Calm and foggy on the Pacific Coast.
Early Tuesday – Damon Point
Looking towards North Jetty from Damon Point
Thursday morning rush hour – Washington Coast – The North Beach
You can leave the sunscreen at home folks.
Saw a school bus this morning. First one in a long time.
Oktoberfest will arrive. We can begin to get in the spirit right away.
Related:
The best beers are the ones you enjoy most
Green/Clear Beer Bottle Myths?
If this is an emergency, please hang up and dial 911.
If this is not an emergency, please stay on the line to participate in our tortuous, routine protocols.
TRICARE
You have earned health care benefits with your career/job. You have made subscription/dues payments during the year to keep your health care turned on.
It almost seems like they hire people to make it difficult and confusing to use the benefits you have already earned and paid for.
This whole thing should be no more tricky to use than an Amazon account.
High level politicians from both major parties have been talking for decades about fixing/supporting veterans health care benefits.
Somebody shared from the web:
Possibly related:
America Deserves A Military Recruiting Crisis
Damon Point
People familiar with this location know that access is more tricky now than it was a year ago.
Love to see cooperative efforts, negotiations with the tribe and creative thinking here. City leaders, volunteer work parties, local businesses who may donate trucks and materials, landscaping resources, etc. Offer to create some sort of access trail with a fence, plantings, trash cans, etc. Make an offer to the tribe that can help to improve the situation. The marina facility has potential. Any federal grant money for ports and coastal improvement?
Maybe these efforts are already in the works. Thanks to those who may be involved.
The crisis was earned by the politicians, generals, and high ranking civilians who have been running the Pentagon over the past 30 years or so. The crisis is also upon us due to newspeople not asking questions going back to the time the Cold War ended.
National Guard
Jun 30, 2022 WCCO – CBS Minnesota
1:41 Reporters interviewing reporters from within their TV studios.
Back in the 1960s, TV newspeople had a different style of reporting and working to keep the public informed.
At 3:49 an interview with Maj. Sgt. Kor. Rank insignia on uniform does not match rank description in WCCO TV news video. Weeks later, title remains uncorrected.
The people of Minnesota need more applicants to maintain a place to live and a regular job in their hometown area when they are not doing time in foreign lands helping DOD with undeclared/unwon wars and missions completely unrelated to their home state.
A few decades back, people might think of the National Guard as one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer plus a way to support your home state by being ready to get called out for floods, fires, natural disasters, civil unrest, etc. Maybe a way to help the next state over if they needed it.
In recent years, the National Guard has been sent to Syria, Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Home State, USA needed services in distant lands, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.
Regular Active Duty
Jul 26, 2022 CBS Evening News
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.
It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.
The press heads out to ask top generals and recruiters what is going on. No interviews with National Guard people who have done multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, etc. No interviews with Moms and Dads who have raised physically fit children but will not recommend the US Armed Forces to them.
Zero questions from newspeople on why the Moms and Dads of America wouldn’t recommend the US Armed Forces to their kids.
Love to see TV newspeople interview some of the veterans commenting here:
From comments Re: above video:
The parents and grandparents of today may have a tricky time recommending an enlistment to a younger generation. This would be true even in families who are proud of having a history of military service.
Some of these folks are commenting on the video below. Look for TV newspeople to seek out and do zero interviews with the veterans commenting here:
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?
Related:
For your freedoms
No time for the press to look into the fading idea that US 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.
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 ban, interracial 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.
May 28, 2020 WMAR
Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard
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. Don’t look for any of this discussion to be prompted by newspeople showing initiative or curiosity in asking questions.
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.”
May 13, 2022 Military.com Network
Military Throwing Cash at Recruiting Crisis as Troops Head for the Exits
“Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee personnel panel, says the military is on the cusp of a recruiting crisis.”
Questions we’d love to see newspeople ask:
Senator Tillis,
The Dept. of Defense has a truly poor track record with undeclared wars. This record goes back to 1949, the year DOD was established. Has this record damaged the brand?
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. Whatever they touch turns to crap.
Senator Tillis,
Is there any talk of going back to a draft in order to deal with your recruiting crisis?
Before making any plans to start up a draft, let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Senator Tillis,
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.
Senator Tillis,
Has dressing women to look like men had any positive or negative impact on recruiting?
Senator Tillis,
Did the US Army revert to WWII uniforms to remind us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up?
Did this change have any positive or negative impact on recruiting?
Senator Tillis,
Not here to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
The plan is to save cash by reducing the traditional DOD military benefits that were on the table when people began doing multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is the same country where both major parties invite veterans to be momentarily honored at State of the Union events when they control the White House.
Senator Tillis,
Will an older generation encourage a younger generation to do time in the US Armed Forces in the years ahead?
