If the CIA (est 1947) serves as an advantage to the US, why does the Department of Defense have such a poor record of winning undeclared wars going back to 1949, the year DOD was established?
Group identities, brand names, labels and personalities are things I don’t feel connected with. To me, it’s more about what you believe in.
It feels like a society where honest and meaningful ideas stand up to questioning and discussion, but the questioning and discussion rarely takes place.
“But it was the senior protesters who really got to me. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be of a generation whose parents endured or fought in World War II, to see where we’re headed right now, and to be all too aware that you may not be around before we know if we’re going to get out of this. I can’t imagine facing the end of life with the worry that your grandkids won’t inherit the birthright for which your parents fought and sacrificed.”
Federal credibility is squandered over a period of decades. Now, people are scolded for wanting to be honestly informed on government activities. Well done. Something to get proud about.
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell admits 70% of “homeless” in Seattle are “not from here.” Why?
Oct 14, 2025
Across The Nation
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry, REAL ID checks and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in Hometown, USA.
If you are part of the DEA, you may hope for limited success coming from the Trump/Noem team because what would you do with yourself if cartel drugs could no longer enter the US? Please let us know when Seattle area drug addicts have any difficulty finding their cartel product of choice.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
Common flashlight batteries are now locked up like diamond jewelry.
Welcome Home Troops – Looking Ahead
Kristi Noem is sealing off the border. Any day now, cartel drugs will no longer be available anywhere in WA.
People will no longer need cash to support a drug habit. There will be no more need to steal, and we can all go back to how things were in the last century.
Back to a time before the US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002. This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US. More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
Will Northwest HIDTA be shut down when cartel drugs stop entering the US? Have recent US Dept. of Homeland Security efforts reduced the need for Northwest HIDTA services?
Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.
Possibly of interest:
Drive down to the former public parking area at Damon Point and see what Westport would look like today if efforts to maintain the coast were suspended decades ago.
At one time this location featured the Silver King Motel and the Marina View Restaurant next to the marina. Also, a grocery store, charter boat fishing, a boat lift and room to tie up 200 small boats.
We are guessing the federal government would approve of the image above and maybe the image below. We have not made application for approval.
I grew up in the Cold War era. Pledge of allegiance in elementary school. Man on the Moon in ’69.
The WWII generation set up a modern society that seemed to be working pretty well during the last century. Still room for improvement, but mostly, things seemed to be up and running. Flag images above are symbols of the best of American culture during that time.
The summer picnic/party flag is a symbol of both major political parties telling us The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.
Will Northwest HIDTA be shut down when cartel drugs stop entering the US? Have recent US Dept. of Homeland Security efforts reduced the need for Northwest HIDTA services?
Stay an extra day or two before or after your cruise leaving Seattle. Enjoy a summer visit to the touristy part of the waterfront during daylight hours.
Military ID?
People who did time in uniform and later moved on with their life are not expected to carry any form of military ID. Even people who are retired from the US Armed Forces and are living their life away from military bases may choose not to carry any form of military ID.
People wearing hats and T-shirts with military themes may or may not have done time in uniform. Maybe they did, or maybe they wear the garb as a tribute to the family member who was in WWII, Vietnam or enlisted during any other time in history. If they showed up to watch the Blue Angels and purchased a shirt, they have no need to present an ID to buy or wear the item.
In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.
There were none.
Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store. Maybe the concept of Armistice Day had not gone completely extinct.
Growing up in the 60s & 70s- veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.
People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.
These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.
Modern American culture is much more today about thanking people for their service.
Just Be Honest
Elected officials from both major political parties and high level DOD civilians speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
The press plays along by not asking questions.
The post 911 era has been a time to tell the American people that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American freedoms. This urban legend has run its course. People have seen enough now to know this is no more than a marketing strategy. Uniparty newspeople play along by not asking questions. Please see video below.
Memorial Day Marketing Strategy
The idea that the US Armed Forces are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms is repeated many times over.
The reality is that American freedoms may come and go and appear to be completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom over Coupeville.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in this area:
Love to see 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.
The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared/unwon wars, maintaining the barracks or managing federal contracts related to TRICARE.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Stay an extra day or two before or after your cruise leaving Seattle. Enjoy a summer visit to the touristy part of the waterfront during daylight hours.
“The perfect destination on the Washington coast is waiting for you at Shilo Inn Suites Hotel Ocean Front Resort. This incredible retreat features 113 deluxe suites, each with a private balcony featuring ocean or sand dune views and plenty of space for your family and even your dog! Indulge in excellent onsite amenities including an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, airport shuttle, hot tub and more. Kids under 18 stay free with an adult. And if that isn’t enough, right across from the hotel lobby, you’ll find The Shilo Restaurant and a full-service bar. This is a great place to have a family dinner or a romantic celebration. Don’t wait any longer and plan your next west coast vacation today!”
“I don’t know what an acceptable attrition rate is, but we have to meet people where they are,” the senior Army official told Military.com. “The quality of new soldiers is an enormous problem we’re paying for. But that’s just where the country is.”
“Nearly one-quarter of soldiers recruited since 2022 have failed to complete their initial contracts, according to internal Army data reviewed by Military.com.”
Our take:
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Some will say obese teens and young adults are to blame for the big recruiting crisis. Thousands of young, intelligent and athletic Americans participate in college athletics each year. Certainly, they would qualify to enlist- no rehab/prep program required.
Why are these people not showing up at the recruiting office?
Any questions from newspeople?
Thousands of American families have now had a loved one who did one or more tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Various family generations speak with each other.
Will they encourage new enlistments?
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. Understandable why young people & their parents & grandparents would take a dim view on all this. Continuing on this path will wear down the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
The Idea of Stability = Decades of Undeclared/Unwon Wars
For recruiting, no exposure to military life may be a good thing. Would talking to family members who did one or more tours in Iraq or Afghanistan add up to more enlistments?
Armed Forces Recruiting Crisis
In past decades, people could do time in uniform, then return to the US with a feeling that they were living in the best country on the planet.
That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.
Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Good luck with your US Armed Forces recruiting crisis.
Just Be Honest
Elected officials and high level DOD civilians speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
The press plays along by not asking questions.
The post 911 era has been a time to tell the American people that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American freedoms. This urban legend has run its course. People have seen enough now to know this is no more than a marketing strategy. Uniparty newspeople play along by not asking questions:
The idea that the US Armed Forces are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms is repeated many times over.
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?
Love to see 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.
Recruiters are looking for people who will need 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.
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.
Would any newsperson ever ask:
Why do the people of Home State, USA need services in distant lands, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Will there ever come a time when newspeople ask if there is any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to the movement of National Guard troops to an overseas location?
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials, top Pentagon Generals and the press earned it.
Are Seattle drug addicts having any difficulty finding their cartel product of choice?
Is there any shortage of cartel product in the Seattle area?
Are Puget Sound area first responders finding any less need for Narcan, buprenorphine, Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, or any similar product used in overdose response situations?
“Free nasal naloxone is available at all branch locations while supplies last. Fentanyl test strips are also available at the main downtown branch.”
“The library receives around 500 to 800 naloxone kits each month to distribute, depending on patron interest.”
“Naloxone is used to reverse an opioid overdose, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is safe, works almost immediately, and is not addictive, according to medical professionals.”
“Fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs. They provide people who use drugs with information about fentanyl in the illegal drug supply so they can take steps to reduce the risk of overdose.”
Not Trying To Please Everyone
Many comments are posted with the video above.
Is there any shortage of cartel product anywhere in WA?
Zero questions from newspeople:
Across The Nation
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry, REAL ID checks and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in Hometown, USA.
If you are part of the DEA, you may hope for limited success coming from the Trump/Noem team because what would you do with yourself if cartel drugs could no longer enter the US? Please let us know when Seattle area drug addicts have any difficulty finding their cartel product of choice.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
“Pit toilets overflow with human waste, garbage mars backcountry trails and illegal campfires threaten a bone-dry forest. Social media-driven crowds are flocking to Colchuck Lake, many underprepared for the trek. Search-and-rescue calls, including one for an Aug. 3 fatal drowning, tax county resources. Camping permits issued via an oversubscribed lottery mostly go unchecked.”
No problem folks. In recent years, the federal government has prioritized big cash for Ukraine, bombing the Middle East and conducting airstrikes on Somalia. Something has to give.
“Last year, the Forest Service employed 11 wilderness rangers to patrol the Enchantments and several thousand acres beyond in the Wenatchee River Ranger District. This year, the district is down to one as a result of Trump administration staffing cuts that followed a Biden-era hiring freeze on seasonal workers.”
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.
Hotel closed due to violations and lack of utility bill payments
By Jerry Knaak – The Daily World – August 7, 2025
“As of July 31, Shilo Inns Ocean Shores has been closed due to a myriad of violations and lack of utility bill payment.”
“The letter states that the assistant fire chief, building inspector and interim fire marshal inspected the property on July 29 and found several violations of Ocean Shores Municipal Code.”
“Those violations include inadequate toilet facilities, defective or unsanitary plumbing fixtures, and lack of running water connections to plumbing fixtures or lack of approved water service.”
“Health, fire and safety hazards include accumulation of junk debris or combustible materials. Although the city would not provide a dollar figure, but did confirm the Shilo Inns Ocean Shores is in arrears with utility billing, which includes water, storm and ambulance services, and effective July 31, water service has been shut off.”
Welcome Home Troops
“A Transient Accommodations Inspection Report prepared by the Washington State Department of Health dated July 30 indicated overflowing garbage, flies in the fitness room bathroom and spiders in guest laundry, lack of current boiler certificates, lack of adequate hot and cold water available to guests at all times, stained carpeting and mattresses and peeling wallpaper in certain rooms.”
“The Shilo Inns Ocean Shores hotel employs an average of 15 people and 15 to 20 in the restaurant. Hemstreet added that an effort is being made to re-open the restaurant as soon as possible.”
15 to 20 people work in a restaurant that has been closed for years?
Always thought it was strange to see the large, good as new sign advertising a restaurant and lounge that were not open.
A photo I took back in May:
Was Shilo offered the same federal bailout cash awarded to the place up the street?
In the news:
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used Ocean Shores hotel.
When comment sections are open, people seem to make this issue about their most or least liked political parties and personalities.
Both major political parties are manipulative and dishonest.
Love the way Cenk Uygur narrates at 6:41 in the video below:
Unlike many local newspapers, alternative media is good with maintaining an active comment section. More than 3,000 comments are posted with the video above.
Armed Forces Recruiting Crisis
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Both major political parties are good with it.
Understandable why young people & their parents & grandparents would take a dim view on all this. Continuing on this path will wear down the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.
There has been good news for recruiting recently after standards were modified to create a prep course category for training recruits.
Our take:
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Some will say obese teens and young adults are to blame for the big recruiting crisis.
Thousands of young, intelligent and athletic Americans participate in college athletics each year. Certainly, they would qualify to enlist- no rehab/prep program required.
Why are these people not showing up at the recruiting office?
No matter what elected officials have decided to do Re: enabling drug use in WA, a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security has been on the job in recent years.
People will say Biden turned his back on border security. Let’s go with that.
“Free nasal naloxone is available at all branch locations while supplies last. Fentanyl test strips are also available at the main downtown branch.”
“The library receives around 500 to 800 naloxone kits each month to distribute, depending on patron interest.”
“Naloxone is used to reverse an opioid overdose, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is safe, works almost immediately, and is not addictive, according to medical professionals.”
“Fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs. They provide people who use drugs with information about fentanyl in the illegal drug supply so they can take steps to reduce the risk of overdose.”
