Cold War era barracks in the USMC. Nothing fancy, but kept clean. There was a respect for government property and troop welfare. OOD would make a tour to check on things. There was a First Sergeant around somewhere who expected a standard to be maintained. Field day once a week. Maintenance issues were reported. It all seemed to work out OK.
“The GAO concluded that leaders at the Pentagon are not only failing to provide oversight — instead choosing to largely punt the issue to the branches — but they also don’t consider it a priority. The result has been bureaucratic finger-pointing, with no one office or leader willing to own the issue.”
This story has been posted by several sources. See them here.
Many of us were spending our first Christmas away from home. In those days, If you were old enough to be in the Marines, you were old enough to drink on or off base. We had a shop Christmas party where people wrapped and exchanged bottles of booze.
A guy from California received a small Christmas tree from his Mom back home. The tree came with real pinecones and lights. After unpacking the box and putting the tree together, the lights were plugged in. Now it was time to look sad and lonely and pose for the photo I took. Then off to something else besides thinking of Christmas.
Hey Uncle Sam- know that information suppression will kill enthusiasm related to enlisting in the US Armed Forces.
People want to live in a free and honest society.
Also-
This video:
From comments:
“LET’S CONSIDER MILITARY RECRUITING AND RETENTION PROBLEMS.You may have heard something about the problems the military is having with recruiting and retention. Well, part of that problem is most Americans don’t know anything about it ….. or care.First, let’s establish that this is a serious issue. Our military needs the appropriate numbers and types of people to do its job protecting the rest of us. The wrong numbers and types of people means we will loose the next war. Additionally, other nations will see our weakness and decide to be extra aggressive, increasing the chance of war.WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CAUSES OF OUR CURRENT PROBLEMS?Some say it’s because about 75% of America’s youth are not qualified to enter the services. Left unexamined is the fact that this is not a new condition which has never before had a serious effect on recruitment.Some say it’s because the military has gone Woke, and that repels recruits and those already in the services. Military leadership rejects this. But, there is ample proof of its truth. And, it’s military leadership that has caused it. Some say it the economy. Conditions are so good that recruits and existing military are drawn to the civilian market. But, given the state of the current economy, that is a questionable belief….. at best.HOW IS THE MILITARY LEADERSHIP ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM?Standards are being lowered….. Regardless of lowering the ability to fight, current leadership is desperate not to look bad. It seems they would rather loose the next war instead.Bribes are being paid….. Payments of up to $100,000 are being offered to attract recruits and keep existing military.There is an increased reliance on women to fill combat slots….. This may decrease our combat effectiveness. But, it will temporally stop the leadership from looking bad.It is interesting to look at the environment in which the recruitment and retention problems exist.FOR MOST OF THE PAST 75 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN AT WAR (although congress has not declared war as required ……even once).AND, WE HAVEN’T WON ANY OF THEM. All of these conflicts were against inferior adversaries that posed no chance of large scale war that would threaten the continental United States. We went to their countries…..they won…..and we left. Recently, 3 big things have happened. First…. After fighting for 20 years in the middle east, we were kicked out of Afghanistan looking unprofessional and like a bunch of losers. Second….. the US blundered into a proxy war with Russia….. Third, China is becoming more and more aggressive. A war involving Russia and/or China would most likely be similar to WW 2 (at best) and could easily go nuclear and end mankind…..That means all of us would be dead.Many Americans have determined that military leadership, both uniformed and, mostly civilian, has not been up to the task since WW 2. Some even believe the Deep State is pushing us to war for the benefit of the military/industrial complex. PERHAPS OUR MILITARY HISTORY IS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS IN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION?What are our leaders NOT doing to address the problem?THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERING A DRAFTWhile a draft would solve a number of problems, politicians will never vote for it. The 25% of Americas youth who would be susceptible do not want to die and would vote the politicians out of office. Also, the parents and families of the 25% would likewise vote against these politicians. But, the biggest reason the politicians would not bring back the draft is they know a large portion of Americans would then become interested in our foreign affairs and that would drastically limit the politicians ability to send our military into conflicts. This would dry-up the money and influence politicians now have access to.THEY ARE NOT CHANGING HOW WE ADDRESS FOREIGN AFFAIRSOur leaders are also not considering changing our approach of engaging in military interventions around the world. Our history of deciding where to get involved, our goals, our definition of victory, our strategy and tactics have a 75 year record of failure. We don’t seem to know what we are doing ( This is not an opinion. this is historical FACT ).Yet, there is no call to examine what we did and how we can avoid the continuation of our record of failure. Nobody has been held responsible. NOTHING !Perhaps the gen-Z generation has recognized this and has acted to try and stay alive. WE GET WHAT WE VOTE FOR”
Some truly excellent points here. Well done.
