It’s that time of year again — the OB Rag’s annual summer fundraising campaign during the first weeks of August.
We only do this once a year, so help us reach our goal of $3,000 over the next two weeks. We do have bills — just our annual server bill is $900. We do pay some of our reporters and writers a small amount, usually $35 to $50 an article, plus we have subscription bills and utilities to pay.
Over this last 2 years, the Rag has become the online platform for dissatisfied residents of many neighborhoods besides Ocean Beach and Point Loma – disgruntled and frustrated fellow citizens upset with the leadership of the city, the mayor’s Bonus ADU program, the so-called Complete Communities plan – that people from University City, Encanto, Middletown, Hillcrest, Talmadge, Pacific Beach, Linda Vista, Clairemont — the list keeps growing – are increasingly using the Rag to sound off.
For some reason, locals are having trouble gaining traction about their travails from the mainstream or other online media and press. So, increasingly, they look to the Rag for support.
As the Rag is a platform of and for citizen journalists, we are often there for them.
So, help us keep it going.
How to Support Us
Send us a one-time donation via our PayPal button on the homepage; or
Become a regular monthly contributor; via PayPal on the homepage; or
Send us a check made out to “OB Rag” to:
OB Rag
PO Box 7012
Ocean Beach, CA 92167
Help us keep the OB Rag alive and well – send us a donation.
Here are more reasons to contribute to the OB Rag:
We report the news from a progressive perspective, and we own that proudly. We don’t pretend to be neutral. We value honesty over virtue.
We are the only local media outlet that provides a vigorous exchange of ideas in its comments section. We welcome all comments, even (and especially) those that challenge us. As long as viewpoints aren’t abusive or hateful, they are posted for everyone to read, and anyone can respond publicly.
We don’t care who we piss off. We don’t want to be friends with elected officials or powerbrokers. We don’t need access to them to report on what they’re doing.
We have a finely calibrated bullshit meter. We take special pleasure in calling out hype, spin, and weasel language.
We only solicit donations once a year — we don’t hit you up over and over.
Our content is free for and accessible to everyone. No subscription fees. No paid memberships. No firewalls.
We give you news uncluttered by embedded and pop-up ads. (No cookies.)
We report the news from a progressive perspective, and we own that proudly. We don’t pretend to be neutral. We value honesty over virtue.
We are the only local media outlet that provides a vigorous exchange of ideas in its comments section. We welcome all comments, even (and especially) those that challenge us. As long as viewpoints aren’t abusive or hateful, they are posted for everyone to read, and anyone can respond publicly.
I respectfully disagree. It’s been insinuated I need to contribute in order to express my views. I’ve been edited and omitted from comments from time to time despite my reluctance to contribute to a pay to play system. I’m constantly monitored before being published. The comments section, being comments, should be an open forum regardless of financial subsistence. And by the article, they don’t care who they piss off. Hence my reservation as to whether they publish this or not. Funny stuff, you can respond publicly, just don’t expect fair treatment when your posts are treated dismissively and you can’t rebut. Doubt if this will be published. Your politics are controlled even here.
chris schulz – why is it you expect a free ride here while simultaneously abusing Rag writers with insulting comments? I don’t get it. Your comments are monitored for those reasons: you insult our writers and advance views that express “both sides are equally bad.” This is not a platform for those type of views. Your DAILY comments are full of hubris and you have no feelings of contributing to the Rag’s existence.
Incredibly, in the few hours since the Rag began our fundraising, $675 has been donated!
The Rag received $150 over night.
You will get my little check coming from way up here, but I’m sure it won’t show up until sometime next week. With the damage that DJT has done to the Post Office through the placement of his minion DeJoy, the US mail has slowed down considerably…especially with rural mountain post offices. At least so far letters still show up, yes?
But then everything the Orange Turd touches turns to shit, doesn’t it? But that’s the nature of shit…
Thank you for what the Rag still does, and another to the people that give their time and money to keep this small voice out there in the world.
And also thanks for putting up with my sometimes depressing take on the reality I see and post about.
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Chris Shultz: Are you being a snowflake again? As for being “respectful,” is that what you call it? NAH, dude, I’d use other words in describing what you put up. Do you want some crackers with your whine?
sealintheSelkirks
Whatever Seal. It’s not like you’re trying to get to know me or go have a brew to opine about it. Just another 2 cent character going off.
Chris Schultz – the obvious question for you then is, if you disagree so often and vehemently with views expressed on the Rag, why do you return day after day and make comments here?
Yes! @Chris Schultz please go over to maga news….they’ll like you…..or, just leave us alone dude…you’re weird.
Nah, no thanks, I stopped the use of alcohol decades ago. And besides, why would you want to ‘opine’ with “another 2 cent character going off?” Seems like that would surely be a waste of your time judging from that comment.
As for ‘whatever,’ that was something my step-kids used to say back in the 90s when they couldn’t really think of anything else. A filler word meaning nothing. I forgive you for that though I used to give the kids shit over it.
But I’m in full agreement with the publisher. Why are you wasting your time coming onto this site day after day? You could be doing something useful, like washing your dishes or picking up trash that came in with the high tide or joining ICE for that $50,000 bonus and chasing down landscapers or day laborers in front of Home Depot…
sealintheSelkirks
We’ve nearly reached $1,000 in donations, a third of our goal is just over 24 hours. Thanks everyone!!
$$$ Sent! Thank you for all you do!
Thank you Cindy!
Thx to everyone who has chipped in to keep the Rag financially healthy and vibrant. Please spread the word to friends and neighbors who care about our city and appreciate the honest, insightful reporting and commentary that the Rag provides every day. People need to step up and support this independent voice!
I lean in the same political direction as the OB Rag on most issues, and I genuinely appreciate that this outlet is often the first to cover stories others ignore — like the Mission Beach surplus land vote. That said, I’ve lost a lot of respect for how this platform handles dissent.
Despite claims of fostering open dialogue, it’s clear that viewpoints challenging the editorial stance are often met with hostility — not just from other readers, but routinely from staff who seem compelled to comment on nearly every article when someone doesn’t fully agree with them. Watching editorial contributors argue endlessly in the comments, or try to silence reasonable disagreement, undercuts the credibility of the “vigorous exchange” the Rag claims to support.
Somehow, I no longer respect the voice of this outlet the way I once did — and I say that as someone who shares many of its values. I’m leaving this comment as honest feedback, not as an invitation to debate with staff.
Independent journalism matters — but so does intellectual honesty.
Bill, you wrote:
“Despite claims of fostering open dialogue, it’s clear that viewpoints challenging the editorial stance are often met with hostility — not just from other readers, but routinely from staff who seem compelled to comment on nearly every article when someone doesn’t fully agree with them. Watching editorial contributors argue endlessly in the comments, or try to silence reasonable disagreement, undercuts the credibility of the “vigorous exchange” the Rag claims to support.”
I often get criticized because I ask for substantiation when someone makes a controversial statement, as you have here. Help us all out and provide a “for instance” so we can see exactly what you are describing?
Bill, thanks for this comment. As an editorial contributor, I struggle with this issue. If someone challenges the accuracy of my reporting, I feel I need to respond. But if they just plain disagree, that’s a tougher call. And sometimes critical comments show me where I’ve hit a false note or gone too far. They sting, but they help me hone my craft.
This is my first reporting gig where I’ve had the opportunity to reply to reader feedback. After reading what you’ve written, I’m going to be more judicious about using the comments section that way. My stories should stand on their own.
Kate, Thank you for your thoughtful reply — I truly appreciate it. We’re all neighbors here, and I believe honest disagreement can lead to stronger, more informed communities when it’s rooted in mutual respect. I’m glad to hear you’re open to reflecting on how conversations unfold in the comments. That gives me hope for more productive, less combative dialogue moving forward.
I’m a Trump supporter and I disagree with a lot of the mainstream progressive liberal media narratives pushed on this site, but credit where it’s due: this is the only place actually pushing back on the YIMBY nonsense. You all are doing God’s work fighting this developer funded scam. I’ll gladly chip in a donation if it means keeping this fight alive.
Bill and Kate thank you, this is a beautiful moment of inflection. Real democracy is messy, but we are all engaged here and in turn engaging with others outside of the OB Rag because of it and that is “healthy.”
I support the OB Rag. I respect that this Sandbox belongs to the OB Rag, so gotta abide by the OB Rag’s Rules then.
Bill and others are expressing a very valid concern. I too have been called out publicly by Editor Dude and then denied posting of a rebuttal. That is suppression, pure plain and simple. Especially when considering I respect and comply with the comment posting rules of conduct established by the OB Rag. Though I found it unbelievably petty and I abstained from posting any comments for a very long time, I love San Diego.
I love San Diegans, and shit is dire now. The critical importance of having any publication speaking truth to power and providing a solid forum for civil discourse that isn’t regulated, data-mined, and monetized by the Mark Suckerberg corporations of Wall Street supersedes feeling butt hurt due to overzealous trigger fingers on the censorship button.
“It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.”
? Joseph Joubert
Mateo, your comment, which is sharply critical of Frank (“unbelievably petty”) has been posted. I don’t know any other publisher who would do that. When I covered for him during his medical leave, I got a taste of the invective that gets hurled at him on a regular basis. I kept thinking: How does he keep enduring this? Rag readers don’t see that. It takes its toll.
Frank is hands-down the best editor I’ve ever worked for/with. For him, the Rag is a labor of love for OB and San Diego. He has single-handedly given this city what is now its only thriving independent media outlet. And he carries a very heavy load. Is he grumpy sometimes? Yes. (Sorry, Frank.) But his moral compass is second to none, and he always keeps an open mind. I don’t think we can ask for more.
Well said, Kate, I agree fully with your observations of editor dude.
I respect Frank Gormlie. I relish time spent on the OB Rag involved in rigorous debate with the man, and I respect his wisdom of experience. I’ve never impugned Frank’s character, criticized his work. I’ve never failed to appreciate the importance and the dedication for what he does for all of San Diego not just OB and I am extremely grateful.
Frank’s comments, like everyone’s, are posted on the OB Rag for analysis and henceforth are reasonably subject to debate. Frank is a big boy and stands by his opinions and he is very much capable of holding his own respectively. Frank dishes it out, pretty heavily sometimes.
Some have reasonably questioned what may or may not be considered heavy handed censorship on Frank’s part and they are expressing their frustration that comes with being silenced.
I speak of one such instance that has put me on forever moderator restriction, for daring to debate; not because I violated any OB Rag Rules of Conduct. But because Frank took exception to hyperbole I used, calling me out publicly, and then denied my factual rebuttal in order to win the day. OB Rag lost my support for a grip of time after that.
Kate, sometimes we have it right, sometimes we need to be corrected, sometimes we’ll to find consensus/common ground, and sometimes we will agree to disagree. But the reason San Diegans come to the OB Rag is engraved on our own County Administration Building built by union workers and funded by the New Deal, that was furnished by the people of San Diego.
“Good Government Demands the Intelligent Interest of Every Citizen.”
Let the people speak, freely. The only remedy for the abuse of free speech, is more free speech.
Thanks Mateo; you are very reasonable and I appreciate that. Yet, managing comments can be very frustrating, time consuming, etc. I really get frustrated when certain commenters believe they have a right to comment here; when you say “let the people speak freely,” you’re forgetting that the issue of freedom of speech is between the citizens and the government, not between certain commenters and the folks who run this platform; this is not a government-funded enterprise, in fact I make no money off the Rag.
We do have rules, it’s our “sandbox”. We are not a platform for trump supporters, racists, misogynists and those who firmly believe we’re just here for them. We do have costs, hence a free press is not free. When certain people come on here on a daily basis and criticize just about everything we do (I’m not saying that’s you) and at the same time take no responsibility for keeping us afloat — that’s a problem. Some display a lot of hubris. Some comments make me want to just abolish comments altogether but I don’t. Because …
No other media platform in San Diego has a comment accessibility like the Rag does. If you know of one, let us know. If you write a letter to the editor at the UT, they edit them heavily. Try it someday.
It’s good that our unpaid staff make comments — and it’s unbelievable that one commenter is complaining that there’s too many staff comments. My god, they have a right also to make comments here.
My god is right.
Of the five readers who’ve commented here, one openly said he’s a Trump supporter and offered to contribute financially to support this platform — and now he’s being told he’s essentially not welcome? That says a lot.
The staff keeps reminding us this is “your sandbox,” but what’s the point of a sandbox if you chase people out for not building the same castle? This isn’t about free speech vs. private platforms — we all understand that. It’s about intellectual honesty and fostering a truly open forum, which is what you claim to champion.
You say no other outlet in San Diego allows this kind of comment access — but what’s the value of access when disagreement is immediately met with defensiveness or dismissal? This environment isn’t welcoming. It’s performative.