Across The Nation
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry, REAL ID checks and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in Hometown, USA.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
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?
Both major parties have taken turns in power over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better.
As time goes on, the choices we have are becoming more restricted by a combination of government and big business policies, not Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden or the next bad guy DOD will be going after in distant lands.
Since 1980-
A giant US Dept. of Homeland Security and mixed messages on cartel product inside the US.
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area:
Were Clallam County drug overdose death numbers higher before the US Dept. of Homeland Security was established (2002) or are the numbers higher with a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security in place?
This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US.
More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
Over in Island County
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?
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in Hometown, USA.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
The WWII Generation had things up & running in the 80s and 90s. Will best advances in REAL ID & AI technologies make it better?
Will newspeople ask questions?
Just Be Honest
Elected officials from both major political parties and high level DOD civilians speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
The press plays along by not asking questions.
The post 911 era has been a time to tell the American people that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American freedoms. This urban legend has run its course. People have seen enough now to know this is no more than a marketing strategy. Uniparty newspeople play along by not asking questions. Please see video below.
Memorial Day Marketing Strategy
The idea that the US Armed Forces are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms is repeated many times over.
The reality is that American freedoms may come and go and appear to be completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom over Coupeville.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in this area:
Love to see 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.
Love Fort Ebey State Park. I’ve been going out there for years now. Gravel road to lower beach area has been trashed for an extended period of time. Any plan to get that taken care of?
The gas can came along for many salt and freshwater canoe outings in N. Carolina, California and WA.
The area where I lived in N.C. was surrounded by fresh and saltwater areas that were very appropriate for a canoe.
I found a used canoe and separately, a used outboard. In many cases I would leave the outboard off and enjoy quiet paddling and much in the way of wildlife sightings out and about in the stillness of rivers and wetlands. I made good use of this rig later in California and in Washington State.
In the photo below, I’m ready to launch at Twin Spits (N.E. entrance to Hood Canal) on a low tide day.
Above:
A clamshell beach on the eastern shore of Rat Island, near Kilisut Harbor.
The can was also used for mowing on Whidbey Island:
Both major parties have taken turns in power over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better. I think I touched bottom with news and politics a while back.
As time goes on, the consumer choices we have are becoming more restricted by a combination of government and big business policies, not Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden or the next bad guy DOD will be going after in distant lands.
Both major parties are OK with federal prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for adults age 18-20.
That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.
Armed Forces Recruiting Crisis
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. Understandable why young people & their parents & grandparents would take a dim view on all this. Continuing on this path will wear down the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.
Thousands of American families have now had a loved one who did one or more tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Love to see 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.
Elected officials from both major political parties and high level DOD civilians speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
The press plays along by not asking questions.
The post 911 era has been a time to tell the American people that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American freedoms. This urban legend has run its course. People have seen enough now to know this is no more than a marketing strategy. Uniparty newspeople play along by not asking questions. Please see video below.
Memorial Day Marketing Strategy
The idea that the US Armed Forces are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms is repeated many times over.
The reality is that American freedoms may come and go and appear to be completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom over Coupeville.
Good news: efforts are being made to keep young people fed.
Random Thoughts
Some may think of a time when there may have been no need for such a program.
Some people may think this would be a part of parental responsibilities.
How did all this work when the WWII generation raised their kids?
Any questions from newspeople to give us a better understanding of the program?
Cold War Era Gas Station
I grew up in the 60s and 70s. We had gas stations. They would install a new fan belt, check under the hood, do an oil change, give directions or sell you a map, etc. For food, they had a pop machine and a Cold War era vending machine with candy, gum, and little packs of crackers. Maybe two or three of these.
The place smelled like auto transmission fluid and gear oil. Not a bad thing-happy to go back.
Gas stations are mostly gone now. Mini-marts with 24 hour corndogs, nachos and giant cans of beer have taken their place. If you have car trouble, this is probably not the place.
