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.
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?
Moments later, around 1 p.m., Cruz crossed over the center line on Highway 525 near Campbell Road, hitting the Mercedes occupied by Gamble, 77, and Weikle, 78. Gamble died at the scene. Almost two weeks later, Weikle died from his injuries. They were both from Everett.”
“…WSP Vessel and Terminal Security Troopers responded to the MV Kaleetan upon its arrival at Colman Dock. By that time, WSF crews had already secured the suspect, who had boarded the vessel by vehicle.”
Not my idea to promote the concept that riding safely on the ferry requires gun boat escorts, SWAT teams and K-9s on the job to detect explosives.
If a guy decides to fire a gun during a 60 minute ferry crossing and WSP waits to respond until the ferry arrives at Colman Dock, how is this security?
Will newspeople follow up and let us know if the guy who purposefully fired his handgun from the ferry had a concealed carry permit?
Did he pass any sort of background check?
A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
This video tells us that security personal are on site every day-at 2:56
Maybe security personnel are present at some specific terminal each day. Dozens of round trip crossings from various terminals indicate that in many cases-no security screening takes place prior to boarding ferries.
Fatality – Anacortes ferry dock
Where were security personnel when this fatality motor vehicle incident took place at the Anacortes ferry terminal?
“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.”
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.
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:
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
“…more than 300 officers from agencies across the state waited more than an hour to breach a door and kill the shooter.”
According to law enforcement doctrine, active shootings require that the first action by officers, no matter their rank, should be to immediately “stop the killing.”
“State troopers outnumbered local law enforcement 2 to 1 outside Robb Elementary, but in the aftermath of the massacre, DPS officials carefully shaped the narrative to cast local authorities as incompetent.”
On the day this photo was taken, all 50 states were free to set their own minimum drinking age.
Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Now in my early 60s, I am frequently asked for ID to show that I am 21 when buying beer at major retail establishments here in WA.
Meanwhile, drug trafficking cartels move product into all 50 states. Cartel drug busts that happen in Hometown, USA involve drugs that were not stopped at the border.
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:
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
“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?
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.
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.
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.
“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.
The crisis was earned by the politicians, generals, and high ranking civilians who have been running the Pentagon over the past 30 years or so. The crisis is also upon us due to newspeople not asking questions going back to the time the Cold War ended.
National Guard
Jun 30, 2022 WCCO – CBS Minnesota
1:41 Reporters interviewing reporters from within their TV studios.
Back in the 1960s, TV newspeople had a different style of reporting and working to keep the public informed.
At 3:49 an interview with Maj. Sgt. Kor. Rank insignia on uniform does not match rank description in WCCO TV news video. Weeks later, title remains uncorrected.
The people of Minnesota need more applicants to maintain a place to live and a regular job in their hometown area when they are not doing time in foreign lands helping DOD with undeclared/unwon wars and missions completely unrelated to their home state.
A few decades back, people might think of the National Guard as one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer plus a way to support your home state by being ready to get called out for floods, fires, natural disasters, civil unrest, etc. Maybe a way to help the next state over if they needed it.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Home State, USA needed services in distant lands, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.
Regular Active Duty
Jul 26, 2022 CBS Evening News
If DOD was an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.
The press heads out to ask top generals and recruiters what is going on. No interviews with National Guard people who have done multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, etc. No interviews with Moms and Dads who have raised physically fit children but will not recommend the US Armed Forces to them.
Zero questions from newspeople on why the Moms and Dads of America wouldn’t recommend the US Armed Forces to their kids.
Love to see TV newspeople interview some of the veterans commenting here:
The parents and grandparents of today may have a tricky time recommending an enlistment to a younger generation. This would be true even in families who are proud of having a history of military service.
Some of these folks are commenting on the video below. Look for TV newspeople to seek out and do zero interviews with the veterans commenting here:
TV newspeople perform like paid actors reading a script.
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl.
Sorry, no time for newspeople to ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
Freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion. Don’t look for any of this discussion to be prompted by newspeople showing initiative or curiosity in asking questions.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
The Dept. of Defense has a truly poor track record with undeclared wars. This record goes back to 1949, the year DOD was established. Has this record damaged the brand?
If DOD was an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since. Whatever they touch turns to crap.
Senator Tillis,
Is there any talk of going back to a draft in order to deal with your recruiting crisis?
Before making any plans to start up a draft, let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Senator Tillis,
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
This is the same country where both major parties invite veterans to be momentarily honored at State of the Union events when they control the White House.
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.-how is that defending the US Constitution-or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in these areas.
Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
Try for less blaming of a new generation and the Moms and Dads of today for any hesitation related to doing time in uniform. Time to take a hard look at what elected officials and the US Dept. of Defense did with the brand after the first Cold War ended in the early 90s and after the lessons of Vietnam were on the table.
Enough time now to look back and ask a few public policy questions. The fact that the press has never been in the habit of questioning the GWOT, by itself, seems a little odd.
“By Texas law, cops must keep their bodycams on while working. But it’s possible police will use the “dead suspect loophole” to keep anyone from seeing the footage.”
Sports culture is more open and honest. A bad call from the ref will be seen and reviewed instantly.
Small children killed at school and good people facing new restrictions on legal firearms – sorry folks, video and voice recordings from the crime scene are not available.
I am good with no conspiracy theories. The press could help if they were more about asking questions.
Do a proper investigation similar to those done after a plane crash. Release the findings months from now or whenever is appropriate.
Create credibility for the press and government agencies by keeping people fully informed.
Anytime there is a plane crash, a loss at sea, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future events.
Mass shootings seem to go straight from breaking news of the event to scenes of memorials near where the event happened, interviews of victim’s family members and statements from various politicians. The crime scene investigation seems not to be a priority for the press. If we wait for an entire year, will that be enough time to ask questions?
People who are interested in having questions asked and people who want clarification and better information seem to be scolded/shamed or accused of advancing conspiracy theories.
The press should be out asking questions all of the time.
Here are some questions we’d like to see newspeople ask:
13 pounds of ammo could be manageable. Seems like 58 magazines might be bulky.
Looks like we are told the Texas school shooter crashed his vehicle, regained his composure, and then moved this load across the road and into the school on foot?
I realized Saturday morning that it had been years since I watched TV news in the morning. 20 years ago, I would turn on the TV for news each morning. I started watching evening news on TV when I was at Camp Lejeune in the early 90s.
The crew shortage story has been in place since at least June 30, 2020.
Love to see newspeople ask:
Does the WSF HR Director get paid more to keep the system running smoothly?
Are crew member incentives in place for perfect attendance?
Months of poor play would be enough to get an NFL or college football coach fired.
Is there pressure on the WSF HR Director to do better?
Various industries such as FedEx, UPS, Costco, etc. may do holiday hiring to staff up for a busy time of year. Any similar creative thinking in place at WSF?
Misbehavior shuts down federal highway rest stops? Publicly funded highway safety facilities are shut down because of misbehavior? WTF?
Welcome Home Troops
49 other states operate highway rest stops. If I was Governor, I would insist on picking the top 3 states that are best at running rest stops and running WA rest stops in a similar manner until further improvements could be made.
Suppressing comments, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.
Our local TV news 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.
TV advertising has become especially strange. How about legal anti-depression meds that may bring on thoughts of suicide (0:34).
I’d be OK with the mainstream press taking over the task of keeping the public informed. When TV newspeople avoid asking public policy related questions, individual citizens go out to check on what is going on.
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
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.
Still viewing lots of news via Twitter, and I would be more at peace if I moved away from it.
Much voting has gone on over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better. Stopped watching TV news a long time ago because of the way newspeople (paid actors reading a script) have dealt with all this.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
The War on Terror has prompted law enforcement authorities to calm the public by looking into the future and announcing that no credible threat exists.
“There’s no “credible threat” to the upcoming Boston Marathon, authorities say as they nonetheless call up all available Boston cops and continue to talk to New York City authorities following the terrifying attack there.”
Zero questions from newspeople on how intelligence reports were used to any advantage in the April 12, 2022, NYC mass shooting event.
Love to see newspeople show some initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
What we get now 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.
Our questions appear in bold type below. We require no federal grant money in order to ask these questions.
Basic public policy questions newspeople will not ask:
What role did a post 911 surveillance state (fusion centers, license scanners, Homeland Security grant money, monitoring of e-mails, text messages, & social media sites, no fly/terror watch lists, Real ID, tracking of cell phones, etc.) play in preventing the April 12, 2022 NYC subway shooting?
