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Bad Habits

May 1, 2022 //
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I realized Saturday morning that it had been years since I watched TV news in the morning. 20 years ago, I would turn on the TV for news each morning. I started watching evening news on TV when I was at Camp Lejeune in the early 90s.

Over the past couple of years, local (Seattle) news has featured ongoing breakdown of society updates. Gunfire, stabbings, drug addiction, arson, catalytic converter thefts, casualties related to shootings, tent camping on the sidewalks, RV camping on city streets, and worst case scenario climate change predictions.

Ongoing breakdown of society updates:

Another of these items is an ongoing shortage of ferry workers.

The crew shortage story has been in place since at least June 30, 2020.

Love to see newspeople ask:

Does the WSF HR Director get paid more to keep the system running smoothly?

Are crew member incentives in place for perfect attendance?

Months of poor play would be enough to get an NFL or college football coach fired.

Is there pressure on the WSF HR Director to do better?

Various industries such as FedEx, UPS, Costco, etc. may do holiday hiring to staff up for a busy time of year. Any similar creative thinking in place at WSF?

HR policy away from WA government:

UPS aims to hire 100K ahead of ‘record peak holiday season’

 

“The Washington State Department of Transportation has closed five I-5 rest areas north of Seattle because of excessive trash, vandalism and a staffing shortage.”

Misbehavior shuts down federal highway rest stops? Publicly funded highway safety facilities are shut down because of misbehavior? WTF?

Welcome Home Troops

49 other states operate highway rest stops. If I was Governor, I would insist on picking the top 3 states that are best at running rest stops and running WA rest stops in a similar manner until further improvements could be made.

Closed – WA Interstate 5 Rest Areas

 

Newspeople refuse to report on 2014 voter approved enhanced background checks.

Did the new requirements reduce gun crimes?

Newspeople remain silent.

Puget Sound area shootings roll on.

 

Local papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.

Various newspapers in the Puget Sound area have gone with this trend.

Suppressing comments, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.

Got it.

On the national scene it’s all crisis management, undeclared/unwon wars, politics more ugly than at anytime in my life. Race relations that seem to have deteriorated since President Obama did 8 years in the White House.

Newspeople have moved away from asking basic public policy questions.

Our local TV news today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.

Newspeople post this statement as is.

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

TV advertising has become especially strange. How about legal anti-depression meds that may bring on thoughts of suicide (0:34).

 

I’d be OK with the mainstream press taking over the task of keeping the public informed. When TV newspeople avoid asking public policy related questions, individual citizens go out to check on what is going on.

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

The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks are more welcome to do interviews related to public policy. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.

Operating A Camera In A Public Place

Sports writers and alternative media people are still about asking questions.

Still viewing lots of news via Twitter, and I would be more at peace if I moved away from it.

Much voting has gone on over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better. Stopped watching TV news a long time ago because of the way newspeople (paid actors reading a script) have dealt with all this.

 

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

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

 

Categories Alternative Media, Information Suppression Specialists, Newspeople not asking questions, Old Man Blog, Ongoing Breakdown of Society

Went To A New Church For The First Time

April 25, 2022 //
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I had not been to church in decades. Mom took us to a different brand of church regularly back in the 70s. In that time we clocked in and out at church, but did not really lead a Christian lifestyle during the week. I was in boy scout troops sponsored by churches and they were one of the best parts of my childhood.

I have not been a religious person during my lifetime.

The church I visited recently was well attended with people who were warm and friendly and looked to be happy people.

The sermon set up a choice between going to hell or confessing sins and committing to Jesus to spend forever in paradise.

The part of a Christian life that makes sense to me today is joining a group of a few people to go help a little old lady by mowing her lawn and making a dump run or two.

Also: Helping others by donating

Playing any role in order to earn everlasting life in paradise seems like a selfish motivation to me.

Presupposing that an unknown person has committed sins to a point that they must confess them or go to hell is a concept I do not feel connected to at this time.

My desire to go to church comes from the realization that I started adult life in a modern society about a decade past the first moon landing.

It was a much simpler time. I am trying to make sense of how a modern society changed so much in a short period of time.

Much voting has gone on over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better.

Renting an apartment, buying a used car, buying gas, etc.

Routine errands in a modern society, now a BFD all of the time.

Federal intervention in student loans. Do not remember families being haunted by student loan debt in the 1970s.

Healthcare concerns — never seemed to be a big deal in the 70s when there were 4 or 5 kids to a family and sometimes a stay at home Mom. Better now?

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

A school lunch program that has turned into a school breakfast and lunch program that has turned into school busses hitting the road to deliver food to families when school is not in session.

