Pentagon Going After Cartels Update

“Virtually all methamphetamine in the United States comes through major ports of entry along the Southwest Border and is transported by tractor trailers and personal vehicles along the nation’s highways to major transfer centers around the country.”

Billions of dollars spent every 12 months on a US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartels from moving product into Hometown, USA.

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:

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 product out of the US?

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

REAL ID

Get ready to enjoy your $6.4 trillion worth of War on Terror freedom over at the airport with your REAL ID card.

March 26, 2020 CNN

Deadline to get a REAL ID pushed back at least a year due to coronavirus

“The deadline to obtain a REAL ID, federally mandated identification that will be needed for passengers to board aircraft, will be extended until October 1, 2021 — a year past the current deadline, according to the Department of Homeland Security.”

If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?

Border Wall

If a border wall will keep cartels out, why the need for ships, aircraft and troops in the Caribbean & eastern Pacific?

Newspeople have stopped asking questions.

Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release

Away from Border Crossings and Ports of Entry

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

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

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A symbol of various agencies sending various messages and newspeople not asking questions.

The coronavirus pandemic is closing schools. How will kids eat?

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Just Be Honest, Meth, More discussion please, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

March 23, 2020 //

A man on the moon in 1969. Church, Boy Scouts, patriotism, pledge of allegiance, the WWII generation in charge. Signing up for the Marines.

Families with married parents and maybe a stay at home Mom. It was common for your friends to have 3 or 4 brothers and sisters.

It started out with a positive sense of American culture.

Much has changed.

Over the past 40 years or so, both major parties have taken turns in power. A wide variety of political personalities have occupied the White House.

What’s new?

People haunted by healthcare concerns.

It’s been this way for years now. It was this way prior to the current news Re: COVID-19.

People haunted by student loan debt.

Homelessness and drug addiction to the extent that people are living in tents on city sidewalks.

Children might go hungry when school is out?

March 13, 2020 CNN

“But as other schools deliberate shutting their doors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some parents may be left to wonder: If schools close, how will my child eat?”

More discussion and news coverage please.

Questioning claims about freedoms:

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

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

Local press:

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

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

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.

There were none.

Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store.

Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea to children that The Troops are in distant lands-fighting for American rights and freedoms-as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

In Washington State, these assemblies are mandatory.

The VA tells teachers that The Troops are Defending Liberty and Freedom.

Love to see a student ask: 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?

Love to see a student ask: If the wars aren’t won-how can they protect our freedom?

Love to see a student ask: Whatever happened to lessons about Armistice Day?

Congressman Derek Kilmer:

Wars are for freedom and democracy.

WA Secretary of State:

“Our right to vote is protected by the extraordinary men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.”

Page 7 of the Washington State Elections Voters Pamphlet for the November 5th, 2019 General Election:

“Our right to vote is protected by the members of the U.S. Armed Forces.”

One of the nation’s largest, oldest and most respected veterans organizations:

Veterans, not politicians, ‘give us the right to vote,’ observers at Amherst Veterans Day ceremonies told

Any newspeople available to ask:

Congressman Kilmer,

If wars are fought for democracy-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?

Veterans give 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.

After the Cold War:

The Cold War had ended. DOD was happy with their all volunteer military.

Look what they did with it.

The Cold War Had Ended

A Dept. of Defense that was nowhere to be found on 911.

We haven’t won a war since.

A Dept. of Defense with a truly poor track record for winning wars since DOD was established way back in 1949.

Undeclared/unwon wars that never end.

Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes

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

More here:

Unsustainable Military Spending

Billions of dollars spent every 12 months on a US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartels from moving product into Hometown, USA.

March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner

Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release

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:

Newspeople who have stopped asking questions.

Newspeople who show no curiosity.

Went out on 3/18/20 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Monroe Landing:

The sewage drain pipe sign is still posted.

Went out on 3/18/20 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Captain Thomas Coupe Park:

I found that the sign is still posted.

Much in the way of voting over the decades since that man landed on the moon.

TV newspeople tell us that we are in a key election season again. Lots of coverage. Another panel of experts, another debate. More voting.

Stay tuned for more of the same.

Being positive is a good thing. Emotions can be based on experience.

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Platoon 3049, MCRD San Diego

Jun-Sep 1979

Categories Armistice Day, Drug War, Glorifying military service, Homeland Security is a scam, Hometown Pride, Just Be Honest, Meth, More discussion please, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Penn Cove Watershed, Politics is something I no longer take seriously, Questioning Failed Programs, School teachers not asking questions, US Department of Credibility, Veterans Day Propaganda

Newspeople Show Little Curiosity Unless It’s A Sports Story

March 20, 2020 //

Several examples:

March 5, 2020 KCPQ

Body found inside SUV after fire, explosion in Woodinville

Sounds pretty serious. Mob hit? Cartel job?

Any follow up of any kind from newspeople anywhere?

Please post in comments if you have updated info.

Gunfire on the ferry:

January 27, 2020 Kitsap News Group

Man arrested after allegedly firing gun from ferry

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

WSF Bremerton to Seattle crossing time: ~ 60 min

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

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

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

Did he pass any sort of background check?

Whatever happened to this guy?

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

Puget Sound area shootings roll on.

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:

November 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

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

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

Looks like frequent gun crimes are still with us.

Enhanced background checks approved back in 2014 have had time to take hold.

Any reporting or updates on this?

Your 5th grade teacher just rejected your book report. Try again.

No Word on Enhanced Background Checks – No Comments Allowed

March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea

“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”

School teachers,

Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?

More here:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

Another month with an R status update:

Went out on 3/18/2020 to check on Monroe Landing.

Sewage drain pipe sign is still posted:

More here:

Monroe Landing – Site Visit

Out on 3/18/2020 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Captain Thomas Coupe Park. I found that the sign is still posted.

More here:

Site Visit – Captain Thomas Coupe Park

One or more sewage treatment plants are sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Coupeville

Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

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.

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

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Nordland Transit Center

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Gun Control, Information Suppression Specialists, Just Be Honest, More discussion please, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Penn Cove Watershed, School teachers not asking questions, The Business of Keeping People informed

Are Public Assistance Programs Working?

March 13, 2020 //

In the news:

March 13, 2020 The Seattle Times

Inslee expands coronavirus K-12 school closure, 250-person gathering ban, across Washington

“…school districts here have begun planning for ways to get core services, such as food, to families.”

“…looking for ways to get meals to students in need, such as bussing meals to neighborhoods where lots of students live.”

March 13, 2020 WHSV

Schools scramble to feed students after coronavirus closures

“Kiyana Esco needs free school lunches and breakfasts to feed her six children. But with schools shutting down over coronavirus concerns, she’s scrambling to pick up the meals, care for her kids and keep her job.”

Thank you WHSV, for acknowledging that we are talking about a federal free and reduced school breakfast and lunch program. The press often calls it a free lunch program. The average person, who has no kids in school may not realize that breakfast is also part of the program.