What role did a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security play in preventing the April 12, 2022 NYC subway shooting?
No Credible Threat?
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it-surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.
Where was the threat forecast prior to the April 12, 2022 NYC subway shooting?
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
“…WSP Vessel and Terminal Security Troopers responded to the MV Kaleetan upon its arrival at Colman Dock. By that time, WSF crews had already secured the suspect, who had boarded the vessel by vehicle.”
Not my idea to promote the concept that riding safely on the ferry requires gun boat escorts, SWAT teams and K-9s on the job to detect explosives.
If a guy decides to fire a gun during a 60 minute ferry crossing and WSP waits to respond until the ferry arrives at Colman Dock, how is this security?
Will newspeople follow up and let us know if the guy who purposefully fired his handgun from the ferry had a concealed carry permit?
Did he pass any sort of background check?
A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
Has any state, ever in history, required proof of membership in a militia to purchase, transport, or carry, guns and ammo/participate in shooting sports, etc.
Remember grandpa? Yeah, he was the only one we ever knew growing up who had guns. He was the one that was in a militia.
SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”
What powers are granted to the federal government here?
The Washington State more than 10 round magazine ban is another of many examples where freedoms may come & go-completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
“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.”
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl.
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 meth 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 Are 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?
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?
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.”
Love to see the press get out and interview people on various sides of this issue.
My take: 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.
I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.
Today, voices of dissent, and their social media accounts, are suppressed.
I think people could reject alternative media and be totally good with mainstream media, but it would require the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks to try harder.
“The order, which took effect Sept. 4, was challenged in action filed in Clallam County Superior Court by six eateries in Sequim, Port Angeles and Joyce.”
“A half-dozen local eateries have sought the injunction. They say it unconstitutionally targets a single industry and harms their freedom of commerce.”
I am interested in living in a free and honest society.
Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.
Politics seems to be very much about political personalities and group identities and very little on news reporting and discussion about what the major parties stand for or believe in.
Both major parties seem to be OK with undeclared wars.
Love to see the press find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
The Dept. of Defense has a truly poor track record with undeclared wars. This record goes back to 1949, the year DOD was established.
Wasteful and ineffective Homeland Security spending
A $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states.
This may trigger a Trump/Biden debate, but be honest, cartels remain in business no mater who is in the White House. The US Dept. of Homeland Security was created in the aftermath of 911. Is there any President since that time who was able to keep cartel product from arriving all over the US?
Pre-Biden:
Cartel Moves 180 Kilograms Of Meth From Mexico To Canada by Rail
The media seems to be run mostly by the D side of politics, certainly not by constitutional conservatives.
What are some constitutional conservative views on undeclared wars?
What are some constitutional conservative views on federal prohibition of marijuana?
What are some constitutional conservative views on treating 18-20 year old adults as second class citizens?
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?
Both major parties promote the idea that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can elected officials of any party or any member of the press help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
Will there ever come a time when newspeople ask if there is any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to the movement of National Guard troops to an overseas location?
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?
“Minnesota and Croatia formed a partnership in 1996, five years after the Southeastern European country declared independence from the former Yugoslavia. Croatia joined NATO in 2009 and the European Union in 2013.”
Did the advantage of NATO allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
“However, it was unclear what mechanisms would allow DoD to track unvaccinated troops and withhold their pay. Personnel and pay systems are mostly handled at the state level. Also, troops flagged under other circumstances, such as failing a fitness test, are not typically denied pay.”
Love to see the press find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Look for TV newspeople to play along by not asking questions.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Love to see newspeople showing initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
People who take no public funds or private donations are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press?
I think people could reject alternative media and be totally good with mainstream media, but it would require the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks to try harder.
“The measure would allow newspapers, digital news outlets and radio and television stations to claim a tax credit of $25,000 the first year and $15,000 the next four years for up to 1,500 journalists.”
Reach for an honest understanding of US foreign policy.
Find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Look for TV newspeople to play along by not asking questions.
Claims about freedoms that cry out for questioning:
Two major political parties continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.
School teachers and newspeople are OK with promoting this urban legend.
Local press:
Hometown pride running high. High enough to stop asking questions?
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?
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?
Both parties seem to be OK with undeclared wars, wasteful Homeland Security spending, federal prohibition of marijuana, treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens and newspeople who play along by not asking questions.