Tax money-which some people intend to be used to help others via public assistance programs-has also gone for bombing Iraq and Afghanistan.
Helping others by donating to churches or private charities, food banks, etc. can avoid these conflicts.
Donors are free to opt out if a charity misbehaves.
People could keep more of their own money to donate to causes of their choosing if the federal government was not taking it to pay for wasteful programs.
“Free nasal naloxone is available at all branch locations while supplies last. Fentanyl test strips are also available at the main downtown branch.”
“The library receives around 500 to 800 naloxone kits each month to distribute, depending on patron interest.”
“Naloxone is used to reverse an opioid overdose, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is safe, works almost immediately, and is not addictive, according to medical professionals.”
“Fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs. They provide people who use drugs with information about fentanyl in the illegal drug supply so they can take steps to reduce the risk of overdose.”
Looks like Trump & Kristi Noem are completely irrelevant here. Life rolls on as if Biden was still in office.
Newspeople show zero curiosity in asking questions Re: the big, federal drug war and how that has been gong in recent months.
Across The Nation
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in Hometown, USA.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
No matter what elected officials have decided to do Re: enabling drug use in WA, a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security has been on the job in recent years.
People will say Biden turned his back on border security. Let’s go with that.
Those days are over now.
The US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002.
Love to see newspeople ask:
Has any US presidential administration since that time been able to use DHS to create any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US?
Here at Oak Bay Starfish, we are looking for newspeople to let us know when Puget Sound area drug addicts have any difficulty in finding their cartel product of choice.
We are looking for real newspeople to let us know when local health departments see a reduced need to hand out Naloxone.
Newspeople avoid asking questions on mixed messages from various levels of government Re: cartel product inside the US.
Across The Nation
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local drug task force, or narcotics enforcement team, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in Hometown, USA.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
“These people would risk the lives and safety of hundreds of people also so they can get a few bucks to feed their habit.”
Readers refer to a demand for cash to support a drug habit. Newspeople never seem to want to ask questions or investigate and inform the pubic on which drug war tactics are working and which are failing.
The 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, tracking of cell phones, best advances in REAL ID and AI technologies, etc.) appears to have played no role in preventing these crimes:
Reaction Mode
From comments:
“You wanted to allow uncontrolled drug use, this is how you get to live. Absolutely zero sympathy”
The Oak Bay Starfish take:
No matter what elected officials have decided to do Re: enabling drug use in WA, a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security has been on the job in recent years.
People will say Biden turned his back on border security. Let’s go with that.
Those days are over now.
The US Dept. of Homeland Security was established in 2002.
Love to see newspeople ask:
Has any US presidential administration since that time been able to use DHS to create any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US?
By Thomas Novelly , Konstantin Toropin , Steve Beynon and Drew F. Lawrence
“The Pentagon has already moved to gut $1 billion from the Army’s budget to maintain its facilities, including living quarters for junior troops that for years have suffered from dilapidated conditions.”
“The raiding of Army facilities money sparked bipartisan ire on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers asking Army officials during a June budget hearing about the effects on soldiers’ quality of life.”
Here at Oak Bay Starfish, we are looking for newspeople to let us know when Puget Sound area drug addicts have any difficulty in finding their cartel product of choice.
We are looking for real newspeople to let us know when local health departments see a reduced need to hand out Naloxone.
What we get now 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.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
A genuine seaport town – sending the message that the ways of the last century are best when managing public safety and a modern society. Don’t bring your Whidbey crap here.
How did the recent ICE raids start out? I don’t know all the answers, I have no LE experience. The perception may be that the initial arrival of LE personnel in Los Angeles involved those dressed in military-style gear.
Love to see 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.
“In March, the King County Council approved the formation of a new task force aimed at improving safety measures on public transit.”
“The task force came on the heels of a string of violent incidents on buses, including the stabbing death of Metro driver Shawn Yim. Yim was killed while on his route in Seattle’s University District on Dec. 18, 2024.”
