Archives for category: Voting


Love to see newspeople ask:

Candidate ____________,

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

What would be your role be in all this?

 

Related:

Cultural Honesty

Much Talk Of Political Personalities

Excuses for US Military Recruiting Crisis

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

America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis

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

A Military Draft?

 

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

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

 

Possibly of interest:

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

A symbol of newspeople not asking questions, and a federal government that is OK with undeclared/unwon wars and telling lies about freedom, then blaming young people and their families when they lose interest in showing up.

Or, a symbol of federal government credibility and followers of both major parties, elected officials, newspeople and school teachers not asking questions.

 

2023 – POTUS calls out to order burger for lunch.

Many comments posted here.

No offense to President Biden, but there are probably many fast food places in the USA where employees would not react like 1970s winners/audience members on a TV game show if a call from The President came in. This would be true for any POTUS.

A certain amount of show business skill is needed in order for the surprise call to go well.

Remember the NORAD Santa Tracker call?

Jill Biden teamed up with The First Lady back in 2011 to deliver another surprise phone call.

Joining Forces Initiative – Thanksgiving, 2011:

Here is a hand selected lady who was surprised (1:12) to get a phone call of support from The First Lady-even though cameras were rolling in her home when the phone rang. At 2:33 Dr. Jill Biden is thanked.

“Comments are turned off.”

 

December 7, 2022 Crosscut

Yet again, turnout was lowest among WA’s young voters. Why?
Less than 40% of people aged 18-24 voted in the 2022 midterm election. Some say it’s because of disempowerment rather than apathy.

 

Elementary School Teachers

Some families avoid discussing politics.

What about school teachers? Do they have a part in teaching students about government structure and the honest role of the US Armed Forces?

Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea to children that The Troops are in distant lands-fighting for American rights and freedoms-as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

In Washington State, these assemblies are mandatory.

The VA tells teachers that The Troops are Defending Liberty and Freedom.

 

Possible reasons for low turnout:

Elementary students grow up and enter the adult world to find out that both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.

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

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

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

Growing up in the 60s & 70s- veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.

People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.

These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.

They weren’t looking for head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store.

In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.

There were none.

Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get priority parking spots over at the grocery store.

Love to see a student ask: If The Troops fight for your right to sit, stand, kneel, etc.-why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?

Love to see a student ask: If the wars aren’t won-how can they protect our freedom?

Love to see a student ask: Whatever happened to lessons about Armistice Day?

Hey school teachers,

Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?

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

Not here to say that most of what the Dept. of Defense touches turns to crap, but, 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.

Related: A Formal Congressional Declaration of War

 

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

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

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

 

Marketing Partnership Update

We are the very best at militarized pageantry for pro sports events.

TV newspeople perform like paid actors reading a script.

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

Sorry, no time for newspeople to ask:

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

 

More here:

America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis

Veterans Day Nonsense – 2022

Cultural Honesty

Leaving Afghanistan – Lies About American Rights And Freedoms

Because We Said So

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Welcome Home Troops

2022 – Armed Forces Recruiting Culture

 


24:25

Dave explains distrust of voting machine protocols:

Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.

Both major parties are good with:

Wasteful and ineffective US Dept. of Homeland Security spending.

Undeclared/unwon wars.

Treating 18-20 year old adults as second class citizens.

Glorification of military service.

Federal prohibition of marijuana.

Get ready to be told that The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

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

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

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

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

Why do we speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?

In addition to freedoms possibly enjoyed by all adults, those who are 18-20 years old are placed in a land of the free holding pattern.

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

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

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

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.”

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

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.

 

Related:

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

Americans have a much more honest relationship with sports teams than they do with the US Armed Forces

Welcome Home Troops

America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis

Cultural Honesty

Bad Habits

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

A symbol of TV newspeople not asking questions.

The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks not only shy away from asking questions, they promote urban legends about freedom.

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

 

To me, these are the very most interesting people in politics.

Some would say Liz Cheney is an example. Love to see GOP personalities question wasteful and ineffective US Dept of Homeland Security spending during all presidential administrations.

Love to see GOP personalities question wasteful and ineffective US Dept of Defense (nowhere to be found on 911) spending during all presidential administrations.

It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. It has been this way for decades.

Love to see GOP personalities question why both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.

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

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

Jimmy Dore

I have no loyalty to one political party or another.

I am attracted to what seems to be the most honest:

Brian Echevarria

Possibly of interest:

Welcome Home Troops

America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis

Cultural Honesty

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Bad Habits

 

 

 

Photo-

Watching the waves at Damon Point

 

I had not been to church in decades. Mom took us to a different brand of church regularly back in the 70s. In that time we clocked in and out at church, but did not really lead a Christian lifestyle during the week. I was in boy scout troops sponsored by churches and they were one of the best parts of my childhood.

I have not been a religious person during my lifetime.

The church I visited recently was well attended with people who were warm and friendly and looked to be happy people.