Both major parties are OK with a glorification of military service and this total nonsense:
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?
A big election season is very much about political personalities and group identities. Watch for political experts to reach out to latino, black, Asian American, and women voters. Surely, members of a specific group would think, act & vote as one?
The big election season is not very much about discussing and asking questions about things that do not change no matter what political party or personality is in power.
Look for newspeople to avoid asking candidates and elected officials of any party:
Alternative media is 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.
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.
Suppressing comments, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.
Got it.
My personal preference would be to let business people make business decisions.
Let customers support or walk away from the businesses of their choosing.
My take: 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.
I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.
Today, voices of dissent, and their social media accounts, are suppressed.
People who work in and around the medical field who have been on the job over the past 18 months and reject the vaccine? Why not connect with a couple of these people and interview them?
“WSF said they are experiencing a severe staffing shortage due to an aging workforce, recruiting challenges, while feeling the impact of the global pandemic and now a vaccine mandate for state workers.”
The Puget Sound area includes several military bases. Has the US Navy delayed or canceled sailings because of crewing issues? Any chance that TV newspeople could go and do some interviews and ask these sorts of questions?
I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.
I am OK with the Washington State Ferries workforce protesting COVID mandates.
TV News
Would TV newspeople be willing to interview people from various sides of an issue?
Much of what we get today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency is involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.
Love to see TV newspeople ask: How has the greater maritime industry dealt with COVID crewing challenges? How have various industries and public agencies handled this? Airlines? US Navy? FedEx? UPS? Costco? Local fire dept?
Out this past week to get some clams. First time in many years. Last outings were in the Oak Bay area, where I had a couple favorite spots that were healthy and had an abundant crop of clams.
The text “This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.” has been removed by WDFW for beaches at Coupeville, the north side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing and Oak Harbor.
In its place:
“Health status: Closed by Biotoxin and Pollution”
Sewage treatment plant outfall has been changed to pollution. Biotoxin is a seasonal status.
Several Island County beaches remain closed all year for recreational shellfish harvest.
A year-round closure seems significant, but the WA State Dept. of Health does not provide specific info on why each beach is closed. The word pollution is as close as we get to understanding what is going on.
The WA State Dept. of Health once made more of an effort to tell the story of why a beach was closed by posting red signs at the beach for all to see.
Earlier this year, a sign remained posted at Coupeville and Monroe Landing warning of a sewage drain pipe.
Image above:
Coupeville
Image above:
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
Are the two signs above still in place?
Why was the text changed on the WDFW pages?
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?
What we get now 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.
Newspeople didn’t show up to ask questions, so we will ask a few here. Our questions appear in bold type.
What role does a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security play in keeping fentanyl from entering the Puget Sound area?
The pills seized were cartel product or were they stolen from local pharmacies, hospitals, etc. Were the pills the same as what would come in a legal prescription or were they manufactured for the illegal drug trade?
We have been hearing of opioid lawsuits in recent years. How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?
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 all over the US?
Has local CBP been able to reduce access to cartel product in the Puget Sound area?
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, and newspeople will play along by not asking any questions:
Love to see more in the way of newspeople asking questions.
What we get now 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.
Newspeople show a lack of initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
Today, it seems as if the press promotes whatever message is handed down by elected officials and government agencies.
Voices of dissent, and their social media accounts, are suppressed.
This whole structure brings government messages into question.
JFK speaks about the role of the press and voices of dissent in a free society:
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.
Suppressing comments, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.
Got it.
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.
Seems like the press was better at asking questions back then.
Today:
We are the very best at militarized pageantry for pro sports events.
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 fighter jet aircraft have been able to strike targets in what wars won by the US?
Alternative Media
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.
Instead of waiting for school teachers to teach about individual rights and limited government authority, waiting on the press to ask questions or courts to handle cases, these guys go out and update us with a quick reality check:
There needs to be more as Washington enters Pac-12 play.”
Regular newspeople don’t seem to have permission to ask hard questions.
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.
Are people who work for newspapers and TV news folks 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.
Recommendation for newspeople:
Interview people from various sides of any given issue.
If you are a newspaper struggling for subscription and advertising dollars, figure out how to use the web to post videos of these interviews to bring more attention to your media outlet.
Love to see newspeople ask:
