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.
If The Troops fight for your right to sit, stand, kneel, etc.- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
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 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?
1965
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that restricted rights to freedom of speech or expression in public schools?
JUNE 10, 2019 TIME
High School Students’ Graduation Speeches Keep Getting Censored. But They’re Seen by Millions Anyway
“…Send in the U.S. military and the CIA into Mexico.”
“Just ask the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen. Bombs, missiles, shootings, arrests, indefinite detention, torture, raids, prison camps, kangaroo military tribunals, extra-judicial executions, warrantless searches, and state-sponsored assassinations.”
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep bad guys from moving product into the Puget Sound area-
Zero questions from newspeople.
The large drug bust story is always reported as a big success. This, after drug traffickers are somehow able to move product past National Guard Troops, strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- before product arrives in Hometown, USA.
Lessons Learned?
Anytime there is a plane crash, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents. Any similar effort after a big drug bust?
Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities:
“Federal, state and local law enforcement fanned-out throughout the Puget Sound region Wednesday, arresting 17 people – two from Auburn, another from Pacific – in connection with multiple counts of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said.”
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Rear Adm. Gray,
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Rear Adm. Gray,
The people in our country completely take for granted the peace, prosperity and freedoms that are somehow linked to the US Armed Forces?
People might come around if they had a say in undeclared/unwon wars that never end. 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 Admirals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Do the folks who honor veterans also advocate for phasing out undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
Rear Adm. Gray,
The freedom talk brings questions related to credibility.
If the troops are fighting for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
Rear Adm. Gray,
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
If the U.S. Armed Forces protect the right to vote- how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
It turns out The Troops were in no hurry to enable all adults to act on their right to vote.
US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s didn’t get the job done.
It wasn’t until July of 1971 that 18 year old adults could take delivery on one of the freedoms we hear so much about.
Did you serve?
This is a question I see often when reading comments on the web. This question may be directed at those who question US foreign policy.
The vibe from some veterans seems to be:
Don’t say things that I disagree with. If you didn’t do time in uniform you have no right to speak out. If you did time in uniform- you should see society as a group of first & second-class citizens. Those who never wore a uniform are second class citizens and their commentary should be supervised by those who once wore a uniform.
My answer to the question:
I did some time in the Marines. It did not serve to prevent 911.
Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
Any War on Terror Generals getting fired for failed efforts?
Any Homeland Security people getting fired for failing to keep bad guys from moving meth & heroin into the Puget Sound area?
Do public schools still teach Armistice Day lessons?
Any newspeople asking questions?
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Basic public policy questions related to the drug war, war on terror, and Homeland Security funding and performance seem to go unasked.
Terrorists must not be trying very hard. Can’t they come to the US the same way cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, or meth does?
In the news:
$200 million worth of meth somehow enters the US after getting past US Troops at the border and federal agents manning $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security. Product not discovered until after arriving in Australia.
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:
Representative Crenshaw,
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.
What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?
Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:
What sort of track record does the DEA have in keeping meth out of American communities?
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of the Puget Sound area:
Enhanced background checks approved back in 2014 have had time to take hold.
Any reporting or updates on this?
Another of many examples where freedoms may come & go- completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom:
Tacoma gun and ammo tax
Why would this be necessary if the 2014 move to require enhanced background checks has been effective?
Some of us who were kids in the 60s and 70s remember gun racks in trucks. The sight of rifles out in public didn’t seem to cause a stir. Seemed like there was less in the way of mass-casualty shootings too.
“Mello’s request comes after recent shootings, including several in Tacoma this month. Mello’s letter was also signed by Mayor Victoria Woodards and Council member Catherine Ushka.”
SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”
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
Love to see more in the way of newspeople out asking questions. Get away from posting the press release handed down from whatever agency was involved in the latest bust.
Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.
What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?
Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:
The large drug bust story is always reported as a big success. This, after drug traffickers are somehow able to move product past National Guard Troops, strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- before product arrives in Hometown, USA.
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:
The drug war is especially fascinating because preventing bad people from coming here to do bad things became a bigger priority after 911.
We’re told that we are in a life and death struggle in the War on Terror. Bad people will come here to destroy our American way of life if we don’t send The Troops to fight in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2009, we need a special ID to go have lunch in Canada and then return home.
Every 12 months, the US Department of Homeland Security gets another $40 billion in taxpayer funds.
If the drug war excuse now, is that migrant surges are diverting attention away from cartel traffic- remember that heroin was a problem in US communities prior to the recent migrant surges. Heroin is still here and now meth has taken hold.
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep bad guys from moving 50 pounds of methamphetamine into Oak Harbor:
Is the local meth situation linked in any way with the US/Canada border?
“It is comprised of law enforcement from Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations, Border Patrol, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.”
Question for newspeople:
Has local Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations been able to intercept any meth headed to Whidbey Island, or do they react after product arrives in local communities?
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth from entering the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat
Back in 2014:
Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Questions for newspeople:
Has there been any post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey Island?
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?
Real ID
Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
Lessons Learned?
