Archives for category: Restricted Activities

Never Forget-

The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.

Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.

Anybody fired over this?

A special marketing tribute to a catastrophic military failure:

For the US federal government, the event is remembered as a day about victims, heroes and patriotism.

Honor and commemorate the sacrifices made that day by remembering the heroes, armed forces, first responders, and countless others’ acts of service to defend our nation’s freedom. On 9/11 Day of Service, Americans of all ages and backgrounds are again invited to join and lead community service projects to honor the lives and service of those we lost on September 11.”

We got our ass kicked on 911.The federal government has been squandering credibility ever since. If the US Armed Forces were keeping us safe– first responders would have had a routine day at work on 911. The giant government and “Dept of Defense” were nowhere to be found on 911. For federal government convenience, take the day, follow along, pledge your allegiance and behave as that government sees fit. Do as you are told. Fly your flag as you are told. Think and behave as that government tells you. Divert your attention away from federal government failure and stay busy with federal suggestions for the day.

Nothing wrong with volunteer work. The manipulative federal government can stay out of it.

Here at Oak Bay Starfish, we will observe the day by avoiding network TV. At the bottom of this page, we will offer up some readings featuring voices of dissent and alternative media.

Aftermath

Let’s say the federal government did everything right before and on the day of Sept. 11th, 2001. The uniparty press avoids questions on how things have come together since.

Big Homeland Security spending

The US Dept of Homeland Security was established on November 25, 2002. Plenty of time for lessons learned, and more cartel drugs entering Hometown, USA than ever before?

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.

Precinct 4 SET detectives conducted the operation with the assistance of other KCSO detectives from contract partners of Shoreline, SeaTac, Maple Valley, Metro, and TAC-30.”

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:

Seattle media: Heroin busts could finance police construction in Snohomish

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.

Big DOD spending on undeclared/unwon wars for our freedoms.

The All Volunteer Force 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:

Freedom?

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?

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.

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 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.

 

Maybe a few more decades of undeclared/unwon wars and the freedoms will get better.

The uniparty promotes the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms. The press plays along by not asking questions.

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?

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.

The country struggles with:

Cultural Honesty

Search Engines

Has it become harder to find blogs, videos and alternative media that ask questions or point to the failures of 911 and its aftermath? How about COVID? How about a giant US Dept. of Homeland Security?

Land of Information Suppression

Refusal To Release Sept. 11 Documents

Aug. 6, 2021 NBC News

9/11 families to President Biden: Don’t come to our memorial events

“Nearly 1,800 victims’ relatives, first responders and survivors are calling on Biden to refrain from attending any memorials over his refusal to release Sept. 11 documents.”

“The administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump also declined to declassify supporting documents, citing national security concerns.”

22 Years Later

Part of the reaction was to send The Troops into undeclared wars.

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.

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.

Fake GWOT?

The US Dept. of Homeland Security was invented after the catastrophic military failure of 911. The idea was to keep bad people from coming to the US to do bad things/attempt another 911, etc.

Wouldn’t the giant War on Terror be a cartel drug trafficker’s worst nightmare?

Welcome Home Troops

Jan 27, 2023 KONP FENTANYL NOW TOP DRUG IN CLALLAM COUNTY OVERDOSES

Have opioid lawsuits played any role in improving the situation?

How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?

Has a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security created any shortage of opioids in the Puget Sound area?

If Americans lived in a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking public policy related questions all of the time. This is not the case.

Thanks For Your Service

Thanks for doing time/risking your ass in Iraq and Afghanistan, working to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure.

Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:

Related:

GWOT/Super Bowl Security Update 2023

Port Angeles – Cartel Drugs

Homeland Security Is A Scam

GWOT questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:

REAL ID

If REAL ID is critical to the safety of America, have travelers out at the airport been less safe since 911?

The new REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel has now been extended out more than 20 years past 911 – May 7, 2025

 

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?

 

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?

 

Show up early to wait in line and squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube at the airport?

What keeps the terrorists of the GWOT from creating a disruption at the back end of the screening line?

Has anyone ever seen any member of the press ask questions on this?

Fred Reed December 4, 2015

Security Theater: Customary Federal Pointlessness

“…the intelligence agencies have proved useless. NSA did not prevent the first attack on the Twin Towers in 1993, nor the successful one.”

“What goes on at airports is not security. It is Security Theater. When the government’s own agents try to smuggle “weapons” aboard airliners to test the system, they succeed ninety-five percent of the time.”

“Further, a terrorist doesn’t need to get aboard an airliner to blow up spectacularly. At many airports, hundreds of people line up at ticket counters during peak hours. A carry-on bag of explosive would easily create enough slaughter to shut down air travel and to make international headlines for weeks.”

Warnings at airports that unattended vehicles will be ticketed, towed, and perhaps destroyed are also Security Theater. By the time the vehicle was noticed, and somebody sent to check it out, an easy five minutes would have passed and the driver would be somewhere else. Boom.”

REAL ID And The Fake War on Terror

 

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

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?

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

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

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

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

Secretary Wormuth,

Will sending the National Guard, active, reserve and IRR forces to support NATO/Ukraine stimulate new enlistments over at the recruiting office?

National Guard

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.

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, top Pentagon Generals and the press earned 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.

These families have stories to tell and they’re not all positive. Will their stories support a draft?

Return to a Military Draft?

Related:

Uniparty No Good For Confidence in US Armed Forces?

Over at the US Armed Forces recruiting office

Random Thoughts – Recruiting Crisis

Candidate (Fill in last name)

Hostile Forces in Distant Lands

Operation Macho Swagger

 

Possibly of interest:

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

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

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.

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

Veterans Day Nonsense

Voices of Dissent and Alternative Media

Sep 19, 2017 By Laurence M. Vance

Five Lessons from 9/11

I much prefer Thomas Jefferson’s foreign policy to Shaprio’s: “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none.”

“Even with all of its resources and military might, the U.S. government failed miserably to protect Americans on 9/11.”

“Lesson number 1: Never trust the government. Ever. And especially when it has anything to do with terrorism, foreign policy, war, or the military. The government is a giant lie-making machine. Never trust what the government says about the events leading up to 9/11, the causes of the 9/11 attacks, or what actually happened on 9/11.”

“Lesson number 4: Government can’t keep us safe. The government couldn’t even protect its Pentagon.”

 

Sep 1, 2007 by

Bushs AmeriCorps Fraud

“Two months after the 9/11 attacks, Bush announced that he was expanding AmeriCorps and that all of us can become a September the 11th volunteer by making a commitment to service in our own communities.”

 

Samuel Cohen Sep 8, 2021 Los Angeles Times

Op-Ed: We hide an ugly truth when we call Sept. 11 ‘Patriot Day’

 

Recommended:

LewRockwell.com
anti-state•anti-war•pro-market

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Quality time at Point Partridge

 

Image above: 9/8/2023

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

Click image once or twice to show detail. News links/sources here: Penn Cove – Award Winning Sewage Treatment Plant

The mainstream press provides news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.

We are at a place where alternative media and comedians are asking the questions and highlighting the issues.

