Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
Any War on Terror Generals getting fired for failed efforts?
Any Homeland Security people getting fired for failing to keep bad guys from moving meth & heroin into the Puget Sound area?
Do public schools still teach Armistice Day lessons?
Any newspeople asking questions?
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Love to see more in the way of newspeople out asking questions. Get away from posting the press release handed down from whatever agency was involved in the latest bust.
Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.
What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?
Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:
The large drug bust story is always reported as a big success. This, after drug traffickers are somehow able to move product past National Guard Troops, strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- before product arrives in Hometown, USA.
Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Don’t worry- The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
The drug war is especially fascinating because preventing bad people from coming here to do bad things became a bigger priority after 911.
We’re told that we are in a life and death struggle in the War on Terror. Bad people will come here to destroy our American way of life if we don’t send The Troops to fight in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2009, we need a special ID to go have lunch in Canada and then return home.
Every 12 months, the US Department of Homeland Security gets another $40 billion in taxpayer funds.
If the drug war excuse now, is that migrant surges are diverting attention away from cartel traffic- remember that heroin was a problem in US communities prior to the recent migrant surges. Heroin is still here and now meth has taken hold.
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep bad guys from moving 50 pounds of methamphetamine into Oak Harbor:
Is the local meth situation linked in any way with the US/Canada border?
“It is comprised of law enforcement from Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations, Border Patrol, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.”
Question for newspeople:
Has local Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations been able to intercept any meth headed to Whidbey Island, or do they react after product arrives in local communities?
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth from entering the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat
Back in 2014:
Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Questions for newspeople:
Has there been any post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey Island?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Real ID
Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
Lessons Learned?
Anytime there is a plane crash, or an industrial accident, a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents. Any similar effort after a big drug bust?
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:
“Federal, state and local law enforcement fanned-out throughout the Puget Sound region Wednesday, arresting 17 people – two from Auburn, another from Pacific – in connection with multiple counts of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said.”
Well done to Alexis Krell and the Tacoma News Tribune. Some news outlets would have gone with whatever press release was provided by Joint Base Lewis–McChord.
Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
We’re still seeing frequent shootings in the Puget Sound area.
WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
If the US Armed Forces were an NFL team, newspeople might ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The press and the American people have a much more honest relationship with sports teams than they do with the Dept. of Defense.
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
DOD was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Does hometown pride get in the way of newspeople asking questions?
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
Love to see more in the way of newspeople out asking questions. Get away from posting the press release handed down from whatever agency was involved in the latest bust.
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Does hometown pride get in the way of newspeople asking questions?
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.
Reader Comments:
Today, I am an online subscriber to a newspaper that is not especially good at getting out and asking questions. Lately, they are posting more articles where there is no opportunity for readers to post comments.
No hate speech, insults, threats, foul language, attacking other commenters- these are rules that make sense.
Eliminating the opportunity for all to follow some basic rules and comment is information suppression. Elimination of reader comments may eventually lead me to cancel my online subscription.
What about TV news, news radio, public radio, etc. Where are they when questions need to be asked?
Two stories that cry out for news reporting:
Love to see updated reporting from newspeople anywhere on local water quality impacted by Whidbey sewage treatment plant outfalls.
As the months go by, we’ll watch and see how local conditions change. We’ll look for newspeople to ask public policy questions Re:
How long has Oak Harbor been an unsafe location for recreational shellfish harvesting?
If the state of the art sewage treatment plant went online more than 10 months ago- how was sewage being processed during the summer of 2018 or the year before?
When did the sewage treatment plant project begin?
If the old sewage treatment system was failing- when did it begin to fail?
Will the new sewage treatment plant allow for safe recreational shellfish harvesting at Oak Harbor? If not, why not?
How long will it take for recreational shellfish harvest conditions to become safe related to sewage treatment plant outfall?
“Border Patrol staffing totaled four agents in 2006. They worked in undersized quarters in downtown Port Angeles — in what’s now the Richard B. Anderson Federal Building.”
