Archives for category: Ongoing Breakdown of Society

March 13, 2023 Military Times @MilitaryTimes

White House budget calls for more troops & services hope to add about 12,000 but battling high employment, lower public interest in joining

From comments:

Time for a draft…and time to include women.”

Our take:

Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.

It is understandable that young people and their parents and grandparents would take a dim view on all this.

Before making any plans to start up a draft, let’s ask if newspeople can do something totally different. Have newspeople interview elected officials and let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.

Have newspeople find out:

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.

 

Back during the Cold War era of the 1980s, the US Armed Forces seemed to be in good shape. Today, DOD struggles with recruiting difficulties. I have my own attitudes about all this.

May 13, 2022 Military.com

Military Throwing Cash at Recruiting Crisis as Troops Head for the Exits

“Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee personnel panel, says the military is on the cusp of a recruiting crisis.”

Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:

Senator Tillis,

Has dressing women to look like men had any positive or negative impact on recruiting?

More here:

2022 – Armed Forces Recruiting Culture

 

Potential applicants on the way to comply with the next draft:

Jan 13, 2023 Military.com

Brawls, Disorder Mar National Guard Boot Camp for Teens

“A massive brawl broke out on a parade ground at Fort Gordon in Augusta one afternoon last fall, when about 70 teenage recruits of the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy slugged it out. Some used homemade weapons, including metal shanks, crudely sharpened toothbrushes and tube socks filled with metal padlocks.”

More here:

Hey Moms and Dads – Ask A Recruiter

Last time there was a draft that involved an undeclared war, things did not go well.

 

RealClearDefense – We Need a Peace Time Draft

From comments:

“During the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq the services met their quotas, and that was with people dying and coming home missing limbs. What has changed? Young people see what a failure those wars were. Why fight for a govt that views them as pawns for their political whims and cuts out when all the Generals have been promoted and the companies made billions. Add in the cultural politicization of the military (changing base names and pronouns to name a few) and the pool of eligible people (which is still large) see the military not as honorable service but something to be avoided. Young people see a made up war in Ukraine coming soon as the administration keeps poking the Russians. The left has spent decades demonizing military service, now it is ok? People are smarter than that. A draft is way to avoid fixing the decline in our military and the politicization of its mission/people. Stop the cultural attack on the military ethos, hold accountable someone besides a Marine Major for the failure of the Iran/Iraq wars and stop promoting a war with Russia so Raytheon and Lockeed can make more money. You would see people join. I am a Naval Academy Graduate and served my country for 20 years in various jobs. I would sooner my sons work at a gas station than join today’s military.”

 

What we were thinking in 2012:

No Draft

Related:

Excuses for US Military Recruiting Crisis

Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over

America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis

Cultural Honesty

Thank You For Our Freedom?

Roaring Sports Fans – Military Jet Flyover

GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023

How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?

Below, are some random thoughts and questions newspeople will not ask. Our questions appear in bold type.

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Possibly of interest:

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

About this time of year – Skagit Valley

 

Maybe your son or daughter would be a good candidate for our voluntary participant Youth Challenge Academy. For those “…who have dropped out of school or are not satisfactorily progressing, are unemployed or under employed…”

Youth Challenge Academy Update

Jan 13, 2023 Military.com

Brawls, Disorder Mar National Guard Boot Camp for Teens

“A massive brawl broke out on a parade ground at Fort Gordon in Augusta one afternoon last fall, when about 70 teenage recruits of the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy slugged it out. Some used homemade weapons, including metal shanks, crudely sharpened toothbrushes and tube socks filled with metal padlocks.”

Public Relations Success Story

“Within 24 hours of the brawl, a second melee involving more than two dozen teenagers broke out in one of the barracks and senior military leaders shut down the five-month boot camp in its first week, sending all 170 cadets home and barring them from Fort Gordon for a year.”

Leaders rushing to meet a new enrollment quota last fall skipped their normal vetting process. That led to a failure to properly screen recruits for behavioral and mental health challenges, leaving the program’s small staff with the task of dealing with uncooperative and violent youths who were only later determined to be “high-risk” candidates, the AJC investigation found.”

A five month program:

“Donaldson and other parents said the academy’s administrators had assured them at the Oct. 10 drop-off day that their children would be safe during the five months away from home. Just days after the camp began, parents received an urgent call to return to the Augusta area and pick up their children who came home with stories of violence and trauma.”

“According to interviews and records, dozens of boys from two platoons were drilling on a parade ground when members of one group began taunting the others. Even in the short week, some boys in the platoons had developed an animosity for each other based on rival gang affiliations.”

Ongoing Militarization of American Culture/DOD As Social Workers/Parental Roles Update

“Parents interviewed by the AJC said recruiters and administrators promised their kids would receive counseling, mentoring and job skills in a safe setting. They were not told some cadets had violent behavioral problems, past legal troubles, and gang affiliations.”

“…no mention of the program’s failures to screen children properly before the camp. There also was no mention of staffing shortages or other problems identified in a draft of the after-action review obtained by the AJC.”

Were recruiters for real boot camp also responsible for finding people to place in the Youth Challenge Academy?

Seems like those recruiters may have already been busy finding people willing to go to places like Syria, Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.

Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Home State, USA needed services in distant lands, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?

Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.

Moms and Dads – Ask a recruiter about today’s benefits.

Jan 13, 2023 Military.com

Veterans to Get Free Emergency Care During Suicidal Mental Health Crises

 

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

It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.

Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over for what DOD has done with the US Armed Forces during the fake GWOT era.

America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis

Veterans Day Nonsense – 2022

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Cultural Honesty

Sports Culture is Honest

 

Years ago, it was understood that some people preferred to smoke. Some preferred to be vegan. Some preferred to eat meat. Some preferred electric cars, some preferred a powerful truck to pull a horse trailer.

A live and let live attitude seems to be fading. Governments at various levels are now in the habit of setting deadlines for new restrictions, bans and mandates.

Smoking bans, plastic bag bans, gun bans, federal toilet regulations, bottled water bans, mandates on what sort of vehicle you may drive.

All this, while we are told that US military operations in distant lands are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms.

One Size Fits All

Federal tax money:

December 8, 2022 The Daily World

Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel

$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”

$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel results in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job? Seems like free enterprise might be better at moving things along Re: hotel properties.

Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?

Gas Cans

School children are taught about a free enterprise system. They grow up to find out that the federal government will tell them what kind of shower head they must install in the bathroom, and what type of gas can they must buy for their generator.

If The Troops defend our freedoms, should we ask the Joint Chiefs of Staff to bring back the Free Enterprise System?

0:20

Probably designed by some bureaucrat that never mowed a yard:

Cars

Gov. Inslee plans to ban gas-powered cars by 2035.

Your Toilet

The Energy Policy Act of 1992, which became law in 1994, mandates a maximum flush volume of 1.6 gallons for toilets manufactured and installed after this date.”

Your Shower Head

“In 1992, a federal mandate limited the amount of water that could flow from a replacement shower head to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM). Some state and local governments mandate even lower GPM flow rates than the federal regulation.”