The press, politicians, and some Americans will avoid pointing out the reality of this situation.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces. The Cold War ended in the early 90s. The Pentagon was happy with the All Volunteer Force.
Look what they did with it.
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Understandable why young people and their parents and grandparents would take a dim view on all this.
Will an older generation encourage a younger generation to do time in the US Armed Forces in the years ahead?
Question For The Uniparty Press:
Currently serving four-star officers and high level DOD civilians have been associated with what wars won by the US?
“The GAO concluded that leaders at the Pentagon are not only failing to provide oversight — instead choosing to largely punt the issue to the branches — but they also don’t consider it a priority. The result has been bureaucratic finger-pointing, with no one office or leader willing to own the issue.”
“Sending soldiers to war based on lies and then treating them like shit when they return hurts recruitment.”
“You wanna know why people don’t enlist? Drive through the city and tell me how many signs you see that say “homeless vet, please help.” Tell me how many pharmacies stopped accepting Tricare. Tell me how often uncle Jim can’t be with the family for the 4th of July because fireworks make him freak out. And they pay you worse than a janitor! To guard a parking lot for a government that hates you! It’s not worth it!”
“I was a Marine for nearly a decade. I would never have joined if I knew what the country would turn into. The US is no longer worth defending. I moved out of the US permanently for an Asian country that has some dignity and self-respect.
Edit: BTW, I don’t believe it is the problems you’ve stated. People want to fight for things they believe in, and, like me, they’ve lost faith in the country and have no desire to join”
“I currently serve right now as a reservist. They are throwing money at new recruits, but for people who are already in, and for veterans, there is very little being done to keep us. Reenlistment bonuses are not great unless you have special forces or other high profile experience, and all veterans and currently serving know how difficult it is to get the benefits we are promised. I’ve been in for sixteen years and if it weren’t for being close to retirement pension eligibility in a few years, I would get out.”
“one of the biggest issues imo is the fact that people who get out tell their friends and family to never join, word of mouth is much more powerful than any marketing campaign”
“I was going to enlist in the army after high school. My parents, uncle and grandpa recommended me not to go in the army, yet, go into the airforce. They also said that they already fought so we won’t have to fight. They advised if I were to join the military that it should be in the purpose of defending our homeland, instead of some other crappy country that can care less about the US.”
“Growing up at the height of 9/11 and the Early War years as a kid right outside Fort Hood Army base. Patriotic fervor was in full swing. “Support The Troops” ribbons. Endless School art projects that entailed making American flags for newspaper stories. We wrote letters and sent mail to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, they would write back etc. I used to think Military Service was of the highest honor. But over the years the disturbing stories kept filtering in. Soldiers that had deployed to combat 5 times. Soldiers that got “Stop-Lossed” (Forcefully having their contract extended after trying to process out) An epidemic of suicide and nightmare disability process. The Iraq-Afghanistan Wars have truly decimated the prestige and image of the Service. The new generation has spent their entire lives seeing a generation of service men and women get brutalized by two wars and an indifferent government. I understand that on some level this has always been the case. But the “War On Terror” has been a unique beast entirely in screw-ups.”
There are more than 1,800 comments posted with the video above. I’ll stop here.
PBS NewsHour:
“Comments are turned off.”
Hey Uncle Sam- know that information suppression will kill enthusiasm related to enlisting in the US Armed Forces.
Here at Oak Bay Starfish, we believe that a return to the draft is total political fantasy. Below, we will go into some of the reasons why, but not much is new if you’re one of the many readers who have been closely following the blog at any time since the catastrophic military failure of 911. Still wondering if anyone was fired over that.
