Many of you don't know that when I left TV news, I took a job shooting videos for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. It gave me the chance to build my independent media work in my personal time, which was not an option as a TV reporter given my contract in corporate news. When I was hired, I was encouraged to keep my social media presence. Recently, my bosses informed me that I was to stop all videos related to Covid safety, vaccines and mandates that “undermine” DNR's policies, as DNR is one of many state agencies with a vaccine mandate, though ours was enacted by Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz and separate from Gov. Inslee's order. My independent work was done on personal time with personal equipment and I never discussed my position at DNR. I also informed my bosses that I had a First Amendment right to continue, and that the policy of a state agency committed to science should align with robust discussion that includes a variety of viewpoints. They disagreed. I refused to comply and was terminated last week.
I am truly grateful for the many wildland fire fighters whose stories I’ve had the honor of telling, as well as the fuels crews fixing the forest health crisis driving historic fires. We nearly evacuated twice this year, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the work of DNR staff across the state saved our home and thousands of others.
While there are many unknowns for our family, not the least of which is finding a new health insurance plan (any suggestions?), we are absolutely unwavering that it was the right decision. How could I continue covering censorship and allow myself to be censored on one of the most important topics of my lifetime? There are a great many people taking grave risks right now - many of them you've seen in my videos - and those of us who stand up for free speech and informed choice right now will hopefully pave the way someday for others to do so without losing their jobs. I got into journalism to follow the truth wherever it leads, and I will continue. I am planning to record a video to discuss this publicly on YouTube. Would you please let me know what questions you'd like me to answer in it? In sum, our family is incredibly grateful for your support here. I have absolutely no regrets. I said once that free speech is the hill I would die on - but just to be clear, as I've said before, I did not commit suicide. 😉 Be brave. We are in this together.
What do you think? Does Hei Hei have repressed anger towards our other rooster, energizing his need to dominate us? Does he need a therapist? Or a crockpot?
Did you know that omega 3 fatty acids like DHA & EPA protect the brain from inflammation and help foster a healthy nervous system? Maybe Hei Hei needs some? I get a good daily dose from the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture. Use promo code “ALISON” for 10% off at check out.
https://greenpasture.org/
I noticed water below our outdoor freezer today and opened it up to find that a lot of the meat was starting to defrost. We aren’t sure if the seal has an issue or something else is wrong but it was a very close call. Luckily we salvaged all of the meat because I caught it quickly. We had nearly a half-cow’s worth of beef inside it. It would be a big loss for anyone to have to throw away that amount of meat, but for us, it has the added layer of meaning: we raised that cow. We are grateful for the food in a way we took for granted before becoming farmers.
Thankfully the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture doesn’t need to be frozen! Keep it with you inside your house fridge. I used to get chronic cavities and it stopped my longtime battle - I finally started getting perfect checkups at the dentist! Taking it is part of my daily routine which will now also include checking our freezers! https://greenpasture.org/
One of our chickens went downhill fast over the weekend and died Sunday morning. As is our practice, we took her out to the big oak tree in our pasture under which Freckles the horse was the first to be buried - and now rests alongside several other animals. Farming teaches so much about life and death, and I have noticed the kids do not react to it the way I always assumed kids do. My friends often ask, “How did the kids handle it?” And the answer is, “Fine, honestly.”
With this chicken, we had prayed for her Saturday night and asked God for His will to be done, petitioning that she either be healed or taken swiftly so she would not suffer. And when she died in Lily’s arms the next morning, Lily said, “well, God answered our prayers.”
Someone told me once that there are two kinds of animals on a farm, living ones and dead ones. There is no escaping the reality of death on a farm and while I spent much of my early life completely petrified of sickness and death, both TV ...
https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/breaking-gates-foundation-funds-first?
Great. Just what we don’t need. Gates really is a James Bond villain