Your Light Bulbs

The Department of Energy has recently set new standards for light bulb manufacturers.”

Plastic Bags

Central authority hands down one size fits all rules for retailers and consumers: Allowed and banned bags

Download an accessible toolkit in one of 17 languages

Your Lawn Mower

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently updated its regulations for emissions from “small spark-ignition engines”—that is, your lawn mower or tractor and other outdoor power equipment.”

Heating Your Home

Washington State Ban on Natural Gas Heating

Central Control Of The Rental Property You Own

They are working on it:

“If approved, a new section would be added to state law that requires all rental housing units within the state to be registered with the Department of Commerce every two years when a tenant occupies it or it is made available for rent.”

“In addition, landlords must pay a registration fee of $70 to register a unit, plus a fee of $15 for each additional unit.”

“In addition, if a landlord does not register the property, they would not be able to legally evict a tenant from the rental.”

“The money raised by registration fees would be used to assist with programs that provide legal representation in evection cases, assist local government with inspections of rentals, or for administrative purposes only.”

Possibly related:

Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.

Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?

Doesn’t seem to fit with a society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.

Certainly, Americans do not live in a free and honest society.


Seems like most people carry a smart phone. These are always improving. They are extremely popular with consumers. An honest demand for products requires no helping hand from the government. No tax incentive, no public relations and promotional campaigns. Let’s go with the free enterprise system. Let’s go with industries that specialize in making people happy.

US federal government:

A man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment.

Since that time, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation.

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

Some continue to ask questions:

An old favorite:

Unfortunately, the federal government often gets things wrong. Some may say they have an incentive to do so.

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

Response: Large DOD and Homeland Security budgets ever since.

It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.

Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over for what DOD has done with the US Armed Forces during the fake GWOT era.

 

KUOW Aug 10, 2017

A mere 17,000 years ago, a massive glacier the height of five Space Needles covered what is now Seattle and a large part of western Washington.”

Why did it change? Too much gas powered lawn equipment?

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.

Honest and meaningful ideas stand up to questioning and discussion.

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.

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.

 

Cliff Mass Weather Blog

Mar 16, 2023

Serious Climate Misinformation In Seattle Time Headline Article

 

Mar 03, 2022

Misinformation about Sea Level Rise

 

Dec 13, 2022

More Climate Misinformation and Factual Errors in the Seattle Times. Should You Care?

 

Dec 29, 2022

The Origin of Seattle and Tacoma Flooding This Week

 

Photo at top of page:

Occasionally looking for the Coupeville Ferry

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

Also Coupeville:

Love to see newspeople ask:

When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?

Image above: 1/2/2023

Source/Daily Status Reports: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image once or twice to show detail.

Background

Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater. Not climate change.

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

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Coupeville

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

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

Source: WDFW

 

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

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

Source: WDFW

 

Americans do not live in a free and honest society.

In a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking questions related to public policy all of the time.

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

Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?

Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?

Distance learning idea:

Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Related:

A photo tour of Penn Cove here:

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance

One Size Fits All Society

Goodbye Free Enterprise System

Cultural Honesty

Possibly of interest:

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

 

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?

Did opioid lawsuits and a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security reduce access to cartel product anywhere in the US?

Newspeople play along by not asking questions.

 

December  15, 2022 The News Tribune

100,000 fentanyl pills and meth seized in huge Eastern WA bust in Tri-Cities

Federal FBI agents swing into action after federal US Dept. of Homeland Security agents fail to keep more than 100,000 fentanyl-laced pills and more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine from moving past strict post 911/GWOT security protocols at border crossings and ports of entry, then showing up in Eastern WA:

“Four accused Tri-Cities drug traffickers were arrested this week in one of largest drug busts in Eastern Washington history.”

 

December 27, 2022 Peninsula Daily News

Man sentenced to 7 years for distributing drugs
Smith, 50, had prior arrests in Port Angeles in 2014 and 2021

“Preston Joseph Smith was arrested in December 2021 in Port Angeles on allegations he distributed pound quantities of illegal drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Question for newspeople:

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

Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?

Even one time?

Newspeople remain silent.

 

Question for newspeople:

Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?

Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?

Newspeople remain silent.

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.

The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.

Both major parties and the press seem to be OK with undeclared/unwon wars.

 

December 22, 2022 Daily World

Schools ramping up opioid preparedness

Grays Harbor schools carrying anti-overdose medication and training staff to use it

“Several school districts in Grays Harbor County have been stocking school buildings with naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversal drug, in an effort to protect students during a national opioid epidemic and an increasing prevalence of opioids in the Harbor.”

Opioid-related death rates nearly doubled from 2019 to 2021 and are high in rural counties such as Grays Harbor, according to the University of Washington’s Addiction Drug and Alcohol institute.”

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:

 

Homeland Security is a scam

Federal DEA agents swing into action after federal US Dept. of Homeland Security agents fail to keep 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine from moving past strict post 911/GWOT security protocols at border crossings and ports of entry, then showing up in Norco, California:

Oct 5, 2022 CBS LOS ANGELES

DEA agents make historic drug bust; seize 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine

 

United States Department Of Homeland Security Annual Budget

Every 12 months:

$51.672 billion (FY 2020)

 

If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?

Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program

“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”

Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.

 

Port Angeles

Local people find drugs and report to local (not federal) law enforcement authorities. Federal employees create news story and say that federal agents used a K-9 to “seize” the drugs.

Question for CBP:

Why does the news story created by CBP not line up with local reports?

Mainstream newspeople remain silent.

News links and Sheriff’s Dept. Facebook post here:

Port Angeles Border Patrol – Investigation Stalled For 3 Weeks?

Original blog post:

Port Angeles Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth?

 

Related-

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

Possibly of interest-

Cultural Honesty

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

A symbol of newspeople not asking questions and 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.

 

Hotel Properties

December 8, 2022 The Daily World

Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel

$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”

$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel results in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job? Seems like free enterprise might be better at moving things along Re: hotel properties.

Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?

A better idea for local federal funding:

Quinault Marina & RV Resort

Get the ferry to Westport going again:

“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”

Rehab of the marina would attract sport fishermen for launching and mooring of boats. Set up a place for fish and chips, a pub with a view, bait and tackle/boating store, a cocktail lounge, restaurant, etc. Use some imagination and get it going.

Work on access to the beach at Damon Point too.

Gas Cans

School children are taught about a free enterprise system. They grow up to find out that the federal government will tell them what kind of shower head they must install in the bathroom, and what type of gas can they must buy for their generator.

If The Troops defend our freedoms, should we ask the Joint Chiefs of Staff to bring back the Free Enterprise System?

0:20

Probably designed by some bureaucrat that never mowed a yard:

Cars

Gov. Inslee plans to ban gas-powered cars by 2035.

Your Toilet

The Energy Policy Act of 1992, which became law in 1994, mandates a maximum flush volume of 1.6 gallons for toilets manufactured and installed after this date.”

Your Shower Head

“In 1992, a federal mandate limited the amount of water that could flow from a replacement shower head to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM). Some state and local governments mandate even lower GPM flow rates than the federal regulation.”

