Jeff, You made me think of C. S. Lewis's The Four Loves:
"You will not find the warrior, the poet, the philosopher or the Christian by staring in his eyes as if he were your mistress: better fight beside him, read with him, argue with him, pray with him... Hence we picture lovers face to face but Friends side by side; their eyes look ahead."
Clallam County is not theirs to steal under our watch. Thanks for all you do, Friend.
You're a better friend to your community than they are to an actual human. Shows a lot of moral strength in you and weakness to the herd in them.
I lost a lifetime friend from my time in the service because i wouldn't guarantee to him my vote for Biden. He called me a fascist for that single answer, and I've not heard from him again since.
It's a two-dimensional world when you are infected with an Ism.
Jeff. you may not know it, but you have a new friend. We agree on several issues and I think we could disagree on some and still be friends. Opinions are just that. A discussion of what is in our minds, and seems worth a conversation. Being civil allows us to cover many subjects. Most of my choices are rather simple; Kindness, Friendship, Tolerance. What is wrong is to be so judgemental that there is no room for conversation. I was once told a simple saying: "Better to be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Seek the truth.
I have experienced the awkward political journey you mention. Generally speaking, the first half of my senior life was Seattle and unions; all in on all blue. A union electrician I decided to go into the electrical contracting business, as a union contractor. What I had not anticipated was that entrepreneurial move had politically shifted me overnight from one of the brothers to the enemy. That caused me to take a closer look into the party platforms, causes and efforts. I found conservative choices more fitting to my current life. Today's extreme political polarization has changed long and steady friendships into challenged friendships. Some endur, some do not. Today I find Government a self promoting, insatiable, all consuming beast that can never have enough of it's constituents money. Government's charge has grown from infrastructure, safety and economic opportunity into social engineering; creating and faux supporting the infinite variations of "minorities". Just when I think the minority well has finally run dry another is born. The latest being various forms of sexual orientation. I repeatedly ask myself what sexual orientation has to do with Government and I keep coming up with the same answer; nothing. I then question why my taxes are being used by my Government to socially engineer society.
The goal always has been, and always will be division, though the talking heads constantly drum on saving democracy, and ratcheting back hate. The very segregation that was SOP for them since pre-Civil War, is still the prime directive; except this time around the targets are anyone who disagrees with them and openly exibits such a mindset and behavior, regardless of race, creed or religion. The most difficult challenge in this life is being the individual that we are created at birth, without apology, or acquiescence via coercion. There are times in life where standing united is required to reclaim usurped rights and liberties; now is one of those times that our voices are required to be heard, firmly, and in unison. We have already confirmed "divided, we fall."
An echo chamber "friendship" only reinforces existing biases and prevents critical evaluation of new information. Without opposing views, society and technology cease to evolve.
A person engaging with or embracing diverse viewpoints builds cognitive flexibility and empathy. Surrounding yourself only with agreement diminishes the ability to understand others.
If a person only chooses friends who don't dissent, (s)he falls victim to groupthink. What kind of decision-making follows if flawed ideas are never challenged?
It's a shame that people are devolving and forming tribes that are so culturally unilateral.
Jeff, as a resident and business owner here for the last 40 years I feel terrible that I was derelict in my civic duty to pay attention to what my community was becoming and the decisions our elected leadership where making. In the past year , due to your vigilant ( watching ) I feel that I should pay closer attention . You have become a revelation and a reminder that I probably need to pay more attention, I for one cannot thank you enough for your brave dedication to providing the real truth. You ,my friend are very important to many of us who remember a more smiling community, please don't ever change and ignore the smell.
As an old dedicated American Constitutionalist, and one of the few remaining "Senior civilian officers" in this fight, I have personally been in this fight for about 60 years now, so I just wanted to congratulate you on your "awakening" (AKA; "Personal Enlightenment") and welcome you to this very old struggle for Individual freedom~! You are among the brave ;-) You and many are here now for the "Grand Fanale" and that is what matters most my friend~! Believe it or not, you and everyone here are living through the MOST critical historic time in our current civilizations' history~! We are literally accomplishing what no previous generations ever dreamed that they could do, and yes, "we" are winning~!!! Stay healthy and well stocked up just in case, because when the dust settles life will be absolutely amazing beyond belief and the future generations will have a great chance to live in Individual freedom and great prosperity~!
