over your cell phone number for security in case you need to update your password. Google wants you to use your Google ID to sign in to an expanding number of sites on the web. If you are away from home and logging in on a different device, they might think you are a scammer/spammer and may take you into a tortuous process to verify who you are. What was the house number across the street from where your best childhood friend grew up? I quit. No more logging in for me.
Prior to the midterm elections, I went to the web and searched for:
Will midterm voters be angry about the stock market? and similar searches.
Is the stock market an issue for voters?
All I was able to find was predictions for future market performance.
Piss Off information suppression specialists.
More alternative media:
Photo-
New Day at Port Hadlock
Love to see newspeople ask questions in the following areas:
Is Homeland Security Is A Scam?
Has any US President, since the first day the US Dept. of Homeland Security existed, been able to create any shortage of cartel product, anywhere in the US?
Does local CBP provide an advantage in keeping cartel product from arriving in the Puget Sound area?
Port Angeles Border Patrol – Newspeople Remain Silent
Has increased DHS spending resulted in any shortage of cartel product arriving in Hometown, USA?
Has anyone ever seen the press question Homeland Security funding and performance?
Politics
Did Trump come on the scene because people grew tired of standard politicians?
Are Biden/Harris working to repair the image and reputation of standard politicians?
Aging RNC approved politician:
US Armed Forces – Recruiting Crisis
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
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, federal toilet regulations, sports betting, federal gas can regulations/free enterprise system,
voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
American 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.
School children are taught about a free enterprise system and how to celebrate the 4th of July. 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?
US jet aircraft have been able to strike targets in what wars won by the US?
Currently serving four-star officers and high level DOD civilians have been associated with what wars won by the US?
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since. This reflects on the uniparty. The press goes easy on asking questions because the press supports the uniparty.
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Is it understandable that young people and their parents and grandparents would take a dim view on all this?
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.
The Press
Will TV newspeople who show initiative and curiosity in asking questions be suppressed and removed from TV networks?
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Related:
Uniparty No Good For Confidence in US Armed Forces?
Political Leaders and The Press
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Giant Marketing Strategy – Patriotism for Profit
Over at the US Armed Forces recruiting office
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
2022 – Armed Forces Recruiting Culture
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth
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.
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.
Photo-
Welcome Visitors
Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden
Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.
In the news:
August 3, 2023 Peninsula Daily News
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
Fatality – Guemes 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.
Fatality – Southworth ferry dock
Fatality – Anacortes 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 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.
Photo- Keystone ferry inbound
Coupeville/Penn Cove is on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island-no ferry link to Port Townsend exists there.
To me, the most interesting people in politics are the people who are willing to question their chosen political party.
July 25, 2023 THE KENNEDY BEACON
Kennedy Dazzles on Fox’s ‘Hannity’
“People in this country know that the system is rigged and they know that they are being lied to.”
As one sign of his fatigue with liberal-leaning media bashing, Kennedy referenced an interview he had with an editor at The New Yorker a couple of weeks ago. “‘What qualifies you to be the president?’ he asked me,” Kennedy recalled. “You have never been in Congress, never been a governor, never been in the Senate. Well, for me, that’s probably the best qualification.”
When asked what he would do if he could negotiate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Kennedy said, “We have to, there is no choice. Russia can’t lose this war. It’s like us losing a war to Mexico.”
Many interesting comments are posted with the article above. View them here.
Alternative media continues to ask questions:
Information Suppression Is Called Out
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for doing time in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Possibly of interest:
Land of Information Suppression
Over at the US Armed Forces recruiting office
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Update – Newspeople Not Asking Questions
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
In a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking questions related to public policy all of the time.
Alternative Media Continues To Ask Questions
Aging RNC approved politician:
4:32 Aging DNC approved politician:
Welcome Home Troops
Photo at top of page:
Front page news has been replaced by a weekly grocery store ad. Details here: Ongoing Breakdown of Society
Same local paper:
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Any questions from newspeople?
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
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:
Over at the US Armed Forces recruiting office
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Update – Newspeople Not Asking Questions
Cliff Mass Weather Blog
June 28, 2023
Is Washington State on Track for a Severe Fire Season?
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater. Not climate change
18 Years Ago
June 22, 2005 Whidbey News-Times
Penn Cove listed as ‘polluted’
“…DOE took 28 samples from Penn Cove in the years 1993 to 2000. Scientists found that 24 of the samples had less than the minimum healthy level of dissolved oxygen.”
Today
Love to see newspeople ask:
When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?
Image above: 5/22/2023
Source/Daily Status Reports: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Background
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater. Not climate change.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
A photo tour of Penn Cove here:
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
In a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking questions related to public policy all of the time.
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?
Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?
Distance learning idea:
Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls
Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern
March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times
4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea
“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”
School teachers,
Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?
Related:
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
WDFW Monitors Water Quality at Penn Cove
Photo-
Mount Walker
Massing US Border Patrol agents at the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca fails to keep fentanyl and meth out of Port Angeles.