National Guard
Thousands of men and women who signed up for the National Guard in the past 25 years did tours in places like Syria, Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.
These families have stories to tell and they’re not all positive. Will their stories support a draft?
Where were you? along with a photo of a peaceful/standing twin towers.
My response:
With my GF in Kingston. Had already done some time in uniform. Took me several years to become skeptical and see that the federal government and the press had lost credibility.
Today:
My feeling is that a man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment. That was maybe the best of America in my lifetime.
“What I remember most about 9/11 is the way America was unified the day after. During uncontrollable times we controlled our response. Race, Gender and Political Party were equally irrelevant.”
“We focused on loving each other, how did we get so segregated? We never would have made it this far if we embraced division on September the 12th. We are where we are because we got here TOGETHER let’s embrace love yet again.”
“God Bless The USA.”
My response:
Good Stuff
Let’s keep that and add a free and independent press that will ask questions/rock the boat, no matter who is in office.
The mainstream press provides news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.
Many interesting comments are posted with the video above.
The Oak Bay Starfish take:
Trump came on the scene because Americans grew tired of standard politicians. Biden is a standard politician.
Here at Oak Bay Starfish, we are not part of the majority that controls politics at any level of government. Decades of voting indicates that more voting will not change this.
Living in a free and honest society is a priority. I don’t think our major political parties are about this. During long election seasons, there is very little news reporting and discussion about what the major parties stand for or believe in.
The DNC has hated Trump before during and after. People used to make fun of his hair or make cracks about his wife. The DNC has been a huge and successful political party. Clinton’s, Obamas, etc. Disagree with their policies, but they have been effective speakers and successful politicians. This formerly successful organization delivers Biden and VP Kamala Harris as their answer to Trump?
I am OK with Trump as a protest towards standard politicians, the uniparty and the ongoing breakdown of American society. The uniparty sucks ass with their wasteful and ineffective Dept. of Defense and Homeland Security spending.
Homeland Security Is A Scam
Trump is better at the border. Cartels remain in business no mater who is in the White House. The US Dept. of Homeland Security was created in the aftermath of 911. Is there any President since that time who was able to keep cartel product from arriving all over the US?
Pre-Biden:
Cartel Moves 180 Kilograms Of Meth From Mexico To Canada by Rail
Not pointing this out because I am a Biden fan, just to document cartel activity prior to Biden entering office.
Lessons Learned?
Anytime there is a plane crash, a loss at sea, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents. A major aircraft manufacturer grounds certain airplanes after mishaps. Time is required to investigate and find out what went wrong.
Any similar effort after a big cartel drug bust inside the US?
The folks who show up and investigate the plane crash don’t spend time congratulating each other. Their work is designed to try and prevent similar future incidents, not promote themselves.
Preventing drugs from entering local communities would kill the chance for various agencies to get publicity for the occasional big drug bust happening in those communities.
Wonder what was happening at border crossing/port of entry inspections during the 12 months Operation P-22 (to take down just one branch of the cartel activity) took place. Do the good guys who made the local bust notify the good guys at the border about the weak links in their process?
Were federal authorities at the border notified of this ongoing investigation?
Did the cartel traffickers get fast track screening at the border so as not to disrupt this ongoing investigation?
If the drug traffickers were given a pass at the border- would that have tipped them off as to the investigation- or would that have been seen as standard protocol?
Imagine that LE authorities observe a shoplifter or bank robber in action. Instead of going in to make an arrest they back off and conduct an investigation that goes on for months. What if they applied the same tactic Re: crimes involving arson, terrorism, child abuse, DUI, etc.
This time next year- will there be any shortage of cartel product in the Puget Sound area? Has any city, county or state jurisdiction been able to cleanup their drug problem using these methods?
Snohomish 2015
Local law enforcement agencies may benefit when the US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep heroin out of the US:
Newspeople are good about posting a drug bust press release. Newspeople remain silent when it comes to asking questions about Homeland Security funding and performance.
Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Both major parties are OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Both major parties are good with a land of the free holding pattern where alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18? Are The Joint Chiefs of Staff working to change any of this? Not no, but, Fuck No.
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.
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
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.
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 lawn mower.
Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?
A culture that was once strong (Man On The Moon in ’69). A culture that is now weak.