The sermon set up a choice between going to hell or confessing sins and committing to Jesus to spend forever in paradise.

The part of a Christian life that makes sense to me today is joining a group of a few people to go help a little old lady by mowing her lawn and making a dump run or two.

Also: Helping others by donating

Playing any role in order to earn everlasting life in paradise seems like a selfish motivation to me.

Presupposing that an unknown person has committed sins to a point that they must confess them or go to hell is a concept I do not feel connected to at this time.

My desire to go to church comes from the realization that I started adult life in a modern society about a decade past the first moon landing.

It was a much simpler time. I am trying to make sense of how a modern society changed so much in a short period of time.

Much voting has gone on over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better.

Renting an apartment, buying a used car, buying gas, etc.

Routine errands in a modern society, now a BFD all of the time.

Federal intervention in student loans. Do not remember families being haunted by student loan debt in the 1970s.

Healthcare concerns — never seemed to be a big deal in the 70s when there were 4 or 5 kids to a family and sometimes a stay at home Mom. Better now?

Homelessness and drug addiction to the extent that people are now living in tents on city sidewalks.

A school lunch program that has turned into a school breakfast and lunch program that has turned into school busses hitting the road to deliver food to families when school is not in session.

March 13, 2020 CNN

The coronavirus pandemic is closing schools. How will kids eat?

“But as other schools deliberate shutting their doors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some parents may be left to wonder: If schools close, how will my child eat?

More discussion and news coverage please.

Former Lunch Lady here.

I do not object to public assistance programs. The press should make an effort to keep the public informed on how these programs are working.

Again, I am not against public assistance programs, but did the WWII generation rely heavily on public school districts to feed their kids?

100 years ago, did families rely on school districts to feed their children to such an extent that, if school was shut down, school districts would scramble to fill busses with food and send it out into the neighborhoods?

If school shuts down, does the family still qualify for publicly funded food assistance? If food assistance programs remain in place outside of school-why would children be at risk of going hungry?

If the programs aren’t working-let’s hear all about it.

Related:

Meaningful Work

 

Both major parties have taken turns in power over a period of decades and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation. A wide variety of political personalities have occupied the White House.

The whole system is run by people who are college educated. Advances in technology have not been able to solve problems in various areas. Wars are common. We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam. Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

I became skeptical along the way.

Most people seem to be OK with believing The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms. Maybe the people at church do also.

 

Maybe I will continue to attend the church I went to recently. Maybe I will visit several churches in the months ahead.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo- Port Hadlock Transit Center

A location not linked in any way with the church I attended.

 

There are frequent articles in the news now that reveal concerns about voting rights being restricted. Is this really happening?

Personal history in Washington State:

I moved/returned to WA just over 20 years ago. At that time, voting was done in person at a polling place near the neighborhood where you were living.

A flag was posted outside the building. You checked in at a table, so a little old lady could find your name on her list. I would present my ID and my voter registration card. Cannot remember if this was a requirement.

My understanding was, that by presenting ID and allowing the volunteer to check your name, then hand you a ballot, you were accomplishing two important things:

Making sure that you would not vote twice.

Making sure that no other person would vote using your name.

I never saw this as a restriction of voting rights.

Later, WA went to an all mail in system, and in the several counties where I have lived, it all seemed to work very well.

 

Over the past 40 years or so, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation. A wide variety of political personalities have occupied the White House.

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

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

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

Much voting has gone on over the past 40 years or so. For sure, there is a chunk of public policy that has become worse, not better:

Federal intervention in student loans. Do not remember families being haunted by student loan debt in the 1970s.

Healthcare concerns — never seemed to be a big deal in the 70s when there were 4 or 5 kids to a family and sometimes a stay at home Mom. Better now?

Homelessness and drug addiction to the extent that people are now living in tents on city sidewalks.

A school lunch program that has turned into a school breakfast and lunch program that has turned into school busses hitting the road to deliver food to families when school is not in session.

March 13, 2020 CNN

The coronavirus pandemic is closing schools. How will kids eat?

“But as other schools deliberate shutting their doors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some parents may be left to wonder: If schools close, how will my child eat?

More discussion and news coverage please.

Former Lunch Lady here.

I do not object to public assistance programs. The press should make an effort to keep the public informed on how these programs are working.

Again, I am not against public assistance programs, but did the WWII generation rely heavily on public school districts to feed their kids?

100 years ago, did families rely on school districts to feed their children to such an extent that, if school was shut down, school districts would scramble to fill busses with food and send it out into the neighborhoods?

If school shuts down, does the family still qualify for publicly funded food assistance? If food assistance programs remain in place outside of school-why would children be at risk of going hungry?

If the programs aren’t working-let’s hear all about it.

Related:

Meaningful Work

 

More on voting:

Much Talk Of Political Personalities

Defense Dept. Lies About Freedom

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Another giant election season

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

More Voting and TV News Will Make It Better?