In the news:
June 26, 2023 Peninsula Daily News
Traffic stop leads to $75,000 in drugs, enforcement team says
Unlike many cities of its size, Port Angeles maintains a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence.
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area. Our questions appear in bold type.
Love to see newspeople ask:
Does Port Angeles CBP provide an advantage in keeping drugs away from the Olympic Peninsula?
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?
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
New Port Angeles USBP Station opened more than a decade ago. Has the new station been able to reduce access to illegal drugs on the Olympic Peninsula?
Newspeople remain silent.
If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping fentanyl away from Port Angeles?
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:
Fast boats put agents in close distance with ‘bad guys’ on the watery border
More here:
Port Angeles Drug War – Fentanyl
Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
A Giant US Dept. of Homeland Security
Americans pay billions of dollars every 12 months for a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security.
The US Dept. of Homeland Security “stops an average of 7 known or suspected terrorists a day – 50 a week- trying to come to our country.”
Question for TV newspeople:
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do cartels continue to move product into all 50 states?
All 50 states?
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
Would the DEA be out of work if a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
Port Angeles
Local people find drugs and report to local (not federal) law enforcement authorities. Federal employees create news story and say that federal agents used a K-9 to “seize” the drugs.
Question for CBP:
Why does the news story created by CBP not line up with local reports?
Question for mainstream newspeople:
If Port Angeles US Border Patrol agents used a K-9 to seize a significant amount of methamphetamine on April 11, why did federal agents not take over the investigation until May 3rd, three weeks later?
Mainstream newspeople remain silent.
May 3, 2021 Peninsula Daily News
Feds take over investigation after $7 million in drugs found
“Federal authorities have taken over the investigation into the early April discovery of 400 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine worth $7 million on a Joyce-area beach after no local-area connection with the drugs was established, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.”
News links and Sheriff’s Dept. Facebook post here:
Port Angeles Border Patrol – Investigation Stalled For 3 Weeks?
Original blog post:
Port Angeles Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth?
More here:
December 7, 2022 United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington
More than 400 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of fentanyl powder show up on a beach near Port Angeles. Local CBP fails to keep product from entering Clallam County. How did this meth and fentanyl enter the US?
Zero questions from newspeople.
“On April 7, 2021, beachcombers near Port Angeles reported a black duffel bag with drugs inside. The Clallam County Sheriff’s office took possession of the bag found to contain 2 pounds of fentanyl powder and nearly 60 pounds of methamphetamine. The fentanyl powder was originally believed to be cocaine. Just days later, on April 11, 2021, a different beach walker reported another find – seven more duffel bags containing 342 pounds of methamphetamine. The Sheriff’s Office estimated the street value of the drugs as nearly $7 million.”
Related:
2017
Coast Guard comes home to Heroin at Port Angeles
2015
Cutter Active Returns to Heroin Epidemic After Successful Narcotics Patrol
Press Release Style of News Reporting
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Photo at top of page:
Symbol of an American press that avoids asking any questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance.
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Both major parties and the press appear to be OK with undeclared/unwon wars.
What a Scam
Cartels react to General Milley by moving more product into the US:
MAY 10, 2023 CBS News
“The Sinoloa cartel is responsible for a significant portion of illicit fentanyl trafficked into the United States, and has operated since the 1980s. The organization increased its power and influence in the early 2000s, and has since become one of the largest drug trafficking operations in Mexico, OFAC said. The cartel also traffics heroin and methamphetamine in multi-ton quantities, the agency said.”
A favorite cultural critic:
Related:
Information Suppression
Just realizing that Google eliminated their old blog search feature:
I notice it is difficult to find discussion forums on the web now. This did not seem to be the case 20 years ago.
Twitter has been a place where people could post comments. Today, I go and look at news sites and see very few comments on news articles.
For sure:
Internet was better 20 years ago
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.
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.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Back in 2020, we posted:
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Time for an update. Here are several more recent examples where the press seems to avoid asking questions. In some cases, these may be topics we mentioned in our 2020 post.
GWOT Rolls On
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Home State, USA need National Guard services in Africa, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
South Carolina National Guard to Africa – Zero Questions from Newspeople
Ocean Shores, WA
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
Related:
Federal Cash For The Coast – 98569
Penn Cove Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater. Not climate change.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
More here:
Penn Cove Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall – Zero Questions From Newspeople
A Giant US Dept. of Homeland Security
Americans pay billions of dollars every 12 months for a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security.
The US Dept. of Homeland Security “stops an average of 7 known or suspected terrorists a day – 50 a week- trying to come to our country.”
Question for TV newspeople:
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do cartels continue to move product into all 50 states?
All 50 states?
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
Would the DEA be out of work if a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
Whidbey/Oak Harbor update:
June 16, 2023 Whidbey News-Times
High-speed chase through Oak Harbor ends with a crash
“…man caught smoking fentanyl in the Oak Harbor Walmart parking lot…”
“At 7:55 p.m. Tuesday, a caller at the Walmart reported to police that two people in a white Honda appeared to be using drugs. An Oak Harbor officer noted in his report that police are aware that the parking lot is a common place for people to abuse illegal substances.”