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?”

More discussion and news coverage please.

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?

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.

Related:

Meaningful Work

 

Both major parties have taken turns in power over a period of decades and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation. A wide variety of political personalities have occupied the White House.

The whole system is run by people who are college educated. Advances in technology have not been able to solve problems in various areas. Wars are common. We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam. Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

I became skeptical along the way.

Most people seem to be OK with believing The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms. Maybe the people at church do also.

 

Maybe I will continue to attend the church I went to recently. Maybe I will visit several churches in the months ahead.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo- Port Hadlock Transit Center

A location not linked in any way with the church I attended.

 

Categories Old Man Blog, Ongoing Breakdown of Society, Voting

Closed – WA Interstate 5 Rest Areas

November 27, 2021 //
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It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now.

The WWII generation did a better job of running a modern society.

Nothing new about highway rest stops. They have been around for a long time now.

 

Oct. 15, 2021 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington closes several rest areas along Interstate 5 indefinitely due to vandalism, trash

“Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the long-term closure of several rest areas between Everett and the Canadian border this week due to vandalism and ongoing maintenance issues.”

Long-term closure? No chance for a quick cleanup, ongoing State Patrol enforcement, maintenance & volunteer groups to keep rest stops cleaned up and ready to go?

49 other states operate highway rest stops. If I was Governor, I would insist on picking the top 3 states that are best at running rest stops and running WA rest stops in a similar manner until further improvements could be made.

These are federal highways. Publicly funded highway safety facilities will be shut down because of misbehavior? WTF?

“…some visitors have not been using the facilities for their intended purpose…”

Living at rest stops, illegal dumping, littering, vandalism and verbal threats against employees will keep gasoline tanker truck and HAZMAT transport operators from stopping to take a break for safety?

 

Oct. 15, 2021 Seattle Times

Five I-5 rest areas to close in Snohomish and Whatcom counties over trash, vandalism

“…another Snohomish County traveler mentioned filthy conditions in August, including sewage around the crowded RV waste-disposal areas, and suggested tighter State Patrol enforcement.”

A large number of comments follow the article.

From comments:

“Also not mentioned is the fact that the state has a law enforcement agency responsible for policing the state and interstate freeways, including rest stops. Where is the WSP in this issue?”

 

Oct 15, 2021 KING 5 News video:

Several rest areas along I-5 closed in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties

 

Misbehavior will keep Mom & Pops, who are visiting from out of state, from getting a positive and welcoming impression of WA?

Welcome TF Home Troops

 

Related:

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Washington State Ferries & A Press Release Style Of News Reporting

Remain in your homes and wait for further instructions

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Symbol of a culture that was once strong (Man On The Moon in ’69). A culture that is now weak. A culture that will yield  the right of way to violators while pushing good citizens to the side & collecting big tax money all along the way.

 

Categories Old Man Blog, Ongoing Breakdown of Society, Restricted Activities, Road Trip

Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays

February 15, 2021 //
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What are your favorite Presidents Day traditions?

Some federal holidays have little meaning. Some are quite meaningful. People may have different feelings about each one. How you felt in the third grade may be different from how you feel now.

 

New Year’s Day

May be a fun time based on your personal traditions. May be a good time to grasp a feeling of starting over or making plans for the new year.

Any meaning in connection with the US federal government or US history?

 

Martin Luther King Day

One of the very most meaningful to me, based on US history and his teachings of non-violent civil disobedience.

 

Presidents Day

Meaningful if you are in the third grade. Much less meaningful as time goes on. When I was in the third grade, this history had not been established:

Six US Presidents have now had their hands on the wheel in Iraq

February 5, 2021 KARE 11

St. Cloud-based National Guard aviators deploying to Kuwait and Iraq

Will there ever come a time when newspeople ask if there is any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to the movement of National Guard troops to an overseas location?

 

Memorial Day

Very meaningful. Could be more meaningful if the observance included an Armistice Day component. The idea that the troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms seems to be the primary theme.

“…I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, Monday, the thirtieth of May, 1955, as a day of Nation-wide prayer for permanent peace.”

Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.

If politicians were serious about Memorial Day they would insist on a formal congressional declaration of war before sending The Troops into action.

If Politicians Were Serious About Memorial Day…

Memorial Day Marketing Strategy

What federal holiday is most related to lies and propaganda?

The rare, honest take:

Replace The Phrase?

 

Juneteenth

9:16

A US President who never mentioned Juneteenth in any speech during 8 years in office:

1967

Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?

Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?

Jet Noise Made Them Free?

 

4th of July or Independence Day

Historically meaningful. Today, it’s a big celebration staged by a country that is not free. The day may be used to give thanks to veterans for defending American rights and freedoms in distant lands.

 

Both major parties are OK with federal prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for adults age 18-20.

No such thing the day I graduated from high school.

That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.

 

The Presidents of Presidents Day sign off on stuff like this:

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

Can elected officials of any party or any member of the press help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here:

Dec 21, 2019 KOMO News

Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide

The country struggles with:

Cultural Honesty

 

Celebrating The Freedoms

 

Liberty And Justice For All?

 

July 4, 2014 

Libertarians Are the Real Fourth of July Patriots

“…the signers of the Declaration of Independence, which we celebrate today, opposed everything the U.S. government represents today, including big government, standing armies, militarism, and empire.”

“…the revolutionaries in 1776 were not supporting their troops after the issuance of the Declaration of Independence. They were instead killing the soldiers of their very own government.”

 

July 4, 2018 Laurence M. Vance

“Patriotism is now equated with profound admiration for the military. It doesn’t matter what where the troops go, how long they stay, what they do when they are there, whether they should go, why they go, or how much it costs to keep them there.”

 

Independence Day Has Lost Its Meaning

In 2023, Americans do not live in a free and honest society and they are not headed in that direction.

 

Labor Day

Meaningful for some, based on an understanding of the American labor movement. For many, just a day off, or a day for wondering why there is not a federal holiday for people who graduate from high school or one for people who get married.

 

Columbus Day

One of the very least meaningful. Columbus never set foot in what is today the 50 US states.

The spirit of adventure taught to small children on Columbus Day will be crushed by the time Halloween arrives, and families wait to be told by local authorities when trick or treating will begin & end.

 

Veterans Day

One of the very most meaningful for some. Stolen from Armistice Day in the 1950s. At that time, the US Dept. of Defense had started a decades long tradition of not being able to stay out of or win undeclared wars in distant lands.

It’s all about freedom folks.

Biden honors Americans who ‘stood on the front lines of freedom’ in Veterans Day remarks

CNN Nov 11, 2023

Sorry, no newspeople available to ask:

Mr President,

How would American freedoms today be any different if US troops were never sent to Iraq?

Uncle Sam is having a hell of a time finding people to sign up for the US Armed Forces. Pretending that decades of undeclared/unwon wars are linked in any way with American freedoms is the kind of dishonesty that will snuff out the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.

Good luck with your US Armed Forces recruiting crisis.

Armistice Day has become Ass Kissing & Propaganda Day

Today, Armistice Day is free chow day.

Meet a veteran who isn’t shy about going out & grabbing a couple free meals-it’s a proud thing:

FOREIGN POLICY Sept 21, 2018

Military Worship Hurts U.S. Democracy

By Mara E. Karlin and Alice Hunt Friend

“I don’t want to board the airplane first. I don’t want your first-class seat. I don’t want free admission to amusement parks. … It only allows Americans to assuage their guilt and feeds an outsized sense of entitlement among many veterans.” Talking to a New York Times reporter in 2015, another veteran ventured that when a nonveteran thanks him for his service, it is akin to saying, “I haven’t thought about any of this.”

My take:

This may all be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared wars.

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

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

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

Replace The Phrase?

“How do you thank a veteran?”

Goodbye Armistice Day – Free Meals, Deals and Discounts

Militarized Parking Lots

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

 

Thanksgiving Day

One of the very most meaningful. A time to give thanks for what is important in your life.

The elementary school lessons about friendly relations with Indians who were later slaughtered by the US government are questionable.

 

Christmas Day

A holiday of great religious significance.

Somehow linked to the US federal government or US history? Not too sure about that.

 

For me, I look at 365 days a year as the time to do more or less in terms of what we think is meaningful in life. Things that are meaningful are on our mind all the time. They are not saved up for a special day on the calendar.

 

Old Man Blog category:

Thoughts on changes in American culture relating to those born roughly in the late 50s & early 60s.

Original Old Man Blog here: https://oldmanblogdotcom.wordpress.com

New updates here: https://oakbaystarfish.com/category/old-man-blog/

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

The beer photo fetish.

A year round tradition, not linked with any special day on the calendar.

 

Categories Federal Holidays, Freedom, Old Man Blog, Veterans Day Propaganda

No collecting or burning driftwood

July 9, 2016 //
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DSC_0120 Burning Driftwood Saves Trees

I have seen signs in WA State Parks telling us not to collect and burn driftwood.

If burning driftwood was OK- trees and other natural resources could be saved while reducing pollution at the same time.

Probably the most popular version of firewood for camping comes in the plastic shrink-wrapped bundles.

What is their story?

A big smokey truck drives into the hills to cut trees, at day’s end the truck returns to the firewood bundle processing facility where the wood is cut, split and wrapped in plastic by employees who each drove their own vehicle to the factory to start their shift.

The next day a big truck takes the wood bundles to the big grocery store warehouse facility where the bundles are offloaded by forklift.

The forklift is powered by highly toxic rechargeable lead/acid batteries.

The next day a big truck comes to take the wood bundles to a local grocery store.

The bundles are offloaded by forklift. The next day we are on our way to go camping and stop to buy firewood.

We load up the wood in our own vehicle, gas up, and head to the park.

The restriction on burning driftwood may have to do with preserving the natural beauty of the beach. Occasionally, driftwood may be a hazard to boaters. Not seeing any problem in burning untreated wood.

It would be helpful to have some written explanation of this policy posted on the State Park’s website and in the parks.

Rules are easier to understand and follow when they include an educational component. Not this time- this is a “Because we said so” rule.

Of course, there is always the option to have no fire at all, but I like having a campfire.

I grew up in Kitsap County in the 60s & 70s. Beach fires were a common thing.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo- A piece of firewood that got away and became driftwood.

 

Categories Campfire, Discover Pass, Driftwood Fetish, Old Man Blog

Halloween Safety Tips

October 19, 2012 //
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Google Halloween Safety and see millions of pages set up to warn of Halloween dangers.

Anyone with a web site or blog- even remotely connected with communities or families is obligated to create their own Halloween Safety Tips page offering exactly the same tips covered on any other page on the web.

Too bad our culture has changed so much since the 60s and 70s. Back then we really had fun with Halloween. How did we make it trough those years without the constant safety overkill?

It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now. They were self-reliant people who would have had no use for the dumbed-down messages of our modern culture- like this one-

A message to teach you and your family how to put candy into a bowl so you can pass it out to trick or treaters:

Just the ticket for the mindless drones of our modern American culture.

The fun of old school Halloween is just one of pleasures of our former popular culture that has become almost extinct.

 

My tips:

Halloween is meant to be fun. For just one night a year, try to lighten up and enjoy it. Things will get back to normal on November 1st.

Here are some tips to add enjoyment to this special holiday:

Consider relaxing bedtimes, curfew times and attitudes towards truancy.

Scary is OK, this is why people pay to ride roller coasters. Traditional Halloween images are meant to be scary to ward off evil spirits.

Skip the dopey “Harvest Festivals” and Carnivals put on by schools, churches, malls and businesses. Send the kids out in a traditional witch, devil or gargoyle costume. Don’t rule out oversized costumes that drag the ground and may trip the wearer. Consider the use of black or dark fabrics, some of which may be flammable. Cut homemade eye slits that quickly become misaligned and block the wearer’s vision. Real knives, axes or hatchets can add a chilly touch to homemade costumes. Running with a sharp object in the dark can be dangerous. Running can also be a great way to blow off some steam. Some may want to challenge each other to a race- just be careful.

It is against the law for kids to drink. It is against the law for stores to sell alcohol to kids. Don’t have a cow if you see an Elvira cut out poster near the Coors Light display. Have booze on hand to share with neighbors and any adult trick or treaters who may stop by.

Go with traditional, non factory wrapped, homemade treats like caramel apples, popcorn balls, cookies and cupcakes.

Teach the kids responsibility and maturity by letting them use large, sharp knives to carve their Jack-o-lanterns. Always use traditional candles to light the Jack-o-lanterns. Have the kids carve small, portable pumpkins to carry while trick-or-treating. Instead of flashlights, have the kids attempt to light their way with real candles in their pumpkins. Be carefull while riding in cars to avoid starting a fire with a candle which may come in contact with loose-fitting, flammable costumes. Be careful when entering homes, or moving around dry leaves or landscaped areas so as not to start a fire.

Earlier in October, we celebrate Columbus Day. Continue this spirit of adventure by allowing kids to visit unfamiliar neighborhoods, knock at darkened dwellings, or enter the homes of strangers. Cutting across lawns and landscaped areas and darting suddenly from between parked cars may be the fastest way to get from door to door.

Send the kids out on an empty stomach- this way they will have more room for candy before they get sick.

Remember the old tradition of having your Halloween candy X-rayed? It is still a good idea. Before the kids are allowed to eat any candy- round them up and carpool with neighbors to the hospital to get the loot X-rayed. The X-ray will reveal any needles, razor blades, or metal filings in the treats. Is there a test for weed killer or rat poison? Ask about it.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

 

Categories Halloween, Old Man Blog
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