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Pentagon Going After Cartels Update

Podcast 2 Pentagon Taking On Drug Cartels

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

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

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

 

I am interested in living in a free and honest society.

Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.

Politics seems to be very much about political personalities and group identities and very little on news reporting and discussion about what the major parties stand for or believe in.

There is a chunk of public policy that both major parties seem to be OK with:

 

Undeclared Wars

Both major parties seem to be OK with undeclared wars.

Love to see the press find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.

Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Wasteful and ineffective Homeland Security spending

A $49.8 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartel product from showing up in all 50 states.

This may trigger a Trump/Biden debate, but be honest, cartels remain in business no mater who is in the White House. The US Dept. of Homeland Security was created in the aftermath of 911. Is there any President since that time who was able to keep cartel product from arriving all over the US?

Pre-Biden:

Cartel Moves 180 Kilograms Of Meth From Mexico To Canada by Rail

The Canadian Press

Police find meth smuggled into Canada through new Ford cars built in Mexico

“Police say they have busted an alleged drug smuggling operation where methamphetamine was being hidden in new cars built in Mexico that were then transported by rail to Canada.”

“Ontario Provincial Police say employees at four Ford dealerships discovered the drugs stashed within spare tires that didn’t match the cars.”

“Police say they found 180 kilograms of meth during the investigation.”

No CBP/GWOT inspection of rail shipments entering the US?

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan-working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

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

State-run media update:

Jun 3, 2020 DEA NewYork

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units!

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units?

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

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

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

Not pointing this out because I am a Biden fan, just to document cartel activity prior to Biden entering office.

 

Newspeople play along by not asking questions.

Nov 19, 2021 KONP Port Angeles

CLALLAM TRACKING TO LARGEST YEARLY OVERDOSE DEATH RATE

Have opioid lawsuits played any role in improving the situation?

How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?

Zero questions from newspeople.

 

Port Angeles

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

Question for CBP:

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

Mainstream newspeople remain silent.

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

Port Angeles Border Patrol – Investigation Stalled For 3 Weeks?

Original blog post:

Port Angeles Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth?

 

The media seems to be run mostly by the D side of politics, certainly not by constitutional conservatives.

What are some constitutional conservative views on undeclared wars?

What are some constitutional conservative views on federal prohibition of marijuana?

What are some constitutional conservative views on treating 18-20 year old adults as second class citizens?

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

Both major parties promote the idea that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.

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

Can elected officials of any party or any member of the press help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

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.”

Many Americans support the idea that US troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.

How does federal prohibition of tobacco products for adults age 18-20 line up with this concept?

 

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.

 

Related:

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Another giant election season

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

More Voting and TV News Will Make It Better?

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Pentagon Going After Cartels Update

Podcast 2 Pentagon Taking On Drug Cartels

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

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

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

 

Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.

Another giant election season for the press to again avoid asking what the major parties believe in or stand for.

Look for news coverage to be more about personalities than what the major parties are all about.

 

Much of what goes on is OK with both major parties.

Both parties seem to be OK with undeclared wars, wasteful Homeland Security spending, federal prohibition of marijuana, treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens and newspeople who play along by not asking questions.

Both major parties are OK with a glorification of military service and this total nonsense:

WA Secretary of State

Our right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.”

If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?

Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?

If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

Right To Vote Linked To Military Operations/US Troops in Distant Lands?

A big election season is very much about political personalities and group identities. Watch for political experts to reach out to latino, black, Asian American, and women voters. Surely, members of a specific group would think, act & vote as one?

The big election season is not very much about discussing and asking questions about things that do not change no matter what political party or personality is in power.

 

Look for newspeople to avoid asking candidates and elected officials of any party:

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

Was It A Fake War On Terror?

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

Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?

 

Related:

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

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Pentagon Going After Cartels Update

Podcast 2 Pentagon Taking On Drug Cartels

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

 

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

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

 

What do the major political parties belive in or stand for? Over the past 50 years or so, they have taken turns in power. Plenty of voting has taken place. Things are not better.

Long election seasons are not bringing out answers to these sorts of questions. Have newspeople had time to look into all this?

Newspeople have moved away from asking questions. Has anyone noticed?

Our questions appear in bold type.

 

Do Americans have an honest relationship with the US Armed Forces?

April 9, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Letter to the editor:

“There are so many people here on the island who complain about jet noise, but I like it and to me it truly is the sound of freedom and so I thank them for all they do to keep the rest of us safe.”

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

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

If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?

Let’s Honor The Troops In Honest Ways

 

Do the people who operate the local newspaper want us to think of the US Armed Forces as some sort of giant civil rights organization?

Hometown Pride:

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

 

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?

Newspeople remain silent.

 

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, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

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.

Just Be Honest.

Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

 

1967

Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?

Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?

Jet Noise Made Them Free?

 

TV Newspeople Are Lazy – Reporting The News By Press Release

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

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

 

Where did they go?