Back in 2014:
April 18, 2014 Whidbey News-Times
New patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security
“Island County secured a $225,000 grant to purchase a new all-weather patrol vessel. Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Federal grant money goes to “…gain a better grasp on cross border activity and to prevent illegal crossings.”
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Took a look on the web to see if there is a post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey & could not find anything. If anyone has info, please post in comments.
Questions for newspeople:
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been able to intercept any inbound fentanyl?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Newspeople remain silent.
More here:
Possibly of interest:
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
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.
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.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Photo at top of page-
Several months back, out at North Jetty
Operating a camera in a public place:
Image at top of page:
Symbol of a society that supports a Dept. of Defense that was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Symbol of a society that pays billions of dollars every 12 months for a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security.
Symbol of a society where newspeople avoid asking basic public policy questions.
The US Dept. of Homeland Security “stops an average of 7 known or suspected terrorists a day – 50 a week- trying to come to our country.”
Question for TV newspeople:
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do cartels continue to move product into all 50 states?
All 50 states?
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
Would the DEA be out of work if a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
Whidbey/Oak Harbor update:
June 16, 2023 Whidbey News-Times
High-speed chase through Oak Harbor ends with a crash
“…man caught smoking fentanyl in the Oak Harbor Walmart parking lot…”
“At 7:55 p.m. Tuesday, a caller at the Walmart reported to police that two people in a white Honda appeared to be using drugs. An Oak Harbor officer noted in his report that police are aware that the parking lot is a common place for people to abuse illegal substances.”
Back in 2014:
April 18, 2014 Whidbey News-Times
New patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security
“Island County secured a $225,000 grant to purchase a new all-weather patrol vessel. Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Federal grant money goes to “…gain a better grasp on cross border activity and to prevent illegal crossings.”
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Took a look on the web to see if there is a post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey & could not find anything. If anyone has info, please post in comments.
Questions for newspeople:
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been able to intercept any inbound fentanyl?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Newspeople remain silent.
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.
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.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Did foreign terrorists attempt to shut down an individual who was operating a camera in a public place?
Did hostile forces in distant lands impose various restrictions on the American public since the catastrophic military failure that took place on 911?
More here:
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
South Carolina National Guard to Africa – Zero Questions from Newspeople
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
2023 Memorial Day Military Discounts & Freebies
Possibly of interest:
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Some may have become skeptical along the way.
Jimmy Dore:
Glenn Greenwald:
Related:
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
2023 Memorial Day Military Discounts & Freebies
South Carolina National Guard to Africa – Zero Questions from Newspeople
Hostile Forces in Distant Lands
Decades After The Lessons of Vietnam
Possibly of interest:
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
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.
Photo-
Something from the last century
Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?
Did these forces constantly brag about freedoms while mandating what kind of showerhead must be installed in the bathroom of private homes, and what type of gas can must be purchased for a lawnmower? Did these hostile forces spend $6.3 million in federal cash on a used hotel and prompt the press to ask no questions?
Was it Saddam Hussein who made a move to sign off on federal law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20?
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.”
Did foreign terrorists set up a land of the free holding pattern where alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults?
Did hostile forces from distant lands set up transgender messaging at theme parks? Seems more like adult content for Mardi Gras in New Orleans than something for family/child friendly events?
Did foreign terrorists mandate what sort of toilet you must install in your home?
Did foreign terrorists cause local papers to strip away all comments from past articles, and remove the opportunity to post comments to new articles?
Various newspapers in the Puget Sound area have gone with this trend.
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.
Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.
Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections
Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island
Did Saddam Hussein take over small town papers and turn them into propaganda outlets?
From 2017:
Here, in this military town, the local paper seems to go with family friendly and patriotic themes.
About a year ago, their hometown pride was running high when they posted:
“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?
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
More here: Military Town – Hometown Pride
GWOT Era
The GWOT 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 another giant marketing strategy.
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, federal toilet regulations, sports betting, federal gas can regulations/free enterprise system,
voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
American 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.
Did foreign invaders get members of the press to play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl?
TV newspeople perform like paid actors reading a script:
The US Dept. of Defense is the very best at militarized pageantry for pro sports events.
Did Al-Qaeda craft a list of formerly legal weapons and set deadlines for prohibition of future sales? Will General Motors and Budweiser be eliminating products due to drunk driving?
Image source: Mises Caucus
@LPMisesCaucus
Possibly of interest:
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.
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?
Related:
Decades After The Lessons of Vietnam
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Did foreign terrorists attempt to shut down an individual who was operating a camera in a public place?
First video below is from Texas. Same state where authorities initially responded by yielding the right of way to a gunman/waited outside for 1 hour and 14 minutes while multiple elementary school students lost their lives about a year ago.