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
Newspeople,
Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?
Any arrests connected to cross-border maritime traffic?
When local USBP staffing went from four to 42 agents, what increase in arrests and apprehensions was achieved?
Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?
Elsewhere, when there’s something to brag about- the public is promptly notified:
“About half of the overdoses have been from prescription drugs, not heroin, she said.” What about the other half?
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Not complaining about jet noise, not trying to put a stop to the air show. Not trying to get the Navy to leave Whidbey Island.
I get the fun aspect of newspeople posting on social media. It would be nice to see more of a balance with newspeople asking a few questions. This is entirely common in sports culture where reporters are free to ask hard questions and write stories about teams, players, managers and coaches. After each game, the press has access to coaches and players. All sorts of information is available all of the time.
If the US Armed Forces were an NFL team, newspeople might ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
The press and the American people have a much more honest relationship with sports teams than they do with the Dept. of Defense.
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
DOD was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
The people of Louisiana need services in Iraq.
State-run media update:
Aug 1, 2019 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Hometown, USA need services in Iraq and Afghanistan absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Every 12 months, the US Department of Homeland Security gets another $40 billion in taxpayer funds.
Any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, fentanyl or meth anywhere in the US since the big El Chapo takedown?
If the excuse now, is that migrant surges are diverting attention away from cartel traffic- remember that heroin was a problem in US communities prior to the recent migrant surges. Heroin is still here and now meth has taken hold.
August 2, 2019 KFOR-TV
Officials seeing increase in meth being brought into Oklahoma
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
Cheerful social media posts with plenty of exclamation points coming from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Zero questions from newspeople.
Image above:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated July 15, 2019.
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
“Lindsay said agents are focused on getting a handle on cross-border maritime traffic in partnership with the Coast Guard, Canadian authorities, state and local law enforcement agencies and tribal law enforcement officials to interdict smuggling and other illegal activities.”
Island County
2014
Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:
Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Don’t worry- The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
“Since the multi million dollar facility is state of the art and you are supposed to be able to drink the water after treatment…..shouldn’t they use that water at the splash park?”
Article makes no mention of local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfall.
Clean City Water?
Is the state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into local waters?
“Yes, and be sure to go the Grand Opening of the City of Oak Harbor’s “Shipwreck Shores” water splash park where all such reductions will be summarily dismissed and ignored.”
Will Clean City Water be used to operate the Splash Park in the months ahead? How clean is the product leaving the sewage treatment plant outfall?
Image at top of page:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated June 30, 2019.
Sounds like the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
“Since the multi million dollar facility is state of the art and you are supposed to be able to drink the water after treatment…..shouldn’t they use that water at the splash park?”
Article makes no mention of local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfall.
We’re not seeing any signs of improvement in more than 7 months.
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Stewardship is a priority:
Sign below posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters.
“Border Patrol staffing totaled four agents in 2006. They worked in undersized quarters in downtown Port Angeles — in what’s now the Richard B. Anderson Federal Building.”
“Increased presence of Border Patrol agents between 2006-2010 sparked protests over such practices as the agency setting up checkpoints on U.S. Highway 101 to apprehend illegal immigrants and controversy over construction of the new headquarters to house more agents.”
“Lindsay said agents are focused on getting a handle on cross-border maritime traffic in partnership with the Coast Guard, Canadian authorities, state and local law enforcement agencies and tribal law enforcement officials to interdict smuggling and other illegal activities.”
Newspeople aren’t showing up to ask questions.
We’ll ask a few of our own here. Our questions appear in bold type.
Newspeople,
Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?
Any arrests connected to cross-border maritime traffic?
When local USBP staffing went from four to 42 agents, what increase in arrests and apprehensions was achieved?
Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?
Elsewhere, when there’s something to brag about- the public is promptly notified:
“About half of the overdoses have been from prescription drugs, not heroin, she said.” What about the other half?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
The Border Patrol has worked against itself on the Olympic Peninsula.