Iowa – Welcome Home Troops

April 3, 2021 KWWL News

Modified welcome home ceremonies slated for Iowa Army National Guard units

“The Ironman Battalion supported Operation Spartan Shield in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.”

 

During the Vietnam War, US troops were sent to Vietnam.

Today, the Texas National Guard is sent to the U.S. Central Command Area in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Newspeople post whatever press release is handed off.

Was there any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to this movement of Iowa National Guard troops?

Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?

Newspeople remain silent.

 

The press is good for telling everybody to get out and vote.

People could do a better job of voting if they were better informed.

Newspapers are suppressing online comment sections, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.

Got it.

 

Life and Death Scenarios

COVID is a life and death situation for some people. Using or abusing cartel-sourced drugs is a life and death situation for some people.

When news/social media posts are created by federal employees, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press.

These are the guys who are unable to keep cartel product from showing up all over the US:

Have CBP efforts reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the 50 states?

Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?

Newspeople remain silent.

 

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

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

Even one time?

Newspeople remain silent.

Local meth news stories here.

Local heroin news stories here.

Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure

 

What We Have Now

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

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

Newspeople ask zero questions in this area.

 

We’d love to see more in the way of newspeople asking questions.

In another State-Run Media/CBP Social Media Post, CBP tells us:

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units!

Nothing gets past @CBP’s K9 units?

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

Away from any border crossing or port of entry:

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

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

Giant US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep 1,950 pounds of cartel product from showing up in Denton County Texas, far from any border crossing or port of entry:

Jan 27, 2021 The Dallas Morning News

DEA’s Dallas office announces seizure of $45 million in meth, heroin — its largest bust ever

“The drugs — 1,950 pounds valued at $45 million — were sniffed out by a dog during a traffic stop involving a refrigerated tractor-trailer in Denton County on Oct. 8, the DEA said. They had been stashed inside a secret compartment of the truck.”

“Chávez said the meth was smuggled across the U.S.-Mexican border by traffickers working with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG.”

Way to go guys.

Any 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 save lives by preventing future incidents.

Any investigation to find out how 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 failed to keep cartel product from showing up in Denton County Texas?

Newspeople remain silent.

 

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan-working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Don’t worry-

The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:

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

Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?

Newspeople remain silent.

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

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

The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.

Both major parties and the press are OK with undeclared/unwon wars that never end.

 

April 10, 2021 WXIA-TV

Our area is considered a hub for meth trafficking,” Meadows said. “Interstate 85 is a major route for trafficking between Atlanta and Florida.”

 

Gun Control

Gun control has been here for decades.

President Biden is ready to move forward on this.

President Biden has had a long career in politics. Have previous efforts Re: gun control failed to reduce gun crimes?

Random thoughts:

Has any state, ever in history, required proof of membership in a militia to purchase, transport, or carry, guns and ammo/participate in shooting sports, etc.

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

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014.

The new requirements have had time to take hold.

Our local press avoids providing updates on the enhanced background checks that came to WA back in 2014.

Did the new requirements reduce gun crimes?

Has there been time for newspeople to ask questions?

A well regulated militia?

WA 2014 Enhanced Background Checks – Newspeople Remain Silent

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

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

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

Podcast 9 Defending The Constitution?

 

Throw in student loans, healthcare, homeless people camping on the street, housing availability, minimum wage, etc.

Has government intervention helped improve American life in these areas?

 

Related:

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

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

When I was 18, the WWII generation was in charge

If The Troops Defend The Constitution…

 

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

A symbol of newspeople not asking questions.

 

First Biden News Conference

The event appeared to go pretty well.

It came off as staged and scripted.

The risk of taking questions from a random group of feisty reporters was completely avoided.

Not here to poke at Joe Biden.

Let’s look at public policy, access to public information and the efforts, or lack of efforts by the press to work hard to keep people informed.

 

Made For TV

Oct 7, 2016 Baltimore Sun News Video:

Expect more artifice than authenticity in ‘town hall’ debate

“Don’t be fooled. TV town halls today have almost nothing to do with the real meaning of the term.”

“Town halls did not really become part of political TV fabric until the 1990s, when Bill Clinton’s team started using them in the 1992 campaign because the candidate was so good at seeming to connect with participants — especially when they spoke about hardship or pain. That Team Clinton staged its own town halls and participated in others produced by cable channels — like MTV.”

 

Both major parties are OK with:

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

Will made for TV news conferences take a look at any of this?

Pre-COVID interview

Prior to masks and social distancing.

8:30 command the respect of everyone in the world. Enemies and allies:

1:14

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

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Watching the waves at Point Partridge

Local info:

Two Bluff Trails

 

Same country 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 primary focus of several federal holidays is freedom.

This week:

Washington’s Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a recall effort against the Thurston County sheriff, saying his announcement that he would not criminally enforce the Health Department’s COVID-19 mask mandate was not unreasonable.​”

Comments indicate this is a controversial decision.

 

More controversy in the comment section:

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has signed a bill wiping out the law requiring Utahns to have a permit to carry a concealed gun.”