From comments – library video above:
“As a former child I can state 100% that a camera wouldn’t have scared me but a masked blue line flag man throwing things and yelling would have terrified me!”
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
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.
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.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Full text here.
Lies About Freedoms
American culture is good with lies about freedoms.
Americans are told that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
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 ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
American 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.
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.
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.
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.
Homeland Security Is A Scam
Huge US Dept. of Homeland Security budgets after 911 and more cartel drugs than ever arriving in Hometown, USA?
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Would the DEA be out of work if a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
DEA’s drug threat report: Mexican cartel flooding Northwest with fentanyl
Source: March 2, 2021 KTVZ
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Both major parties and the press appear to be OK with undeclared/unwon wars.
What a Scam
Cartels react to General Milley by moving more product into the US:
MAY 10, 2023 CBS News
“The Sinoloa cartel is responsible for a significant portion of illicit fentanyl trafficked into the United States, and has operated since the 1980s. The organization increased its power and influence in the early 2000s, and has since become one of the largest drug trafficking operations in Mexico, OFAC said. The cartel also traffics heroin and methamphetamine in multi-ton quantities, the agency said.”
18-20 Year Old Adults Are Seen As Second Class Citizens
A society where, in addition to freedoms possibly enjoyed by all adults, those who are 18-20 years old are placed in a land of the free holding pattern.
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?
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.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Both major political parties are OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Same society where transgender messaging is OK for kids.
Jimmy Dore has a discussion of transgender messaging directed at children at 37:49 in the video below:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
The folks who can’t keep cartel product from showing up all over the US are ready to question the guy with the camera.
Please see 7:35 in the video below:
Contact at 5:45 in the video below:
KULT NEWS
Related:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
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?
Possibly of interest:
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Photo-
Symbol of a society that phased out Armistice day in the 1950s. A society where decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. A society in 2023, that can’t stay out of or win undeclared wars, but has come to offer up a big Memorial Day freebies for veterans marketing campaign. Way to go guys.
This may be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Do the companies that offer free Memorial Day chow advocate for phasing out undeclared wars?
A society where a giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Photo above: Several years back at a farmers market somewhere in the greater Puget Sound area.
To me, the most interesting people in politics are the people who are willing to question their chosen political party.
A video from Jimmy Dore, a progressive Democrat:
Related:
Internet was better 20 years ago
18 Years Ago
June 22, 2005 Whidbey News-Times
Penn Cove listed as ‘polluted’
“…DOE took 28 samples from Penn Cove in the years 1993 to 2000. Scientists found that 24 of the samples had less than the minimum healthy level of dissolved oxygen.”
Today
Love to see newspeople ask:
When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?
Image above: 5/22/2023
Source/Daily Status Reports: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Background
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater. Not climate change.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
A photo tour of Penn Cove here:
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
In a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking questions related to public policy all of the time.
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?
Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?
Distance learning idea:
Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls
Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern
March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times
4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea
“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”
School teachers,
Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?
Related:
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
WDFW Monitors Water Quality at Penn Cove
Cliff Mass Weather Blog
July 20, 2023
Is Global Warming Causing Massive Heatwaves?
May 23, 2023
Are the Large Alberta Fires the Result of Climate Change?
Mar 16, 2023
Serious Climate Misinformation In Seattle Time Headline Article
Mar 03, 2022
Misinformation about Sea Level Rise
Dec 13, 2022
More Climate Misinformation and Factual Errors in the Seattle Times. Should You Care?
Dec 29, 2022
The Origin of Seattle and Tacoma Flooding This Week
Instead of waiting for school teachers to teach about individual rights and limited government authority, waiting on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, waiting on the press to ask questions, or courts to handle cases, these guys go out and update us with a quick reality check:
1:31 in the video below-
“Request denied, you’re dismissed.”
Request for the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks:
Show some initiative and curiosity in asking questions and in an effort to keep people informed. Please be accurate and honest with news reporting. If young people get the idea that they can’t trust the news, or that they do not live in a free and honest society, they may stop showing up to enlist in the US Armed Forces.
We are often told that The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
These guys evaluate where we are at with all this. The mainstream press is not here today. They may be about avoiding controversy.
Operating a camera in a public place:
GWOT in action. Meanwhile, cartels move product into all 50 states:
Related:
Operating A Camera In A Public Place
Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis
Memorial Day- long weekend/BBQ guilt trips
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Possibly of interest:
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
Honest and meaningful ideas stand up to questioning and discussion.
Zero questions from newspeople:
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.
Photo-
Winter scene at Damon Point
Photo above-
Potlatch State Park – Hood Canal
Road Trip Report – Mask Up For Watersports – WA COVID
More from Washington State Parks:
Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit
I am a wait and see sort of person. I was not quick to believe the GWOT was fake. It took years for me to look and see what was happening.
Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.
During the COVID time-
I did not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.
Around September of 2021, we moved to a new community. My wife and I agreed that in the first few weeks, while getting settled, we would find a local place where we could get the shot. Just about that time, there seemed to be some question about which version of the vaccine was the one to take or avoid.