Two examples:

Love to see the mainstream press get out and interview people on various sides of any issue.

I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.

Small Town Papers – Two Examples

In the news:

Example number one:

August 11, 2023 Whidbey News-Times

Whidbey sewer plants win state awards

“The Oak Harbor Clean Water Facility was recognized as outstanding by the Department of Ecology.”

The Coupeville treatment plant received the outstanding performance award for the 13th consecutive year, and the Holmes Harbor plant was awarded for the 17th year in a row. The Penn Cove wastewater treatment plant was also a recipient this year.”

Beach adjacent to Award Winning Sewage Treatment Plant/Image at top of page:

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

Love to see newspeople ask:

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

Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.

In the news:

Example number two:

$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.

Any questions from newspeople?

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.”

Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.

The small papers will say they need more support from subscribers and advertising dollars or cash from the federal government to stay alive. All this because COVID or the internet or lack of newspaper sales, or a free and independent press that needs taxpayer support.

People who take no public funds, private donations or advertising dollars are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press? Call for unpaid volunteers and you’d get better news coverage than what we have now.

I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

No sense in subscribing to newspapers that do not ask public policy-related questions.

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

Related:

Press provides news that favors government agencies, departments and policies

Land of Information Suppression

Hey Newspeople – What are various people thinking on various issues?

COVID Update – The Press is Weak

Possibly of interest:

Stossel Compares Trump And Biden

 

The mainstream press provides news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.

We are at a place where alternative media and comedians are asking the questions and highlighting the issues.

Love to see the mainstream press get out and interview people on various sides of any issue.

I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.

Related:

Land of Information Suppression

Hey Newspeople – What are various people thinking on various issues?

COVID Update – The Press is Weak

Possibly of interest:

Stossel Compares Trump And Biden

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Working Waterfront – Port Townsend

 

Alternative media continues to ask questions.

The mainstream press provides news coverage that favors government agencies, departments and policies.

We are at a place where alternative media and comedians are asking the questions and highlighting the issues.

Small town newspaper (image at top of page) displays junk mail style advertising instead of front page news. The small papers will say they need more support from subscribers and advertising dollars or cash from the federal government to stay alive. All this because COVID or the internet or lack of newspaper sales, or a free and independent press that needs taxpayer support.

People who take no public funds, private donations or advertising dollars are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press? Call for unpaid volunteers and you’d get better news coverage than what we have now.

Same newspaper as in the photo at top of page:

$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.

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.”

Zero questions from newspeople.

No sense in subscribing to newspapers that do not ask public policy-related questions.

Related:

Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island

It looks like both Whidbey papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.

I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.

Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections

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

Related:

What We Learned Last Time

Land of Information Suppression

Room For Improvement – 98569

Consumer demand replaced with government demand

Hostile Forces in Distant Lands

Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment

Cultural Honesty

 


We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

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

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

Currently serving four-star officers and high level DOD civilians have been associated with what wars won by the US?

COVID

Last time, we learned that we could take off the mask when seated at a restaurant. Germs remained at a level in the room that would impact people when standing/not sitting.

What We Learned Last Time

 

Aug 30, 2023 MISES WIRE

The Unwelcome Return of Covid Restrictions and Lockdowns

 

 

 

 

Photo-

A few years back – preparing for a family potluck at home.

 

Photo credit/source:

Sequim Gazette By Matthew Nash • December 23, 2020 

 

Last time, we learned that we could take off the mask when seated at a restaurant. Germs remained at a level in the room that would impact people when standing/not sitting.

 


Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?

Did these forces constantly brag about freedoms while mandating what kind of showerhead must be installed in the bathroom of private homes, and what type of gas can must be purchased for a lawnmower? Did these hostile forces spend $6.3 million in federal cash on a used hotel and prompt the press to ask no questions?

Welcome Home Troops

Hostile Forces in Distant Lands

Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment

Cultural Honesty

Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Unaltered photo taken several years ago at a Puget Sound area farmers market.

 

Photo above-

Potlatch State Park – Hood Canal

Road Trip Report – Mask Up For Watersports – WA COVID

More from Washington State Parks:

Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit

I am a wait and see sort of person. I was not quick to believe the GWOT was fake. It took years for me to look and see what was happening.

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

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

During the COVID time-

I did not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.

Around September of 2021, we moved to a new community. My wife and I agreed that in the first few weeks, while getting settled, we would find a local place where we could get the shot. Just about that time, there seemed to be some question about which version of the vaccine was the one to take or avoid.

Restaurants were still changing up inside dining protocols.

From a Sept 2021 blog:

Dining Out

Ocean Shores, WA: Took a guest and went out to a place we enjoyed several weeks ago.

Small waiting line to get in.

Masks must be worn to enter.

So far, so good. Just like last time.

Seated at table when new format and protocols kick in:

Entire order will be taken all at the same time and will be paid for in advance.

Can we order a beer to start? No, entire order will be taken all at the same time.

Bar is open, several beers are on tap. No beer list at the table to let us know what is available.

When you are ready to order-slide menus over the edge of the table.

We saw a ketchup bottle on the table recently at another place. Works for us.

Last night, ketchup comes in tiny cups. Water comes in a bottle.

The place we went last night appeared to be fully staffed with good people. Not here to complain about restaurant staff.

Here to ask:

How much of the new dining format (not masks) is forced by the state and how much is made up by the local business?

Is there any medical advantage that comes with the new format?

If it is the choice of the business, what are they trying to achieve?

It seems like the plan is to cause meaningless inconvenience.

If you notice the inconvenience, maybe you will think that the establishment is somehow going out of their way because they care about protecting you.

I will wait on the sidelines if dining out features unpredictable new protocols. The whole idea of returning to a place you like is to duplicate the experience you had before.

Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities

About this time, info on vaccine side effects was being discussed somewhere. We were aware that getting the shot did not mean getting to go without a mask. The idea that more than one shot would be required was out there. Somewhere along in there, people were being accused of spreading misinformation and having their social media accounts suspended if they questioned the government version of COVID protocols.

Before the internet and social media-

If different people selected different churches to attend, or they decided to attend no church at all, was this because of misinformation?

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature.

Back into wait and see and never did get the shots.

We were aware that some employers required vaccines, but employees were still getting sick and in some cases facilities were shut down because too many people on staff could not come to work or something like that.

I always wore a mask when entering a business, post office, etc. Always took it off when I stepped back outside. I never spent a day on lockdown. The term lockdown seemed to apply to people who were associated with an employer, school, or maybe a church that was shut down. None of that applied to me.

Every day I wanted to go out and visit a state park or go shopping, I was able to do so.

COVID restrictions handed down by WA

My personal preference would be to let business people make business decisions.

Let customers support or walk away from the businesses of their choosing.

Avoid one size fits all mandates. Mask required? Let the business owner decide. Make the whole thing voluntary, like a stop smoking, or wear your seatbelt campaign.

WA COVID Oddities

Do property taxes go down because fleets of school buses sat idle and students remained at home? Any questions from newspeople?

Dining in tents attached to restaurants.

Locating an Army Field Hospital in Seattle.