Re: dividing of our community. You are uniting a large segment of the community by exposing local institutions and governmental entities that are unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve and are, in some cases, possibly even corrupt.
Isn't it odd how those on one side of the political spectrum who are always talking about tolerance and inclusion can be the most intolerant and exclusive people if you don't fall in line with their beliefs?
If a truth burns down a relationship, a family, a community, or a society, it was only ever held together by lies. And to that I say, let it burn. I never want to live in a world where our need for “comfort” supersedes our need to stand on a foundation only the truth can provide.
- Mark Groves
Keep speaking and sharing the truth. The right people will find and support you!🫶🏼
Well written Jeff. A couple great comments here too as well. I just think you’re doing this writing, research, meetings out of interests you have. I certainly don’t have this sort of time and energy to pursue the “angles” you have exposed in this county. One could only imagine what shape Clallam County would be in and the mess to untangle if we didn’t have someone or a group of concerned citizens to expose or public officials. The streets and creeks, the CC Board, City planning and enforcement all would have “business as usual” if we didn’t have someone to expose it. Thanks for caring about your community. Sorry some relationships have spoiled.
I for one am glad I got to see you in person. My neighbors told me about CC Watchdog and I respect your investigation for the truth. Listen or read everyday!
On a personal note, been there on the "who are my friends". I belonged to the lavender association for 25 years. President several times. When the split happened with the "big farms" and the rest of us, I found out who was a real friend, not someone just out for themselves. The best revenge was seeing how fast those "big" farms followed the wrong person and imploded.
But the best is I still have friends who I wanted to stay friends with. When my husband passed (Dr. Lavender for the festival), they all came to help me get ready for the winter by making 6 cords of wood from my down trees.
As long as the result is love, it's ok to differ. Jeff, it sounds similar to what happened during the covid scare. Family and friends turned on each other just because of the vaccine controversy.
A person whose house is only open on the west can't see the sunrise at dawn; it's only seen when the sun sets at dusk. If one tries to compare the color, and appearance of the two, one would go arguing forever...the fault lies not with the vision but with the closed windows. If you look out of only one opening till the day you die, you'll never see anything new.
250 years ago our founding fathers had another vision and followed it.
Beautifully written, Jeff. Thank you for being so transparent. Friendship that survives the roughest times (and opposite opinions) are the ones that are truly friends.
Jeff, you have shed light on what our local government has been doing with our tax dollars and why they keep raising them.
Thank you very much from myself and alot of folks with common sense .
Keep up the good work!! Your friend!!
Jeff, You made me think of C. S. Lewis's The Four Loves:
"You will not find the warrior, the poet, the philosopher or the Christian by staring in his eyes as if he were your mistress: better fight beside him, read with him, argue with him, pray with him... Hence we picture lovers face to face but Friends side by side; their eyes look ahead."
Clallam County is not theirs to steal under our watch. Thanks for all you do, Friend.
I love the C.S. Lewis quote.
And thank you for what you do.
Excellent comment, Patriot David Zelenka~!
Sincerely, Mike
You're a better friend to your community than they are to an actual human. Shows a lot of moral strength in you and weakness to the herd in them.
I lost a lifetime friend from my time in the service because i wouldn't guarantee to him my vote for Biden. He called me a fascist for that single answer, and I've not heard from him again since.
It's a two-dimensional world when you are infected with an Ism.
https://jasonbackus.substack.com/p/the-reluctant-ballot
Wearing ones emotions on one's sleeve, invites hurt, but also invites love. I think it's worth the chance.