Restaurants were still changing up inside dining protocols.
From a Sept 2021 blog:
Dining Out
Ocean Shores, WA: 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?
It seems like the plan is to cause meaningless inconvenience.
If you notice the inconvenience, maybe you will think that the establishment is somehow going out of their way because they care about protecting you.
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.
Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities
About this time, info on vaccine side effects was being discussed somewhere. We were aware that getting the shot did not mean getting to go without a mask. The idea that more than one shot would be required was out there. Somewhere along in there, people were being accused of spreading misinformation and having their social media accounts suspended if they questioned the government version of COVID protocols.
Before the internet and social media-
If different people selected different churches to attend, or they decided to attend no church at all, was this because of misinformation?
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature.
Back into wait and see and never did get the shots.
We were aware that some employers required vaccines, but employees were still getting sick and in some cases facilities were shut down because too many people on staff could not come to work or something like that.
I always wore a mask when entering a business, post office, etc. Always took it off when I stepped back outside. I never spent a day on lockdown. The term lockdown seemed to apply to people who were associated with an employer, school, or maybe a church that was shut down. None of that applied to me.
Every day I wanted to go out and visit a state park or go shopping, I was able to do so.
COVID restrictions handed down by WA
My personal preference would be to let business people make business decisions.
Let customers support or walk away from the businesses of their choosing.
Avoid one size fits all mandates. Mask required? Let the business owner decide. Make the whole thing voluntary, like a stop smoking, or wear your seatbelt campaign.
WA COVID Oddities
Do property taxes go down because fleets of school buses sat idle and students remained at home? Any questions from newspeople?
Dining in tents attached to restaurants.
Locating an Army Field Hospital in Seattle.
Earliest days of WA COVID concern: We were told that COVID-19 was a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and school while marijuana and booze sales were designated as essential. This policy may have made people wonder about the science here.
Marijuana and booze sales roll on:
March 25, 2020 The Seattle Times
Special construction projects are approved:
May 12th, 2020
Got it.
The state took money from some people, and gave it to some other people.
If your construction crew is working on a project based on any sort of voluntary exchange or honest demand for services, you might have to stay home for a while.
Source:
May 12, 2020 South Whidbey Record
Iconic inn gets new cedar roof thanks to grant
During COVID, a few letters and editorials compared this time to the past and made the case that people did a better job of pulling together during WWII.
They are correct.
A man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment.
Since that time, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation.
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Some may have become skeptical along the way.
WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint
WA – Dining Outside While Sealed Inside A Tent Is Legal
Fast food drive-thru:
It seems typical that the cashier, who handles cash, coins and cards-also places napkins in the to-go bag.
This really doesn’t seem to make sense even before concerns Re: COVID-19.
Food handler card? Cross-contamination? Health Department? State of the art protocols practiced by global corporations, restaurant management professionals, etc. No one seems to notice.
No Contact Drive Thru – Magic Tray Update
Not Complaining – Just Noticing
Play by the rules and we’ll make more rules
WA COVID – Press Release Style of News Reporting
Stay-at-home, except when purchasing liquor up until 9 p.m.
Rules are easier to follow if the reason for them is well understood. What time zone does the coronavirus operate on?
Alcohol Sales Must End At 10 p.m.
What was going on over at the local military base?
Not Really A Life And Death Situation?
Over at Walmart:
Whoever designed the building did so by code/permit. Size of building dictates number of exits/entrances and how large the space is where people are able to move shopping carts, enter with their family, etc.
COVID brings on restricted store entrances and exits. To enter the store, the normal access is restricted and made more narrow, forcing people to bunch up in order to get into the store. What is the medical advantage of this?
Landlords required to provide rent-free housing during COVID
Dec 23rd 2020 KOMO News
Gov. Inslee extends state’s eviction moratorium
“Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has again extended the state’s eviction moratorium, this time through the end of March.”
Love to see newspeople ask:
Have any arrangements been made to cover property owner’s costs for mortgages, taxes, repairs, maintenance, water, trash pickup, sewer, insurance, etc.
Who pays to have the apartment complex dumpster emptied if the property manager cannot collect rent?
Had an interaction on Twitter and was told:
Love to see the press provide more details on the updated situation.
How does the trash company get paid for services?
Killing incentives to maintain apartment complexes and homes for rent. Killing incentives to pay rent on time. Killing incentives to be a good tenant.
April of 2020:
If you called 911 to report an emergency and described why the local state park is shut down, would the operator agree that this situation involves an emergency?
Mixed Messages On What Is An Emergency
Podcast 3 Closing All Recreational Fishing & Shellfishing Statewide
Whidbey Island
Pizza delivery, marijuana and booze sales roll on as government agencies phase out access and services.
Local press responds with reduced coverage and less in the way of asking questions:
Concealed Carry Processing Suspended
Conclusion:
If there is a list of the things government does well, it must be a small one. Will people have a never again attitude towards restrictions during a future crisis? Will the government think it was able to prove that people can be herded into submission?