 

Freedoms come and go.

The many examples:

Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

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.

Just Be Honest.

Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

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.

 

Related:

Operating A Camera In A Public Place

Port Townsend and the Sound of Freedom

Because We Said So

“…few service members truly know what that oath means…”

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Liberty And Justice For All?

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

Jet Noise Made Them Free?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

Armistice Day Is Now Free Chow Day

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

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

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Watching the waves at Fort Ebey.

 

American culture is big on talk. Not so big on discussion or aking questions. The Troops, Freedom, The Constitution. It’s all good for talk, school assemblies and pregame rituals.

Reality does not match up with the talk. The right time to discuss this never seems to come. A big election season isn’t the time. The talk will be of political parties and personalities. Maybe spouses, maybe dog breeds.

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

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

The constitution requires a formal declaration of war.

The Dept. of Defense has a truly poor track record of winning undeclared wars since DOD was established way back in 1949.

 

Americans Are OK With Lies

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.”

Someday, when US troops leave Africa, what will become of American rights and freedoms?

Someday, when US troops leave Afghanistan, what will become of American rights and freedoms?

 

Local press:

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

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

 

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

Sorry, no time for newspeople to ask:

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

Marketing Partnership Update

 

September 27, 2019 Whidbey News-Times

Sound Off: Freedom doesn’t come free, and it’s sometimes noisy

“…the men and women of the armed forces guarantee our freedom…”

1967

Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?

Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?

Jet Noise Made Them Free?

 

In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.

There were none.

Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store.

Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea to children that The Troops are in distant lands-fighting for American rights and freedoms-as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

In Washington State, these assemblies are mandatory.

The VA tells teachers that The Troops are Defending Liberty and Freedom.

Love to see a student ask: If The Troops fight for your right to sit, stand, kneel, etc.-why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?

Love to see a student ask: If the wars aren’t won-how can they protect our freedom?

Love to see a student ask: Whatever happened to lessons about Armistice Day?

 

Congressman Derek Kilmer:

Wars are for freedom and democracy.

 

Glorification of military service / total nonsense:

One of the nation’s largest, oldest and most respected veterans organizations:

Veterans, not politicians, ‘give us the right to vote,’ observers at Amherst Veterans Day ceremonies told

WA Secretary of State

Our right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.”

If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?

Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?

If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?

Veterans give rights?

It turns out The Troops were in no hurry to enable all adults to act on their right to vote.

US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s didn’t get the job done.

It wasn’t until July of 1971 that 18 year old adults could take delivery on one of the freedoms we hear so much about.

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

Right To Vote Linked To Military Operations/US Troops in Distant Lands?

 

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, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

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.

Just Be Honest.

Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Liberty And Justice For All?

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

 

The TV

Bruce Springsteen is out looking for freedom in his Jeep. Marketing agencies have not decided on showing masks in TV ads. Bruce wears no mask as he rides through the frozen heartland of America with the top down. Is that a battery powered Jeep? Probably not. Bruce has a newspaper with him and he is writing on a Cold War era spiral notebook.

Bruce,

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

We don’t ask voters to pick the two most popular churches and make plans for government to eliminate the rest because they may be spreading misinformation.

A live and let live attitude is fading.

Will the powerful truck to pull a horse trailer still be OK?

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

 

Any executive orders aimed at undeclared/unwon wars that never end, federal prohibition of marijuana, and treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens?

The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.

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

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?

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

American culture is good for dividing adults up into groups of first and second-class citizens.

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

We’re often told that The Troops are in distant lands fighting for American rights and freedoms, and that we should thank them for defending our freedoms.

The reality is that freedoms may come and go.

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.

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20. Can elected officials of any party or any member of the press help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

Related:

Liberty And Justice For All?

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

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

US Armed Forces – Protecting the Constitution and Democracy?

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

 

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

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

 

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.

 

Jan 20, 2021 USA TODAY

Harris’ ascension marks a pivotal moment in women’s pursuit of power and voice. Some political experts and young women of color feel Harris’ inauguration may finally allow them to savor what has been won.”

Women of color may not be accepted if they have views that do not support more of the same:

Also, this week:

Honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Department of Defense news/social media posts

When news/social media posts are created by federal employees, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press.

A/SD Chris Miller speaks about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how the DOD continues to build an environment honoring his legacy.”

We are honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by forcing people to pay for bombing Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, then lying and telling them that this is all to protect American rights and freedoms.

Will the press show up to ask any questions?

 

U.S. Central Command

B-52H crews conduct second Middle East presence patrol of 2021 as key part of CENTCOM’s defensive posture.”

Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:

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

Related:

DOD Nowhere To be Found On 911 – US Dept. of Homeland Security Missing on 1/6/21

Nowhere To be Found On 911 – Still Really Good At Social Media Posts

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

 

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

 

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-

North of Perego’s Lagoon – just off the Bluff Trail.