Jeff. you may not know it, but you have a new friend. We agree on several issues and I think we could disagree on some and still be friends. Opinions are just that. A discussion of what is in our minds, and seems worth a conversation. Being civil allows us to cover many subjects. Most of my choices are rather simple; Kindness, Friendship, Tolerance. What is wrong is to be so judgemental that there is no room for conversation. I was once told a simple saying: "Better to be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Seek the truth.
Thanks Sheldon.
Jeff-
Thank you for bringing this forward from head and heart.
It is tough being unique.
I am unique.
I've let friends go over the years... and I am certain people left ME because I am who I am.
I am cynical, bossy, sassy, grumpy, TRUST does not come easy for me and I deal with Bull Sh*t head on.
I have a keen radar that picks up on glaring issues.
If something is not right, I am going to say something, do something.
Some people appreciate me and some people dislike me, my ideas and opinions.
I left AA a couple years ago.
I didn't agree with how things were unfolding in various meetings.
During covid and after covid the meetings changed.
Zoom meetings came into the picture.
My woman's meeting turned into something different after attending for 15 years.
I spoke up.
I was told I was "unapproachable", "cynical", "I just want people to be more like me", etc.
I was engulfed in AA, and I was involved highly at all levels.
When my sponsor passed away 3 years ago, my father followed 2 weeks later.
This changed me.
I felt freedom for the first time ever.
Free to make my own decisions.
Free to grieve how I needed to.
Freedom to grow...
I stayed in AA for another year after they passed.
What I realized,
I didn't need to "Follow" an ideal or stay in this "BOX" for the rest of my life as I have been told...
"ALL WE HAVE IS A DAILY REPRIEVE".
no, I have much much more than that.
People want to keep powerful personalities stifled and silenced.
They throw distractions in our faces to detour us from the goal.
What is the Goal here Jeff?
I know where your heart is and I barley know you.
But I see you.
I SEE YOU.
I decide what to take away from CCWD.
You are a journalist and a great writer.
What makes a great writer?
HONESTY.
Who doesn't like fiesty?
I love fiesty!
Hmmm… So Jeff sows division. With $100.00 budget and a laptop and a substack among millions of sub stacks.
Jeff, you have hundreds of people you’ve never met that are grateful for your work. Fair trade in my opinion.
Very fair trade :)
I have experienced the awkward political journey you mention. Generally speaking, the first half of my senior life was Seattle and unions; all in on all blue. A union electrician I decided to go into the electrical contracting business, as a union contractor. What I had not anticipated was that entrepreneurial move had politically shifted me overnight from one of the brothers to the enemy. That caused me to take a closer look into the party platforms, causes and efforts. I found conservative choices more fitting to my current life. Today's extreme political polarization has changed long and steady friendships into challenged friendships. Some endur, some do not. Today I find Government a self promoting, insatiable, all consuming beast that can never have enough of it's constituents money. Government's charge has grown from infrastructure, safety and economic opportunity into social engineering; creating and faux supporting the infinite variations of "minorities". Just when I think the minority well has finally run dry another is born. The latest being various forms of sexual orientation. I repeatedly ask myself what sexual orientation has to do with Government and I keep coming up with the same answer; nothing. I then question why my taxes are being used by my Government to socially engineer society.
The goal always has been, and always will be division, though the talking heads constantly drum on saving democracy, and ratcheting back hate. The very segregation that was SOP for them since pre-Civil War, is still the prime directive; except this time around the targets are anyone who disagrees with them and openly exibits such a mindset and behavior, regardless of race, creed or religion. The most difficult challenge in this life is being the individual that we are created at birth, without apology, or acquiescence via coercion. There are times in life where standing united is required to reclaim usurped rights and liberties; now is one of those times that our voices are required to be heard, firmly, and in unison. We have already confirmed "divided, we fall."
An echo chamber "friendship" only reinforces existing biases and prevents critical evaluation of new information. Without opposing views, society and technology cease to evolve.
A person engaging with or embracing diverse viewpoints builds cognitive flexibility and empathy. Surrounding yourself only with agreement diminishes the ability to understand others.
If a person only chooses friends who don't dissent, (s)he falls victim to groupthink. What kind of decision-making follows if flawed ideas are never challenged?
It's a shame that people are devolving and forming tribes that are so culturally unilateral.
Jeff, as a resident and business owner here for the last 40 years I feel terrible that I was derelict in my civic duty to pay attention to what my community was becoming and the decisions our elected leadership where making. In the past year , due to your vigilant ( watching ) I feel that I should pay closer attention . You have become a revelation and a reminder that I probably need to pay more attention, I for one cannot thank you enough for your brave dedication to providing the real truth. You ,my friend are very important to many of us who remember a more smiling community, please don't ever change and ignore the smell.
Your friend. Bill
Ditto
My sentiments exactly.
Thanks, but don't be sorry. I was in la-la-land pre Towne Road.
Well said, Patriot Bill Roberds~!
As an old dedicated American Constitutionalist, and one of the few remaining "Senior civilian officers" in this fight, I have personally been in this fight for about 60 years now, so I just wanted to congratulate you on your "awakening" (AKA; "Personal Enlightenment") and welcome you to this very old struggle for Individual freedom~! You are among the brave ;-) You and many are here now for the "Grand Fanale" and that is what matters most my friend~! Believe it or not, you and everyone here are living through the MOST critical historic time in our current civilizations' history~! We are literally accomplishing what no previous generations ever dreamed that they could do, and yes, "we" are winning~!!! Stay healthy and well stocked up just in case, because when the dust settles life will be absolutely amazing beyond belief and the future generations will have a great chance to live in Individual freedom and great prosperity~!
Sincerely, Mike
Re: dividing of our community. You are uniting a large segment of the community by exposing local institutions and governmental entities that are unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve and are, in some cases, possibly even corrupt.
Isn't it odd how those on one side of the political spectrum who are always talking about tolerance and inclusion can be the most intolerant and exclusive people if you don't fall in line with their beliefs?
Jeff is exposing the people who divide, yet they call him divisive.
Odd.
Afraid.
If a truth burns down a relationship, a family, a community, or a society, it was only ever held together by lies. And to that I say, let it burn. I never want to live in a world where our need for “comfort” supersedes our need to stand on a foundation only the truth can provide.
- Mark Groves
Keep speaking and sharing the truth. The right people will find and support you!🫶🏼
Well written Jeff. A couple great comments here too as well. I just think you’re doing this writing, research, meetings out of interests you have. I certainly don’t have this sort of time and energy to pursue the “angles” you have exposed in this county. One could only imagine what shape Clallam County would be in and the mess to untangle if we didn’t have someone or a group of concerned citizens to expose or public officials. The streets and creeks, the CC Board, City planning and enforcement all would have “business as usual” if we didn’t have someone to expose it. Thanks for caring about your community. Sorry some relationships have spoiled.
I for one am glad I got to see you in person. My neighbors told me about CC Watchdog and I respect your investigation for the truth. Listen or read everyday!
On a personal note, been there on the "who are my friends". I belonged to the lavender association for 25 years. President several times. When the split happened with the "big farms" and the rest of us, I found out who was a real friend, not someone just out for themselves. The best revenge was seeing how fast those "big" farms followed the wrong person and imploded.
But the best is I still have friends who I wanted to stay friends with. When my husband passed (Dr. Lavender for the festival), they all came to help me get ready for the winter by making 6 cords of wood from my down trees.
The others, bye, bye.
As long as the result is love, it's ok to differ. Jeff, it sounds similar to what happened during the covid scare. Family and friends turned on each other just because of the vaccine controversy.
A person whose house is only open on the west can't see the sunrise at dawn; it's only seen when the sun sets at dusk. If one tries to compare the color, and appearance of the two, one would go arguing forever...the fault lies not with the vision but with the closed windows. If you look out of only one opening till the day you die, you'll never see anything new.
250 years ago our founding fathers had another vision and followed it.
Beautifully written, Jeff. Thank you for being so transparent. Friendship that survives the roughest times (and opposite opinions) are the ones that are truly friends.