Your Light Bulbs

The Department of Energy has recently set new standards for light bulb manufacturers.”

Plastic Bags

Central authority hands down one size fits all rules for retailers and consumers: Allowed and banned bags

Download an accessible toolkit in one of 17 languages

Your Lawn Mower

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently updated its regulations for emissions from “small spark-ignition engines”—that is, your lawn mower or tractor and other outdoor power equipment.”

Your Gasoline

New clean fuels standard in WA: “The program requires fuel suppliers to gradually reduce the amount of carbon emissions in their transportation fuels to 20% below 2017 levels over the next 15 years.”

Heating Your Home

Washington State Ban on Natural Gas Heating

Central Control Of The Rental Property You Own 

They are working on it:

“If approved, a new section would be added to state law that requires all rental housing units within the state to be registered with the Department of Commerce every two years when a tenant occupies it or it is made available for rent.”

“In addition, landlords must pay a registration fee of $70 to register a unit, plus a fee of $15 for each additional unit.”

“In addition, if a landlord does not register the property, they would not be able to legally evict a tenant from the rental.”

“The money raised by registration fees would be used to assist with programs that provide legal representation in evection cases, assist local government with inspections of rentals, or for administrative purposes only.”

Firearms

“Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson will request legislation for a statewide ban on the purchase or transfer of assault-style semiautomatic rifles as part of the latest push by firearms-safety advocates.”

Possibly related:

Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.

Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?

Doesn’t seem to fit with a society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.

Certainly, Americans do not live in a free and honest society.


Is the list of things government is not good at bigger than a list of the things government does well?

List of Things the Government is Good At – TV News Avoids Asking Questions

Closed – WA Interstate 5 Rest Areas

More here:

Cultural Honesty

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Okinawa 1980 – The Christmas Tree Story

 

We just watched Daddy’s Home (2015) and Daddy’s Home 2 (2017). Both films include scenes of cars lined up to drop the kids off at school. Much has changed over the past 40 years.

I have no problem with what Moms and Dads want to do. Please don’t tell me it’s a sin to have a disposable plastic water bottle, disposable plastic shopping bag, or an internal combustion vehicle. I promise not to be a litter bug.

In the old days, kids could walk or bike to school. More of the kids were slim and trim back in the 70s when kids had bicycle paper routes after school.

Top generals and politicians have a military recruiting crisis on their hands. They will blame young people who are overweight. They will not blame a DOD brand that is known for decades of undeclared/unwon wars.

When do we get to vote our way out of undeclared/unwon wars?

Okinawa 1980 – The Christmas Tree Story

More here:

America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis

Cultural Honesty

 

Ongoing Breakdown of Society

Again, I have no problem with what Moms and Dads want to do. Re: school busses.

Made for TV job stress update:

Preparing students for the real world:

More job stress:

Scary ride:

School field trip update:

Departure from protocols update:

Cameras are rolling:

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Nowhere near the school drop-off lane.

Whidbey Island

 

Americans do not live in a free and honest society.

 

Uvalde School Shooting – Months Later

Sports culture is more open and honest. A bad call from the ref will be seen and reviewed instantly.

October 22, 2022 – ABC 7 Chicago

State trooper who responded to Uvalde school shooting fired amid investigations into police response

“…more than 300 officers from agencies across the state waited more than an hour to breach a door and kill the shooter.”

According to law enforcement doctrine, active shootings require that the first action by officers, no matter their rank, should be to immediately “stop the killing.”

“State troopers outnumbered local law enforcement 2 to 1 outside Robb Elementary, but in the aftermath of the massacre, DPS officials carefully shaped the narrative to cast local authorities as incompetent.”

October 27, 2022 – KABB San Antonio

EXCLUSIVE: New body camera video from Uvalde school tragedy

 

Related:

More Information Is Better – The NFL Knows This

58 magazines and 1,657 rounds of ammunition

 

Ongoing Breakdown of Society – Possibly of interest:

America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis

Cultural Honesty

Bad Habits

 

Photo at top of page:

Platoon 3049, MCRD San Diego

Jun-Sep 1979

On the day this photo was taken, all 50 states were free to set their own minimum drinking age.

Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.

Now in my early 60s, I am frequently asked for ID to show that I am 21 when buying beer at major retail establishments here in WA.

Meanwhile, drug trafficking cartels move product into all 50 states. Cartel drug busts that happen in Hometown, USA involve drugs that were not stopped at the border.

 

Homeland Security is a scam

Federal DEA agents swing into action after federal US Dept. of Homeland Security agents fail to keep 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine from moving past strict post 911/GWOT security protocols at border crossings and ports of entry, then showing up in Norco, California:

Oct 5, 2022 CBS LOS ANGELES

DEA agents make historic drug bust; seize 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine

 

United States Department Of Homeland Security Annual Budget

Every 12 months:

$51.672 billion (FY 2020)

 

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:

Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?

Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?

Newspeople remain silent.

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.

The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.

Both major parties and the press appear to be OK with undeclared/unwon wars.

It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.

Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over for what DOD has done with the US Armed Forces during the fake GWOT era.

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

 

Love to see newspeople interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:

Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?

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

 

If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?

Source: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program

“There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.”

Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.

 

Port Angeles

Local people find drugs and report to local (not federal) law enforcement authorities. Federal employees create news story and say that federal agents used a K-9 to “seize” the drugs.

Question for CBP:

Why does the news story created by CBP not line up with local reports?

Mainstream newspeople remain silent.

News links and Sheriff’s Dept. Facebook post here:

Port Angeles Border Patrol – Investigation Stalled For 3 Weeks?

Original blog post:

Port Angeles Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth?

 

Small Military Town – Please Be Honest

My take:

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

 

July 27, 2022 – Whidbey News-Times

Sound Off: Navy base is an asset to Whidbey community

By BOB SEVERNS

I’ll never forget how appreciative I was of our military readiness and strength when our country was attacked, on our soil, on Sept. 11, 2001.”

Mayor Severns,

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

“Almost 21 years later, NASWI remains strong and continues to practice flying aircraft in preparation to safeguard our freedom. But the heroes at NASWI in Oak Harbor provide much more than just defending us and our freedom.”

Mayor Severns,

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.

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

Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, federal toilet regulations, sports betting, federal gas can regulations/free enterprise system, voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

American freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.

 

Another Mayor in another town:

May 28, 2020 WMAR

Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard

I am honored to do my part to ensure that the citizens of this community and all Americans remain safe and free.”

Several news sources published this quote. View them here.

The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion. Don’t look for any of this discussion to be prompted by newspeople showing initiative or curiosity in asking questions. 

Mayor Day,

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

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

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 crisis was earned by the politicians, generals, and high ranking civilians who have been running the Pentagon over the past 30 years or so. The crisis is also upon us due to newspeople not asking questions going back to the time the Cold War ended.

National Guard

Jun 30, 2022 WCCO – CBS Minnesota

1:41 Reporters interviewing reporters from within their TV studios.

