Well done to Alexis Krell and the Tacoma News Tribune. Some news outlets would have gone with whatever press release was provided by Joint Base Lewis–McChord.
Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
We’re still seeing frequent shootings in the Puget Sound area.
WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
If the US Armed Forces were an NFL team, newspeople might ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The press and the American people have a much more honest relationship with sports teams than they do with the Dept. of Defense.
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
DOD was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Does hometown pride get in the way of newspeople asking questions?
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Illinois need services in Iraq and Afghanistan, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
Love to see more in the way of newspeople out asking questions. Get away from posting the press release handed down from whatever agency was involved in the latest bust.
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Does hometown pride get in the way of newspeople asking questions?
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.
Reader Comments:
Today, I am an online subscriber to a newspaper that is not especially good at getting out and asking questions. Lately, they are posting more articles where there is no opportunity for readers to post comments.
No hate speech, insults, threats, foul language, attacking other commenters- these are rules that make sense.
Eliminating the opportunity for all to follow some basic rules and comment is information suppression. Elimination of reader comments may eventually lead me to cancel my online subscription.
What about TV news, news radio, public radio, etc. Where are they when questions need to be asked?
Two stories that cry out for news reporting:
Love to see updated reporting from newspeople anywhere on local water quality impacted by Whidbey sewage treatment plant outfalls.
As the months go by, we’ll watch and see how local conditions change. We’ll look for newspeople to ask public policy questions Re:
How long has Oak Harbor been an unsafe location for recreational shellfish harvesting?
If the state of the art sewage treatment plant went online more than 10 months ago- how was sewage being processed during the summer of 2018 or the year before?
When did the sewage treatment plant project begin?
If the old sewage treatment system was failing- when did it begin to fail?
Will the new sewage treatment plant allow for safe recreational shellfish harvesting at Oak Harbor? If not, why not?
How long will it take for recreational shellfish harvest conditions to become safe related to sewage treatment plant outfall?
“Border Patrol staffing totaled four agents in 2006. They worked in undersized quarters in downtown Port Angeles — in what’s now the Richard B. Anderson Federal Building.”
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
Newspeople,
Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?
Any arrests connected to cross-border maritime traffic?
When local USBP staffing went from four to 42 agents, what increase in arrests and apprehensions was achieved?
Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?
Elsewhere, when there’s something to brag about- the public is promptly notified:
“About half of the overdoses have been from prescription drugs, not heroin, she said.” What about the other half?
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Not complaining about jet noise, not trying to put a stop to the air show. Not trying to get the Navy to leave Whidbey Island.
I get the fun aspect of newspeople posting on social media. It would be nice to see more of a balance with newspeople asking a few questions. This is entirely common in sports culture where reporters are free to ask hard questions and write stories about teams, players, managers and coaches. After each game, the press has access to coaches and players. All sorts of information is available all of the time.
If the US Armed Forces were an NFL team, newspeople might ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The press and the American people have a much more honest relationship with sports teams than they do with the Dept. of Defense.
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
DOD was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
The people of Louisiana need services in Iraq.
State-run media update:
Aug 1, 2019 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Hometown, USA need services in Iraq and Afghanistan absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Every 12 months, the US Department of Homeland Security gets another $40 billion in taxpayer funds.
Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?
If the excuse now, is that migrant surges are diverting attention away from cartel traffic- remember that heroin was a problem in US communities prior to the recent migrant surges. Heroin is still here and now meth has taken hold.
August 2, 2019 KFOR-TV
Officials seeing increase in meth being brought into Oklahoma
“…you chose to be one of the ones that stepped forward, raised your right hand and swore to defend this nation.”
Any members of the free press available to show up and ask why the people of Louisiana need services in Iraq, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
They did show up. As always, no questions were asked:
Richard T. Gromlich, retired rear admiral with the Coast Guard: “Today, our military members around the world continue to put service before self. They proudly serve to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today. I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women who serve today. They are the best of best.”
A symbol of freedom, federal government credibility, school teachers and newspeople not asking questions and voting to support the political parties and personalities who take turns in power.
Locking up US citizens who are moving about away from border crossings and ports of entry while bad guys move product into Hometown, USA.
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of the USA:
Maybe someday, the press will go and find out if Port Angeles CBP staffing and infrastructure is at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area.
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
Cheerful social media posts with plenty of exclamation points coming from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Zero questions from newspeople.
Image above:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated July 15, 2019.
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
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.
“Lindsay said agents are focused on getting a handle on cross-border maritime traffic in partnership with the Coast Guard, Canadian authorities, state and local law enforcement agencies and tribal law enforcement officials to interdict smuggling and other illegal activities.”
Island County
2014
Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:
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:
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
Newspeople 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
“Since the multi million dollar facility is state of the art and you are supposed to be able to drink the water after treatment…..shouldn’t they use that water at the splash park?”
Article makes no mention of local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfall.
Clean City Water?
Is the state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into local waters?
“Yes, and be sure to go the Grand Opening of the City of Oak Harbor’s “Shipwreck Shores” water splash park where all such reductions will be summarily dismissed and ignored.”
Will Clean City Water be used to operate the Splash Park in the months ahead? How clean is the product leaving the sewage treatment plant outfall?
Image at top of page:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated June 30, 2019.
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
“Since the multi million dollar facility is state of the art and you are supposed to be able to drink the water after treatment…..shouldn’t they use that water at the splash park?”
Article makes no mention of local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfall.
We’re not seeing any signs of improvement in more than 7 months.
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
“Border Patrol staffing totaled four agents in 2006. They worked in undersized quarters in downtown Port Angeles — in what’s now the Richard B. Anderson Federal Building.”
“Increased presence of Border Patrol agents between 2006-2010 sparked protests over such practices as the agency setting up checkpoints on U.S. Highway 101 to apprehend illegal immigrants and controversy over construction of the new headquarters to house more agents.”
“Lindsay said agents are focused on getting a handle on cross-border maritime traffic in partnership with the Coast Guard, Canadian authorities, state and local law enforcement agencies and tribal law enforcement officials to interdict smuggling and other illegal activities.”
Newspeople aren’t showing up to ask questions.
We’ll ask a few of our own here. Our questions appear in bold type.
Newspeople,
Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?
Any arrests connected to cross-border maritime traffic?
When local USBP staffing went from four to 42 agents, what increase in arrests and apprehensions was achieved?
Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?
Elsewhere, when there’s something to brag about- the public is promptly notified:
“About half of the overdoses have been from prescription drugs, not heroin, she said.” What about the other half?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
The Border Patrol has worked against itself on the Olympic Peninsula.
Secret arrest statistics and denied FOIA requests do not enhance agency credibility. Local law enforcement organizations avoid all this by establishing working relationships with the press.
It’s time for journalists to make appointments, schedule interviews and ask some questions. Suggested topics here: News tip/story idea
If no answers are available, please do a story describing the working relationship you have with the Washington State Patrol, local sheriffs departments and city police departments. Any denied FOIA requests generated by these agencies? Please compare to the Border Patrol at Port Angeles.
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Operators working to de-stink dryer at sewage treatment plant
“The plant went online last fall — and was odor-free, at least on the outside — but the dryer has been the last piece of the puzzle. The city purchased the complex machine from a company in Germany and even sent a technician on a tour of German plants that use the technology.”
Article makes no mention of local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfall.
We’re not seeing any signs of improvement in more than 7 months.
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Suquamish
June 9, 2019 Kitsap Daily News
Suquamish Tribe hosts seafood bake for tideland owners
“Shellfish are very sensitive to pollution levels, so it took the sustained effort of the Tribe in collaboration with state and local governments, the U.S. Navy, and interested members of the public to significantly reduce sewage input into Puget Sound.”
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 drug cartels out of Ohio:
Federal agents swing into action after large quantities of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl move past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into Northeast Ohio.
What role does local CBP staffing and infrastructure play in keeping heroin out of the Puget Sound area? (Not asking if they react after product arrives in local communities.)
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.
Some will say that migrant surges on the southern border work to the advantage of cartels.
Love to see newspeople ask:
What does the US Dept. of Homeland Security do with the $40.6 billion they get every 12 months?
Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the U.S. prior to migrant surges?
Port Angeles WA, is a small town, heavily fortified with CPB staff. Massing US Border Patrol agents at the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca fails to keep heroin out of town.
Question for newspeople:
What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping meth and heroin away from the Puget Sound area?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Image at top of page:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated June 2nd, 2019.
We’ll ask a few of our own here. Our questions appear in bold type.
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
“About half of the overdoses have been from prescription drugs, not heroin, she said.” What about the other half?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
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.
Newspeople,
Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?
Any arrests connected to the US/Canada border?
Any arrests connected to a Homeland Security mission?
Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?
Image above and below: Is this the sewage treatment plant outfall described by WDFW? (Update: 9/18/19 comment posted at bottom of page with an explanation of what is captured in these two images.)
Love to see updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Looks like Whidbey sewage treatment plant outfalls are impacting local waters.
What we can expect as time goes on?
Love to see reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Oak Harbor
Image at top of page:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated May 19th, 2019.
Making small children recite a loyalty oath indicating Liberty and Justice for all.
When they get a little older, they will see that they are pledging allegiance to a system where adults are divided into groups of first and second-class citizens.
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?
Are veteran’s organizations working to restore these freedoms?
Will the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to take a stand against dividing adults up into groups of first and second-class citizens?
As always, newspeople play along by not asking any questions. No need to disrupt a celebration and parade during the school day. Maybe ask questions after school is out for the year. Just make time to ask, so the kids can have a better understanding of how overseas military operations will relate to their freedoms.
Not picking on Brinnon. The idea that overseas military operations or military jet training over Coupeville are linked to American rights and freedoms is commonly promoted in American culture.
If The Troops fight for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, voting rights, 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.
Are the folks promoting loyalty OK with undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
October 11, 2019 Peninsula Daily News