To me, the most interesting people in politics are the people who are willing to question their chosen political party.
A video from Jimmy Dore, a progressive Democrat:
Possibly of interest:
Podcast 6 Fake July 4th Freedom
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
The system does not welcome questions, debate or discussion.
Americans do not live in a free and honest society. In a free and honest society, messages related to public policy stand up to questioning and discussion. Newspeople would be asking questions all of the time.
The system is good with those who read the script:
Schmoozy Interview With The General – Recruiting Crisis
Related:
A man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment.
Back in 1969, your lawn mower was probably manufactured in some location like Indiana, Ohio, or Michigan. It ran on plain old gas. You kept the gas in a plain old gas can. You did so safely. The mower lasted a long time. It was made to be serviced and maintained.
At 9:50 in the video below, Taryl, explains the amount of labor required to get a modern mower running again.
Welcome Home Troops
Many interesting comments posted with the video above.
We went shopping today in the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area. Outside one of the stores on our route, I was surprised to see the front page of the local paper in a newspaper vending machine outside the business:
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Front page news has been replaced by a weekly grocery store ad. The business location where we were is not in the ad above.
From the newspaper web site today:
Yes, that is the front page for today. Looks like that format is in place once each week. Something like junk mail, instead of news.
But, it’s your fault Mr. Blogger. You must support newspapers if you want them to keep you informed?
Newspeople have stopped asking questions.
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
Months later, has anyone seen any informative news articles on this?
Love to see newspeople show some initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
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.
People who take no public funds, advertising dollars, or private donations 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.
Various Puget Sound area newspapers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.
Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.
Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections
Today’s American culture is truly weak in terms of newspeople asking questions:
Politicians, Puget Sound Press, and Earth Day
Less enthusiastic about voting & following the news for these reasons.
Related:
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment
Old Man Blog category:
Thoughts on changes in American culture relating to those born roughly in the late 50s & early 60s.
Original Old Man Blog here: https://oldmanblogdotcom.wordpress.com
New updates here: https://oakbaystarfish.com/category/old-man-blog/
Cliff Mass Weather Blog
March 27, 2023
Several comments have been posted.
Photo-
Fog clears – Hill Road
Think about American culture and sports. Americans know and care about the rules in sports. The rules are critical. Missed calls by NFL officials may be discussed for weeks on end. No such thing as: “We can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.” Instant replay is for all to see. Sports writers are OK with being critical of coaches, teams, players, the rule book, the league, referees, team owners, when the season starts and ends, etc.
Away from sports, certain stories appear to be off limits to people who work for newspapers and TV news networks. Are these people given permission to go out and to do interviews related to public policy? If elected officials and people who run government agencies are not available to be interviewed, that should become the story.
Newspeople avoid reporting/asking questions on:
Wasteful and ineffective US Dept. of Homeland Security spending.
Wasteful and ineffective US Dept. of Defense Spending.
$51.6 billion (every 12 months) Homeland Security Vote of confidence:
In the news:
January 14, 2023 For The Win
“After multiple controversial officiating decisions in Sunday’s playoff-shaping game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, multiple executives and coaches said the NFL needs to reevaluate how it chooses and trains its officiating staff for future seasons.”
Many comments here.
Sports
After each game, the press has access to coaches and players. All sorts of information is available all of the time.
In government, it is fully understood that people will not have access to complete information through everyday channels.
Ever hear of a Freedom of Information Act Request in sports? How about a denied FOIA request?
Ever see a pro football coach or quarterback refer reporters to his press secretary for answers? Presidents do so on a daily basis. Professionals are hired to provide only the desired version of answers to questions.
Ever see a pro football coach or quarterback refer reporters to a public information officer for answers to questions?
Homeland Security is a scam
Love to see sports writers report on Homeland Security funding and performance.
Regular newspeople appear to be forbidden to ask questions in this area.
Questions newspeople will not ask:
Have opioid lawsuits or a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security created any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US?
January 13, 2023 WSBTV
‘Operation Ghost Busted:’ 8 armed and dangerous suspects wanted for drug trafficking, FBI says
GWOT security protocols and big budgets are unable to keep large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and alprazolam from showing up in in Georgia.
It’s all reported as a big success by TV newspeople.
Question for newspeople:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
Looks like cartels responded to the JCS Chairman by moving more product into Hometown, USA.
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Both major parties and the press seem to be OK with undeclared/unwon wars.
Zero Questions from Newspeople
Federal DEA agents swing into action after federal US Dept. of Homeland Security agents fail to keep 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine from moving past strict post 911/GWOT security protocols at border crossings and ports of entry, then showing up in Norco, California:
Oct 5, 2022 CBS LOS ANGELES
DEA agents make historic drug bust; seize 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine
United States Department Of Homeland Security Annual Budget
Every 12 months:
$51.672 billion (FY 2020)
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?