The guys who did time in the Vietnam War may have grown up in a family where Dad was a WWII veteran.
The guys who did time in the Vietnam War may have been WWII veterans.
NATO
May 21, 2022 By Ryan McMaken
Mises.org
NATO Plans to Rip Off Americans Even More as Sweden and Finland Set to Join
“NATO membership has nothing to do with enhancing the defense of ordinary Americans. The American elites love NATO, of course, because it expands regime spending and influence in Europe. But when it comes down to actual military defense, expanding NATO only increases the odds that Americans will be pulled into a major conflict while offering Americans nothing in return.”
“…the US taxpayer overwhelmingly covers the costs of NATO.”
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.
A significant article here:
July 28, 2022 The Heritage Foundation
The Administration and Congress Must Act Now to Counter the Worsening Military Recruiting Crisis
Not seeing any recommendation for phasing out undeclared/unwon wars.
Not seeing any recommendation to stop sending the National Guard to distant lands on missions completely unrelated to their home state.
Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity
Falling Military Recruitment Is Another Sign of Waning Faith in the Regime
written by Ryan mcmaken friday august 26, 2022
“The good news, however, is that the military’s recruiting woes are likely yet another signal of declining support for the federal government and its institutions.”
Conclusion:
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since. Has anyone been fired over this?
Since the end of the Cold War:
Both major parties appear to have been OK with undeclared/unwon wars and sending the National Guard to foreign lands on missions completely unrelated to their home state.
Every few years, no matter what political party or personality is in power, there are moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
The plan is to save cash by reducing the traditional DOD military benefits that were on the table when people began doing multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Recruiting crisis? You earned it.
Try for less blaming of a new generation and the Moms and Dads of today for any hesitation related to doing time in uniform. Time to take a hard look at what elected officials and the US Dept. of Defense did with the brand after the first Cold War ended in the early 90s and after the lessons of Vietnam were on the table.
Possibly of interest:
June 2, 2022 Do Soldiers Protect Us?
By Laurence M. Vance
Unsustainable Military Spending
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
How does Uncle Sam plan to attract young people to sign up in the years ahead?
2022 – Armed Forces Recruiting Culture
After the Cold War:
The Cold War had ended. DOD was happy with their all volunteer military.
Look what they did with it.
Enough time now to look back and ask a few public policy questions. The fact that the press has never been in the habit of questioning the GWOT, by itself, seems a little odd.
Photo-
Platoon 3049, MCRD San Diego
Jun-Sep 1979
The ship visible below may be NORDIC BC KIEL.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Ocean Shores features a freshwater canal system that runs through residential areas. The views here are from the electric boat we rented. This outing was a highlight of our year. Info on rentals here.
My favorite beer styles are NW or West Coast IPA, German Pilsner and Mexican beer. Here, in the Grays Harbor area, German beer appears to be unavailable. That adds a certain mystique.
My favorite Mexican beer seems to be hard to find anywhere I shop over the past 10 years or so.
Another one I like is also hard to find:
A good selection of German beers are available at the Silverdale, WA BevMo! store.
Happy hunting.
Possibly of interest:
Green/Clear Beer Bottle Myths?
In a recent blog, we shared about German beers being hard to find in Grays Harbor County.
Just back now from a road trip to Kitsap County. Happy to report that a good selection of German beers are available at the Silverdale, WA BevMo! store. Friendly staff too!
Dining out report:
We enjoyed dining out before COVID and have had mixed experiences since restrictions were lifted.
Happy to report that we found a nice Thai restaurant on our trip.
Quiet, uncrowded, nice atmosphere, attentive/good service and really enjoyed the food. We would try to dine out more if this was the sort of experience we could expect.
10404 Silverdale Way NW.
Ste#E-102
Silverdale, WA 98383
Back home.
Early Sunday – Washington Coast – The North Beach
The summer pattern has become foggy out here. Fog in the morning, fog and a cool breeze late in the afternoon. The forecast can call for all day sun, but you may only see it for brief periods.
It feels like just a bit higher in elevation, or just a few miles inland, you would experience a warm summer day.
This pattern may be similar hundreds of miles south of here:
San Francisco Weather
Why is it so cold!!?
Last week, other parts of WA saw a heat wave that never came here.
Here is a look at local conditions via a live cam just south of here at Westport, Washington. We must go to a host page first, then click on the cam.
View the live feed here.
Related:
There are spots on the beach where you will see nothing but sand and fog in all directions.
No surf to play in this morning.
Heading back.
No markings on the back of these.
Found at the Pacific Blvd beach access in Ocean Shores.
Local group: Ocean Shores Rocks
Early Monday
Ocean Shores features a freshwater canal system that runs through residential areas. The views below are looking south from the Ocean Lake Way NE Bridge.