WWII Generation had a modern society up and running. Now this:
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
When the experts have had several years to work a problem with public funds and that problem does not seem to improve, newspeople should be asking tough questions.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, and a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep cartel product out of WA:
Symbol of a culture that was once strong (Man On The Moon in ’69). A culture that is now weak.
A symbol of elected officials, high level DOD civilians and top Pentagon Generals who are unable to feed the troops at a major military installation in Texas.
Veterans- be sure to encourage all the young people you know to go ahead and enlist now.
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
The Press
Much of what we get today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.
“Multiple explosions were reported as firefighters assessed how best to approach the greenbelt area amid the burning trees and camp areas above the freeway. The fire was reported under control after about 15 minutes.”
When the experts have had several years to work a problem with public funds and that problem does not seem to improve, newspeople should be asking tough questions.
Americans do not live in a free and honest society.
School children are taught about a free enterprise system. They grow up to find out that the federal government will tell them what kind of shower head they must install in the bathroom, and what type of gas can they must buy for their generator.
Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?
“I’m not making fun of Joe Biden. I just want to restate what the consensus used to be: that being President of the United States is extremely demanding. It requires physical stamina and, even more importantly, mental acuity and clarity.”
Would the DEA be out of work if a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security was able to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states?
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.
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?
Life seemed more simple. The WWII generation set up a modern society that seemed to be working pretty well. Still room for improvement, but mostly, things seemed to be up and running.
“In other words, rent control guarantees that current renters in a municipality can vote themselves huge benefits out of the outnumbered owners’ pockets.”
“Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has again extended the state’s eviction moratorium, this time through the end of March.”
Killing incentives to maintain apartment complexes and homes for rent. Killing incentives to pay rent on time. Killing incentives to be a good tenant.
Love to see newspeople ask:
Have any arrangements been made to cover property owner’s costs for mortgages, taxes, repairs, maintenance, water, trash pickup, sewer, insurance, etc.
Who pays to have the apartment complex dumpster emptied if the property manager cannot collect rent?
I do not want to live in a residential neighborhood where junk cars are moved in next door after the property is purchased. Local code says the junk cars can not be there. County will not act to remove junk cars. What is the answer? The video above seems to be OK with whatever the property owner wants to do with their place.
COVID seems to be over, but fast food places can not hire enough people to keep the lobby open, even in busy areas. I do not understand why this is the case. Help wanted signs seem to be up for various types of jobs, not just minimum wage openings.
Time for an update. Here are several more recent examples where the press seems to avoid asking questions. In some cases, these may be topics we mentioned in our 2020 post.
GWOT Rolls On
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Home State, USA need National Guard services in Africa, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
“Island County secured a $225,000 grant to purchase a new all-weather patrol vessel. Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Took a look on the web to see if there is a post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey & could not find anything. If anyone has info, please post in comments.
Questions for newspeople:
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been able to intercept any inbound fentanyl?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Much of what we get today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.
Young people and their parents and grandparents may take a dim view on all this.
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.
Are 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.
General Knight tells us that people are uninformed about what the National Guard is and what it does.
A man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment.
Back in 1969, your lawn mower was probably manufactured in some location like Indiana, Ohio, or Michigan. It ran on plain old gas. You kept the gas in a plain old gas can. You did so safely. The mower lasted a long time. It was made to be serviced and maintained.
At 9:50 in the video below, Taryl, explains the amount of labor required to get a modern mower running again.
Welcome Home Troops
Many interesting comments posted with the video above.
We went shopping today in the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area. Outside one of the stores on our route, I was surprised to see the front page of the local paper in a newspaper vending machine outside the business:
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Front page news has been replaced by a weekly grocery store ad. The business location where we were is not in the ad above.
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
Months later, has anyone seen any informative news articles on this?
Love to see newspeople show some initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
What we get today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.
Newspeople post this statement as is.
A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
People who take no public funds, advertising dollars, or private donations are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press?
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.
Various Puget Sound area newspapers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.
Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.
“Asked about encampments and recreational vehicles, Crain said if they’re on private property then people should talk to the owner about a possible eviction process.”