Back in the 1960s, TV newspeople had a different style of reporting and working to keep the public informed.

At 3:49 an interview with Maj. Sgt. Kor. Rank insignia on uniform does not match rank description in WCCO TV news video. Weeks later, title remains uncorrected.

The people of Minnesota need more applicants to maintain a place to live and a regular job in their hometown area when they are not doing time in foreign lands helping DOD with undeclared/unwon wars and missions completely unrelated to their home state.

A few decades back, people might think of the National Guard as one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer plus a way to support your home state by being ready to get called out for floods, fires, natural disasters, civil unrest, etc. Maybe a way to help the next state over if they needed it.

In recent years, the National Guard has been sent to Syria, Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.

Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Home State, USA needed services in distant lands, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?

Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.

Regular Active Duty

Jul 26, 2022 CBS Evening News

If DOD was an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:

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

It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.

Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.

The press heads out to ask top generals and recruiters what is going on. No interviews with National Guard people who have done multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, etc. No interviews with Moms and Dads who have raised physically fit children but will not recommend the US Armed Forces to them.

Zero questions from newspeople on why the Moms and Dads of America wouldn’t recommend the US Armed Forces to their kids.

Love to see TV newspeople interview some of the veterans commenting here:

From comments Re: above video:

I joined the Navy at 17, 7/71. 2 tours to Vietnam. I joined to Win a War that wasn’t ours to fight. We lost it with 58,000 lost and thousands wounded. The money was shit but I didn’t join for the money. Now at 68 my Country has been at War with someone my entire lifetime. My Son served 5 years in the Marine Corps, Grunt Infantry Iraq and Afghanistan. No way would I serve today. My Son feels the same way. No more members of my Family will serve, Volunteer or the Draft. Take off your Suits and Ties and do it yourselves. Good luck……..

The parents and grandparents of today may have a tricky time recommending an enlistment to a younger generation. This would be true even in families who are proud of having a history of military service.

Some of these folks are commenting on the video below. Look for TV newspeople to seek out and do zero interviews with the veterans commenting here:

TV newspeople perform like paid actors reading a script.

Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl.

Sorry, no time for newspeople to ask:

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

Related:

Marketing Partnership Update

 

For your freedoms

No time for the press to look into the fading idea that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

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

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

Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, federal toilet regulations, sports betting, federal gas can regulations/free enterprise system,
voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

Freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.

May 28, 2020 WMAR

Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard

I am honored to do my part to ensure that the citizens of this community and all Americans remain safe and free.”

Several news sources published this quote. View them here.

The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion. Don’t look for any of this discussion to be prompted by newspeople showing initiative or curiosity in asking questions. 

Mayor Day,

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

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

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.”


May 13, 2022 Military.com Network

Military Throwing Cash at Recruiting Crisis as Troops Head for the Exits

“Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee personnel panel, says the military is on the cusp of a recruiting crisis.”

Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:

Senator Tillis,

The Dept. of Defense has a truly poor track record with undeclared wars. This record goes back to 1949, the year DOD was established. Has this record damaged the brand?

If DOD was an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:

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

Senator Tillis,

Is there any talk of going back to a draft in order to deal with your recruiting crisis?

Before making any plans to start up a draft, let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.

Senator Tillis,

Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?

This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.

Senator Tillis,

Has dressing women to look like men had any positive or negative impact on recruiting?

Senator Tillis,

Did the US Army revert to WWII uniforms to remind us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up?

Did this change have any positive or negative impact on recruiting?

Senator Tillis,

Not here 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.

Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.

The plan is to save cash by reducing the traditional DOD military benefits that were on the table when people began doing multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is the same country where both major parties invite veterans to be momentarily honored at State of the Union events when they control the White House.

Senator Tillis,

Will an older generation encourage a younger generation to do time in the US Armed Forces in the years ahead?

The guys who did time in the Vietnam War may have grown up in a family where Dad was a WWII veteran.

The guys who did time in the Vietnam War may have been WWII veterans.

 

NATO

May 21, 2022 By Ryan McMaken
Mises.org

NATO Plans to Rip Off Americans Even More as Sweden and Finland Set to Join

NATO membership has nothing to do with enhancing the defense of ordinary Americans. The American elites love NATO, of course, because it expands regime spending and influence in Europe. But when it comes down to actual military defense, expanding NATO only increases the odds that Americans will be pulled into a major conflict while offering Americans nothing in return.”

“…the US taxpayer overwhelmingly covers the costs of NATO.”

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.-how is that defending the US Constitution-or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?

Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in these areas.

 

A significant article here:

July 28, 2022 The Heritage Foundation

The Administration and Congress Must Act Now to Counter the Worsening Military Recruiting Crisis

Not seeing any recommendation for phasing out undeclared/unwon wars.

Not seeing any recommendation to stop sending the National Guard to distant lands on missions completely unrelated to their home state.

 

Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity

Falling Military Recruitment Is Another Sign of Waning Faith in the Regime
written by Ryan mcmaken friday august 26, 2022

“The good news, however, is that the military’s recruiting woes are likely yet another signal of declining support for the federal government and its institutions.”

 

Conclusion:

The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since. Has anyone been fired over this?

Since the end of the Cold War:

Both major parties appear to have been OK with undeclared/unwon wars and sending the National Guard to foreign lands on missions completely unrelated to their home state.

Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.

The plan is to save cash by reducing the traditional DOD military benefits that were on the table when people began doing multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Recruiting crisis? You earned it.

Try for less blaming of a new generation and the Moms and Dads of today for any hesitation related to doing time in uniform. Time to take a hard look at what elected officials and the US Dept. of Defense did with the brand after the first Cold War ended in the early 90s and after the lessons of Vietnam were on the table.

Possibly of interest:

June 2, 2022 Do Soldiers Protect Us?
By Laurence M. Vance

Veterans Day Nonsense

Unsustainable Military Spending

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?

2022 – Armed Forces Recruiting Culture

 

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

 

Enough time now to look back and ask a few public policy questions. The fact that the press has never been in the habit of questioning the GWOT, by itself, seems a little odd.

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Platoon 3049, MCRD San Diego

Jun-Sep 1979

 

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

 

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.

 

Look for a big daily doomsday report in the news.

Learn about:

Extreme drought

 

Wildfire Smoke moving across North America

 

A drug-resistant “superbug” fungus now spreading

 

Several reports on heat wave damage to shellfish

Zero reports on why several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall?

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

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

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Coupeville

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

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

Source: WDFW

 

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

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

Source: WDFW

 

Oak Harbor

Oak Harbor City Park

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”

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

Source: WDFW

Daily status reports here:

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Following the situation on our blog for several years now.

 

Puget Sound area shootings

News tip/story idea:

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.

The new requirements have had time to take hold.

Did the new requirements reduce gun crimes?

Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?

Enhanced Background Checks Update

 

Public Safety Reaction Mode

Clearing out Seattle homeless camps after rock throwing on highways may be seen as controversial.

 

Public Safety Deal Breaker

Washington State Patrol yields the right of way to protests on I-5.