Several interesting comments are posted with the article above.
Would any newsperson ever ask:
Have Seattle area drug addicts had any difficulty finding their cartel product of choice due to the March 20, 2025 Kristi Noem public affairs crackdown?
Public lands closed to the public June 4th, then reopened June 8th:
The U.S. Forest Service overseeing the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest issued a forest closure on June 4 for the area where the girls were found. They rescinded the closure on June 8.
“After law enforcement officers spent days scouring a remote section of Washington state for a man accused of killing his three young daughters, the sheriff leading the manhunt turned the search over to federal authorities, officials said Monday.”
By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard June 5, 2025
Love to see newspeople out asking questions.
What we get now 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.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
“It was unclear how they had apparently easy access to the gate and how the unit accounted for its equipment if thefts had been occurring for two years.”
Elimination Of Local News Reader Comments
Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.
These areas had small, local newspapers and those papers featured active, online comment sections. Paying for a newspaper subscription was OK with me. There were basic rules for commenting, but it did not seem to matter what name people went by. I never cared.
Suppressing comments, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support in the form of grant money, subscription and advertising sales, etc.
“14 plaques have been pried off raising ire of families, residents”
By Jerry Knaak The Daily World • May 17, 2025
Westport Mayor Ed Welter:
“You’ll end up with these transient camps. It happens every year. The fact that we’re having vandalism on the trail is indicative of a group of people that will do those kinds of things.”
“The ones we’re talking about are on that beach trail that goes from Ocean Avenue to the lighthouse and that is all State Parks property. It looks like they’ve been getting pried off. I don’t know what State Parks has been doing about it. State Parks has their own law enforcement capabilities, they have rangers assigned to these areas,” Welter said. ”If I had to guess, I would say that they’re probably getting scrapped, so there is some hope that we’ll be able to identify who’s doing this. If the officers can go to the scrap yards and identify a piece that is identifiable from one of the memorials then they can trace it back through the payment receipts or surveillance footage from the scrap yard. There’s some hope there.”
After a Port Angeles CBP buildup that took place more than a decade ago, is there any follow up made by the press to inform the public on whatever results have been achieved?
A symbol of mixed messages from various levels of government Re: cartel product inside the US.
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local narcotics task force, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in Hometown, USA.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
“While many of the services have said they are continuing to prioritize and fund fixing and building new barracks, Military.com reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon will shift $1 billion meant for Army barracks maintenance and renovation to its southern border mission.”
“Mold painted over, wires dangling and black rusted pipes framing the ceiling were part of everyday reality for Marines, sailors and airmen living in barracks on Guam. The conditions left the Navy’s top admiral in charge of barracks across the service baffled.”
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.
The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared/unwon wars, maintaining the barracks or managing federal contracts related to TRICARE.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
“The estimated street value of the seizure was $2.6 million.”
Drug Enforcement Administration:
Drug Fact Sheet
“Mexican drug trafficking organizations have
become the primary manufacturers and distributors
of methamphetamine to cities throughout the
United States, including in Hawaii.”
After a Port Angeles CBP buildup that took place more than a decade ago, is there any follow up made by the press to inform the public on whatever results have been achieved?
A symbol of mixed messages from various levels of government Re: cartel product inside the US.
If you are on the Kristi Noem team, you are out kicking ass.
If you are part of a local narcotics task force, you are advertising the latest big drug bust after cartel product is able to move past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry and a barrier of DOD ground units, US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels prior to arriving in the Puget Sound area.
If you are part of a local health dept. you are handing out Naloxone as always, to deal with the stuff that doesn’t get reported in the big local drug bust.
I grew up in the greater Seattle area back in the 70s. Gun ownership was a common thing. The WWII Generation had set up a modern society. Moms and Dads were in charge. Seattle was a considered to be a safe place for teens to go on dates.
Not planning to attend, but if I did, I would create my own sign to give a look at what I am concerned about:
