I think people feel locked up and there is a list of things they are not supposed to do. Heading out and joining a random group to wait in the line wasn’t on the don’t do list. Looks like a nice weather day.
What if a person owned a hot air balloon and enjoyed taking it up for a few hours. They could be accused of wasting energy or having too much time on their hands.
Americans do not live in a one size fits all society. It’s a good thing.
Bars, restaurants, grocery stores and fitness centers had mask and sanitation protocols in place a month ago. They are not trying to toss masks. They are trying to stay open the way they already have been in recent weeks.
The mask guilt trip is for people who have run out of things to say in discussing this.
Related:
Americans do not live in a one size fits all society. The US does not function like one, giant military base.
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here and people who opt out on attending services.
Newspeople are cheerleaders 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.
The Press Is Weak
People go to alternative media because the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks have moved away from asking questions.
Living on an Island near Puget Sound, there seems to be great concern for salmon, orca, eagles, recreational shellfish and clean water.
Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?
Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?
Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
The press release style of news reporting means that statements are prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest bust/federal grant money award, news conference, etc. Newspeople post these statements without asking any questions.
“They have taken to social media to ask customers to come dine inside, peacefully protest, and bring a protest sign with them. The owner, Dana Slovak, says his business will not comply with the shutdown.”
“The crew wants to stay open so we decided we either fight for it or we don’t. It is our constitutional right to stay open. This mandate is not constitutional law and we have the right to do this,” explained Slovak.
Americans do not live in a one size fits all society. The US does not function like one, giant military base.
All Americans are not attending something like Army boot camp together at the same time.
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here and people who opt out on attending services.
Reading comments online, many go something like this:
“It’s your fault for not wearing a mask in previous months.”
“I hope the anti-maskers are happy now.”
“A mask is better than a ventilator!”
“A mask is better than a grave.”
Since first required, I have worn a mask each time I have entered a post office, bank, grocery store, retail outlet, etc.
Not disputing the mask requirement, but telling us that COVID-19 is a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and designating marijuana and booze sales as essential, may have made people wonder about the science here.
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.
Some comments and editorials have mentioned The Greatest Generation and how they all pulled together during WWII.
I feel like a man on the moon in 1969 was a proud American moment.
Since that time, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation.
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. Some may have become skeptical along the way.
The press seems to support whatever is handed down by elected officials. Newspeople play along by not asking questions.
WA National Guard deploys to Jordan.
Any newspeople available to ask if there is a military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to this movement of troops?
Telling us COVID is a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work & designating marijuana & booze sales as essential, may have made people wonder about the science here.
“Unfortunately, influential voices in Washington are presenting a false choice between staying in Somalia forever or empowering evil terrorists. Al Shabab is a clear threat, but it is a regional threat that presents no direct threat to the American homeland.”
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?
The Governor’s office tells us what to expect in the way of new COVID restrictions. The Puget Sound area press passes along whatever the message is from the Governor without asking any questions for clarification or to attemp to keep the public better informed.
Social distancing rules have been in place and have been followed in grocery stores for months now. I have not seen any retailer that let up on mask wearing and social distancing protocols. If grocery stores have been doing their part, why pound them with a 75% reduction in grocery store services?
Various Comments Online
I have been reading comments online. Many comments go something like this:
“It’s your fault for not wearing a mask in previous months.”
“I hope the anti-maskers are happy now.”
“A mask is better than a ventilator!”
“A mask is better than a grave.”
Since first required, I have worn a mask each time I have entered a post office, bank, grocery store, retail outlet, etc.
Not disputing the mask requirement, but telling us that COVID-19 is a life and death concern requiring regular people to stay home from work and designating marijuana and booze sales as essential, may have made people wonder about the science here.
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 seems like the plan is to cause meaningless inconvenience.
If you notice the inconvenience, maybe you will think that the establishment is somehow going out of its way because it cares about protecting you.
Plan to spend more time to do your shopping.
It will become more competitive with a 75% reduction in grocery store services all across WA.
People will now need much more time for shopping.
Social distancing rules have been in place and have been followed in grocery stores for months now. I have not seen any retailer that let up on mask wearing and social distancing protocols. If grocery stores have been doing their part, why pound them with a 75% reduction in grocery store services?
How did the science tell us that a 75% reduction in grocery store services was required?
People will be waiting in long lines, in bad weather just to enter a grocery store. What is the medical advantage here?
Marijuana and Booze sales
Same regime that warned us of life and death COVID-19 concerns requiring regular people to stay home from work while telling us that marijuana and booze sales are essential.
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.
At 7:00 Dave Smith speaks about curfews and lockdowns:
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.
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.
Updated Restrictions
Seems like mask and social distancing rules have been in place and have been followed in grocery stores for months now. I have not seen any retailer that let up on mask wearing and social distancing protocols. If grocery stores have been doing their part, why pound them with a 75% reduction in grocery store services?
People will now need much more time to spend shopping with a 75% reduction in grocery store services all across WA. For sure, this will encourage people to stock up and hoard items.
There is a nice spot in Leavenworth to stop in for a beer and something to eat. I went to visit this location last week. It was the first time during COVID that I entered and sat down in an eating/drinking establishment.
Old Way
Walk in and select a seat from the large outdoor seating area. Server takes your beer order on a mobile device. Before server has a chance to leave the table, electronic order is received by bar staff. Your beer is tapped and out to your table like magic. We sit and eat and drink for an hour. During this happy hour, we never get up to leave the table. When it’s time to go, we pay and leave.
Would not change a thing. Really enjoy this place.
COVID Way
Everyone wears a mask.
You enter and are offered a table outside or inside. We selected an outside table. We are told that our order for beers and food must be placed with the cashier inside the restaurant by the bar.
Partner goes in to place order while I wait. Establishment now requires a credit card to start order. My turn to pay, so I say I’ll get it all on my card when I go in to order a second round.
Beer and food is still delivered to table, same as old way.
I go in to order a second round. I am unfamiliar with this part of the restaurant. Staff prompts me toward waiting to order/pay holding/staging area. Ordered another round and requested entire tab to be placed on my card. This is an extra step that would not be at all necessary pre-COVID.
If we wanted still another round, one of us would have to get up and return to waiting line to order/pay holding/staging area. We did not want another round after we had two beers and some food. Went back in to waiting to order/pay holding/staging area and used card to pay.
Any Medical Advantage?
How does requiring customers to migrate back and forth into a possibly unfamiliar part of the restaurant each time they want to order a beer or cash out serve any medical purpose Re: COVID?
It seems like the plan is to cause meaningless inconvenience.
If you notice the inconvenience, maybe you will think that the establishment is somehow going out of their way because they care about protecting you.
Still will plan to return to this location in the future.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
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.
“Local journalism has been the policeman on the beat against misinformation,” Cantwell said in an interview Tuesday. “Keeping local news is too important to let these unfair market practices continue.”
Misinformation or just avoiding reports on various topics?
Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?
Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?
Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?
Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?
Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
“Local journalism has been the policeman on the beat against misinformation,” Cantwell said in an interview Tuesday. “Keeping local news is too important to let these unfair market practices continue.”
“Broadcasting is facing similar losses, with advertising revenues down more than 40% in the past two decades.”
The Press Is Weak
People go to alternative media because the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks have moved away from asking questions.
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.
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.
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.
Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?
Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?
Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger–a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
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.
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Does the process involve reaching for an honest understanding of what the major political parties believe in?
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?
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?
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.
Asking a few questions here is not to defend furnishing alcohol to minors or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, legal or illegal drugs or marijuana.
Went to take a look at award winners Re: The Great American Beer Festival.
Tried to follow them on Twitter. May not follow unless I add my birth date to my Twitter profile first.
Random thoughts:
I am not asking to purchase beer or any beverage containing alcohol.
Not interested in updating info on Twitter.
When I was in high school, we were able to obtain beer anytime we wanted it. We were able to accomplish this without the assistance of the internet, any web page, or Twitter.
A federal minimum drinking age is in place. If this works to prevent the sale of alcohol to adults age 18-20, why make everyone place a birth date in Twitter to look at beer related pages?
This strange honor system does what to prevent an 18-20 year old adult from entering a fake birthdate in order to look at beer related pages on the web?
If standard fast food restaurants are operating all over WA-how are the ones located on ferries more of a risk?
Mask wearing at any restaurant:
In a restaurant, is COVID-19 risk different while standing and walking than it is while seated, eating & speaking?
Fast food drive-thru:
It seems typical that the cashier, who handles cash, coins and cards-also places napkins in the to-go bag.
This really doesn’t seem to make sense even before current concerns Re: COVID-19.
Food handler card? Cross-contamination? Health Department? State of the art protocols practiced by global corporations, restaurant management professionals, etc. No one seems to notice.
Same country that will stage a big celebration of smaller government each July 4th.
Is this a weak-minded culture?
When I was a child in the 1970s, local authorities, elected officials and newspeople played no role in telling families when trick or treating would begin or end.
Still six weeks out and local authorities dictate a one hour window for trick-or-treat time 2019. For some reason, Halloween will be observed exactly one week in advance of October 31st.
Your family will start at 5:30 and be done for the year at 6:30 p.m.
“The Gallipolis Police Department recently announced times for Trick-or-Treat set for the Gallipolis.”
“The annual event will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. All drivers are reminded to be cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.”
Much of the article above includes detailed safety tips such as dressing the kids up in reflective gear so they look like a county road maintenance crew. It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now.
Colorado