 

Decades of politics and life in America leads us to the realization that both major parties are OK with undeclared/unwon wars that never end, wasteful Homeland Security spending, the drug war, federal prohibition of marijuana, treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens, an ongoing glorification of military service, forced charity and newspeople who take a pass on asking questions on these issues.

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

Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All

 

Undeclared/unwon wars that never end

A Dept. of Defense that was nowhere to be found on 911.

We haven’t won a war since.

 

A Dept. of Defense with a truly poor track record for winning wars since DOD was established way back in 1949.

 

Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes

Post-9/11 Wars Have Cost American Taxpayers $6.4 trillion, Study Finds

 

Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?

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

The formal congressional declaration of war would also be the time for a careful review of important issues such as: PTSD, suicide, GTMO/torture, use of contractors, war crimes, a $6.4 trillion price tag, lies about freedom, propaganda, dressing women to look like men, exit strategy, mission creep, nation building, reduction of traditional military benefits offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, who should register for the draft, etc.

 

Wasteful Homeland Security spending

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

Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?

What We Have Now

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

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

Newspeople ask zero questions in this area.

Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure

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?

Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent

 

The Drug War

The press release style of news reporting means that a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest drug bust/federal grant money award, etc. Newspeople post this statement as is.

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

 

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

 

Zero questions from newspeople:

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

Any shortage of cartel product anywhere in the US since General Milley launched his big DOD crackdown?

Any questions from newspeople?

Tried to stay out of it. Posting news-related items

Cartel Moves Product Past General Milley, CBP & Into The Puget Sound Area – Newspeople Remain Silent

 

Federal prohibition of marijuana

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.

Freedom Re: marijuana?

Still controversial.

 

Treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens

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

American culture is good for dividing adults up into groups of first and second-class citizens.

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

Liberty And Justice For All?

 

An ongoing glorification of military service

We’re often told that The Troops are in distant lands fighting for American rights and freedoms, and that we should thank them for defending our freedoms.

The reality is that freedoms may come and go.

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, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

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.

Just Be Honest.

Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

 

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

 

Forced charity

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

Helping others by donating to churches or private charities, food banks, etc. can avoid these conflicts.

Donors are free to opt out if a charity misbehaves.

People could keep more of their own money to donate to causes of their choosing if the federal government was not taking it to pay for wasteful programs.

Helping others by donating

 

Newspeople who take a pass on asking questions on these issues

The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks are welcome to do interviews related to public policy. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.

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

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

 

Related:

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

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

Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Not A Democrat Or A Republican

What does the Medal of Freedom have to do with freedom?

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Operating A Camera In A Public Place

 

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

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

 

Jan 11, 2021

Washington State Patrol Sergeant Darren Wright says so far 1 person has been arrested: an RV was blocking the road to the Capitol. He says law enforcement will be out as long as necessary and when asked about people wanting to breach the building: “that’s not gonna happen.”

 

Summer of 2020

Fatality during 19 nights of protest on Interstate 5 in Seattle

For some reason, the Washington State Patrol pulled back and placed public safety at risk by yielding to protests on I-5.

Public Safety Deal Breaker

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.”

 

Public Safety/Routine Stuff

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

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

If the Girl Scouts or the KKK enter the interstate and block traffic/risk public safety people must be able to count on elected officials and LE agencies to do their job.

Different groups do appear to be treated differently based on location/whatever elected official has jurisdiction and whatever cause the group may be supporting.

 

Related:

In sports, newspeople are free to ask hard questions

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

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

Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press

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

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

Sports Culture Tends to be Open and Honest

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Suppressing Choices – One Size Fits All

Not A Democrat Or A Republican

 

 

 

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

 

Terror Threat

Maybe there is a minimal terror threat these days.

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

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

Call in with your tips because security caved.

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

 

The Press

The press tends to avoid asking questions.

No Credible Threat?

The War on Terror has prompted law enforcement authorities to calm the public by looking into the future and announcing that no credible threat exists.

Dec 25, 2020 News 12 Long Island

Long Island residents express concern after Nashville bombing halts travel

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

Where was the threat forecast before the Nashville event?

If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it-surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.

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

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

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

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

 

US Credibility

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

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

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

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

 

Anti Cop?

One size fits all society?

These issues discussed here:

 

One Size Fits All Society

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

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

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

Leavenworth COVID And Beer Drinking Oddities

 

Jan 8, 2021 Star Tribune

Minnesota legislators, parents decry mask order as youth sports restart

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

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

 

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

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

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

Not A Democrat Or A Republican

If I was Governor

 

Random Thoughts

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

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

Local press:

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

 

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20. Can elected officials of any party or any member of the press help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

 

1967

Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?

Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?

Jet Noise Made Them Free?

 

Related:

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

WA – Dining Outside While Sealed Inside A Tent Is Legal

WWII Generation Endured Rationing With Little Complaint

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Welcome Visitors

Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.

 

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

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

What failed?

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

Did the loyalty oath wear off?

 

D.C. Gun Control – failed or worked?

Jan 6, 2020 The New York Times

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

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

 

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

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

 

8:07

Gates appear to open to allow unauthorized visitors to enter:

 

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

Jan 6, 2021 WFMY

National Guard troops deployed to DC to quell riots

 

Dave Smith/Alternative media asking questions:

 

Washington State

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

Jan 6, 2021 KIRO 7

Protesters break through gates at governor’s mansion in Olympia

 

Related:

Not A Democrat Or A Republican

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

 

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

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

 

Still trying to figure out what they all believe in.

The most interesting thing in politics:

People who are willing to question their chosen political party.

Jan 6, 2021 Bracing Views

Democrats Win in Georgia — Now What?

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

Mitt Romney

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

Jan. 6, 2021 The Washington Post

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

Random thoughts:

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

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

Suppressing choices

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

A live and let live attitude seems to be fading.

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

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

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

Sounds like somebody I could get along with.

2020

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

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

Today, both major parties will not fight about:

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

 

2021

Jan 6, 2021 ABC News

Updates: Capitol breached by protesters, shots reported fired inside

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

 

COVID

I’d prefer more of a free market approach.

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

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

I would let businesspeople run fitness centers.

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

Bars and taverns to allow consumption of marijuana? Yes.

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

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

I would let families be in charge of families.

If I was Governor

 

The Press

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

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

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

Related:

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

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

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

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

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

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

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

 

Hey Grandma, thanks for flying out from Wisconsin to visit us for Thanksgiving.

Here is your solitary confinement space.

See you in two weeks.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Seen on the woodsy trails of Fort Ebey

Local info:

Two Bluff Trails

 

Many social media posts are encouraging people to get out and vote.

I understand making an issues-oriented case for voting to elect a candidate or why to vote yes or no on a ballot initiative.

I don’t get the idea of simply encouraging bulk voting.

I am not against voting. I make no effort to tell people to vote or stay home. I do not tell people how to vote.

It makes sense to me that people will want to choose one candidate or another. It also makes sense to me that people would lose interest in voting.

I’d like to see people reach for an honest understanding of what the major political parties believe in.

I’d like to see people take a look at what stays the same no matter what political party or personality enters the White House.

Both major parties are good with undeclared/unwon wars that never end, wasteful Homeland Security spending, the drug war, federal prohibition of marijuana, treating 18-20 year old adults as 2nd class citizens, and an ongoing glorification of military service.

Newspeople play along by not asking questions.

Much voting has led to where we are now.

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

Much has changed.

Over the past 50 years or so, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation. A wide variety of political personalities have occupied the White House.

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

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

Even in a big election season, the press avoids digging into issues. Coverage is more about political personalities/teams and telling people to be sure to vote.

Related:

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

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

WA Voting – Did the science say marijuana jobs were essential?

Journalism Needs Our Support Now, More Than Ever

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

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Dystopian Leanings

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Shorter days at Point Partridge

 

San Diego – Trump Boat Parade

Why all the energy for Trump?

People grew tired of standard politicians and a made for TV press that had moved away from asking questions.

Here in WA, protests became mob violence featuring arson, personal injuries, blocking traffic, property damage, destruction of businesses & loss of life.

TV newspeople still called them protests.

 

The Science

0:29

Here in WA, we were told that COVID-19 is a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work while marijuana and booze sales are essential.

 

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.

Related:

WA Voting – Did the science say marijuana jobs were essential?

Journalism Needs Our Support Now, More Than Ever

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

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

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Dystopian Leanings

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Welcome Visitors

Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.

 

Marijuana and telling people they must stay home from work

Governor Inslee went wrong when marijuana shops in WA were declared essential while people with regular jobs were told to stay home because of virus concerns.

 

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.

 

It’s the science folks.

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

 

Public Safety Deal Breaker

Governor Inslee looks the other way when WSP allows protests on I-5. Or he directs them to back off?

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.”

 

California

34:49

Rules for your California Thanksgiving family gathering update:

 

Related:

Journalism Needs Our Support Now, More Than Ever

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

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

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Dystopian Leanings

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Port Hadlock

 

Man on the Moon in 1969.

All sorts of voting concerns in 2020.

It feels like both the left and the right have set up doubts Re: confidence in voting.

People will say there was less voting during the primary, so it was easier to manage. Seems like that was a great time to spot weak areas and make a move to prevent any future problems.

Whatever state you live in, there are 49 others that perform similar government functions Re: DMV, liquor sales laws, voting, etc. Why not pick one of the states that are most efficient at managing voting and go with their methods.

 

Oct 27, 2020

Wisconsin election officials say today is the last day you can mail in your absentee ballot with any confidence it will count. Even now, it’s safest at this point to return it in person in light of the @Scotus ruling

How does a proper postmark apply here?

 

Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Does the process involve reaching for an honest understanding of what the major political parties believe in?

The two major parties will not fight about:

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

 

People could do a better job of voting if the press worked to keep them informed.