Earliest days of WA COVID concern: We were told that COVID-19 was a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and school while marijuana and booze sales were designated as essential. This policy may have made people wonder about the science here.

Marijuana and booze sales roll on:

March 25, 2020 The Seattle Times

In coronavirus closures, Washington state pot and liquor stores can stay open; sales have spiked for a while

Special construction projects are approved:

May 12th, 2020

The construction project wasn’t delayed by the coronavirus pandemic; it was considered essential since it was state funded.”

Got it.

The state took money from some people, and gave it to some other people.

If your construction crew is working on a project based on any sort of voluntary exchange or honest demand for services, you might have to stay home for a while.

Source:

May 12, 2020 South Whidbey Record

Iconic inn gets new cedar roof thanks to grant

During COVID, a few letters and editorials compared this time to the past and made the case that people did a better job of pulling together during WWII.

They are correct.

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.

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

If I was Governor

WA – Dining Outside While Sealed Inside A Tent Is Legal

Fast food drive-thru:

It seems typical that the cashier, who handles cash, coins and cards-also places napkins in the to-go bag.

This really doesn’t seem to make sense even before concerns Re: COVID-19.

Food handler card? Cross-contamination? Health Department? State of the art protocols practiced by global corporations, restaurant management professionals, etc. No one seems to notice.

No Contact Drive Thru – Magic Tray Update

Not Complaining – Just Noticing

Play by the rules and we’ll make more rules

WA COVID – Press Release Style of News Reporting

Stay-at-home, except when purchasing liquor up until 9 p.m.

Rules are easier to follow if the reason for them is well understood. What time zone does the coronavirus operate on?

Alcohol Sales Must End At 10 p.m.

What was going on over at the local military base?

Not Really A Life And Death Situation?

Over at Walmart:

Whoever designed the building did so by code/permit. Size of building dictates number of exits/entrances and how large the space is where people are able to move shopping carts, enter with their family, etc.

COVID brings on restricted store entrances and exits. To enter the store, the normal access is restricted and made more narrow, forcing people to bunch up in order to get into the store. What is the medical advantage of this?

Landlords required to provide rent-free housing during COVID

Dec 23rd 2020 KOMO News

Gov. Inslee extends state’s eviction moratorium

“Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has again extended the state’s eviction moratorium, this time through the end of March.”

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?

Had an interaction on Twitter and was told:

You realize that’s part of the utility bill in WA? Services can’t be shut off during the pandemic, @yeomalt.”

Love to see the press provide more details on the updated situation.

How does the trash company get paid for services?

Killing incentives to maintain apartment complexes and homes for rent. Killing incentives to pay rent on time. Killing incentives to be a good tenant.

Killing Incentives in WA

April of 2020:

If you called 911 to report an emergency and described why the local state park is shut down, would the operator agree that this situation involves an emergency?



Mixed Messages On What Is An Emergency

Podcast 3 Closing All Recreational Fishing & Shellfishing Statewide

Whidbey Island

Pizza delivery, marijuana and booze sales roll on as government agencies phase out access and services.

Local press responds with reduced coverage and less in the way of asking questions:

Concealed Carry Processing Suspended

Conclusion:

If there is a list of the things government does well, it must be a small one. Will people have a never again attitude towards restrictions during a future crisis? Will the government think it was able to prove that people can be herded into submission?

To me, the most interesting people in politics are the people who are willing to question their chosen political party.

A video from Jimmy Dore, a progressive Democrat:

Possibly of interest:

Podcast 6 Fake July 4th Freedom

Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays

 

Love to see newspeople ask:

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

 

Went to a favorite Asian restaurant yesterday. To go box/containers are made of 1970s style styrofoam. Take out bags are made of plastic.

Feels great. I do not have any fetish about using or going without plastic and styrofoam. That ends when big brother says you can’t/here is a deadline, etc.

 

In recent months-

Visiting/shopping at more than one Puget Sound area military installation:

Plastic bags are still readily available and in use. No extra fees/questions, etc.

Having/wanting a choice on plastic bags does not indicate a disregard for the planet.

 

Governor Inslee,

Please take a look at several Whidbey beaches that 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

Newspeople play along by not asking questions.

 

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

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

 

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

 

More here:

WDFW Monitors Water Quality at Penn Cove

 

Governor Inslee,

Please take a look at:

Closed – WA Interstate 5 Rest Areas

 

Related:

Leave it cleaner than you found it-

Welcome Sportsmen!

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Seen at a Puget Sound area Farmers Market

 

COVID-19 vaccine mandate to enter restaurants and bars in Clallam and Jefferson counties.

Love to see the press get out and interview people on various sides of this issue.

 

My take: TV newspeople tend to report only one side of the story.

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.

Newspeople post this statement as is.

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

I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.

Today, voices of dissent, and their social media accounts, are suppressed.

This whole structure brings government messages into question.

 

I think people could reject alternative media and be totally good with mainstream media, but it would require the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks to try harder.

 

Olympic Peninsula COVID-19 vaccine mandate:

Dec 19, 2021 Peninsula Daily News

Fix sought for proof-of-vaccination lawsuit

“Dr. Allison Berry, health officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties, issued a health order on Sept. 2 that requires customers of restaurants and bars to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.”

“The order, which took effect Sept. 4, was challenged in action filed in Clallam County Superior Court by six eateries in Sequim, Port Angeles and Joyce.”

“The plaintiffs are The Oasis Bar and Grill (doing business as Diamond Point Dreams), Kokopelli Grill and Coyote BBQ Pub in Port Angeles; Blondie’s Plate restaurant and Jose’s Famous Salsa and Salsa House Restaurant, both in Sequim; and Blackberry Cafe in Joyce.”

 

Dec 14, 2021 KONP

CLALLAM COUNTY VACCINE MANDATE COURT CASE WON’T BE HEARD LOCALLY

“A half-dozen local eateries have sought the injunction. They say it unconstitutionally targets a single industry and harms their freedom of commerce.”

Related:

TV News – Interview people from various sides of any issue?

One Size Fits All – County Restrictions On Bars And Restaurants

Road Trip Report – Mask Up For Watersports – WA COVID

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

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

Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions

COVID Restrictions Are Like Wearing A Seatbelt?

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Salt Creek

12 miles west of Port Angeles

 

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.

 

Love to see the press get out and interview people on various sides of this issue.

Recently blogged on this:

TV News – Interview people from various sides of any issue?

How are bars and restaurants holding up on the Olympic Peninsula since proof of vaccination restrictions began on September 4th?

Let’s hear more from restaurant/tavern owners and patrons.

Alternative Media

We are big fans of Independent/alternative media here at Oak Bay Starfish.

Alternative media is good about keeping an active comment section up & running. There’s always something to learn or think about from the points others make in the comment section.

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.

 

My personal preference would be to let business people make business decisions.

Let customers support or walk away from the businesses of their choosing.

 

Clallam and Jefferson counties:

Peninsula Daily News

Proof of vaccination required to enter Peninsula restaurants and bars since early Sept.

A Sept 30th visit to Port Townsend:

Road Trip Report – Mask Up For Watersports – WA COVID

 

Voices of dissent:

Sept, 16, 2021 Sequim Gazette

Sequim council opposes health restrictions 4-3

Port Townsend:

KING 5 News video interview with local pub owner:

Clallam, Jefferson counties requiring COVID-19 vaccination for indoor dining

 

Where does TV news come from?

 

King County

King County, Washington- Founded December 22, 1852

On February 24, 1986, the King County Council approved a motion to rename the county to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.…”

 

KING 5 News

King County to require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, gyms and events starting Oct. 25

An interesting collection of comments with this video:

Related:

Washington State Ferries & A Press Release Style Of News Reporting

COVID Restrictions Are Like Wearing A Seatbelt?

FDA Approved

One Size Fits All Society

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

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

Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Our buyers inspect and select only the leanest cuts of meat for the grill-

 

Got into an interesting excahge here.

My take: TV newspeople tend to report only one side of the story.

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.

Newspeople post this statement as is.

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

I want to know what various people are thinking on various issues.

Today, voices of dissent, and their social media accounts, are suppressed.

This whole structure brings government messages into question.

In the interaction above, I was told:

What other side should we be learning about besides the cdc or world health organization?”

My answer:

The idea that people who have already recovered from COVID have antibodies and natural immunity and may not require vaccination.

Here is a local story telling of about 40 people who work at a medical center who have declined the COVID vaccination and will loose their jobs.

TV newspeople-

This is a story all by itself.

People who work in and around the medical field who have been on the job over the past 18 months and reject the vaccine? Why not connect with a couple of these people and interview them?

October 17, 2021 Peninsula Daily News

Monday is state’s deadline for vaccine

“Berry said that at OMC in Port Angeles, out of 1,675 staff members, only about 40 had not fulfilled requirements as of last week and were at risk of termination.”

 

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

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

Would it have helped for the press to present views from people other than the Dept. of Defense?

 

I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.

Concerns here are not specific to any political party, personality or group identity.

 

One Size Fits All Society

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

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

Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

North of Perego’s Lagoon, looking towards Fort Ebey.

Local info:

Two Bluff Trails

 

The crew shortage story is now more than 15 months old:

June 30, 2020 at 5:43 pm PDT
By Ryan Simms, KIRO 7 News video:

Ferry wait times spike following staff shortages

Today:

Oct 11, 2021 KOMO News

Washington State Ferries near full staffing by end of weekend, but delays still possible

More than 150 sailings were canceled from the San Juans Islands to the Central Sound Friday in an unprecedent day.”

“WSF said they are experiencing a severe staffing shortage due to an aging workforce, recruiting challenges, while feeling the impact of the global pandemic and now a vaccine mandate for state workers.”

The Puget Sound area includes several military bases. Has the US Navy delayed or canceled sailings because of crewing issues? Any chance that TV newspeople could go and do some interviews and ask these sorts of questions?

 

I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.

I am OK with the Washington State Ferries workforce protesting COVID mandates.

 

TV News

Would TV newspeople be willing to interview people from various sides of an issue?

Much of what we get today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency is 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.

 

Random thoughts and questions newspeople seem to avoid:

Within WSF, what incentives are in place to keep customers happy?

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

Are crew member incentives in place for perfect attendance?

Extra pay, promotions, extra vacation days, earlier retirement?

15 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?

 

Would TV newspeople be willing to interview people from various industries and public agencies on how they have handled the impacts of COVID?

HR policy away from WA government:

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

Love to see TV newspeople ask: How has the greater maritime industry dealt with COVID crewing challenges? How have various industries and public agencies handled this? Airlines? US Navy? FedEx? UPS? Costco? Local fire dept?

Related:

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

Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Keystone Ferry – inbound

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

Possibly of interest:

Occasionally Looking for the Coupeville Ferry

Washington State Ferry Ride

Don’t book a bed and breakfast stay in Coupeville and plan to walk from the ferry terminal to your accommodations.

Ferry Traffic Leaving Coupeville Terminal Routed Away From Coupeville

 

Photo above-

Potlatch State Park – Hood Canal

More from Washington State Parks:

Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit

 

Port Townsend – Trip Report

We spent some time today waiting on the Keystone Ferry. Ferry waits can be a little longer now, due to one boat service.

Port Townsend is a good walking town. We have visited many times to take a look around, go shopping, drink a couple beers, enjoy a local restaurant or pub, meet friends and family, etc.

Today we had to wait for the ferry and it was time for lunch. Several restaurants are within an easy walk of the ferry dock. Over the years, these restaurants must have done a significant business serving people waiting for the ferry or showing up in town just to visit.

We quickly realized that the county we were in would not let people enter to dine in a restaurant without proof of vaccination.

One of the restaurants closest to the ferry was clearly open, but the parking lot was completely empty.

The outdoor dining area was completely empty. There was no sign of life.

Like many other locations, they are looking to add staff.

The lunch rush appears to be dead. If the customers are gone, how will new hires serve customers?

 

Snohomish County – Trip Report

Later in this same trip, we visited a traditional Mexican restaurant.

A very active dining and cantina scene here. Customers and staff seem happy. Masks required to enter. We have been here several times over the years. Recommended for anyone who still wants to get out to a Mexican restaurant. It looks like the large cantina has a bit of a sports bar vibe too.

 

Visiting/Shopping at more than one Puget Sound area military installation

Installation number one:

Saw a Got Freedom? t-shirt. The concept behind this could be discussed for hours.

Installation number two:

On Oct 2nd, 2021, plastic bags are still readily available and in use. No extra fees/questions, etc.

Having/wanting a choice on plastic bags does not indicate a disregard for the planet.

 

Related:

WA COVID Mixed Messages

COVID Restrictions Are Like Wearing A Seatbelt?

Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions

Press Needs More Funding?

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

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

 

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

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

 

I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.

Look for TV newspeople to avoid asking public policy questions similar to those posted below.

 

Letter to the editor describes what seems like a worst case scenario:

September 28, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Letter: Those who are unvaccinated put the rest of us at risk

“…local hospitals are being overwhelmed by COVID patients, literally all of whom are unvaccinated. This has created a situation where people needing emergency room services are likely unable to get them.”

 

Another letter to the editor:

Sequim Gazette

Letters to the editor — Sept. 8, 2021

Hospitals and clinics are being flooded with COVID patients —mostly those who have chosen not to be vaccinated — while needed surgeries and procedures are being canceled to make way for COVID patients.”

 

If COVID concerns are becoming extremely serious, will we see a return to:

Dining in tents attached to restaurants?

Locating an Army Field Hospital in Seattle?

Will people avoid non-essential trips outside the home and gathering in groups?

Will additional restrictions be placed on grocery store shopping?

 

In the news:

Sept. 10, 2021 CNBC

People are booking Christmas vacations earlier than ever before

 

Sept. 27, 2021 CNN

5 reasons you should book your holiday travel now

 

Sep 29, 2021 Rapid City Journal

If you haven’t booked holiday travel yet, you’re already late

 

Alternative media continues to ask questions:

Related:

COVID Restrictions Are Like Wearing A Seatbelt?

Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions

Press Needs More Funding?

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

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Looking from Damon Point towards the Westport Jetty.

Washington Coast

 

I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.

 

Holiday gatherings are not canceled because people go without seatbelts.

 

People do not lose their jobs because they go without seatbelts.

 

Travel is not shut down because people go without seatbelts.

Sept. 20, 2021 USA TODAY

“Border restrictions on nonessential travel have been extended again, this time through Oct. 21, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said Monday. The restrictions were first implemented in March 2020 and have since been extended on a monthly basis.”

 

Landlords are not required to provide rent free apartments because people go without seatbelts.

Sept. 21, 2021 Office of the Mayor Mayor Jenny A. Durkan

Mayor Durkan Announces January 15, 2022 Extension of Eviction Moratorium and Continuation of Additional COVID-Related Protections

 

Sept. 23, 2021 KING 5 News

“Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday he is extending Washington state’s eviction moratorium for one month. The state’s moratorium was set to expire on Sept. 30, 2021.

The extension will keep the moratorium in place through Oct. 31, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.”

 

Employers do not face federal mandates because people go without seatbelts.

Promoting a one size fits all society:

Maybe all of the US should function like one, giant military base.

Freedom of individual expression could be fully controlled. No distractions. No dissent.

 

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.

People choose different churches to attend, or attend no church at all. This is a safety valve.

 

WWII Generation

A few letters and editorials have compared recent months to the past and made the case that people did a better job of pulling together during WWII.

They are correct.

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.

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

 

Since WWII, information has become available on:

USS Calhoun County sailors dumped thousands of tons of radioactive waste, using GIs in mustard gas experiments, using GIs to test nuclear weapons, Agent Orange, MCAS El Toro and Camp Lejeune water contamination & Gulf War Syndrome.

News links and sources here:

JBLM – US Armed Forces Vaccine Hesitancy

 

June 24, 2020 Jacob G. Hornberger

The “Greatest” Generation’s Refusal to Fight the “Good War”

“The U.S. government had to force 61.2% of the “greatest generation” to fight in World War II.”

Most troops did not volunteer.

Related:

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Nordland Transit Center

 

I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.

WA State Ferries

In the news:

Sep 12, 2021 KING 5 News video

‘The ferry system is our lifeline’: San Juan Island residents scramble as several weekend ferry routes are canceled

“This comes after weeks of rumors of WSF employees staging a “sick-out” to protest the governor’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.”

I am OK with the Washington State Ferries workforce protesting COVID mandates.

WSF COVID crewing challenges have been in the news for well over 12 months now.

HR policy away from WA government:

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

Love to see KING 5 ask: How has the greater maritime industry dealt with COVID crewing challenges? How have various industries and public agencies handled this? Airlines? US Navy? FedEx? UPS? local fire dept?

Blogged about it back in May:

WSF COVID Crewing Challenges – Now 10 Months In

 

Dining Out

Took a guest and went out to a place we enjoyed several weeks ago.

Small waiting line to get in.

Masks must be worn to enter.

So far, so good. Just like last time.

Seated at table when new format and protocols kick in:

Entire order will be taken all at the same time and will be paid for in advance.

Can we order a beer to start? No, entire order will be taken all at the same time.

Bar is open, several beers are on tap. No beer list at the table to let us know what is available.

When you are ready to order-slide menus over the edge of the table.

We saw a ketchup bottle on the table recently at another place. Works for us.

Last night, ketchup comes in tiny cups. Water comes in a bottle.

The place we went last night appeared to be fully staffed with good people. Not here to complain about restaurant staff.

Here to ask:

How much of the new dining format (not masks) is forced by the state and how much is made up by the local business?

Is there any medical advantage that comes with the new format?

If it is the choice of the business, what are they trying to achieve?

I will wait on the sidelines if dining out features unpredictable new protocols. The whole idea of returning to a place you like is to duplicate the experience you had before.

 

Possibly of interest:

Recent Memes

 

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

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Photo-

Extinct ferry at Kingston

 

There has been a lot going on in the news. I’d like to move away from it, but the big stories have pulled me in over the past few days.

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.

Love to see the press, school teachers, sports announcers and politicians come clean on how any of this was linked to American rights and freedoms or defending the constitution.

Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms

 

The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.

We haven’t won a war since.

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

 

Show up early to wait in line and squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube out at the airport?

What keeps the terrorists of the GWOT from creating a disruption at the back end of the screening line?

Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area.

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

 

Much of the TV news reporting we get today is sort of a press release style of 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.

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

 

I do not speak out against vaccines or anyone who takes them. Ditto for mask wearing indoors or out.

My concerns are not specific to any political party, personality or group identity.

Before the internet and social media-

If different people selected different churches to attend, or they decided to attend no church at all, was this because of misinformation?

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature.

FDA Approved

 

Stopped by a WA bar on Friday. Masks must be worn to enter. Masks come off inside and people carry on as always. Even for people with a completely neutral mind, much of all this seems like just going through the motions.

My personal preference would be for business owners to make business decisions. Customers would support or walk away from the businesses of their choosing. If people want to sit at the bar and drink, let’s leave that option open.

 

A One Size Fits All Society?

TV newspeople tend to report one side of the story. Would TV newspeople (prior to the protest phase) be willing to interview people from various sides of an issue?

A large number of news stories Re: parents showing up at back to school protests tell us that different people believe different things.

Allowing people to voluntarily opt in or out may ease the tension-similar to the way people select the church they attend, or chose to attend no church at all.

People who wish to wear masks and get vaccinated may do so at any time.

None of these images belong to me. I did not create them. They were shared on the web.

 

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

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

 

The COVID situation may be confusing. Gov. Inslee ended statewide COVID restrictions on June 30, 2021.

June 28, 2021 The Seattle Times

Inslee to celebrate end of COVID-19 restrictions with stops in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane

“On Wednesday evening, Inslee will head to a celebration at River Square Park in Spokane, to be joined by Mayor Nadine Woodward.”

“Then, on Thursday morning, Inslee will raise a “Washington Ready” flag above the Space Needle. Afterward, the governor is expected to make a stop at Pike Place Market.”

 

July 14, 2021

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is thrilled to share today the state reached its 70% vaccination goal.”

 

WA 70% Vaccination Goal

 

Less than one month after ending statewide COVID restrictions:

July 22, 2021 Peninsula Daily News

Time to mask up again against COVID-19
Honor system ‘not working’

 

Earliest days of WA COVID concern: We were told that COVID-19 was a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and school while marijuana and booze sales were designated as essential. This policy may have made people wonder about the science here.

Marijuana and booze sales roll on:

March 25, 2020 The Seattle Times

In coronavirus closures, Washington state pot and liquor stores can stay open; sales have spiked for a while

 

Special construction projects are approved:

May 12th, 2020

The construction project wasn’t delayed by the coronavirus pandemic; it was considered essential since it was state funded.”

Got it.

The state took money from some people, and gave it to some other people.

If your construction crew is working on a project based on any sort of voluntary exchange or honest demand for services, you might have to stay home for a while.

Source:

May 12, 2020 South Whidbey Record

Iconic inn gets new cedar roof thanks to grant

 

Related:

Blaming Misinformation

JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation

Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities

Does the science still say WA marijuana and booze sales are essential?

WA COVID – Press Release Style of News Reporting

 

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

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

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Port Townsend

 

I live near a military base that I visit frequently. Over the past year, a wide range of changing COVID restrictions have been in place.

You can find different requirements at different buildings and facilities all on the same base, in the same day.

Military exchange

Over the past 12 months, every possible combination of closing one or most entrances to the building and channelling shoppers into and out of one door. Next visit, a different combination of entrance/exits closed is in place. Ask anyone who works or shops there, they would be able to verify. Never have understood how COVID risk is minimized by changing up the building entrances and exits. Masks are always required.

Military commissary

Overt the past 12 months: count shopping carts so that a limited number of shoppers can be in the facility. Check ID cards before entry. Later, no more checking cards or counting shoppers. Masks are always required.

Other base facilities have required a temperature check before entry. Some have required a face covering. Some have required a cloth face covering.

Walmart

Whoever designed the building did so by code/permit. Size of building dictates number of exits/entrances and how large the space is where people are able to move shopping carts, enter with their family, etc.

COVID brings on restricted store entrances and exits. To enter the store, the normal access is restricted and made more narrow, forcing people to bunch up in order to get into the store. What is the medical advantage of this?

Related:

Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities

 

The Science

If COVID-19 in WA was a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work, why were  marijuana and booze sales designated as essential?

 

REAL ID

If terrorists are trying to kill us, and REAL ID matters, have travelers out at the airport been less safe during the almost 20 years since 911?

The new REAL ID requirement/deadline for domestic air travel has been extended how many times now?

REAL ID And The Fake War on Terror

 

REAL ID & Drug Cartels

If terrorists are trying to kill us, and REAL ID matters, why are drug cartels able to move product into all 50 states?

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 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.

 

Alternative media continues to ask questions.

30:35

Joe Biden is wearing a mask on a zoom call-when he has been vaccinated:

Related:

Fake War on Terror

Polk County Florida “…Our Partnership With Homeland Security…”

COVID – Life and Death for Some – Restrictions for All

JBLM – US Armed Forces Vaccine Hesitancy

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Port Hadlock Transit Center

 

Local Fire Dept.

April 23, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Oak Harbor fire chief: Response times slower than year ago

“Staffing shortages, city growth and the need to don personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic led to longer response times, Merrill said.”

“The department lost about a third of its paid-on-call staff from April to September last year, Merrill explained, because they were members of the Navy and were restricted from volunteering during the pandemic.”

 

WA State Ferries

June 30, 2020 KIRO 7 News video

Ferry wait times spike following staff shortages

“Currently, the number of passengers is going back up, but more than 150 employees are off the job due to the pandemic.”

Some (employees) are in that high-risk category, either by age, or whether by underlying health conditions, or both, so we want to keep them safe,” Sterling told KIRO 7 News.

“Ahead of the Fourth of July period, ferry workers are already warning passengers the wait this weekend could exceed four hours.”

 

Months Later

Did any sort of hiring blitz take place? Many people are ready for good jobs in this economy.

Response from WSF:

We have hired a bunch of new employees since and many more are still in training in preparation for this coming summer.”

April 16, 2021 1:42pm Whidbey News-Times

Coupeville ferry short crew; some reservations canceled

 

The High-Risk Category

Would it make sense to have age/physical standards requirements in hiring? The US Armed Forces are one example of where these requirements are in place.

Related/previous blog:

Central Planning and Essential Travel

 

Do property taxes go down because fleets of school buses sat idle and students remained at home?

Are deadlines for payment of property taxes extended?

 

If we could save just one life-

We might reduce the speed limit on the highway to 40 mph.

We might require all drivers on state roadways to wear a NASCAR/Indy-style helmet.

If driving a car without a seatbelt is not legal, should motorcycle use be phased out to save lives?

 

Cartel drugs can be deadly for some.

US Troops at the border, the big El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911/GWOT security protocols, and a $49.8 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth, heroin and fentanyl from arriving in Hometown USA.

Should further restrictions be put in place?

The legal drinking age could be raised to age 35, if it would save lives.

Everyone could be required to go to 12 step meetings as a preventative measure.

High risk activities could be phased out.

Mountain climbing, riding in a hot air balloon, operating a home built aircraft, and swimming in any location without a lifeguard are examples of activities that could be restricted.

 

The idea is to live in a free and honest society.

Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All

Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Port Hadlock Transit Center

 

Possibly of interest:

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.

Updated daily: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Related:

Local Waters

A photo tour of Penn Cove here:

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance

 

Distance learning idea:

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

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

More here:

Local Waters And The Puget Sound Area Press

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

Last year:

Whidbey Earth Day

 

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

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

 

June 30, 2020 KIRO 7 News video

Ferry wait times spike following staff shortages

“Currently, the number of passengers is going back up, but more than 150 employees are off the job due to the pandemic.”

Some (employees) are in that high-risk category, either by age, or whether by underlying health conditions, or both, so we want to keep them safe,” Sterling told KIRO 7 News.

“Ahead of the Fourth of July period, ferry workers are already warning passengers the wait this weekend could exceed four hours.”

 

Nine Months Later

Did any sort of hiring blitz take place? Many people are ready for good jobs in this economy.

Response from WSF:

We have hired a bunch of new employees since and many more are still in training in preparation for this coming summer.”

April 16, 2021 1:42pm Whidbey News-Times

Coupeville ferry short crew; some reservations canceled

 

The High-Risk Category

Would it make sense to have age/physical standards requirements in hiring? The US Armed Forces are one example of where these requirements are in place.

Related/previous blog:

Central Planning and Essential Travel

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Keystone Ferry – inbound

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

Possibly of interest:

Occasionally Looking for the Coupeville Ferry

Washington State Ferry Ride

Don’t book a bed and breakfast stay in Coupeville and plan to walk from the ferry terminal to your accommodations.

Ferry Traffic Leaving Coupeville Terminal Routed Away From Coupeville

 

I think people could reject alternative media and be totally good with mainstream media, but it would require the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks to try harder.

We are fans of alternative media here at Oak Bay Starfish.

Feb 13, 2021 LewRockwell.com

The Great Vaccine Scam By Vasko Kohlmayer

Rather than being told the truth, we were commanded to hunker down in lengthy lockdowns and ordered to wait until the vaccine was found.”

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam to stay safe.

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

More information is better-this is how science and medicine works. Over the years, some people have been freed from prison based on new DNA evidence becoming available.

Are the people who took steps to discover that new evidence conspiracy theorists?

Apply this same curiosity and desire for knowledge to some controversial topics and you’ll be labeled a conspiracy theorist.

Why the effort to suppress questions?

 

The culture of the Marine Corps includes taking a careful look at things that may have gone wrong in order to prevent them from happening again in the future:

Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned

 

Best case scenario-elected officials, public agencies, & a free and independent press work together to keep people informed.

 

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

3:20

“An error doesnt become a mistake, until you refuse to correct it.”

Related:

Conspiracy Theory?

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

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

Fewer Than Half Of All Americans Trust The Mainstream Media

 

The idea is to live in a free and honest society.

Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Port Hadlock Transit Center

 

Cartels are able to move product to all 50 states. All levels of government are supposedly working against them and they get the job done.

Any shortage of heroin, meth or fentanyl anywhere in the US?

Maybe look into it.

High Terror Alert Fails To Keep Cartel Product Out

 

Feb 9, 2021 Q13 FOX News video

Communities report vaccine deliveries halted across Washington

“Officials said 1,200 doses had been ordered for delivery by the state, but nothing arrived.”

Question for newspeople:

If we have a party and order 3 large pizzas, the pizza place will tell us if they are unable to make a delivery or unable to have product ready for pickup. When orders for 1,200 doses of vaccine are placed with the state, is the state indicating the delivery will be made? What is changing between the time the order is made and the delivery date?

Placing an order with a local shop:

Called 1-800 Sears

 

Feb 5 Camano Island Fire & Rescue

Vaccine update:

We requested 1,200 doses of vaccine. Unfortunately, the state did not allocate any doses to us for the week of Feb. 8.”

 

What is the government really good at?

Spotting counterfeit N95 masks? Big problems.

Spotting counterfeit Super Bowl items? Job well done.

Staying out of, winning or shutting down decades of undeclared wars?

Running an unemployment office?

Opioid lawsuits?

Keeping drug cartels from showing up with product far from any border crossing or port of entry?

Feb 9, 2021 KABB FOX 29

“The cartels in Mexico are flooding the domestic illegal drug market with methamphetamine,” said Sorianello.

Keeping sewage treatment outfall from impacting local waters?

Protecting your personal information?

 

Possibly of interest:

Because We Said So

Marketing Partnership Update

Welcome Home Troops

Security Theater

Play by the rules and we’ll make more rules

Fewer Than Half Of All Americans Trust The Mainstream Media

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

 

The idea is to live in a free and honest society.

Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All

 

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

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

 

This item came in the mail weeks ago. It did not look like official government mail or tax info to me. It looked a bit questionable. I set it aside and forgot about it. Later, I read more on the web about this card and could not remember if I threw it out. After a thorough search, I found the card.

We have a local financial institution that we are very happy with. My wife and I both have accounts there. My wife activated the card at home, then called our Bank/CU. She was told that we would both need to go to the bank and both go inside to have the funds deposited into our separate (not joint) accounts. Months ago, when the stimulus check arrived, we were able to make the deposit from the drive-thru. Access to the inside of the Bank/CU is quite restricted now. We waited to enter the outside lobby area. When it was our turn we went in and were told by the screener that we would have to go in and sit down one at a time. Wife went first with the card. I went second. This Bank/CU has a very high reputation for efficiency and none of that changed today.

It took extensive data entry for the person helping us to complete this transaction. We both have had accounts there for years, and the stimulus check deposit was a simple & fast process.

The data entry required today was similar to what I would expect for opening a new account after moving to a new town or city.

The card came in an envelope with instructions and lots of fine print. None of this had been required to deposit a check from the federal government.

Love to see a mini-documentary with banking professionals to inform the public on how much more time consuming the card is compared to a government check of the exact same value.

Computers, the web, government, banks and credit unions have been around for years now. Why not keep it simple?  Why does depositing funds from the card seem to be much more time consuming?

Some people have been out of work and missed paychecks because of COVID.

Some people have missed zero checks because of COVID.

Seems odd to send the same bulk amount of cash out to everyone, no matter what their situation is.

Related:

If I was Governor

Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Just south of Point Partridge

 

Credibility matters when government needs people to support various programs.

People have earned a right to be skeptical.

Some people may feel they have been run in circles by various levels of government for an extended period of time.

Will elected officials and the press acknowledge this possibility?

 

Jan. 22, 2021 The Seattle Times

Suzi LeVine, head of Washington state’s unemployment agency, to take job in Biden administration

July 2018

Inslee appointed LeVine as ESD commissioner in July 2018.”

During the Pandemic

“…problems at the ESD during her 2-1/2 year tenure — notably a fraud scheme that siphoned off $600 million in unemployment funds as well as chronic delays in benefit payments to legitimate claimants during the pandemic.”

During the Obama administration

“…LeVine, a 51-year-old former Microsoft and Expedia executive and U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein for three years in the Obama administration, is a longtime player in Democratic politics. She and her husband, Eric LeVine, gave more than $400,000 to the Biden campaign and other Democratic causes in 2019 and 2020, according to federal campaign records.”

Jan 2021

“And despite steady calls for her ouster following the fraud and other ESD problems, LeVine maintained the support of Inslee. LeVine “led the Employment Security Department through an extremely challenging time and I never doubted that she had the best interests of working Washingtonians at the heart of all her endeavors,” Inslee said in a statement Friday.”

“Last September, for example, LeVine disclosed that a software flaw that contributed to the fraud losses was first detected in 2019, but not fixed until much of the fraud had occurred. That problem was highlighted in December in the first of five state audits being conducted on the fraud and other problems during the pandemic. State Auditor Pat McCarthy also rebuked LeVine for hindering her office’s investigation.”

Feb 2021

Moving on to serve the USA as an economic first responder.

 

Nov 30, 2020 OregonLive

Auditor: Washington state agency head slowing investigation into massive unemployment fraud

“…Investigation into massive fraud resulting in the theft of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.”

“State Auditor Pat McCarthy said Employment Security Department Commissioner Suzi LeVine imposed “significant constraints” on auditors — including limiting interviews with key employees and delaying access to important documents, The Seattle Times reported.”

 

Jan 22, 2021 KING 5 News

Washington Employment Security Commissioner Suzi LeVine leaving to join Biden administration

“Employment Security Department (ESD) Commissioner Suzi LeVine, who came under fire for delays in unemployment benefit payments and the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars to fraud during the pandemic, is leaving her position to join the administration of President Joe Biden.”

 

Jan 22, 2021 Puget Sound Business Journal

LeVine leaves ESD fraud mess for role in Biden’s administration

ESD still has not released information in response to multiple public records requests that seek to understand how fraudsters pilfered $576 million from state coffers using stolen identities, including a request by Washington Sen. Ann Rivers.”

 

Random Thoughts

Maintaining the public trust?

Being on watch for fraud at Washington state’s Employment Security Department seems like it would be a normal part of the job, even if there was no pandemic.

Jan. 22, 2021 The Seattle Times

“Allies say she revived a dysfunctional and demoralized state agency. State Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, said that LeVine, who graduated from Brown University with an engineering degree, used her considerable technical and management expertise to help modernize an agency that had been slow to upgrade its systems.”

She took an agency that was in the ditch … and I think she did an extraordinary job of turning that ship,” Carlyle said. “And then, [she] ran into the largest global pandemic in world history.”

Why did Governor Inslee allow this agency to struggle prior to July of 2018?

Why did she not step down or get removed after “slowing investigation into massive unemployment fraud“?

Related:

WA – Credibility Squandered

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

If I was Governor

WA – Dining Outside While Sealed Inside A Tent Is Legal

Play by the rules and we’ll make more rules

 

The idea is to live in a free and honest society.

Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All

Northern California – One Size Fits All

 

 

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.

 

Crediblity matters when government needs people to support various programs.

People have earned a right to be skeptical.

Some people may feel they have been run in circles by various levels of government for an extended period of time.

Will elected officials and the press acknowledge this possibility?

 

In Washington State

Government is trusted to do the right thing by operating the Employment Security Department.

Nov 30, 2020 OregonLive

Auditor: Washington state agency head slowing investigation into massive unemployment fraud

“…Investigation into massive fraud resulting in the theft of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.”

“State Auditor Pat McCarthy said Employment Security Department Commissioner Suzi LeVine imposed “significant constraints” on auditors — including limiting interviews with key employees and delaying access to important documents, The Seattle Times reported.”

January of 2021

Jan 22, 2021 MyNorthwest.com

The head of Washington state’s unemployment office is leaving for a job with the Biden-Harris administration.

Commissioner LeVine leaving WA unemployment office to join Biden administration

LeVine was appointed to head the ESD in 2018 by Gov. Inslee, and confirmed by the state Senate in the following legislative session.”

“It’s unclear at this time what job LeVine is taking with the new administration, but she has served as an ambassador for the U.S. government in the past.”

 

Why are voters presented with issues on the ballot that may not be legally decided by voters?

Every vote counts?

October 15, 2020 Crosscut

WA Supreme Court rules $30 car tab initiative is unconstitutional

For the third time in state history, a measure promising to cut car-tab taxes to $30 a year has been blocked by Washington state courts.”

 

Public Safety Dealbreaker

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

July 5, 2020 KIRO 7

Death of I-5 protester sparks end of nighttime freeway protests

“But the Washington State Patrol looked the other way, even setting up barriers during the nearly three weeks of nighttime protests on the freeway.”

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.”

 

January of 2021

Plenty of time to get Seattle violence under control?

Jan 21 2021 KOMO News

After another violent night of protests, Seattle police speak out about their tactics

 

Governor Inslee,

Not disputing the mask requirement, but telling us that COVID-19 is a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and designating marijuana and booze sales as essential, may have made people wonder about the science here.

 

January of 2021

In the entire history of Washington State, how many times has any group attempted to breach a gate at the governor’s mansion because they were unsatisfied with public policy?

Which Governors have been in office when this has happened at any time in history?

Will elected officials and the press acknowledge that things may be different now?

 

More here:

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

If I was Governor

WA – Dining Outside While Sealed Inside A Tent Is Legal

Play by the rules and we’ll make more rules

 

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

This is the trend in the Puget Sound area.

Newspapers are suppressing or eliminating online comment sections. A forum for individual thought is not part of the plan. Newspapers are getting away from asking questions related to public policy while telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.

 

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

Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press

Press might need less bailout cash if it was more in the habit of asking questions

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

 

The idea is to live in a free and honest society.

Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All

Northern California – One Size Fits All

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

A trip to the state park might be a chance to leave the pressures of the world behind for an hour or two.

Preemptive warning notices will snap your mind back to reality before you even start your visit at the park.

Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit

 

Some people may feel they have been run in circles by various levels of government for an extended period of time.

Will elected officials and the press acknowledge this possibility?

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam to stay safe.

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

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

 

Northern California

Jan 18, 2021 Los Angeles Times

Fight against COVID-19 hits wall of defiance, suspicion in rural California: ‘The excuses just go on’

“We’re getting very frustrated here in Northern California,” said Dr. Richard Wickenheiser, the Tehama County health officer. “We have a lot of anti-vaxxers and a lot of independent people who just feel that COVID was a hoax…”

“In Tehama County, where indoor dining is banned by the state, restaurants were still seating maskless customers in recent days. In downtown Red Bluff, signs in store windows read: “Please respect everyone’s personal space. … Masks are welcome, but not required…”

“…the Palomino Room bar in Red Bluff was hopping. It was karaoke night. Old country hits were queued up. No one wore a mask.”

“The restaurant’s owner, Carlos Zapata, has refused to close or require facial coverings.”

Asked why he does not require masks, he told The Times: “Why would we? We’re not sick. Masks are for sick people.”

 

Jan 20, 2021 A News Cafe

Election Joys Dimmed by Local Threats: ‘We know where you live, we know who your family is, we know your dog’s name’

Early on in the pandemic, a group of vocal business owners openly defied all public health mandates. North State law enforcement made it clear from the get-go that they weren’t interested in enforcement. But then we heard that never fear, state agencies like ABC would be cracking down on those businesses. It turns out that for the most part, the state agencies don’t appear that keen on enforcement, either.”

“Meanwhile, here we are some 10 months since the first state mandates and there are some individuals and businesses that defy the rules and have done so since Day 1, such as many restaurants and bars that have never closed, and have no intentions of closing. One such restaurant is the Palomino Room in Red Bluff, owned by Carlos Zapata of Palo Cedro, someone whose name is familiar to many who read this site.”

“He’s said that should anyone try to come and force his place to close, he’d call upon the manpower and wrath of thousands of his fellow patriots. He has lots of company, and with each day that passes without any repercussions, more businesses feel emboldened to follow suit.”

“Many people wonder how the Covid non-compliant business-owners “get away” with it. How can they continue to break the rules month after month? Where are the enforcers? Sure, some agencies may say they’re overworked and understaffed, but my hunch is there’s not a huge push for enforcement for another reason: Nobody wants to risk a Waco reenactment right here in Shasta County. That threat is real.”

 

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.

 

In Washington State

Government is trusted to do the right thing:

Nov 30, 2020 OregonLive

Auditor: Washington state agency head slowing investigation into massive unemployment fraud

“…Investigation into massive fraud resulting in the theft of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.”

 

Why are voters presented with issues on the ballot that may not be legally decided by voters?

Every vote counts?

October 15, 2020 Crosscut

WA Supreme Court rules $30 car tab initiative is unconstitutional

For the third time in state history, a measure promising to cut car-tab taxes to $30 a year has been blocked by Washington state courts.”

 

Public Safety Dealbreaker

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

July 5, 2020 KIRO 7

Death of I-5 protester sparks end of nighttime freeway protests

“But the Washington State Patrol looked the other way, even setting up barriers during the nearly three weeks of nighttime protests on the freeway.”

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.”

 

Governor Inslee,

Not disputing the mask requirement, but telling us that COVID-19 is a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and designating marijuana and booze sales as essential, may have made people wonder about the science here.

 

January of 2021

In the entire history of Washington State, how many times has any group attempted to breach a gate at the governor’s mansion because they were unsatisfied with public policy?

Which Governors have been in office when this has happened at any time in history?

Will elected officials and the press acknowledge that things may be different now?

 

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.

The idea is to live in a free and honest society.

Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All

 

More here:

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

If I was Governor

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

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

Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press

Press might need less bailout cash if it was more in the habit of asking questions

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

A Fresh Start With President Biden? Political Parties – What They Agree On

WA – Dining Outside While Sealed Inside A Tent Is Legal

 

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.

Veterans Day Nonsense

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

San Francisco