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.
Sassy has made it to the ripe age of three decades and double-same-digits! In this video, you’ll see a picture of the two of us in Florida when she was a few weeks old and I was 11 (that really dates me). The other picture under it was taken in Seattle in 2015 after we moved there. Now we are back in Florida celebrating 2 coast-to-coast moves and 33 years together. There will never be another Sassy and anything I’d write would fail to describe the treasure she has been for me and now our family. She is the kind of horse who can babysit your kids, take you on a relaxing trail ride, listen quietly to your prayers and make you laugh with an array of silly antics. She is like your favorite pair of socks and your best camping buddy combined. We are so grateful we got another year - and of course she has been enjoying plenty of apples with her carrot cake! If you want to live to a ripe old age too, go celebrate Sassy’s birthday by treating yourself to some fermented cod liver/butter ...
We drew blood from Maisy our mini Jersey/Dexter cross and it’s en route to the lab! We are running a pregnancy test to see if the artificial insemination we did in January was successful. This is our second attempt. The first did not take. Maisy is a little older (she’s 4 and I didn’t know most people breed them for the first time by 18 months) so I’m way behind the curve but up for the challenge! If the test comes back negative, we will likely try putting her with a bull. Maisy will be our first family milk cow (God willing) and we have put SO much work into her. My best advice for someone looking to do this: buy “Ole Bessie”, a tried and true milk cow that’s had several successful pregnancies and has been milked several hundred times (if not several thousand times) - so that you’re not both “newbies”. The learning curve is steep! If you’re a new or expecting mom - or just someone who is trying to add the unmatched benefits of organ meat to your diet - check out ...
Our neighborhood has been busy organizing opposition to a cell tower on one side - and an asphalt plant on the other! We are a rural community that enjoys wildlife, dark starry skies, clean air and water, and quiet. The two proposed projects have really stirred the pot here. I am leading the opposition to the cell tower and Alan Ivory is leading the asphalt plant protest. We sure will need help detoxing if these projects are built - so I will be ordering plenty of cod liver/butter oil from Green Pasture! Use promo code "ALISON" for 10% off at check out.
GREEN PASTURE PRODUCTS:
https://www.greenpasture.org/
SIGN THE ASPHALT PLANT PETITION:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-zoning-change-from-general-neighborhood-commercial-to-industrial
My mechanic told me this exact same story about a month ago.
Why People Aren't Lining Up for This $120,000 Job - The Journal. - WSJ Podcasts
https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/why-people-arent-lining-up-for-this-120000-job/e320f6eb-de6d-4e9f-8d23-ac2f79b831a1