Secret arrest statistics and denied FOIA requests do not enhance agency credibility. Local law enforcement organizations avoid all this by establishing working relationships with the press.
It’s time for journalists to make appointments, schedule interviews and ask some questions. Suggested topics here: News tip/story idea
If no answers are available, please do a story describing the working relationship you have with the Washington State Patrol, local sheriffs departments and city police departments. Any denied FOIA requests generated by these agencies? Please compare to the Border Patrol at Port Angeles.
If you run a government operation- these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Operators working to de-stink dryer at sewage treatment plant
“The plant went online last fall — and was odor-free, at least on the outside — but the dryer has been the last piece of the puzzle. The city purchased the complex machine from a company in Germany and even sent a technician on a tour of German plants that use the technology.”
Article makes no mention of local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfall.
We’re not seeing any signs of improvement in more than 7 months.
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of Boone County, Arkansas:
Jun 14, 2019 KYTV News
Prosecuting attorney gives new details about large meth bust in Boone County, Arkansas
Federal government swings into action after meth moves past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into Boone County, Arkansas.
These busts can get real big when criminal activity is allowed to develop over a period of six years.
Wonder what was happening at border crossing inspections during the 6 years these folks were under investigation.
Do the good guys who made the local bust notify the good guys at the border about the weak links in their process?
Love to see newspeople ask:
Were federal authorities at the border notified during this 6-year ongoing investigation?
Did the meth traffickers get fast track screening at the border so as not to disrupt this 6-year ongoing investigation?
If the meth 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 6 years. What if they applied the same tactic Re: crimes involving arson, terrorism, child abuse, DUI, etc.
Special Report: Pure Meth Imported By Mexican Drug Cartels Threatens Arkansans
“What we’re seeing coming from Mexico is a better, quality product. It’s almost 99-percent pure. It’s better quality, there’s more of it, it’s cheaper,” said Dak Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas.
If K-9 screenings and vehicle inspections for customized switches and compartments are effective when conducted by law enforcement authorities in Montana- why don’t these same practices work at the border?
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Suquamish
June 9, 2019 Kitsap Daily News
Suquamish Tribe hosts seafood bake for tideland owners
“Shellfish are very sensitive to pollution levels, so it took the sustained effort of the Tribe in collaboration with state and local governments, the U.S. Navy, and interested members of the public to significantly reduce sewage input into Puget Sound.”
Looking for updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Love to see newspeople ask questions on the water quality impact of Oak Harbor sewage treatment plant outfalls.
Image at top of page:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated June 2nd, 2019.
We’ll ask a few of our own here. Our questions appear in bold type.
Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?
“About half of the overdoses have been from prescription drugs, not heroin, she said.” What about the other half?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
Newspeople,
Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?
Any arrests connected to the US/Canada border?
Any arrests connected to a Homeland Security mission?
Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?
Image above and below: Is this the sewage treatment plant outfall described by WDFW? (Update: 9/18/19 comment posted at bottom of page with an explanation of what is captured in these two images.)
Love to see updated reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Looks like Whidbey sewage treatment plant outfalls are impacting local waters.
What we can expect as time goes on?
Love to see reporting from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area, also updates from public agencies and volunteer groups with an eye on the health of local waters.
Oak Harbor
Image at top of page:
Washington State Dept. of Health status updated May 19th, 2019.
Federal agents swing into action after meth moves past strict post 911 security protocols and federal agents staffing a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, then, on into Montana:
K-9 screenings and vehicle inspections for customized switches and compartments are effective when conducted by law enforcement authorities in Montana.
Why don’t these same practices work at the border?
“Ontario Provincial Police said they found 180 kilograms of meth during their investigation, which began when employees at four different Ford dealerships reported suspicious bags inside tires that were in the trunks of new Fusion cars.”
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions.
People might be able to do a better job of voting if newspeople were more in the habit of asking questions.