March 13, 2020 CNN

The coronavirus pandemic is closing schools. How will kids eat?

“But as other schools deliberate shutting their doors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some parents may be left to wonder: If schools close, how will my child eat?”

Former Lunch Lady here.

I do not object to public assistance programs. The press should make an effort to keep the public informed on how these programs are working.

Again, I am not against public assistance programs, but did the WWII generation rely heavily on public school districts to feed their kids?

100 years ago, did families rely on school districts to feed their children to such an extent that, if school was shut down, school districts would scramble to fill busses with food and send it out into the neighborhoods?

Voluntary action:

February 25 Fox News

Ohio church pays off lunch debt for students at 11 school districts

Love to see newspeople ask:

If a family’s household income level qualifies for free & reduced breakfast and lunch at school, wouldn’t they also qualify for various other publicly funded food assistance programs?

Do free and reduced breakfast and lunch meals consumed at school reduce what a family receives or qualifies for each month in publicly funded food assistance?

If school shuts down, does the family still qualify for publicly funded food assistance? If food assistance programs remain in place outside of school-why would children be at risk of going hungry?

If the programs aren’t working-let’s hear all about it.

Meaningful Work

Tax money-which some people intend to be used to help others via public assistance programs-also goes for bombing Iraq and Afghanistan.

Helping others by donating to churches or private charities, food banks, etc. can avoid these conflicts.

Donors are free to opt out if a charity misbehaves.

People could keep more of their own money to donate to causes of their choosing if the federal government was not taking it to pay for wasteful programs.

More here:

Helping others by donating

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Welcome Visitors

Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.

Categories Just Be Honest, Lunch Lady, More discussion please, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Questioning Failed Programs

Tulsi Gabbard – Information Suppression Update

March 12, 2020 //

On Twitter

March 6, 2020 W.J. Astore

Tulsi Gabbard Is Invisible!

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

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Beach walk – South Indian Island

Categories Information Suppression Specialists, Just don't talk about it, More discussion please, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Voting

Away from Border Crossings and Ports of Entry

March 11, 2020 //

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?

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

In the news:

March 6, 2020 NBC 7 San Diego

$558K Worth of Cocaine, Fentanyl Hidden in Seats of Man’s Car in Escondido

“The bust happened at around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday on northbound Interstate 15 in Escondido. CBP officials said a Border Patrol agent and his K9 partner stopped a 2007 Toyota Camry on the freeway for inspection.”

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:

Back at Ports of Entry

Source:

March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner

Fentanyl-laced meth from Mexico poses new deadly threat, DEA says

“On a typical day, more than 70,000 commercial trucks and a quarter of a million private vehicles make their way across the U.S.-Mexico border.”

“That represents $7.3 billion in legitimate trade. But with only a fraction of those vehicles subjected to exhaustive inspection, it also opens a path for the Mexican drug cartels to flood American streets with methamphetamines.”

Source:

Feb 25, 2020 WCBD

More here:

Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release

Senior al-Shabaab Leader Killed by US Strike in Somalia, Pentagon Says

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

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South entrance-Port Townsend Ship Canal

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Meth, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol

War on Terror/Drugs – Taking Out Top Leaders

March 10, 2020 //

Life wasn’t meant to change after the big Saddam Hussein & Osama bin Laden takedowns.

Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.

War on Terror

9 Mar 2020 Medill News Service

Oct 28, 2019 Defense One

Killing Terrorist Leaders Gets Attention, But It Doesn’t Stop Terrorism

“The kingpin strategy provides instant gratification…”

The Price of Freedom: Americans at War

“Iraqi Most Wanted” Deck of Playing Cards

Date: 2003

Because freedom comes from decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

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.

The people of Minnesota need services in the Horn of Africa for Operation Enduring Freedom:

March 5, 2020 Echo Press

Alexandria-based Army National Guard unit to be deployed this fall

“The largest deployment will come this summer and involves about 700 soldiers from the Mankato-based 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry, who are expected to deploy to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.”

Operation Enduring Freedom sure is spread out:

“After 13 years, on December 28, 2014, President Barack Obama announced the end of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.”

Vietnam body count

March 2, 2011 The New Republic

Vietnamization

“The relentless charting of dead bodies meant a relentless drive to generate dead bodies…”

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

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

War on Drugs

Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?

Newspeople remain silent.

March 9, 2020 Texas Standard

Here’s What Life Is Like For National Guard Troops On The Border

“Guardsmen operate surveillance cameras along the border, reporting what they see to Border Patrol agents.”

Have these efforts resulted in any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US?

Newspeople remain silent.

March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner

DEA Announces Launch of Methamphetamine Initiative

More here:

Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release

Feb 25, 2020 WCBD

Fentanyl-laced meth from Mexico poses new deadly threat, DEA says

“On a typical day, more than 70,000 commercial trucks and a quarter of a million private vehicles make their way across the U.S.-Mexico border.”

“Commercial cargo — trucks and other conveyances — coming to the port of entry is the perfect opportunity for the drug cartels to conceal and bring meth into the United States,” said Kyle W.

More here:

As meth deaths rise, Heartland awaits nationwide DEA effort to stop smuggling

Waiting for the DEA to stop smuggling update:

March 5th 2020 KTVO

Any newspeople available to ask why cartels continue to move product through US ports of entry in uninspected tractor trailers and personal vehicles?

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

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About this time of year – Skagit Valley

Categories Armistice Day, Homeland Security is a scam, Just Be Honest, Meth, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Veterans Day Propaganda

Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release

March 3, 2020 //

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, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security and a large CBP force at Port Angeles fail to keep high grade methamphetamine from flooding Pacific Northwest neighborhoods.

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?

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

Our questions appear in bold type.

March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner

Port Angeles Drug War Covered By Press Release

“The increased volume of high grade methamphetamine flooding our Pacific Northwest neighborhoods coupled with increased overdose rates is alarming,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis.”

“Operation Crystal Shield builds on existing DEA initiatives that target major drug trafficking networks, including the Mexican cartels that are responsible for the overwhelming majority of methamphetamine trafficked into and within the United States.”

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:

Border Wall?

What will change after spending big cash on a border wall?

State-run media:

When the news is created by federal employees, public agencies are seeking to avoid any awkward/real questions from the press:

“The above is a press release from the DEA. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its content and encourages our readers to personally verify any information they find may be overly biased or questionable. The publication of this press release does not indicate an endorsement of its contents.”

Federal agencies get their wish when newspeople post the agency press release without asking any questions.

Not picking on the Auburn Examiner:

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

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 9 years, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

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.

More here:

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions:

October 23, 2019, Q13 News video:

‘The Pacific Northwest is drowning in methamphetamine:’ 17 arrested in major drug trafficking operation

Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?

Newspeople remain silent.

More here:

Zero questions from newspeople:

Local meth news stories here.

Local heroin news stories here.

Plenty of questions here:

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

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

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

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A symbol of the Homeland Security meth scam and newspeople posting a press release instead of asking questions.

Bill would disrupt West Virginia’s National Guard

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Meth, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol

W.Va. National Guard – Zero Questions from Newspeople

March 3, 2020 //

My critique here is directed at the made for TV newspeole who occaisionaly stage tearful reunions featuring military personnel returning from far away lands.

I have solid respect for the people who serve in the National Guard.

Unlike active duty folks, these guys need to have a regular job and a place to live back home when not helping DOD squander credibility in distant lands.

Some people are working hard to keep the National Guard out of undeclared wars in distant lands:

Idaho

Feb 26, 2020 Post Register

Defend the guard

“As lieutenant governor, I support efforts by Rep. Tammy Nichols — backed by former Idaho National Guard Sgt. Dan McKnight and BringOurTroopsHome.US — to enact “Defend the Guard”legislation requiring that Idaho’s Guard personnel shall not be activated for combat duty overseas unless Congress has first declared war.”

West Virginia

Jobs program:

February 10, 2020 West Virginia MetroNews Network

“Second, and perhaps more important, the state and the National Guard benefit significantly from the Guard’s federal roles in federal allocations and civilian jobs here. If West Virginia were able to withdraw from its federal role (except in the case of a declared war), it would lose millions of federal dollars, civilian jobs and critical military training and support.”

Feb 29, 2020 WOWK News video:

West Virginia National Guard Sgt. holds baby girl for first time after deployment

Nowhere in the text of this report is there any hint of where this West Virginia National Guard unit went for nine months, or why they were there.

The news video intro is all smiles and refers to the entire unit as heroes. Nowhere in the video do newspeople reveal the location to which the unit was deployed.

At 2:35, the little girl in the video lets us know that the unit was in Afghanistan.

If calling the West Virginia National Guard away to distant lands is vital to the people of West Virginia, it seems like newspeople would want to make some effort to inform the public on the importance of this mission.

Hero

Military culture is very careful about who is called a hero. The Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Silver Star are awarded to heroes.

In mainstream culture, you don’t have to look too far to find comments that refer to the troops as “heroes.”

Some are.

No one who has done time in an average military unit would be comfortable with everyone present being called a hero. Some units would be the exception, but for most people who have done time over the years, calling everyone a hero would have no connection to reality.

Reality, and an honest understanding of why we send The Troops to far away places isn’t what we’re about though.

Reaching for an honest understanding of US foreign policy makes more sense than “Thanks for your service.”

Love to see newspeople show up and ask why the people of West Virginia needed services in Afghanistan, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war.

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

Various states have recently sent National Guard troops to distant lands. Each one claims that military operations overseas are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms:

How did Rhode Island freedoms get over to the Middle East?

Maryland Freedoms Found In The Middle East?

West Virginia Freedom Found In The Middle East?

How did our freedom and liberties get over to Kosovo?

“…methamphetamine was being hidden in new cars built in Mexico that were then transported by rail to Canada.”

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

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

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

Photo:

A symbol of TV newspeople playing a show business role, instead of asking questions.

Categories Armistice Day, National Guard, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent

Emotion and Misunderstanding

February 25, 2020 //

Random thoughts on American culture and politics.

Our questions appear in bold type.

People are divided, and sometimes it looks like this can be based on emotion and misunderstanding.

Greyhound bus changes policy

The bus company now says “…that it does not consent to unwarranted searches on its buses…”

Emotion and misunderstanding gets in the way of understanding that these suspicionless bus boardings were taking place away from border crossings and ports of entry. If the bus takes you from the US to Canada, you will still stop at the border coming and going to be cleared to enter the other country.

“Spokane is 97 miles — as the crow flies — from an international border. That puts it within the 100-mile interior enforcement zone where Customs and Border Protection, the Border Patrol’s parent agency, claims heightened powers over residents and travelers alike.”

From comments:

“Arrest drivers. Seize their drivers. Fine the company.
@GreyhoundBus needs to obey law enforcement.”

Same country that will make a big deal of celebrating freedom and independence on July 4th.

In 2008, the US Border Patrol came to Jefferson County, WA and set up suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry.

At a local Border Patrol forum a lady asked:

“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”

US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.

Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.

Question about providing ID is at 0:35

Should Joe Sixpack and the family be stopped and questioned when they drive through Spokane?

Has a more aggressive CBP approach led to any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US?

No CBP inspection of rail shipments entering the US?

“Police say they found 180 kilograms of meth during the investigation.”

REAL ID

Get ready to enjoy your $6.4 trillion worth of War on Terror freedom over at the airport with your REAL ID card:

REAL ID deadline is approaching.

If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911? The new REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel does not kick in until October 1, 2020.

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.

Border Wall

February 20, 2020 KTVZ

DEA launches major meth crackdown as record amounts flood Northwest

What will change after spending big cash on a wall?

Will a US border wall keep cartels from moving product into New Zealand?

Feb 23, 2020 Newshub

Mexican drug cartels Sinaloa and CJNG could try to corrupt NZ Customs and police – report

“The New Zealand Drug Intelligence Bureau has warned two of the world’s biggest drug cartels could be trying to infiltrate our police and Customs services to corrupt their staff.”

“Now there is confirmation that the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) Mexican crime groups are supplying drugs to New Zealand, and police say they even have members working in Aotearoa as go-betweens with local gangs.”

Operating A Camera In A Public Place

Emotion and misunderstanding often gets in the way when people approach the camera and say “You do not have permission to film me.” People standing on a public sidewalk will also be told that they may not film whatever they can see.

Told to stop filming at 3:13

6:50 recording without my consent is against the law:

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.

More here: Operating A Camera In A Public Place

A country that probably brags about freedom more than anywhere else on the globe.

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.

Paid spokesperson update-

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper:

“This Presidents Day, let us never forget the extraordinary men and women serving our Country. As we remember our founders that formed our great Nation, we also remember our Service Members fiercely defending the freedoms we value every day.”

Secretary Esper,

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.

Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

December 21st 2019 KOMO News

Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide

“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”

Secretary Esper,

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?

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.

The Dept. of Defense 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.

More here:

Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part

Liberty And Justice For All?

Too Many Lies From Veterans – Straight Out of a Land of Make Believe

Four star whistleblowers unavailable to correct generals who lie about undeclared/unwon wars for your freedoms: Lies And Propaganda For Your Freedoms

Questions We’d Love To See In The Made For TV Debates

Fentanyl-laced meth from Mexico poses new deadly threat, DEA says

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

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

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

Photo-

A view of Point Wilson to the north.

Categories Armistice Day, Homeland Security is a scam, Just Be Honest, More discussion please, Newspeople not asking questions, Veterans Day Propaganda

Border Wall Update

February 21, 2020 //

$40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security Meth Racket Rolls On:

February 20, 2020 KTVZ

DEA launches major meth crackdown as record amounts flood Northwest

What will change after spending big cash on a wall?

Feb 25, 2020 WCBD

“On a typical day, more than 70,000 commercial trucks and a quarter of a million private vehicles make their way across the U.S.-Mexico border.”

“Commercial cargo — trucks and other conveyances — coming to the port of entry is the perfect opportunity for the drug cartels to conceal and bring meth into the United States,” said Kyle W.

Will US border wall keep cartels from moving product into New Zealand?

Feb 23, 2020 Newshub

Mexican drug cartels Sinaloa and CJNG could try to corrupt NZ Customs and police – report

“The New Zealand Drug Intelligence Bureau has warned two of the world’s biggest drug cartels could be trying to infiltrate our police and Customs services to corrupt their staff.”

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions:

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:

Still trying to figure out why the Super Bowl features a large CBP/public affairs show of force each year, while a larger number of fans attend the Daytona 500 and the event is not used to promote CBP.

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

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

Photo-

A symbol of the Homeland Security meth scam and newspeople posting a press release instead of asking questions.

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Just Be Honest, Meth, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

February 21, 2020 //

Big rains back on Feb 5th. How long will it take for local water quality to rebound?

Image above: Feb 21, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Population:

Bellingham 89,045 (2017)

Anacortes 16,953 (2017)

Oak Harbor 23,187 (2017)

Coupeville 1,928 (2017)

Looks like waters adjacent to Bellingham and Anacortes are less impacted by pollution than the waters between Oak Harbor and Coupeville.

We moved to Whidbey several years ago, after living in Jefferson County, where going out and getting a limit of clams was a happy routine/local thing. After arriving on Whidbey, a letter came in the mail from Island County describing the Penn Cove Watershed and the requirement to get home septic systems tested in this sensitive area. This was a chance to learn about the watershed and how to maintain a septic system.

WDFW says local beaches are closed to recreational shellfish harvest due to sewage treatment plant outfall.

If the press ever comes close to covering this topic, they will refer to stormwater.

Still haven’t been out to local beaches for clams.

Local people can learn about reducing the impact of stormwater and contribute by being more careful about using chemicals on their lawn, washing the car in the driveway, recycling motor oil, cleaning up after their dog, etc.

When the press ignores sewage treatment plant outfall people are left out on solutions to this problem.

I’m thinking of old traditions. Someone buys a fishing license and wants to take the grandkids out to teach them how to bring home a legal limit of clams. Buy a license, know the rules to maintain a sustainable harvest, check the tides and open seasons, and pick a good day.

The shellfish safety map is updated daily. Get up early and check the map to see if shellfish are safe to harvest at your favorite beach. Look for green colors on the map that show safe places for recreational shellfish harvest.

Bad news if you’re seeing brown colors instead of green. Even more bad news if the brown colors remain in place for months, as if this is a routine or ongoing condition.

Not seeing any green colors, even during the dry month of September:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

We are told that stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Site Visit – Captain Thomas Coupe Park

Let’s take a look at today’s another month with an R status:

Image above: Feb 21, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

If we could walk from the north edge of the brown shaded area at Oak Harbor, down to the south edge, how long would it take to get there? That’s a pretty big area.

Better tell the grandkids that today isn’t the day to be getting out there.

Image above:

Another green color day over in Jefferson County

More here:

Monroe Landing – Site Visit

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Here’s the List of Military Clinics That Will No Longer Serve Retirees, Families

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

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Hometown Pride, Just Be Honest, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Penn Cove Watershed

The Cold War Had Ended

February 20, 2020 //

The Cold War had ended. DOD was happy with their all volunteer military.

Look what they did with it.

Feb 19, 2020 Military.com

Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.

I’ve never been one to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.

More here: Unsustainable Military Spending

Recommendation:

Insert language into recruiting literature and enlistment documents stating that rules concerning benefits may change at any time & that no definite benefit package will be provided in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service. No grandfather clause will apply. Have unit leaders refer to this disclaimer when promoting retention drives, giving re-enlistment speeches, etc.

Some will say that this has already been done, and that you will see if you read the fine print. I say take it out of fine print and make it read like the warnings on a pack of cigarettes.

Recommendation for budget savings:

Phase out ongoing undeclared/unwon wars overseas.

The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.

Big Spending

Need more cash for undeclared/unwon wars that never end:

Feb 7, 2020 Military.com

Esper Presses Congress to Bulk Up Next Military Budget

“…more funding for the military to confront China and Russia…”

Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes

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

The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.

A Formal Congressional Declaration of War

Defense Dept. Lies About Freedom

How did Rhode Island freedoms get over to the Middle East?

Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part

Liberty And Justice For All?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

Armistice Day Is Now Free Chow Day

Too Many Lies From Veterans – Straight Out of a Land of Make Believe

Four star whistleblowers unavailable to correct generals who lie about undeclared/unwon wars for your freedoms: Lies And Propaganda For Your Freedoms

Questions We’d Love To See In The Made For TV Debates

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper:

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

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

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

Photo-

Whidbey agriculture – no hurry to change

Ebey’s Landing

Categories Armistice Day, Newspeople not asking questions

Defense Dept. Lies About Freedom

February 19, 2020 //

Ongoing militarization of American culture/glorification of military service update:

Secretary Esper,

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.

Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

December 21st 2019 KOMO News

Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide

“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

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

More here:

A Formal Congressional Declaration of War

Unsustainable Military Spending

How did Rhode Island freedoms get over to the Middle East?

Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part

Liberty And Justice For All?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

Armistice Day Is Now Free Chow Day

Too Many Lies From Veterans – Straight Out of a Land of Make Believe

Four star whistleblowers unavailable to correct generals who lie about undeclared/unwon wars for your freedoms: Lies And Propaganda For Your Freedoms

Questions We’d Love To See In The Made For TV Debates

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

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

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

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

Photo-

A symbol of federal government credibility and newspeople not asking questions.

Categories Armistice Day, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Veterans Day Propaganda

Monroe Landing – Site Visit

February 18, 2020 //

Image above:

This sign was seen posted near the boat ramp on my 2/18/2020 site visit to Monroe Landing.

On occasion, I will go out and take a look at local public access sites. I am not used to seeing any similar sign posted at this location.

Background:

Went out to take a look

I saw no warning signs on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year:

We had big rains back on Feb 5th. This may explain the sign I saw today at Monroe Landing.

I will check back in the weeks ahead to see if this sign is removed as local conditions improve.

Let’s take a look at today’s status:

Image above: Feb 18, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Zoom in and click on any part of the dark shaded areas to see “Wastewater plant upset.”

During the dry month of September:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Sign at top of page refers to “…a sewage drain pipe.” Not sure if this description is meaning stormwater?

Even during the dry months of the year at Monroe Landing, WDFW tells us that:

“State Dept. of Health cautions that Clams,Oysters and Mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”

“Water Quality Comment: This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

No mention of stormwater.

Questions for today:

When the impact of recent big rains has cleared, will the sign at that top of the page be removed?

Will the sign stay in place at Monroe Landing if WDFW continues to warn that:

“State Dept. of Health cautions that Clams,Oysters and Mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”

“Water Quality Comment: This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Does the sign at the top of the page refer to a sewage drain pipe that sends stormwater, treated water, or both into Penn Cove?

More here:

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

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

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Penn Cove Watershed

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

February 17, 2020 //

Big rains back on Feb 5th. How long will it take for local water quality to rebound?

Bad news:

Even during the driest times of the year, things aren’t looking right.

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

Not seeing any green colors, even during the dry month of September:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Newspeople remain silent.

If the press ever comes close to covering this topic, they will refer to stormwater.

WDFW says local beaches are closed to recreational shellfish harvest due to sewage treatment plant outfall.

Let’s take a look at today’s another month with an R status:

Image above: Feb 17, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Zoom in and click on any part of the dark shaded areas to see “Wastewater plant upset.”

Green colors show safe places to go and get a legal limit of clams and oysters.

More here:

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

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

Image at top of page:

Another green color day over on Hood Canal

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Hometown Pride, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Penn Cove Watershed

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

February 13, 2020 //

Image above: Feb 13, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Zoom in and click on any part of the dark shaded areas to see “Wastewater plant upset.”

Love to see updated news reporting on this from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area.

More here:

Meth, tire rubber among new pollutants found in Puget Sound

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

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

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Penn Cove Watershed

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

February 11, 2020 //

If you could walk to the Pacific Ocean from Snohomish County, how long would it take to get there?

February 10, 2020 The Herald

“Ocean water in Snohomish County is less polluted than other urban sites in Puget Sound, despite over 60 new chemicals scientists tracked in and around Possession Sound — including trace amounts of methamphetamine.”

“Fish and wildlife are suffering because of urban pollution,” James said.

Urban pollution? We’ll get back to that.

“Now, the scientists are hoping to find a link between contamination in the Sound and land use, James said.”

One link might be operating sewage treatment facilities that are sending unsafe product into local waters.

Island County

It seems understandable that recent rains could cause temporary problems.

Lets take a look back to the driest time of the year, and what was going on away from urban centers, and away from the ocean:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

Local water quality

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

One or more sewage treatment plants are sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Coupeville

Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Went out to take a look

I saw no warning signs or urban centers on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year:

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a pretty big area.

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.

More here:

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Proper Geographic Names

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

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

Photo-

The Pacific Coast at Ruby Beach

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Hometown Pride, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Penn Cove Watershed

Newspeople Play The Role of Federal Public Affairs Staff

February 7, 2020 //

Zero questions from newspeople:

Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations – an elite team of agents.

February 6th 2020 KGBT-TV News video:

SPECIAL REPORT: Eyes from every angle – Inside Air and Marine Operations

Looks like cartels found a way to dismiss CBP promotional videos and move product into PA:

Feb 6, 2020 The Tribune-Democrat

WATCH VIDEO | U.S. Attorney: ‘Wave’ of meth from cartels flooding Western Pa.

News out of Florida:

February 3, 2020 WJXT News4JAX

Meth trafficking, control an overwhelming problem, DEA says

“The DEA Jacksonville District Office said it’s having a hard time keeping meth off the streets because drug cartels south of the border are not only mass producing some of the purest meth on the planet, but they’re also making it more affordable and using a network of people on this side of the border to make sure the meth gets to local dealers.”

“DEA Special Agent in Charge Mike Dubet said the cartels are flooding Florida streets with crystal meth, especially Northeast Florida.”

“Although the general public doesn’t hear about cartels living here in Jacksonville, every time we seize a significant amount of methamphetamine, that is coming from a cartel in Mexico,” Dubet said.

“According to the recent DEA threat assessment, Mexican drug cartels are mass producing major quantities of meth at alarming rates.”

“Dubet attributed the price decrease to large supplies on hand that have been mass produced. And even though it’s smuggled thousands of miles, when it arrives here in Northeast Florida, it’s still 100% pure, he said.”

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.

While the DEA reports a big cartel meth problem in Florida, HSI is also in Florida to promote their own image Re: preventing criminal activity.

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

Major takedown update at 1:20

“We arrested two individuals who attempted to sell six counterfeit NFL Super Bowl 54 T-shirts…”

“Comments are turned off”

More here:

Welcome Home Troops

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions:

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:

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

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

Photo-

A symbol of the press not asking any questions.

Excess rain causes sewage discharges on Whidbey

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Meth, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

February 7, 2020 //

Image above: Feb 7, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Zoom in and click on any part of the dark shaded areas to see “Wastewater plant upset.”

Love to see updated news reporting on this.

Update:

February 7, 2020 3:17pm South Whidbey Record

“A manhole cover shot into the air and sewage poured out onto a city street in Oak Harbor Wednesday night. Untreated sewage is being pumped into the city’s harbor because the new treatment plant can’t keep up with a huge increase in the flow.”

“In Central Whidbey, about 25,000 gallons of “fine solids” from a sewage treatment plant spilled into Penn Cove due to flooding.”

“Bridges said rainwater is likely getting into the sewage lines through cross connections between sewer and stormwater pipes — which is a byproduct of days gone by when the two systems were connected — and through cracks in pipes.”

“As Bridges pointed out, Oak Harbor’s treatment plant wasn’t alone in the region when it comes to rainwater trouble.”

“According to a spokesperson for the Department of Ecology, the Penn Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant was flooded by water from an adjacent wetland Wednesday night. The floodwater entered the aerobic digester, which holds fines solids…”

“About 25,000 gallons of the solids were swept into Penn Cove with the floodwater.”

“The Washington State Department of Health closed shellfish harvesting in the area.”

Much of the area was already closed to recreational shellfish harvest, even in the driest months. Been blogging about this for more than a year. Newspeople did not report on it. Past blogs here, here, and here.

Back to my original post, here:

Looks like a pretty big area. Seems understandable that recent rains could cause problems.

Lets take a look back to the driest time of the year:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Is the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Local water quality

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

One or more sewage treatment plants are sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Coupeville

Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Went out to take a look

I saw no warning signs on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year:

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a pretty big area.

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.

More here:

Exhibits, parade mark 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage

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

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

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Hometown Pride, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Penn Cove Watershed

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

February 5, 2020 //

In the news:

February 4, 2020 South Whidbey Record

February 4, 2020 CNN Female lawmakers wear white to continue State of the Union tradition

“Many female Democratic lawmakers arrived at Tuesday’s State of the Union address dressed in white to commemorate the 100th anniversary of women first having the right to vote.”

19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Women’s Right to Vote (1920)

“Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote.”

World War I

“World War I began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and lasted until 1918.”

Promoting the idea-

Congressman Derek Kilmer:

Wars are for freedom and democracy.

WA Secretary of State:

“Our right to vote is protected by the extraordinary men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.”

Page 7 of the Washington State Elections Voters Pamphlet for the November 5th, 2019 General Election:

“Our right to vote is protected by the members of the U.S. Armed Forces.”

One of the nation’s largest, oldest and most respected veterans organizations:

Veterans, not politicians, ‘give us the right to vote,’ observers at Amherst Veterans Day ceremonies told

Any newspeople available to ask:

Congressman Kilmer,

If wars are fought for democracy-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?

Veterans give 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.

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.

In terms of American rights and freedoms-The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.

Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.

As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.

If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.

Just Be Honest.

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

More here:

If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms…

Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part

Americans have a much more honest relationship with sports teams than they do with the US Armed Forces

Military Town – Hometown Pride

Too Many Lies From Veterans – Straight Out of a Land of Make Believe

Right To Vote is Protected by the U.S. Armed Forces?

Meth trafficking, control an overwhelming problem, DEA says

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

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

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

Photo-

Looking north towards the Bluff Trail

Categories Armistice Day, Just Be Honest, More discussion please, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, School teachers not asking questions, Veterans Day Propaganda, Voting

Welcome Home Troops

February 4, 2020 //

Just days after the big CBP show of force at the Super Bowl-

News out of Florida:

February 3, 2020 WJXT News4JAX

“DEA Special Agent in Charge Mike Dubet said the cartels are flooding Florida streets with crystal meth, especially Northeast Florida.”

“According to the recent DEA threat assessment, Mexican drug cartels are mass producing major quantities of meth at alarming rates.”

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.

While the DEA reports a big cartel meth problem in Florida, CBP is also in Florida to promote their own image Re: preventing criminal activity.

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

Major takedown update at 1:20

“We arrested two individuals who attempted to sell six counterfeit NFL Super Bowl 54 T-shirts…”

“Comments are turned off”

1:00 Newspeople ride along to promote CBP. No questions asked about cartels moving product into US communities.

“CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.”

No CBP inspection of rail shipments entering the US?

US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep cartel from moving meth by rail into Canada:

Feb 27, 2019 The Canadian Press

Police find meth smuggled into Canada through new Ford cars built in Mexico

“Police say they have busted an alleged drug smuggling operation where methamphetamine was being hidden in new cars built in Mexico that were then transported by rail to Canada.”

“Ontario Provincial Police say employees at four Ford dealerships discovered the drugs stashed within spare tires that didn’t match the cars.”

“Police say they found 180 kilograms of meth during the investigation.”

More here.

Talk Of Border Walls As Cartel Moves 180 Kilograms Of Meth From Mexico To Canada by Rail

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions:

Law enforcement center is on tap to ensure a secure Super Bowl LIV

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:

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

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

Photo-

South entrance-Port Townsend Ship Canal

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Meth, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Super Bowl security

Another hard-hitting news segment

February 1, 2020 //

Zero questions from newspeople. Our questions appear in bold type.

January 31, 2020 ABC News

Not sure why the video was made for the big game in Atlanta last year. Not really a big deal. It’s all the same boasting & strutting each year anyway.

“Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, law enforcement agencies — both federal and local — have started to share information on possible threats, both seen and unseen, to better mitigate and defend the homeland.”

“This includes upping security during large events where thousands of people are gathered in one place.”

For clarification:

“And they’ll do an analysis with a number of analysts that we have, and they’ll identify either past practices and things that are happening at different events to be able to push it out to more coordinators that are officers in the field,” he said. “So they can know signs and symptoms of what to look for, for terrorism, or something that could have happened in the past.”

Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:

If special games require special security-what keeps regular games safe? Crowd size/capacity is similar at several stadiums.

Are fans less safe at regular games?

How do fusion centers play in the real world of crime?

Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US due to use of fusion centers?

More here:

Newspeople Play The Role of Federal Public Affairs Staff for The Big Game

Zero Questions From Newspeople – Security For The Big Game

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

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

Photo-

A symbol of the press asking questions.

NORAD To Cover The Skies, CBP On The Ground For Super Bowl Security

Categories Just Be Honest, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Super Bowl security

Zero Questions From Newspeople – Security For The Big Game

January 29, 2020 //

As always, newspeople aren’t showing up to ask any questions.

The questions we’d love to see newspeople ask appear in bold type.

January 28, 2020 CBS4 Miami TV News video:

NORAD was nowhere to be found on 911.

Customs and Border Protection – The folks who can’t keep meth & heroin-trafficking cartels from moving product into various US communities.

At 1:30 a Lt. Col. and fighter pilot tells us they are working to prevent another 911.

Lt. Col. Edwards,

Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?

What stops terrorists from going 2 states over and driving a truck across the playground at a daycare center?

Instead of asking any questions, newspeople play the role of military public affairs staff:

January 28, 2020 WSVN 7 News video:

Air National Guard previews how skies will be kept safe during Super Bowl 54

January 28, 2020 WPLG Local 10 News video:

Super Bowl LIV safety reaches up into the South Florida skies

“F-15 fighter jets will be in the air constantly, with KC 135 tankers working to keep the F-15’s fueled up and in the air.”

The folks who can’t keep cartels from moving product into Hometown, USA are keeping the Super Bowl safe:

“You’re not going to see us hovering over the stadium,” said Customs and Border Protection supervisor Todd Gayle.

January 29, 2020 Columbia Basin Herald

Tight security promised for Super Bowl 54 in Miami

“Several thousand federal, state and local law enforcement officials are involved in the game and the events leading up to it. Brian Swain, chief of the Miami Secret Service office and lead federal coordinator for the event, said there’s no intelligence thus far indicating any kind of threat.”

Several thousand?

“There is no specific credible threat right now,” Swain said. “I’m confident in our security plan.”

No Credible Threat?

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.

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.

More here:

No Credible Threat?

Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:

If special games require special security-what keeps regular games safe? Crowd size/capacity is similar at several stadiums.

Are fans less safe at regular games?

Newspeople Play The Role of Federal Public Affairs Staff for The Big Game

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

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

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

Photo-

A symbol of the press asking questions.

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Just Be Honest, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Super Bowl security

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

January 27, 2020 //

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

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

Washington State ferry passengers are advised via PA system not to leave backpacks or packages unattended during ferry crossings.

Meanwhile-on the car deck-cars, trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, etc. are left unattended during ferry crossings.

I have made dozens of round trip ferry crossings over the past 20 years. In many cases, there has been no security screening at either terminal.

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

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

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.

November 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

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

Any reporting or updates on this?

Gunfire on the ferry:

January 27, 2020 Kitsap News Group

Man arrested after allegedly firing gun from ferry

WSF Bremerton to Seattle crossing time: ~ 60 min

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

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

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

Did he pass any sort of background check?

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

August 21, 2019 Kitsap Sun

Man charged with security breach on ferry Walla Walla

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

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

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

Same as on highways?

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

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

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

June, 2006-

Security nowhere to be found.

Belligerent motorist blows past toll booth and onto ferry:

Ferry incident exposes security weaknesses

Oct, 2014-

Fatality

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

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

Post-911 security protocols kept him safe:

Man dies after driving car off Southworth ferry dock

A state-run media report from June, 2012-

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

Maybe security personnel are present at some specific terminal each day. Dozens of round trip crossings from various terminals indicate that in many cases-no security screening takes place prior to boarding ferries.

Fatality

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

Newspeople remain silent.

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

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

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

More here:

Washington State Ferry Ride

Washington State Ferries Security

Jan, 2015-

No security personnel here, here, or here.

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

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

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

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

Photo- Keystone ferry inbound

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

Categories Gunboat escorts on Puget Sound, Just Be Honest, Newspeople not asking questions

Society attempts to prevent similar future incidents

January 27, 2020 //

January 27, 2020 Task & Purpose

Army two-star: Don’t waste your ‘energy’ mourning Kobe Bryant

“Beloved basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven other people were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday. Two days earlier, Army Spc. Antonio I. Moore was killed during a vehicle rollover accident while conducting route clearing operations in Syria.”

“The implication — that, somehow, human beings can only mourn one tragic death at a time and you’d better pick a service member over “a basketball player” — did not sit well with plenty of veterans on Twitter (Army Cadet Command did not immediately respond to request of comment).”

“We’re struggling with a civil-military divide already that is directly affecting your ability to recruit from this generation,” wrote Army vet Fred Wellman on Twitter. “If you don’t understand the need for people to express sorrow at any death than you have no place leading my kids.”

Lessons Learned?

Anytime there is a plane crash, a loss at sea, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents.

Maj. Gen. Evans,

When do we apply lessons learned to the failed DOD track record for winning undeclared wars in distant lands?

A Military-Civilian Divide?

Recommendations for ending the divide:

Stop glorifying military service.

As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.

Stop telling us that undeclared/unwon wars overseas are somehow linked to American rights & freedoms.

Maj. Gen. Evans,

When do we get to vote on all this?

Maybe people would be more supportive of troops lost in distant lands if they felt like they had a say in $6.4 trillion undeclared/unwon wars that never end.

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

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.

The formal congressional declaration of war would also be the time for a careful review of important issues such as: PTSD, suicide, GTMO/torture, use of contractors, war crimes, a $6.4 trillion price tag, lies about freedom, propaganda, dressing women to look like men, exit strategy, mission creep, nation building, reduction of traditional military benefits offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, who should register for the draft, etc.

More here:

A Formal Congressional Declaration of War

Cure the Military-Civilian Divide?

End the Military-Civilian Divide?

2 men indicted by federal grand jury on charges related to making, selling meth & fentanyl in Tulare County

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

The Drug War

The drug war is another example of failed programs where lessons learned are not applied to prevent future incidents.

Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?

Newspeople remain silent.

A 28 minute news video featuring paid spokespeople complimenting themselves on another really successful team effort/drug bust after cartels move product past National Guard Troops, strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept of Homeland Security-then, into Tulare County:

Central Valley of California

January 23, 2020 YourCentralValley.com

Again, we ask if any lessons have been learned.

Anytime there is a plane crash, a loss at sea, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents.

Any similar effort after a big drug bust?

The folks who show up and investigate the plane crash don’t spend time congratulating each other. Their work is designed to try and prevent similar future incidents, not promote themselves.

Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities.

More here:

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

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions:

Super Bowl security plan is intense and secret. But drone pilots better stay away from Hard Rock

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

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

Photo- Hill Road

Categories Armistice Day, Just Be Honest, Newspeople not asking questions

Newspeople Play The Role of Federal Public Affairs Staff for The Big Game

January 25, 2020 //

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

Getting ready for the big game, newspeople get their chance to ask questions. They play the role of federal law enforcement/US Armed Forces public affairs staff instead.

Annual Homeland Security show of force update:

January 24, Miami Herald

“He would not discuss specifics, saying only that “thousands” of officers and agents from “dozens” of law enforcement agencies will be collaborating on Super Bowl security.”

“The Coast Guard will protect the shores with the help of Customs and Border Protection. Miami-Dade police will work the stadium the day of the game, though no one was willing to say just how many officers will be on hand.”

“There is no specific credible threat right now,” said Brian Swain, the special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service in South Florida, who is serving as the federal coordinator for Super Bowl security this year. “I’m confident in our security plan.”

No Credible Threat?

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.

Love to see newspeople ask:

If special games require special security-what keeps regular games safe? Crowd size/capacity is similar at several stadiums.

The folks who can’t keep cartels from moving product into Hometown, USA will be keeping the big game safe:

January 23, 2020 CBS4 Miami

News video:

CBP To Use Mobile X-Ray Scanners For Additional Super Bowl Security

January 25th, 2020 WPLG Local 10

News video:

Security stepped up on South Florida waters ahead of Super Bowl LIV

Love to see newspeople ask: What stops terrorists from going 2 states over and driving a truck across the playground at a daycare center?

January 23, 2020 WSVN 7 News

US Customs & Border Protection show technology used to keep Super Bowl safe

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection showed off its X-ray technology used to examine cargo arriving at ports of entry across the country.”

“This same technology will be at Hard Rock Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday and is a big part of the multi-agency security plan.”

“The vehicle and cargo inspection trucks scan for narcotics, explosives and other weapons at U.S. ports. They will do the same at Super Bowl 54 and not just on game day.”

Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US due to use of these advanced X-ray screening technologies?

Talk Of Border Walls As Cartel Moves 180 Kilograms Of Meth From Mexico To Canada by Rail

Newspeople remain silent.

October 23, 2019, Q13 News video:

‘The Pacific Northwest is drowning in methamphetamine:’ 17 arrested in major drug trafficking operation

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:

Each year, at the Super Bowl, the US Dept. of Homeland Security promotes their own image Re: preventing criminal activity. Why do these impressive capabilities fail to keep meth and heroin trafficking cartels from moving product into the US?

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

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

Photo-

South entrance-Port Townsend Ship Canal

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Just Be Honest, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Super Bowl security

Stormwater?

January 25, 2020 //

Jan 24, 2020 Skagit Valley Herald

Mussels provide insight to marine water quality

“It is well known that stormwater — the rainwater that flows from hard surfaces including rooftops and sidewalks, parking lots and roads — carries chemicals and metals into streams and eventually Puget Sound and the greater Salish Sea.”