Seattle protests on I-5 go on for 19 nights resulting in a fatality.

After enabling criminal conduct, WSP will no longer enable criminal conduct:

“Blocking a freeway is a crime and no longer are we going to enable that criminal conduct to continue,” said State Patrol Capt. Ron Mead, who made the decision to no longer close the interstate. “We are not going to be allowing protesters to access the freeway unimpeded, and there are consequences for criminal conduct.”

State Patrol had shut down the interstate 19 nights in a row in response to protests, said Capt. Mead, who oversees the agency’s district that includes King County. For weeks, troopers operated in response to protesters’ movements, shutting down a stretch of the interstate when it looked as if protesters would enter the roadway.”

 

Public Safety/Routine Stuff

WSP knows that more people are out drinking and driving during the holidays. WSP gets involved to promote public safety before lives are lost.

Why did protests on I-5 go on for 19 nights?

Where are the Washington State Patrol resignations?

 

Domestic Extremism

 

Overdose Deaths

 

New COVID wave

 

Misinformation

 

Possibly of interest:

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

Wouldn’t Real Newspeople Ask Questions?

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

 

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

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

 

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, rare and mysterious cross-border arrests, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

 

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?

 

Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?

Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay

 

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin and meth away from Port Angeles?

April 8, 2021 MyClallamCounty.com

2 PA DEATHS IN ONE DAY APPEAR TO BE OVERDOSES

“Preliminary police investigations suggest two men who died in separate incidents Wednesday in Port Angeles were both victims of heroin overdoses.”

 

April 11, 2021 Peninsula Daily News

Peninsula overdose deaths seem to be on the rise

 

Is Port Angeles CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering local communities?

Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?

Even one time?

Newspeople remain silent.

Local meth news stories here.

Local heroin news stories here.

Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure

 

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:

Related:

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

Another DEA Press Release – Zero Questions From Newspeople

Strict Post 911/GWOT Security Protocols & A $49.8 Billion US Dept. of Homeland Security

Meth, Afghanistan & Made For TV News – No Matter What Political Party Or Personality Is In Power

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo- Looking towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Salt Creek

 

Puget Sound area shootings roll on.

April 11, 2021 KOMO News

Toddler among 4 wounded in Central District shooting

“SEATTLE — Four people were hurt, including a 2-year-old girl, when gunfire erupted near Seattle’s Central District neighborhood Sunday afternoon, police said.”

“We heard at least 12 maybe even up to two dozen gun shots,” said Dustin Cole, who lives nearby.

If enhanced background checks reduce gun crimes, why does the Puget Sound area press avoid reporting or providing updates on enhanced background checks years after they have been put in place?

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.

The new requirements have had time to take hold.

Did the new requirements reduce gun crimes?

Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?

A well regulated militia?

WA 2014 Enhanced Background Checks – Newspeople Remain Silent

 

Related:

More Voting and TV News Will Make It Better?

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

 

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

 

Random thoughts for Thursday:

I often think that the WWII generation, generally did a better job of running a modern society.

The Troops

The US Armed Forces have attracted a lot of good people over the years.

Mar 10, 2021 Military.com

Americans’ Trust and Confidence in the Military Is Decreasing, New Survey Finds

People might come around if they had a say in undeclared/unwon wars that never end. When do we get to vote on all this?

USO: “…82% of military families feel that the public doesn’t understand their sacrifices.”

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

 

Drug Addiction and Homelessness

Local governments continue to struggle:

March 9th 2021 KOMO

Everett mulls ordinance that would outlaw homeless encampments in part of the city

March 9, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Sound Off: State must help with fallout from ‘extraordinary opinion’

“With a 5-4 majority, the Court in State v. Shannon Blake declared Washington’s felony drug possession statute to be void.”

Camping on the sidewalk was already a thing before all this. What now?

Will it be OK to camp on the sidewalk?

 

The AIDS crisis in the 1980s presented Americans with a life and death situation. Society dealt with this through education and advances in medicine.

The homelessness and drug addiction problem doesn’t seem to get better even as large amounts of money go towards it in places like Seattle.

 

A $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartel product from showing up all over the US.

Welcome Home Troops

Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?

Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?

Newspeople remain silent.

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

March 8, 2021 KIRO 7 News

Why catalytic converter thefts are on the rise

People need more money for more drugs that a $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep from showing up all over the US.

Zero mention of the drug problem by KIRO.

DEA’s drug threat report: Mexican cartel flooding Northwest with fentanyl

Source: March 2, 2021 KTVZ

When the WWII generation was in charge, was every other ad on TV for powerful drugs with life threatening side effects?

Legal anti-depression meds that may bring on thoughts of suicide (0:34)

Welcome Home Troops

Drug Take Back Day

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

 

LED Lightbulbs 

We have been using these at home for several years now.

My impressions:

They do not last for years on end. I changed one the other day and used a standard bulb form an old lamp as a replacement. The standard bulb weighed much less. That means that the same number of LED bulbs use more energy when packed in the back of a big smokey truck. The truck picks them up at the Port of Tacoma after they arrive from China, then heads out to some giant distribution warehouse in Atlanta GA.

Light bulbs used to be made in places like Ohio or Indiana. Across the street from where they made TVs.

 

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

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

 

Feb 26, 2021 KHQ

‘This is a bombshell for the entire state’: Spokane Police officers no longer making arrests for simple drug possession following State Supreme Court’s ruling

Good News?

Bad News?

Love to see an end to suspicionless drug dog searches of vehicles.

April 28, 2014 The Washington Post

Illegal roadside search of Star Trek fan brings $100K settlement

“Huff’s lawsuit revealed a number of abuses, including an incredible admission from Reichert that he would sometimes wipe marijuana on cars parked in motel parking lots in order to test his drug dog. He’d do this without the owners’ permission. This is significant, because a drug dog’s “alert” is sufficient probable cause for a search.”

“Through out the course of this case, the city of Collinsville has done an excellent job of preventing us from getting the videos that would we believe will prove that we were not the first bad traffic stop for Officer Reichert.”

“The silver lining: The Seventh Circuit ruling in our favor. Huff v Reichert is now published and precedent within the Seventh Circuit and pursausive throughout the United States. The flimsy excuses used as reasonable suspicion by Reichert were deemed invalid and the court re-affirmed that police officers have rules to abide by just like everyone else.”

Love to see an end to suspicionless road blocks and checkpoints.

Local history:

In 2008, Washington was one of several legal medical marijuana states.

Olympic Peninsula immigration checkpoint:

At a checkpoint- away from any border crossing or port of entry- the US Border Patrol stopped a legal medical marijuana user with a legal amount of medical marijuana. He was a passenger in a car:

Small-scale pot busts snared in Border Patrol stops

Suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry were later shut down. Details here:

Saying No to the federal government

 

Questions Newspeople Will Not Ask

It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?

Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?

What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?

Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?

Have opioid lawsuits, and a $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?

 

Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?

Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?

Newspeople remain silent.

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.

The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.

 

Seattle – Will it be OK to camp on the sidewalk?

Call the drugs legal or call the drugs illegal.

For years now, Seattle has had a problem with homelessness and camping on the sidewalk and in city parks.

What’s the plan?

Will it be OK to camp on the sidewalk?

 

Mainstream Media And The Drug 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?

What We Have Now:

A $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartel product from showing up all over the US.

Billions of dollars spent every 12 months to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Newspeople ask zero questions in this area.

The press release style of news reporting means that a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest 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.

Feb 22, 2021 KRGV

Wife of drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’ arrested on US drug charges

Alternative media might ask:

Has arresting top celebrities in the drug war ever resulted in any shortage of cartel product, anywhere in the US?

Newspeople remain silent.

Federal Agents Swing Into Action – Zero Questions From Newspeople

 

 

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 avoiding a chance to ask questions.

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Looking north towards Fort Ebey from the beach near Perego’s Lagoon.

Local info:

Two Bluff Trails

 

Terror Threat

Maybe there is a minimal terror threat these days.

If suicide bombers with concealed explosives packed on their bodies wanted to disrupt American society at the US Capitol, it looks like there would be no SWAT team to keep them out or to have them show ID and pass through the metal detector.

US Troops at the border, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911/GWOT security protocols, a $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, border wall efforts and the Post 911 surveillance state (fusion centers, license scanners, monitoring of e-mails, text messages, & social media sites, no fly/terror watch lists, tracking of cell phones, etc.) appear to have played no role in preventing these crimes:

Call in with your tips because security caved.

USA TODAY needs your help identifying the people who broke into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. View the photos and fill out our form.”

 

The Press

The press tends to avoid asking questions.

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.

Dec 25, 2020 News 12 Long Island

Long Island residents express concern after Nashville bombing halts travel

“While officials say there are no credible threats following the bombing in Nashville, Long Island residents say they are still concerned.”

Where was the threat forecast before the Nashville event?

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.

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

Ready to purchase a subscription to any Puget Sound area newspaper that will show initiative and curiosity in asking questions.

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

The Press Is Weak – Newspaper Revenue Down Compared To 20 Years Ago

 

US Credibility

Credibility of LE and elected officials at all levels of government is questionable.

Seattle protests on I-5 go on for 19 nights. Washington State Patrol allows Interstate highway public safety protocols to be suspended until a fatality after dark one night.

Washington State Patrol says protesters on I-5 will face arrest

If the Girl Scouts or the KKK enter the interstate and block traffic/risk public safety people must be able to count on elected officials and LE agencies to do their job. Different groups do appear to be treated differently based on location/whatever elected official has jurisdiction and whatever cause the group may be supporting.

 

Anti Cop?

One size fits all society?

These issues discussed here:

 

One Size Fits All Society

An important component of a free society is that different people believe different things and are able to act on their beliefs.

COVID, along with talk of getting rid of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and a discussion of prohibiting legal firearms has people feeling boxed in. This is not the free and honest society our elementary school teachers lied to us about.

Play by the rules and we’ll make more rules.

Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities

 

Jan 8, 2021 Star Tribune

Minnesota legislators, parents decry mask order as youth sports restart

Let Them Play MN, which has been vocal in support of getting kids back to playing sports, has said it plans to take legal action to fight what it calls Walz’s “absurd decision to harm youth athletes by requiring masks during sports.”

Skip the ID checks/security screening and shut down the US government for a few hours.

 

Safety valves being removed – Forcing a one size fits all society

I do not favor the ugly side of politics. When I was younger, both major parties took turns in the White House. It was routine. It did not involve the TV making claims that this is the most important election in our lifetimes, etc.

I think the ugly side of politics is a reaction that comes from trying to force a one size fits all society.

Not A Democrat Or A Republican

If I was Governor

 

Random Thoughts

Huge amounts of money to send The Troops to distant lands.

You know its a lie when they tell you it’s about American rights and freedoms.

Local press:

“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?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

 

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?

 

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?

 

Related:

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

WA – Dining Outside While Sealed Inside A Tent Is Legal

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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-

Welcome Visitors

Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.

 

Post 911 surveillance state (fusion centers, license scanners, Homeland Security grant money, monitoring of e-mails, text messages, & social media sites, no fly/terror watch lists, Real ID, tracking of cell phones, etc.) appears to have played no role in preventing these crimes.

Good thing these guys were not part of a professional mercenary hit squad or suicide bombers with concealed explosives packed on their bodies. It looks like there would have been no SWAT team to keep them out or to have them show ID and pass through the metal detector.

What failed?

A second grade teacher making small children recite a pledge to a flag?

Did the loyalty oath wear off?

 

D.C. Gun Control – failed or worked?

Jan 6, 2020 The New York Times

Live Updates: Pro-Trump Mob Breaches Capitol, Halting Vote Certification

Police seized five guns and arrested at least 13 people during the violent protests involving supporters of President Trump at the Capitol on Wednesday…”

 

Did the sergeant-at-arms and multiple law enforcement agencies fail?

The sergeant-at-arms, who is responsible for Congress’s security, has told lawmakers and reporters that the Capitol is now secure…”

 

8:07

Gates appear to open to allow unauthorized visitors to enter:

 

Did the National Guard show up after it was all over?

Jan 6, 2021 WFMY

National Guard troops deployed to DC to quell riots

 

Dave Smith/Alternative media asking questions:

 

Washington State

Post 911 security protocols fail to keep unauthorized visitors from breaking through gates at governor’s mansion in Olympia:

Jan 6, 2021 KIRO 7

Protesters break through gates at governor’s mansion in Olympia

 

Related:

Not A Democrat Or A Republican

Safety valves being removed – Forcing a one size fits all society

 

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

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

 

Still trying to figure out what they all believe in.

The most interesting thing in politics:

People who are willing to question their chosen political party.

Jan 6, 2021 Bracing Views

Democrats Win in Georgia — Now What?

Jimmy Carter at age 96 will not travel to the inauguration ceremony. He is a Navy veteran, known for teaching Sunday school and building houses for the needy. No scandals involving business dealings, cheating on his wife, etc.

Mitt Romney

Respectable politician. No scandals involving business dealings, cheating on his wife, etc.

Jan. 6, 2021 The Washington Post

Trump supporters heckle Romney, chanting ‘traitor’ on flight to D.C.

Random thoughts:

I do not favor the ugly side of politics. When I was younger, both major parties took turns in the White House. It was routine. It did not involve the TV making claims that this is the most important election in our lifetimes, etc.

I think the ugly side of politics is a reaction that comes from trying to force a one size fits all society.

Suppressing choices

Years ago, it was understood that some people preferred to smoke. Some preferred to be vegan. Some preferred to eat meat. Some preferred electric cars, some preferred a powerful truck to pull a horse trailer.

A live and let live attitude seems to be fading.

There has been talk of getting rid of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and discussion of prohibiting legal firearms.

I’m thinking back to maybe the 1980s. I am thinking of a guy who is a Democrat. He works in an auto plant somewhere in Ohio, Michigan or Indiana. He is a member of a union. His union supports the Democratic Party and the party supports his union.

