OB Rag

OCEAN BEACH, CA. We were finally able to meet Chris Bowd after all this time. Patty and I went to his OB home and presented him with this OB Rag T-shirt that a friend had bought him. Chris is the OBcean knocked unconscious July 4th during a mystery assault.

The arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. by Cambridge police again raised the issue of racial profiling of People of Color in North America.

As evidenced in President Obama’s attempt at a ‘teaching moment,’ the idea of racial profiling produces heated debate.

Most African Americans remain convinced that law enforcement agencies routinely use their race as criteria in criminal investigations while a majority of Whites and police vigorously dispute this claim.

OCEAN BEACH, CA. This news web/ blog is always responsive to our readers. There has been much complainin’ of late among you lefties about the lack of a progressive movement to get the country moving again, to fight for health care reform, to fight the right-wing crazies funded by the health care insurance companies, to generally acknowledge that on November 4, 2008, the country moved from a center-right nation to a left of center nation. We want to save our democracy by ending the empire.

In order to get it right, er, left, uh, … I mean … we need a T-shirt that says it all.

Residents of Ocean Beach appear to be divided on the issue of having film and video crews in Ocean Beach. We have recently heard a number of complaints about the loss of parking, the rudeness of the security guys for the film crews, and so forth.

So, for a week, starting on August 21st, we ran a poll:

Do you carry a credit card balance? You suck. Don’t worry, I do too, and so does my girlfriend, my mom, my sister…but hopefully you’re trying to stop your spending and are hacking away at that balance with the rare nickel and dime left over from the shrinking paychecks …

by Rocky Neptune

Mexico last week, in an historic, enlightened, humane move, legalized personal drug use throughout the country. The government also announced that drug addiction would be treated as a medical problem rather than a criminal offense.

by Anna Daniels

Over 700 people in yesterday’s town hall meeting with Susan Davis chanted “Health Care for All,” while another 300 people chanted “Just Say No!”

Doesn’t that say it all—that the majority of people want health care coverage extended to all citizens? President elect Obama campaigned on this issue, was elected for his position and is now addressing it. That’s called moving forward.

The “Just Say No” minority is frozen in time, …

by Frank Gormlie

SPRING VALLEY, CA. I knew I was in trouble with that phone call from ace OB Rag reporter Doug Porter. It was noon. “Where are you?” he asked impatiently. I stumbled for words. We were finishing up our morning business when he called, and I felt like a busted teenager. “We’ll be there real soon,” I mumbled, trying to brush away my hang-over.

Your OB Rag news blog had planned to send our troops to the Spring Valley Town Hall meeting, …

Photos by Patty Jones

SPRING VALLEY, CA. Throngs came out to chant, yell, wave signs and discuss health care reform. Both the left-wing and the right-wing sent their legions to fill the auditorium in Spring Valley. Congresswoman Susan Davis had called the town hall meeting – the only event of its kind in Southern California.

These photos were taken by Patty Jones.

Originally posted August 24, 2009
By OB Rag Staffer

“From out of a cave at the foot of Sunset Cliffs, the thundering hoof beats pound, with a hearty ‘Hi Yo Sylvia, away!’ The OB Ranger rides again.”

The OB Ranger was a radio series that aired on “HIS Radio, FM stereo ninety” in 1971 and 72. It was a spoof of the old “Lone Ranger” radio show, but a lot more fun. Ranger fans tuned in every week to find out what new trouble the OB Ranger would stumble his way into.

He introduced himself with “Far out, groovy and outta sight, I am the OB Ranger!”

by Dan Allemeier

It has been well over a year since we started this effort to slow down traffic on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, but we are still here and working to get something done to calm the traffic and provide more safety to all OB residents that try to cross Sunset Cliffs whether by foot or car.

A retired Navy petty officer in Escondido is organizing weekly rallies for next month during which people are encouraged to bring unloaded guns to highlight the right to openly carry the firearms.

Gerald Reaster, 69, said he is asserting his Second Amendment rights …