Spring Break Weekend
Try this over at the State Park: Skip the reservation and fee for an assigned space. Pick your own spot when you are ready. If anyone asks you to move, tell them you are living in your home. Have the Police Chief and social workers come out and talk to you. Have Park Rangers try to reassign people who paid for a reserved spot months in advance. See if you can be a squatter for weeks at a time.
“If they’re on public property, Hill said, case laws cover them differently.”
“As the RVs or tents are often temporarily in public places, Crain said they’ll either move before it goes far in the process and/or the towing company doesn’t have space or the time to move a vehicle so the process starts over.”
“Crain said they’re continuing to work on solutions for a few errant RVs in the city.”
“They are thorny, ugly, and are not going smoothly,” she said.
“We document pattern behavior and what we’ve done. Eventually you can get around to doing something.”
If you are confronted inside a business- respond with good customer service:
“With lighting and cameras, Crain said it could help capture a potential crime in action.”
Where are the success stories?
Whatever issues there are in WA, 49 other states have experience with what works and what doesn’t. Go out a pick a few jurisdictions that have had success and go with it. The WWII Generation had success. What were they doing? Seattle has had problems for years, what did they learn from it? How much public money was spent to make improvements in Seattle?
What I see now from various city and county governments is about collecting tax money to pay for affordable housing, converted motels and hotels for housing. Housing Housing Housing. A spaced out and incoherent drug addict is going to get along in what version of housing? Who is the landlord?
Not against public assistance here. When the experts have had several years to work a problem with public funds and that problem does not seem to improve, newspeople should be asking tough questions.
20 years ago, comment sections on local newspaper websites were more open and available to use. Various papers have now eliminated comment sections. Elsewhere on the web, comment sections may be hard to find, eliminated, or more restricted than ever. Bad people might break the rules, so we all face information suppression and restrictions. More in the way of open comment sections might also be an embarrassment to newspeople and elected officials. Government programs that are failing (War in Afghanistan) would invite comments and questions from the public that newspeople and public officials may want to be avoid.
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.
Marijuana was commonly available to all at the public high school I attended in the late 70s. People weren’t waiting for ballot initiatives, Governors, Mayors or the Washington state Attorney General to give their blessing.
Honor Roll students sampled it too. Somehow they went on to lead productive lives. Somehow they avoided worst-case scenarios of abuse.
I am 57 years old and the federal government still struggles with marijuana prohibition.
Where are the voters who promote smaller and limited government? Are they the ones who are OK with undeclared/unwon wars that never end? Wars that are explained away as wars for our freedoms?
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.
Even though marijuana was available to high school students in the late 70s, we were not camping on the sidewalks.
Lessons learned:
Famous celebrities had died of drug overdose decades ago. Here are two from 1970.
Were they camping on the sidewalk? People will have strong views and will be divided on ending drug prohibition. Most will probably agree that a modern society should not yield the right of way to those who want to camp on the sidewalk.
Possibly of interest:
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
“…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.
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.
$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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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?
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:
“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.
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:
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?
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.
$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?
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.
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.
“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.”
“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?
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.
“…more than 300 officers from agencies across the state waited more than an hour to breach a door and kill the shooter.”
According to law enforcement doctrine, active shootings require that the first action by officers, no matter their rank, should be to immediately “stop the killing.”
“State troopers outnumbered local law enforcement 2 to 1 outside Robb Elementary, but in the aftermath of the massacre, DPS officials carefully shaped the narrative to cast local authorities as incompetent.”
On the day this photo was taken, all 50 states were free to set their own minimum drinking age.
Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Now in my early 60s, I am frequently asked for ID to show that I am 21 when buying beer at major retail establishments here in WA.
Meanwhile, drug trafficking cartels move product into all 50 states. Cartel drug busts that happen in Hometown, USA involve drugs that were not stopped at the border.
Homeland Security is a scam
Federal DEA agents swing into action after federal US Dept. of Homeland Security agents fail to keep 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine from moving past strict post 911/GWOT security protocols at border crossings and ports of entry, then showing up in Norco, California:
Love to see newspeople interview the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
If sending US troops to Afghanistan and creating a $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?
American freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion. Don’t look for any of this discussion to be prompted by newspeople showing initiative or curiosity in asking questions.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
Photo above: USMC Okinawa 1980