When he is not at work, he enjoys towing his boat to the lake to go fishing. He enjoys deer hunting, camping, and tailgating at college & pro football games. He is a family man. He likes to fix up old cars.

Sounds like somebody I could get along with.

2020

There is a perception that democrats may be OK with rioting. They may hate police, or maybe they are just OK with a political party where some do. They want to put an end to cars powered by internal combustion engines. They predict worst-case scenarios related to climate change. They believe you should turn in your guns. A bbq grill, like a Weber probably isn’t a good idea because it will add to a carbon footprint. Ditto for campfires.

Maybe I have it all wrong. Maybe the people who support the Democratic Party fully reject riots, arson, mob violence, causing personal injuries, blocking traffic, property damage, and destruction of businesses and loss of life during protests.

Today, both major parties will not fight about:

Undeclared/unwon wars that never end, wasteful Homeland Security spending, the drug war, federal prohibition of marijuana, treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens, an ongoing glorification of military service, and newspeople who take a pass on asking questions on these issues.

 

2021

Jan 6, 2021 ABC News

Updates: Capitol breached by protesters, shots reported fired inside

BREAKING: Vice Pres. Mike Pence, who was presiding when Capitol was breached: “The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave.”

 

COVID

I’d prefer more of a free market approach.

I would let restaurant people run restaurants. They have an incentive to keep their customers safe and happy.

I would let church people run churches. Dozens of choices for worship would be in place. Each place of worship would be free of any mandates handed down by the Governor’s office. People would be free to attend any church or none at all.

I would let businesspeople run fitness centers.

I would let the owners of bars and taverns decide on indoor smoking, serving times, closing times, etc.

Bars and taverns to allow consumption of marijuana? Yes.

No furnishing to minors. No driving while impaired. Same rules as for alcohol.

Customers would support or walk away from the businesses of their choosing.

I would let families be in charge of families.

If I was Governor

 

The Press

Both major parties seem to be OK with a press that avoids asking questions.

I am ready to purchase a subscription to any Puget Sound area newspaper that will show initiative and curiosity in asking questions.

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

Related:

Safety valves being removed – Forcing a one size fits all society

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.

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

Oct 30, 2020 KOMO News

Oregon could become 1st US state to decriminalize hard drugs

“In what would be a first in the U.S., possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine, LSD and other hard drugs could be decriminalized in Oregon under a ballot measure that voters are deciding on in Tuesday’s election.”

 

Oct 29, 2020 KOMO News

Seattle City Council hears proposal to expand drug injection sites

 

What We Have Now

A $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartel product from showing up all over the US.

Billions of dollars spent every 12 months to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Newspeople ask zero questions in this area.

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration

Another couple billion dollars spent every 12 months on an a federal agency that takes credit for big drug busts after cartels move product past federal agents staffing border crossings, ports of entry and the area between ports of entry.

Would the DEA be out of work if General Milley was going to act on his bold pledge to clobber the cartels?

Newspeople remain silent.

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

Cartels respond to General Milley’s big DOD crackdown, DEA social media posts, and future postage stamp release by moving more product into the US.

Federal agents swing into action after 2,224 pounds of meth tied to the Sinaloa cartel moves past federal agents manning a $51.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security-then on into Riverside County.

Riverside County does not share a border with Mexico.

Oct 14, 2020 KTLA 5

2,224 pounds of meth tied to Sinaloa cartel seized in Riverside County, the largest haul in DEA history

 

Drug Enforcement Administration:

National Take Back Day Results

Results: October 2019 18th National Take Back

Total Weight Collected: 882,919 lbs. (441.5 Tons)

 

Drug Take Back Day

A huge success for the legal drug dealers-they sold 882,919 lbs.of prescription medications to people who did not need them.

 

DEA Keeps Halloween Scary with exclamation point at the end of each sentence:

Halloween Drug Laced Candy Alert! Make sure you check your children’s candy for drug laced items!

 

State-Run Media/CBP Social Media Posts

CBP tells us:

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units!

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units?

Surely, a free and independent press will step up and ask for clarification on this wild CBP claim.

Hey newspeople, how did 2,224 pounds of meth tied to the Sinaloa cartel enter Riverside County, if nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units?

Why is there a deadly fentanyl problem in Eastern Washington if nothing gets past CBP social media posts?

Have opioid lawsuits played any role in keeping deadly fentanyl from arriving in Eastern Washington?

Newspeople post whatever press release is handed off.

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

 

Back to camping on the sidewalk

Shutting down the scam played by the above agencies, with the help of the press seems like a good idea.

What is the plan to keep this situation from getting worse?

Related:

Journalism Needs Our Support Now, More Than Ever

The Press Is Weak – Newspaper Revenue Down Compared To 20 Years Ago

Miss America & The DEA vs. Drug Cartels

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Dystopian Leanings

 

 

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

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

 

Sept 8, 2020 KHQ

Arson suspect arrested after allegedly starting multiple fires in Spokane on Monday

 

Sept 9, 2020 KOMO News

State Patrol: Puyallup man arrested for setting fire to median on SR 167

 

Sept 10, 2020 KIRO7

‘We got another one’: Second man arrested for intentionally starting brush fire in Pierce County

“Thursday’s arrest comes one day after a 36-year-old Puyallup man was arrested for allegedly starting a large brushfire which temporarily shut down state Route 167 and several ramps near Meridian Avenue.”

 

Sept 10, 2020 REUTERS

Oregon authorities open arson probe into deadly wildfire

 

Sept 12, 2020 Fox News

Authorities arrest 4 in connection to possible arson, fires along West Coast

“Two men in Washington State, one man in Oregon and one woman in California are facing charges, according to the Daily Wire.”

 

Sept 14, 2020 KATU

Man arrested after admitting he used Molotov cocktail to start brush fire in Portland

“…admitted he lit the fire using a plastic bottle with a wick and police arrested him.”

“He was released and arrested again Monday morning for allegedly starting six more small fires.”

 

Sept. 15, 2020 KXL

Kelso Police Nab An Arson Suspect

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Watching the waves at Keystone Harbor

 

Feeding the kids at home is beyond the reach of some Moms and Dads, so public schools serve free and reduced price breakfast and lunch.

In the summer, a federally funded Summer Food Service Program kicks in.

July 29, 2019 The Seattle Times

Free meals for Washington kids who need them when school is out — but everyone is invited

Tax money- which some people intend to be used to help others via public assistance programs– also goes for failed wars that never end.

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.

More here:

Helping others by donating

 

Suspicionless checkpoints- away from border crossings and ports of entry:

July 29, 2019 The Dallas Morning News

Congressman asks Border Patrol chief to clarify testimony about U.S. citizen held for weeks

“Falfurrias, Texas, Border Patrol Checkpoint, a distance of more than 25 miles from the United States border with Mexico…”

 

Jul 27, 2019 The Oakland Press

ICE releases US citizen, 18, wrongfully detained near border

“The Border Patrol apprehends people entering the U.S. illegally, both directly at the U.S.-Mexico border and with its series of highway checkpoints miles from the border.”

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:

July 29th, 2019 Spokane Public Radio

Seizures Of Methamphetamine Are Surging In The U.S.

 

July 28, 2019 The Seattle Times

Afraid of enabling drug use, Washington cities push back against needle exchanges

Port Angeles biohazard in the garage update:

“Four or five times a week, Patty Pastore, 70, and her team of volunteers scour Port Angeles’ 40 blocks, six creeks and half dozen parks for every needle they can find.”

They’ve picked up almost 700 this year, and Pastore is having trouble getting rid of them. She has nearly a thousand in her garage, in coffee cans and salsa containers. She can take them to the regional transfer station, but they have to be in soda bottles for the safety of sanitation workers, and she doesn’t drink enough soda to hold all the needles.”

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.

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.

Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?

Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay

 

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

Local meth news stories here.

Local heroin news stories here.

 

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:

If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:

More here:

Cross-Border Maritime Traffic – Newspeople Remain Silent

 

Does hometown pride get in the way of newspeople asking questions?

Tangled Up In Hometown Pride?

 

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

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

 

 

 

Photo-

Out for a little recreation near the Sound of Freedom

 

March 18, 2019 Q13 Fox News video:

Arlington’s approach to homeless crisis differs from Seattle – and officials say it’s working

“…officers and the community will step up to help those who are ready to turn their lives around, those who aren’t will be prosecuted if they commit crimes within the city. Even relatively minor offenses, such as shoplifting and car prowls, will be charged in Arlington, he said. The same is not true in Seattle, where misdemeanor theft is all but decriminalized for the city’s homeless population.”

Seattle:

March 28, 2019 Q13 Fox News video:

Seattle mayor announces first step to address repeat offenders

 

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 in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 8 years, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

Recovery, rehab, treatment, & addiction are important parts of this story.

What part of the story is missing?

Has anyone ever seen the press question the US Dept. of Homeland Security/CBP on their role in keeping meth and heroin away from the Puget Sound area?

Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?

Even one time?

More here:

Port Angeles Heroin – Newspeople Remain Silent

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA News tip/story idea

Related: Ongoing Breakdown of Society

 

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

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

 

 

 

Photo- Fog clears at Hill Road

 

 

 

The AIDS epidemic of the 1980s brought advances in medicine and public education about safe sex and avoiding high risk behaviors.

March 5, 2019 NBC News

HIV-positive man in U.K. is 2nd known adult worldwide to be cleared of the AIDS virus

The homelessness and drug addiction problems of today seem to roll on without solutions. Communities with their heart in the right place and lots of tax money to spend are not keeping up.

Seattle

November 3, 2018 The Seattle Times

Seattle homelessness spending tops $90 million

Autumn 2018 City Journal

Seattle Under Siege

“It wasn’t always this way. When I spoke with Eleanor Owen, one of the original cofounders of DESC, she explained that the organization’s mission has shifted over the years from helping the homeless to securing government contracts, maintaining a $112 million real-estate portfolio, and paying a staff of nearly 900.”

“It’s disgraceful,” she said. “When we started, we kept our costs low and helped people get back on their feet.”

“In Houston, local leaders have reduced homelessness by 60 percent through a combination of providing services and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for street camping, panhandling, trespassing, and property crimes.”

Feb 28, 2019 KIRO Radio

Dori: Man arrested in Seattle arson case a homeless frequent offender

Like something out of a third world country:

Sept. 26, 2018 KIRO Radio

Woman mauled by dogs at RV camp begs Seattle City Council for help

Port Angeles

March 6, 2019 Peninsula Daily News

Rayonier site fire accidental, authorities say

“Boston said homeless people frequently stay on the property and appear to have gravitated to the sheltered area where the fire occurred.”

Port Townsend

Good citizens lose access because of violators:

February 17, 2019 Peninsula Daily News

Port of Port Townsend cites vandalism for restroom lockup

What other types of facilities might restrict daytime access to the public because of vandalism?

Schools, parks, banks, post offices, grocery stores, libraries, transit facilities, bus stops, shopping malls?

More here: Port Townsend Violators Cause Many To Be Locked Out

Whidbey Island

February 20, 2019 Whidbey News-Times

Into ‘the pit:’ No one knows what to do with all of the garbage, needles in homeless encampment

Port Angeles Heroin and Methamphetamine

January 30, 2019 Peninsula Daily News

Meth use alleged at site of 3 homicides; $3.5 million bail set

Background:

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 in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 8 years, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

Recovery, rehab, treatment, & addiction are important parts of this story.

What part of the story is missing?

Has anyone ever seen the press question the US Dept. of Homeland Security/CBP on their role in keeping heroin away from the Puget Sound area?

Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?

Even one time?

More here:

Port Angeles Heroin – Newspeople Remain Silent

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA News tip/story idea

 

Love to see newspeople ask:

What does the US Dept. of Homeland Security do with the $40.6 billion they get every 12 months?

No inspection of rail shipments entering the US?

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

Just last month: How did 1.7 tons of meth for outbound shipment enter Long Beach California?

Newspeople Ask Questions If It’s A Sports Story

Montana – Homeland Security Meth Racket Rolls On

Newspeople Remain Silent – Missing A Chance To Ask Questions

 

A few towns obviously have people who work together to set priorities and make a positive impression for visitors:

Nice & Tidy

 

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

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

 

 

 

Photo-

Early winter morning – Point Wilson, Washington

 

Good citizens lose access because of violators:

February 17, 2019 Peninsula Daily News

Port of Port Townsend cites vandalism for restroom lockup

In years past, I spent many hours in the Boat Haven area, walking through the boat yards and dock areas, taking a few photos and enjoying the maritime culture.

I have been to the restroom facility described in the article above many times and never had a problem. Looks like things have changed a great deal since.

There is a boat launch not far from the restroom. This is a boat launch that can really get busy at times. Looks like the folks using that part of the facility will no longer have a local restroom to use?

What other types of facilities might restrict daytime access to the public because of vandalism?

Schools, parks, banks, post offices, grocery stores, libraries, transit facilities, bus stops, shopping malls?

Possibly related:

August 17, 2018 Peninsula Daily News

The Boiler Room leadership hopes to resume services in Port Townsend

“Increased use by the homeless has led to declining use by its target clientele of young people.”

“She said that a growing homeless population is staying for extended periods of time at the coffeehouse and that this has changed the coffeehouse’s culture. That has led to a decline in use.”

Interesting comment section here:

February 20, 2019 The Seattle Times

Vote: What do you want to know about why people are homeless?

February 19, 2019 Whidbey News-Times

Into ‘the pit:’ No one knows what to do with all of the garbage, needles in homeless encampment

Possibly related:

A few towns obviously have people who work together to set priorities and make a positive impression for visitors:

Nice & Tidy

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photos-

Happy Hours – Port Townsend

 

 

Automotive tail light 1156 bulbs now stored behind locked security case same as high powered rifle ammo. Must find customer care rep for assistance in selecting product and paying prior to leaving that part of the store.

 

 

 

Photo- Local beach glass