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

Censorship – Newspapers Suppressing or Eliminating Online Comment Sections

 

Group Identities

American popular and political culture insists on dividing people up into groups-then assigning a separate value to each group. Surely, members of a specific group would think, act & vote as one?

Veterans Support All Candidates 2020!

 

Primary Season

Glorification of military service / total nonsense:

WA Secretary of State

Our right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.”

If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?

Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?

If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

Right To Vote Linked To Military Operations/US Troops in Distant Lands?

 

Related

Went to vote the other day. No hassles about ID, proper postmark, waiting in lines, bad weather, protestors, people wearing shirts with political messages, curfews, people operating video cameras in a public place, flag burning, law enforcement response, surveillance, intimidation, Russian interference, any other sort of interference, or exit interviews.

I never saw any TV news people.

Voted – Won’t Be On The News

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Dystopian Leanings

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Watching the waves at Fort Ebey

 

I live in a location that has had a mail-in voting system for years now. The county’s reputaion for getting the job done is good.

Took some time and filled out the ballot. Drove to a nearby location where a mail drop box and a county ballot drop box are not too far apart. I decided to use the county drop box.

No hassles about ID, proper postmark, waiting in lines, bad weather, protestors, people wearing shirts with political messages, curfews, people operating video cameras in a public place, flag burning, law enforcement response, surveillance, intimidation, Russian interference, any other sort of interference, or exit interviews.

I never saw any TV news people.

Related:

Veterans Support All Candidates 2020!

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Censorship – Newspapers Suppressing or Eliminating Online Comment Sections

Dystopian Leanings

 

Soon:

Leaving WordPress

Also maintaining our companion blog for now: Old Man Blog

Still active on Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Occasionally Looking for the Coupeville Ferry

 

The press is good for telling everybody to get out and vote.

People could do a better job of voting if they were better informed.

Both Whidbey 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.

Newspapers are suppressing online comment sections, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.

Got it.

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.

Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island

 

February 24, 2020 Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Fentanyl overdoses keep increasing in King County

In consideration of how we voice our opinions in the modern world, we’ve closed comments on our websites. We value the opinions of our readers and we encourage you to keep the conversation going.”

Comments are shut down and we encourage you to keep the conversation going?

Looks like various US newspapers made use of this statement. See them here.

 

No hate speech, insults, threats, foul language, attacking other commenters, etc. These are rules that make sense.

Eliminating the opportunity for all to follow some basic rules and comment is information suppression.

Over the years, I’ve seen some really good points brought up in the comments section. Manage it, don’t ban it.

 

Independent/alternative media

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

The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks are more welcome to do interviews related to public policy. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.

Alternative media is also 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.

 

Mainstream Press

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

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, rare and mysterious cross-border arrests, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

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

Comments are turned off.

More here:

Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure

 

Years ago, reader comments were also a feature of TV news web pages. That seems to be all gone now.

Related:

Reporting The News by Press Release

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

News Reporting by Press Release

Port Angeles Drug War Covered By Press Release

TV Newspeople Or Paid Actors?

I’m not going to argue with you.

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Dystopian Leanings

Conspiracy Theory?

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

 

Soon:

Leaving WordPress

Also maintaining our companion blog for now: Old Man Blog

Still active on Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Welcome Visitors

Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.

 

October 15th 2020 KOMO News

Eyman’s $30 car tab measure ruled unconstitutional by state Supreme Court

“Justice for Seattle voters prevailed in today’s Supreme Court ruling on I-976,” Tweeted Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan.

 

Will of the Voters

Voting is highly emphasized in American culture.

Question for newspeople:

How do issues get approved and make it to the ballot if it would not be legal for voters to decide?

 

Faith in Voting

People may begin to lose faith in voting if it seems they are being pulled into a bait and switch scenario, or something that works like a carnival game.

 

Glorification of military service / total nonsense:

WA Secretary of State

Our right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.”

If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?

Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?

If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

Right To Vote Linked To Military Operations/US Troops in Distant Lands?

 

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical 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, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

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.

Just Be Honest.

Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

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

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

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

 

Soon:

Leaving WordPress

Also maintaining our companion blog for now: Old Man Blog

Still active on Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Hill Road

 

Sept. 28, 2020 FOX 7 Austin

Friends, family say goodbye to Texas National Guard soldier deploying overseas

During the Vietnam War, US troops were sent to Vietnam.

Today, the Texas National Guard is sent to the U.S. Central Command Area in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Newspeople post whatever press release is handed off.

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

Is there any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to this movement of troops?

 

The press is also good for telling everybody to get out and vote.

People could do a better job of voting if they were better informed.

Newspapers are suppressing online comment sections, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.

Got it.

 

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

Related:

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

News Reporting by Press Release

Port Angeles Drug War Covered By Press Release

TV Newspeople Or Paid Actors?

I’m not going to argue with you.

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Men Died For the Right to Vote?

 

 

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Photo-

A symbol of the press asking questions.