OB Rag

by John M. Williams

I’ve decided that that’s what I need: Somebody to hate.

The old Airplane song had it backward, I think. We don’t need Somebody to Love, we need Somebody to Hate. That way, we’d have something we could share; we’d have something in common and could get along even though we each thought the other to be an idiot, fool, dolt, or just plain stupid and bad mannered.

by Jack Hamlin / Special to the OB Rag / June 23, 2010

Yesterday (6/22/10), I was invited to attend a meeting of OB’s local faith community. The purpose of the meeting was a beginning point to discuss and work together with the community to address homelessness in OB and all the attendant issues. In particular, there was an overriding concern the current sentiments by some could lead to violence in our community.

On Saturday June 26th, people from around the world will join hands for 15 minutes at local beaches to say no to offshore oil drilling and yes to clean energy. The event, called “Hands Across the Sand,” is a movement of people from all walks of life and political affiliations. This movement is not about politics; it is about protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, and fishing industry. Nearly 700 sites are planned worldwide.

by Steve A/ Special to the OB Rag / June 22, 2010

During the seventies, (from 1970 to 1980), I was one of the co-owners of The Black.

As of late, via the evening news (I no longer reside in the area), I have been made aware that there has been considerable discussion regarding the homeless or bums in O.B. and that The Black is smack in the middle of a controversy and possibly even on the wrong side of the fence in the matter.

Recently, while channel surfing on TV, I happened on a little repartee on the war in Afghanistan and I couldn’t help but notice in all the wit and pontification that Pakistan was barely mentioned since we’re there, too, chasing down al-Qaeda and the Taliban. With robots: Predator Drones.

This bothers me deeply because, with me, it’s all about the children …

About a year ago local merchants and the local OB merchants group were complaining that stores were being hit with fake hundred dollar bills. Warning were sent out to Newport businesses to be on the look-out.

Well, the mystery is over. Thirty people have just been arrested as part of a counterfeit ring – and it was partially centered here in Ocean Beach, and run by white supremacists.

10News just announced that they have an on-going poll among San Diegans about the anti-homeless sticker being sold by The Black. Most respondents don’t like the sticker.

The news show is asking readers and viewers if they think the “don’t feed our bums” sticker is appropriate or inappropriate.

56% of San Diegans think it is inappropriate, and 37% think it is appropriate. 7% said they were not sure.

INSIDE: Sign Online Petition Requesting The Black to Remove Anti-Homeless Merchandise

Yeah, ouch! We really did touch a nerve with our posts and coverage about the anti-homeless sticker and merchandise the Black is selling in OB, and our subsequent call for a temporary boycott of The Black. Our posts and the coverage by local media have created a major story about this community.

The story went national on last Saturday, June 19th, what with the 10News story and the front-page article on the Union-Tribune / signonsandiego .

by Mike James

On Saturday, June 26, people of the world will join hands on beaches and in parks, united against the dangers offshore oil drilling.

Ocean Beach will also be one of the 600 locations across the world for the “Hands Across the Sands” solidarity event.

Hands Across The Sand‘s aim is to convince our leaders to abandon expanded offshore oil drilling and adopt policies that encourage clean and renewable energy sources.

The “Bum Fight” going on in Ocean Beach these last few days has now gone viral. It’s the top story on the Union-Tribune’s online publication, signonsandiego this morning.

Now the intolerance for the homeless in OB is now out there – for all to see. The whole world will now know the hypocrisy in Ocean Beach – a community known for its laid-back attitude, care-free lifestyles and tolerance for everyone and anyone.

The battle and controversy raging in Ocean Beach over a hateful sticker against the community’s homeless has just intensified.

On one side, The Black – the source of the stickers of intolerance – has just now begun selling T-shirts with the well-known image carrying the the message “don’t feed our bums.”

On the other side, organizers of the Boycott The Black effort are gearing up with a petition and plans to picket the old-time head shop on Newport.

Ken Anderson, co-manager of The Black told me on Monday, June 14, that he would consider taking the stickers off the shelf if he was presented with a petition with a hundred names asking him to do that. However, apparently in a new move to cash in – literally – with this anti-homeless sentiment, Anderson is now selling shirts with the hate logo.

Editor: Rocky Neptune accompanied local San Diegans as they caravaned to Phoenix to join thousands in protest of Arizona’s new immigration and ethnic studies laws. Here, he recites his observations of that trip and summarizes local developments, including the death of Anastasio Rojas.

by Rocky Neptune
San Diego Man Brutally Beaten to Death by Border Agents

In front of hundreds of terrified border crossers several U.S. Border Patrol Officers killed Anastasio Hernandez Rojas, 42, a lifetime resident of San Diego, with a wife and five children. Apparently, trying to flee earlier abuse by agents after his arrest some hours earlier Hernandez Rojas, was attempting to run into Mexico, to awaiting Mexican custom officials, when federal agents tasered him and beat him to death Friday evening, May 28.