I came here in good faith, offered thoughtful input, and tried to engage. But it’s become clear that you don’t want conversation — just control.
I’m done participating — it’s unproductive. This touts itself as a space for community dialogue, but in reality, it’s your world. The rest of us just live in it.
Why aren’t you banging on the doors of the other platforms, like Times of San Diego, Voice of San Diego, La Prensa, the Pt Loma-OB Monthly, San Diego U-T and insisting on being given unfettered access? I don’t get it Bill. If a Trump supporter wishes to help support us, that’s fine, but we’re not going to hide our overall stance. Lastly, how have we “controlled” your access?
Da rules are da rules. I wholeheartedly agree with the reasonable parameters set by the OB Rag. I empathize with what I am sure you get bombarded with everyday Frank, seriously.
In regard to commenting on this publication, I am reminded of two rules/lessons of life that my Irish Grandfather imparted on me.
“Give everyone plenty of slack. You’ll find that they’ll either use the rope to pull themselves up with or wind up strangling themselves with it.”
And
“Sometimes you gotta get punched in mouth before you realize you are being an asshole.”
– Grandpa Dusty Rhoades
The OB Rag readership is expanding, not only throughout this city, but the region, I know this.
Let’s face it sometimes we all need to vent, and it is therapeutic to do it in a group environment. What I petition for is slightly more latitude to posts that stay within the reasonable confines of conduct, decency and OB Rag policy. Commenters will either more freely express themselves and contribute to the community, or expose the weakness of their arguments/opinions and face the scrutiny of the able-minded critical thinkers that comprise the OB Rag readership. This latitude has the potentially for providing pause for introspection and a learning moment that may or may not happen; but It will never happen if voices get silenced.
And I reiterate, I refer to comments made within the established confines of the OB Rag Rules of Conduct.
Thank you Frank.
Mateo, thank you for your support.
Thanks, Matteo — I really appreciate your perspective, and I agree that real democracy is messy, and moments like this can be healthy. But only if everyone involved is genuinely open to listening.
To the staff asking for a “for instance” — this very article is one. As of this writing, there are 17 comments: 9 from staff, 8 from readers (coming from just 5 people), and 3 of those readers have expressed concern about staff hostility when they disagree. That ratio speaks for itself. I’m watching more staff comments come in as I write, so any stated intention to be more judicious with replies seems short-lived.
Recently, I commented on a Mission Bay issue that directly affects me. As a marina tenant, the proposed redevelopment would likely displace my boat. I may lose my slip entirely, along with parking and access — and potentially be forced out of Mission Bay altogether. Still, I voiced support for improving the area and generating more revenue for the city, because I see the bigger picture. Rather than being met with curiosity or dialogue, it was nonstop pushback from staff — and I’m far from the only one who experienced this. Just look at the comment sections on any of the Mission Bay surplus land articles — there’s a pattern.
I don’t usually comment on forums like this, but I felt I brought a valuable, balanced perspective based on lived experience. It was disheartening to see staff dominate the space instead of letting the community talk to one another. I was especially impressed when Judy Swink — a respected advocate and longtime member of the Mission Bay Park Committee — stepped in to clarify that the land in question has been designated for hotel use since 1994 and cannot be sold. She also pointed out that the existing commercial leases generate essential revenue for Mission Bay. Her contribution added real clarity and context — and it should have been a moment to build on.
As Matteo said, this isn’t just the “Editor Dude’s” show. This is a public forum. And frankly, I don’t have time to argue with staff about my lived experience. I’ve said my piece. I’m tired, and I know I’m not alone in that.
Let’s move toward a space where respectful disagreement is welcomed — not overwhelmed.
You’re welcome to “move toward a space” – wherever that is — Nextdoor? your personal facebook page? You want “respectful disagreement” and that’s what you found here (as long as you abide by the sandbox rules).
Mateo, I’ve been slapped down a couple of times, and had comments that didn’t show up after posting, and have definitely pissed off a number of people now and then (especially with that woman last year who swam at night and disappeared forever). I even got in a spat with Geoff for a bit way back when…
And I know I probably still drive the poor editor crazy with the length of what I post at times. I’m glad he puts up with me as a few other websites I post on have also done.
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My little yearly donation check went out today, Frank. Hope you crack well over what the Rag needs. Always nice to have a surplus!
sealintheSelkirks