Local people can learn about reducing the impact of stormwater and contribute by being more careful about using chemicals on their lawn, washing the car in the driveway, recycling motor oil, etc.

When the press ignores sewage treatment plant outfall people are left out on solutions to this problem.

Local water quality

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

One or more sewage treatment plants are sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Coupeville

Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters. Have we ever seen anything related to these handsome signs in the news? Even one time?

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

More here:

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Plenty of brown shaded areas north of Coupeville.

Zoom in and click on any of those shaded areas for more info.

Went out to take a look

I saw no warning signs on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove:

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.

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

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

Photo at top of page:

Image taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove.

Newspeople remain silent.

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Hometown Pride, Just Be Honest, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent

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

January 25, 2020 //

Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?

Newspeople remain silent.

Central Valley of California

January 23, 2020 YourCentralValley.com

2 men indicted by federal grand jury on charges related to making, selling meth & fentanyl in Tulare County

Iowa

January 23, 2020 Marion County Tribune

DEA and MINE complete major drug bust

“This complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation involved hundreds of man hours and had organizational ties to multiple federal and state investigations,” said DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Richard Salter Jr. “This case is yet another outstanding example of DEA’s networking capabilities with local, state and federal law enforcement partners throughout the U.S.”

Way to go guys!

“Operation Despacito began in April 2017, as investigators tracked the Iowa-based distribution cell known for methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine trafficking.”

Wonder what was happening at border crossing inspections during the 32 months these folks were under investigation. Do the good guys who made the local busts notify the good guys at the border about the weak links in their process?

“Make no mistake, Iowa is a target for drug cartels who are pumping hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine into our communities,” said Krickbaum. “We will find these drug traffickers and put them in federal prison. The United States Attorney’s Office is grateful to our partners in law enforcement for their tireless work to protect Iowans from these criminal organizations.”

Seattle area

Another big team effort:

October 23, 2019 Kent Reporter

16 indicted for trafficking large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine in Seattle area

“In the last year, DEA working with other federal, state and local law enforcement, have seized 3,400 pounds of methamphetamine, representing a record amount for the region.”

“The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Tacoma Resident Office, the Tahoma Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET) and the Burien Police Department (BPD) Street Team. TNET is comprised of the Tacoma, Lakewood, Auburn, Bonney Lake, and Puyallup Police Departments, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC). Other assisting agencies include the Kent Police Department and the King County Sheriff’s Office SeaTac Police Department Street Team. The investigation was supported by North West High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NW HIDTA).”

“In addition to the agencies listed above, these law enforcement agencies assisted with the arrests and search warrants executed today: King County SWAT, Valley SWAT, Pierce County SWAT, Washington State Patrol SWAT, Lakewood Police Tactical Team, Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team (VNET), Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (VNET), West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNet), Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office, Hoquiam Police Department and Aberdeen Police Department.”

“The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew Colasurdo and Marci Ellsworth.”

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?

The folks who show up and investigate the plane crash don’t spend time congratulating each other. Their work is designed to try and prevent similar future incidents, not promote themselves.

Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities.

Snohomish 2015

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

Seattle media: Heroin busts could finance police construction in Snohomish

Possibly of interest-

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions:

Zero questions from newspeople:

Local meth news stories here.

Local heroin news stories here.

Plenty of questions here:

Homeland Security Meth/Heroin Racket Rolls On

Border Wall/Failed Government Programs Update

Talk Of Border Walls As Cartel Moves 180 Kilograms Of Meth From Mexico To Canada by Rail

Call It What It Is – Opioid Crisis Scam Update

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

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

Photo-

Lonely beach north of Perego’s Lagoon

Categories Homeland Security is a scam, Just Be Honest, Meth, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol

News Reporting by Press Release

January 23, 2020 //

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

Looks like newspeople have made a commitment not to show any sense of curiosity.

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

Examples:

Gun Control

January 22, 2020 KUOW

Less than 24 hours after shooting, it’s ‘business as usual’ in downtown Seattle

“It was the third shooting in two days in the same area of downtown Seattle. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said that there is nothing to suggest that the three incidents are related.”

January 22nd 2020 KOMO News

‘It was sheer panic’: 1 dead, 7 wounded in downtown Seattle shootout

“Two 24-year-old men with criminal records later were identified as suspects by police. Both were still at large as of Thursday morning. Both were considered armed and dangerous.”

Jan. 10, 2020 The Seattle Times

Seattle shootings rise 6% in 2019 over 2018, with the greatest increases in south and north, police say

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:

November 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

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

Looks like frequent gun crimes roll on.

Enhanced background checks approved back in 2014 have had time to take hold.

Any reporting or updates on this?

Your 5th grade teacher just rejected your book report. Try again.

No Word on Enhanced Background Checks – No Comments Allowed

Lies about freedom

State Representative Julie Casimiro says troops are sent to distant lands to protect American rights and freedoms.

As if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

January 21, 2020 GoLocalProv

RI National Guard Head to the Middle East – They Deserve Our Gratitude

State Representative Julie Casimiro:

“They left on Monday, January 20th for an 11-month assignment in the Middle East at a time of international uncertainty and unrest. They left to protect our freedoms and our country.”

“These Citizen Soldiers sacrifice so much for their love of country and for that we owe them a lifelong debt of gratitude. They will miss many “firsts” in their families, holidays, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and Thanksgiving to protect our rights, freedoms and international security.”

Protecting our rights and freedoms?

More discussion please.

Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Rhode Island need services in the Middle East, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?

Congressman Derek Kilmer tells us:

Wars are for freedom and democracy.

Any newspeople available to ask:

Congressman Kilmer,

If wars are fought for democracy-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 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?

Meth in the Puget Sound area

January 21, 2020 KIRO7

50 pounds of meth seized during Bellingham traffic stop

October 23, 2019, Q13 News video:

‘The Pacific Northwest is drowning in methamphetamine:’ 17 arrested in major drug trafficking operation

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

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

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

Your 5th grade teacher just rejected your book report. Try again.

The press is good with the Drug War

December 8th, 2018 The Daily World

Five county bust hits Mexican drug cartel

Drug pipeline ‘has been shut down:’ Statewide bust nets 29 arrests, guns, drugs

More than a year later, is there any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US?

“The dangerous pills containing fentanyl flowing through this pipeline operated by this Western Washington distribution network has been shut down,” Keith Weis, a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent, said in a statement.

Next time the DEA tells the press that a drug pipeline has been shut down, will reporters ask questions, or simply put out another press release?

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions:

Zero questions from newspeople:

Local meth news stories here.

Local heroin news stories here.

Plenty of questions here:

Port Angeles Drug War Covered By Press Release

More here:

Press Plays The Role of Armed Forces & Homeland Security Public Affairs Staff

Homeland Security Meth/Heroin Racket Rolls On

Local water quality

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

One or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Coupeville

Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.