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
Port Angeles
Local people find drugs and report to local (not federal) law enforcement authorities. Federal employees create news story and say that federal agents used a K-9 to “seize” the drugs.
Question for CBP:
Why does the news story created by CBP not line up with local reports?
Mainstream newspeople remain silent.
News links and Sheriff’s Dept. Facebook post here:
Port Angeles Border Patrol – Investigation Stalled For 3 Weeks?
Original blog post:
Port Angeles Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth?
Love To See Sports Writers Report on DOD Funding and Performance
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.
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.
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Related-
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Photo-
Quality time at Point Partridge
Local walking ideas:
Google was a clean and simple search engine. AOL was there for those who were OK with the convenience of more central control. AOL steered you to use their internet connection, browser, email, their version of searching to find AOL sports, shopping, entertainment, finance, news, travel, etc. Every move you made on the web could happen under the AOL regime.
Today, Google wants you to create a user name and password. Register, sign in, and hand over your cell phone number for security in case you need to update your password. Google wants you to use your Google ID to sign in to an expanding number of sites on the web. If you are away from home and logging in on a different device, they might think you are a scammer/spammer and may take you into a tortuous process to verify who you are. What was the house number across the street from where your best childhood friend grew up? I quit. No more logging in.
Prior to the midterm elections, I went to the web and searched for:
Will midterm voters be angry about the stock market? and similar searches.
Is the stock market an issue for voters?
All I was able to find was predictions for future market performance.
Random thoughts:
The internet has been in our homes for 25 years. Any changes that took place should have been for the purpose of making it more simple, faster, quicker and easier to use.
20 years ago, comment sections on local newspaper websites were more open and available to use. Various papers have now eliminated comment sections. Elsewhere on the web, comment sections may be hard to find, eliminated, or more restricted than ever.
Bad people might post distasteful content so we all face information suppression or warnings to help us to avoid suggestive images, etc. If Mom and Dad want to set up child safety protocols at home, that is good with me. Just leave the rest of us alone.
Want to learn about beer? You don’t get to look at the brewery web site unless you enter a date of birth. A meaningless honor system awaits. Just tap in any bogus qualifying numbers and you are on your way. Take That-adolescent males who are goofing off on a Saturday night.
When I was a kid, each of the 50 states were free to set their own minimum drinking age. That’s all gone now. We drank underage for years with no help from the internet.
We do not have regular TV at home. A good thing. We use streaming/internet TV. The old days of watching sports are gone. Today, go out and purchase the sports bar/casino style viewing subscription to watch your favorite team. If you’re happy with that, hold on because next year the team might not sell broadcast rights to the same company, a new contract may be in place, etc.
My wife has several passwords for several streaming/internet TV sites. At times, these can seem like they are not ready to work until you log in again, etc. These sites offer limited content. The old VHS tapes seem like a more simple idea.
We tried to watch a YouTube channel on our TV last night. This guy was exploring in the desert out west. A nice change from constant Pacific storms. He had a play list of his desert camping and travels. Good luck finding the play list on the TV viewing format.
A while back I went to the web to find any company that would do roof repairs in the town where I live. I landed on a web site that wanted me to enter my zip code. Seemed super spammy and scammy to me. Creepy. The old yellow pages seemed like a more simple way to go about it.
Before declaring a pandemic amnesty, we need a pandemic mea culpa
by Jeff Jacoby
The Boston Globe
November 20, 2022
“Those who messed up must reckon with how they went wrong. Politicians and public health authorities whose decisions caused serious harm need to acknowledge what happened.”
Not likely. Americans live in a weak minded culture.
News Industry
TV news today is like watching paid actors performing on stage. High level government officials are just as likely to get promoted and awarded a bigger budget than to get fired when things go wrong.
A man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment.
Since that time, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation.
We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.
Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.
Newspeople play along by not asking questions.
US Dept. of Defense
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
The US Armed Forces have attracted many good people over the years.
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.
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.
Related:
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Homeland Security is a scam
Federal DEA agents swing into action after federal US Dept. of Homeland Security agents fail to keep 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine from moving past strict post 911/GWOT security protocols at border crossings and ports of entry, then showing up in Norco, California:
Oct 5, 2022 CBS LOS ANGELES
DEA agents make historic drug bust; seize 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine
United States Department Of Homeland Security Annual Budget
Every 12 months:
$51.672 billion (FY 2020)
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Both major parties and the press appear to be OK with undeclared/unwon wars.
Love to see newspeople interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 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?
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
Port Angeles
Local people find drugs and report to local (not federal) law enforcement authorities. Federal employees create news story and say that federal agents used a K-9 to “seize” the drugs.
Question for CBP:
Why does the news story created by CBP not line up with local reports?
Mainstream newspeople remain silent.
News links and Sheriff’s Dept. Facebook post here:
Port Angeles Border Patrol – Investigation Stalled For 3 Weeks?
Original blog post:
Port Angeles Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth?
Ongoing Lies About Freedom
July 27, 2022 – Whidbey News-Times
Sound Off: Navy base is an asset to Whidbey community
By BOB SEVERNS
Mayor Severns,
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
“Almost 21 years later, NASWI remains strong and continues to practice flying aircraft in preparation to safeguard our freedom. But the heroes at NASWI in Oak Harbor provide much more than just defending us and our freedom.”
Mayor Severns,
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.
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
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 ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
American 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.
Another Mayor in another town:
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion. 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?
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.”
Photo at top of page-
A symbol of newspeople failing to ask questions
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
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 generator.
American culture is good with lies about freedoms.
Americans are told that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
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 ban, interracial 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.
In addition to freedoms possibly enjoyed by all adults, those who are 18-20 years old are placed in a land of the free holding pattern.
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?
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.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Both major political parties are OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Don’t look for newspeople to question any of this.
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.
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.
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.
In recent years, the National Guard has been sent to Syria, Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.
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.
The Fake War On Terror
A weak-minded culture avoids asking questions.
Americans were told that they faced a life and death situation after 911. If certain actions were not taken, terrorists could come to America to disrupt our way of life and attempt another 911.
Hey newspeople, if all this was a life and death situation that required sending the troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, wouldn’t it be important to ask a few public policy questions about what was going on?
American Rights and Freedoms?
Love to see the press, school teachers, sports announcers and politicians come clean on how any of this was linked to American rights and freedoms or defending the constitution.
Several federal holidays feature a theme related to the idea that the troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms
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.
REAL ID & Drug Cartels
Love to see newspeople interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
Strict Post 911/Global War on Terror Security Protocols No Match For Cartels
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 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?
Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
DEA’s drug threat report: Mexican cartel flooding Northwest with fentanyl
Source: March 2, 2021 KTVZ
July 8, 2021 The Chronicle
“The problem isn’t just in Eastern Washington, but North Idaho. Notably, Kootenai County was added to the Idaho/Oregon High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area last year by the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, allowing the region to receive grants focused on helping law enforcement agencies coordinate and share information.”
Would the DEA be out of work if a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
DEA/Homeland Security Wasteful Spending Partnership – Newspeople Remain Silent
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:
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Both major parties and the press appear to be OK with undeclared/unwon wars.
Port Angeles
Local people find drugs and report to local (not federal) law enforcement authorities. Federal employees create news story and say that federal agents used a K-9 to “seize” the drugs.
Question for CBP:
Why does the news story created by CBP not line up with local reports?
Mainstream newspeople remain silent.
News links and Sheriff’s Dept. Facebook post here:
Port Angeles Border Patrol – Investigation Stalled For 3 Weeks?
Original blog post:
Port Angeles Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth?
Show up early to wait in line and squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube at the airport?
May 5, 2021 KOMO News
Wash. lab develops scanner that may eliminate need to remove shoes at airport
“This new technology could speed up the screening process by about 20% and eliminate the hassle of taking off shoes and putting them back on, researchers say.”
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?
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?
Puget Sound Ferry Ride
If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?
Maybe security personnel are present at some specific terminals each day. Over the past 20 years, dozens of round trip crossings from various terminals indicate that in many cases- no security screening takes place prior to boarding ferries.
Washington State Ferries Security – Looking for Clarification
In 1999, I finished my time in the USMC with a solid attitude and a patriotic spirit.
Sports is a much more honest part of American culture.
After each game, the press has access to coaches and players. All sorts of information is available all of the time. No FOIA request required to find out what is going on.
Coaches get fired for months of poor play. Newspeople and politicians are more about information suppression and not asking questions.
Reporters are free to ask hard questions and write stories about teams, players, managers and coaches in sports.
Sports teams make no use of a Press Secretary to provide only the desired version of answers to questions.
The open attitude about sports reporting does not cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, The Troops, the War on Terror or local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Possibly of interest:
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Unsustainable Military Spending
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?
2022 – Armed Forces Recruiting Culture
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
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.
Looks like some honesty here:
Care Packages a Powerful Symbol of the Military-Civilian Divide
DECEMBER 16, 2020| ANDREW JAMES MCCORMICK
“What the troops really needed from the American public was interest in what was going on in Afghanistan. The failures of our efforts, which are many and well-recounted elsewhere, had been evident to service members for a long time. That America persisted, knowing our strategies were mostly ineffective, amounted to negligence, and it resulted not only in troop deaths but in a bad hit to America’s credibility abroad and, crucially, untold human tragedy for the Afghan people. With limited public pressure to do better, however, there was little imperative for politicians and military leaders to change. We needed people to be angry—for people, to put this as simply as possible, to actually care.”
Recommendations for ending the military-civilian divide:
People might come around if they had a say in undeclared/unwon wars. When do we get to vote on all this?
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.
Stop glorifying military service.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
Stop telling us that undeclared/unwon wars overseas are somehow linked to American rights & freedoms.
Cure the Military-Civilian Divide?
Lies And Propaganda For Your Freedoms
Photo:
Early winter morning- Point Wilson, Washington