I think of myself and others as individuals. Not as members of a group.
American popular & political culture insists on dividing people up into groups- then assigning a separate value to different groups.
Political experts have been reaching out to latino, black, Asian American, and women voters. Surely, members of a specific group would think, act & vote as one?
Discrimination is common in 2023. The US federal government is OK with much of it.
Parking pass for federal lands you paid for the same as the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan:
Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
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.
I feel like racial tension is higher today than at anytime in my life.
I did some time in the Marines. One of the best parts of it was living and working with people from all 50 states, some foreign countries and every color under the sun.
Interracial marriage was quite common. People were family oriented and loving their kids.
Head over to the daycare facility at any military base. You will see kids of all colors playing together without any regard for what color they are, or what color their Mom or Dad is.
Those Moms and Dads will not be interviewed for a TV news story related to any of this.
Random thoughts:
Did President Obama work on race issues during his time in office?
America now seems very much about identity politics. Do black mayors and chiefs of police have a better record for controlling violence and police abuse in their cities?
Do women who are mayors and chiefs of police have a better record?
Authorities identify the family heritage of an unknown person?
If a black person is visiting, or has moved to the US from Canada, Jamaica, England, Africa, or Australia, at what point are they considered African American?
“Let’s take a quick look at the new House Minority Leader. CNN praised Jeffries as “the first Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress.” That’s truly what matters, right? Diversity. More Black faces in high places. Or more women at the top. Or more LGBTQ+ and so on.
“But what if “diversity” results in no meaningful policy changes? What if diversity, as my wife puts it, is mainly an optical illusion?”
KOMO and some of the commenters make it more about personalities and less about what people think of ongoing information suppression.
Not too many years ago, American society was much less about information suppression.
Social media is big on it now.
Today, newspeople show a lack of initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
Today, TV newspeople tend to report only one side of the story.
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.
When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?
Living on an Island near Puget Sound, there seems to be great concern for salmon, orca, eagles, recreational shellfish and clean water.
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?
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.”
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
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.
2:30
In 8 conflict areas.
Never met an enemy of the US Constitution:
1:14
Both major parties are good with undeclared/unwon wars that never end.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Think of a list of things the government is not very good at. Is this list bigger than a list of the things government does well?
Alternative media is OK with asking these sorts of questions. Mainstream media seems to avoid reporting on various topics.
We are big fans of Independent/alternative media here at Oak Bay Starfish.
The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks are more welcome to do interviews related to public policy. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.
Here is a small independent media team out asking questions.
At 10:03 we see that a mesh stunt mask is OK for entry into the facility.
A chance to respond with honesty is met with:
I’m not going to argue with you.
Alternative media is also good about keeping an active comment section up & running. There’s always something to learn or think about from the points others make in the comment section.
It looks like both Whidbey 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.
Ever see a pro football coach or quarterback refer reporters to his press secretary for answers? Presidents do so on a daily basis. Professionals are hired to provide only the desired version of answers to questions.
Ever see a pro football coach or quarterback refer reporters to a public information officer for answers to questions?
The open attitude about sports reporting does not cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, The Troops, the War on Terror or local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
Considering the aftermath of 911
Since 911, have people been at risk out at the airport because there has not been any requirement for REAL ID in order to fly within the United States?
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?
If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
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.
People need to carry a special ID to go have lunch in Canada, then return home. Have these ID requirements helped to keep cartel product from entering the US?
Don’t look for the press to go and interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security and ask any questions on this.
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
I was thinking that 911 should have been a drug trafficker’s worst nightmare. The US Dept. of Homeland Security- a whole new federal department-was created to stop terrorists and prevent another 911.
Part of the article describes cartel product seized at the border. Part of the article talks about product that gets past federal agents at the border.
Federal agents swing into action after meth from Mexico moves past federal agents manning a $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security-then, on into New Mexico:
“Historically, crystal meth in its purest and most potent form came to the islands from markets in Asia and the Pacific as documented by the Hawaii’s Ice Age reporting series that Civil Beat and Hawaii Public Radio published five years ago.”
Newspeople avoid asking questions by going with a press release style of news reporting.
A statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest bust/federal grant money award, etc. Newspeople post this statement. No questions asked:
Does Port Angeles CBP play any role in keeping meth and heroin from entering the Olympic Peninsula?
If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
If a $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security was preventing cartel product from arriving in American communities, why would General Milley need to launch Operation Macho Swagger?
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger prevented cartel product from entering WA?
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger–a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Patriot Police Captain: My Oath To The Constitution Has No Expiration
Captain Higgins,
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.
“The oath I took never expires”, etc.
Many veterans refer to their oath of enlistment Re: defending the constitution- when & how do The Troops act on behalf of the executive branch of government to defend the constitution?
How is US foreign policy connected to defending the constitution?
For more than 4 decades I have had appropriate respect for LE officers. Still do today.
How does buying lunch for LE people or having your 8 year old make them a card address the many videos showing people shot while complying with officer’s commands, or shot while running away in a non-threatening manner after getting pulled over for a broken brake light.
Not against doing nice things for LE personnel. I am against violence directed at LE personnel. Where’s the discussion?
Veterans Day is for honoring veterans. Memorial Day is for honoring those who died in wars. Sept 11th is for honoring the victims and heroes of 911- a time to remember how the nation pulled together in the days following the event.
Commenting on newspaper web editions-
The story has to do with the tenth anniversary of 911, a large number of troops lost in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, or a federal park ranger gunned down in Washington State. Many comments asking for or offering prayers for the families who have suffered a loss, etc. (praying to the same god who watched over as the tragedy unfolded?) Someone posts a public policy question or comment related to the story-
“This isn’t the place for your political views, we don’t want to hear your comments about the war, or gun control, have some respect for the families, this is not the time”, etc.
Hey folks- this is a news site- not a church service. I would never scold anyone for offering prayers- why the effort to suppress ideas?
Perhaps four handguns could have saved thousands on 911?
American culture is OK with lies told about US foreign policy and where military service fits into our way of life.
Somewhere after 911- many patriotic Americans seem to have embraced the idea that “The Troops” are fighting to protect our rights and freedoms– as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.- how is that defending the US Constitution– or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
When we return from an undeclared war or military conflict without a victory- what becomes of American rights and freedoms?
One person wrote: “…spend this Memorial Day honoring those who have defended your right to have an opinion on this matter.”
As if we are wards of the state or mindless drones– somehow dependent on people in military uniforms to enable us to think or to have an opinion.
If the troops are fighting for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include a mission to protect American rights and freedoms?
Does someone make sure the mission is to defend the constitution?
Is there anyone who verifies that the mission is to protect our physical security?
How does the executive branch of government defend the constitution via US foreign policy?
Many veterans refer to their oath of enlistment Re: defending the constitution- when & how do The Troops act on behalf of the executive branch of government to defend the constitution?
If the US Armed Forces are somehow connected to defending the constitution- how did public policy serve up due-process-free assassinations?
Never Forget-
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
People who question US foreign policy on newspaper websites are told:
“You wouldn’t have the freedom to post your nonsense if people were not giving their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect that freedom”, etc.
The story has to do with the tenth anniversary of 911, a large number of troops lost in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, or a federal park ranger gunned down in Washington State. Many comments asking for or offering prayers for the families who have suffered a loss, etc. (praying to the same god who watched over as the tragedy unfolded?) Someone posts a public policy question or comment related to the story-
“This isn’t the place for your political views, we don’t want to hear your comments about the war, or gun control, have some respect for the families, this is not the time”, etc.
Hey folks- this is a news site- not a church service. I would never scold anyone for offering prayers- why the effort to suppress ideas?
Today- The Troops are told that DOD (separate from VA funding) has run out of cash to pay for traditional military healthcare benefits used to entice people to stay for multiple tours in Iraq-
Seen any rage?
Conspiracy Theory-
More information is better- this is how science and medicine works. Over the years some people have been freed from prison based on new DNA evidence becoming available.
Are the people who took steps to discover that new evidence conspiracy theorists?
Apply this same curiosity and desire for knowledge to some controversial topics and you’ll be labeled a conspiracy theorist- why the effort to suppress ideas?
Successful Politicians-
They are very sophisticated at avoiding uncomfortable questions and discussions (03:36)-
News networks-
A few years ago, John Stossel had a drug war panel discussion featuring Paul Chabot- a narcotics officer.
An audience member asked Mr. Chabot-
If it took a constitutional amendment to authorize federal prohibition of alcohol- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal “War on Drugs?”
Mr. Chabot provided a fascinating answer which was available for an extended period of time on You Tube. The video is no longer available because the news network objected to the posting.
If the network sells advertising & desires the largest possible number of viewers- why would they object to a panel discussion video being posted on the web?
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Two Star General required to supervise 15 people in Thailand? (04:27)
Instant, non-experimental jobs program/revenue generator requiring zero tax dollars-
Allow Washington farmers to answer the global demand for Industrial Hemp.
Meanwhile- good citizens pay their taxes, (just like my parents did in the 60s and 70s- when State Parks seemed to be doing just fine) purchase annual parking passes for State Parks, (2 currently valid annual passes in my household- one for each vehicle) and watch parks crumble anyway.
I think of myself and others as individuals. Not as members of a group.