Anytime there is a plane crash, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents. Any similar effort after a big drug bust?
Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities:
“Federal, state and local law enforcement fanned-out throughout the Puget Sound region Wednesday, arresting 17 people – two from Auburn, another from Pacific – in connection with multiple counts of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said.”
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
In the weeks ahead, public school teachers will host Veterans Day (not Armistice Day) assemblies, where young students will be told that The Troops, and veterans before them were sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
This idea does not stand up to questioning and mostly will not be questioned by traditional veterans groups, public school teachers, moms, dads, students or the press.
When a sports team falls short, hometown loyalty does not stand in the way of questioning players, coaches, referees, team owners, league rules, etc.
No similar open & honest discussion seems to exist Re: the Dept. of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars.
If the US Armed Forces were an NFL team, or a top 25 college football team, sports talk radio would feature comments like: DOD was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Glorifying Military Service
No similar open & honest discussion seems to exist Re: the idea that undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms.
Both major political parties, sports announcers, public school teachers, and the press promote the idea that wars are for freedom. This idea does not stand up to questioning and mostly will not be questioned by traditional veterans groups, public school teachers, the press, or readers commenting on news-related web sites.
When the US returns from an undeclared war or military conflict without a victory- what becomes of American rights and freedoms?
The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks not only shy away from asking questions, they promote urban legends about freedom.
A popular slogan around here: Jet Noise is the Sound of Freedom
Maybe the sound is the reminder of a Dept. of Defense that is not good at winning, preventing, or shutting down wars.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Until July of 1971, 18 year old adults did not have full voting rights. Why didn’t US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s get the job done on this?
With all this talk of American rights and freedoms- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard? Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
A symbol of a culture where voting and giant flag rituals at sporting events are highly emphasized, while asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
If the US Armed Forces were an NFL team, newspeople might ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The press and the American people have a much more honest relationship with sports teams than they do with the Dept. of Defense.
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
DOD was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
Possibly of interest-
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
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Does hometown pride get in the way of newspeople asking questions?
If only you youngsters were facing more long overseas tours away from family, then you’d get it. Because freedom comes from decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Veterans Day was stolen from Armistice day in 1954.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Public schools make small children memorize and recite a loyalty pledge indicating liberty and justice for all.
Clearly, Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
September 27, 2019 Whidbey News-Times
Sound Off: Freedom doesn’t come free, and it’s sometimes noisy
Same country that divides adults into groups of first and second-class citizens as they move towards enjoying their freedoms.
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 restrictions on freedoms eased by more wars?
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep bad guys from moving product into Seattle & Montana.
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:
Seattle
Sept. 27, 2019 KIRO Radio
Dori: Heroin, meth fine in WA, but flavored vaping products have to go
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
Love to see more in the way of newspeople out asking questions. Get away from posting the press release handed down from whatever agency was involved in the latest bust.
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
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Does hometown pride get in the way of newspeople asking questions?
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.
Reader Comments:
Today, I am an online subscriber to a newspaper that is not especially good at getting out and asking questions. Lately, they are posting more articles where there is no opportunity for readers to post comments.
No hate speech, insults, threats, foul language, attacking other commenters- these are rules that make sense.
Eliminating the opportunity for all to follow some basic rules and comment is information suppression. Elimination of reader comments may eventually lead me to cancel my online subscription.
What about TV news, news radio, public radio, etc. Where are they when questions need to be asked?
Two stories that cry out for news reporting:
Love to see updated reporting from newspeople anywhere on local water quality impacted by Whidbey sewage treatment plant outfalls.
As the months go by, we’ll watch and see how local conditions change. We’ll look for newspeople to ask public policy questions Re:
How long has Oak Harbor been an unsafe location for recreational shellfish harvesting?
If the state of the art sewage treatment plant went online more than 10 months ago- how was sewage being processed during the summer of 2018 or the year before?
When did the sewage treatment plant project begin?
If the old sewage treatment system was failing- when did it begin to fail?
Will the new sewage treatment plant allow for safe recreational shellfish harvesting at Oak Harbor? If not, why not?
How long will it take for recreational shellfish harvest conditions to become safe related to sewage treatment plant outfall?
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Still six weeks out and local authorities dictate a one hour window for trick-or-treat time 2019. For some reason, Halloween will be observed exactly one week in advance of October 31st.
Your family will start at 5:30 and be done for the year at 6:30 p.m.
“The Gallipolis Police Department recently announced times for Trick-or-Treat set for the Gallipolis.”
“The annual event will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. All drivers are reminded to be cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.”
“A battle-ready National Guard and Reserve are crucial to the nation’s ability to fight and win wars, and the Army is working to keep those forces well-honed and ready to deploy with their active-duty counterparts…”
General James,
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Did the advantage of a well-honed and ready to deploy National Guard and Reserve allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
“Border Patrol staffing totaled four agents in 2006. They worked in undersized quarters in downtown Port Angeles — in what’s now the Richard B. Anderson Federal Building.”
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
Newspeople,
Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?
Any arrests connected to cross-border maritime traffic?
When local USBP staffing went from four to 42 agents, what increase in arrests and apprehensions was achieved?
Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?
Elsewhere, when there’s something to brag about- the public is promptly notified:
“About half of the overdoses have been from prescription drugs, not heroin, she said.” What about the other half?
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Possibly of interest-
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
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Not complaining about jet noise, not trying to put a stop to the air show. Not trying to get the Navy to leave Whidbey Island.
I get the fun aspect of newspeople posting on social media. It would be nice to see more of a balance with newspeople asking a few questions. This is entirely common in sports culture where reporters are free to ask hard questions and write stories about teams, players, managers and coaches. After each game, the press has access to coaches and players. All sorts of information is available all of the time.
If the US Armed Forces were an NFL team, newspeople might ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The press and the American people have a much more honest relationship with sports teams than they do with the Dept. of Defense.
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
DOD was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
The people of Louisiana need services in Iraq.
State-run media update:
Aug 1, 2019 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Hometown, USA need services in Iraq and Afghanistan absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
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
Every 12 months, the US Department of Homeland Security gets another $40 billion in taxpayer funds.
Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?
If the excuse now, is that migrant surges are diverting attention away from cartel traffic- remember that heroin was a problem in US communities prior to the recent migrant surges. Heroin is still here and now meth has taken hold.
August 2, 2019 KFOR-TV
Officials seeing increase in meth being brought into Oklahoma
“…you chose to be one of the ones that stepped forward, raised your right hand and swore to defend this nation.”
Any members of the free press available to show up and ask why the people of Louisiana need services in Iraq, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
They did show up. As always, no questions were asked:
Richard T. Gromlich, retired rear admiral with the Coast Guard: “Today, our military members around the world continue to put service before self. They proudly serve to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today. I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women who serve today. They are the best of best.”
A symbol of freedom, federal government credibility, school teachers and newspeople not asking questions and voting to support the political parties and personalities who take turns in power.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
I am indifferent to jet noise on Whidbey Island. Not complaining, not trying to get the Navy to leave.
“…vital to our national security.”
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
Even if NAS Whidbey was shut down, training would continue at other locations. MCAS El Toro is one example of bases that have been closed over the years. Training goes on.
Sound of Freedom
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
The free and well armed people who populate the North American continent could be forced to speak a language not of their choosing? Some invading force wearing military uniforms could dictate events without facing resistance?
Doubt it.
Please see Operation Sea Lion.
US Armed Forces:
The world’s most modern & powerful military force has had their hands full for years now in Afghanistan.
Christine Cribb Executive Director Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
If small towns across America had military jobs programs- would they question undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
Paid spokesperson update:
July 23, 2019 Whidbey News-Times
Soundoff: U.S. Navy takes environmental stewardship seriously
“First and foremost, EA-18G Growler aircraft, and the aircrews who fly them, are a crucial component of our national defense. Navy Growlers provide Airborne Electronic Attack capabilities for all of our armed forces, and without the Growler’s ability to suppress enemy uses of electromagnetic energy, American troops in the air, at sea and on the ground are at risk.”
These are the guys who believe the war in Afghanistan is some sort of success.
July 19, 2019 The American Conservative
The Decline of Our Nation’s Generals
“Milley’s understanding of war did come up, if only obliquely, when Afghanistan received passing mention. Milley described that war, the longest in U.S. history and still ongoing, as “successful to date.” U.S. efforts to transform Afghanistan into a stable and functioning state have manifestly failed. So too have U.S. efforts to defeat the militants threatening the Afghan government. But for Milley, all that matters is the absence of any post-9/11 terrorist attacks launched from Afghan soil. Based on that narrow and contrived criterion, he puts Afghanistan in the win column.”
Back on Whidbey Island:
Did the advantage of air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
July 21, 2019 The Herald
Commentary: Bob Ferguson’s war a threat to Whidbey’s Navy base
State Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, represents the 10th Legislative District.
The cash required to bring in these jobs and economic activity comes out of the pockets of taxpayers. It’s not based on any sort of honest demand for these services.
“What’s next? Shutting down Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fairchild Air Force Base, Naval Station Everett, or any of the other bases in our state? Not only would this cripple our state economically, it would undermine our national security, putting us all at greater risk from enemy attack and greatly reducing our ability to respond to threats.”
I am indifferent to jet noise on Whidbey Island.
Most people are probably not asking for the Navy to leave. Concerns seem to be about adding more flights and jets.
Even if NAS Whidbey was shut down, training would continue at other locations. MCAS El Toro is one example of many bases that have been closed over the years. Training goes on.
I moved here 29 years ago and built a life in the shadow and earshot of the Intruders, Prowlers and Growlers that made and continue to make their presence known by what I like to call “the sound of freedom.”
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.
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.
Group identities, head of the line privileges, dividing people into groups of first & second-class citizens away from military bases, civilian-military divide, etc.
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
Cheerful social media posts with plenty of exclamation points coming from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Zero questions from newspeople.
Image above:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated July 15, 2019.
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
