OB Rag — Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news

For First Time Under Trump, Congress Exerts Its War Powers Authority — House Passes Bill to Block Further Strikes on Iran

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:39:52 +0200

By Theodoric Meyer and Mariana Alfaro / Washington Post / June 3, 2026 The House passed a resolution Wednesday to block President Donald Trump from ordering further strikes on Iran, ratcheting up pressure on the administration to find a way to end the unpopular war. The 215-208 vote marked the first time that such a measure has cleared the House or Senate on a final vote since the start of the conflict more than three months ago. The Senate advanced a similar resolution last month on a procedural vote, reflecting growing impatience with a war Congress hasn’t authorized. The effort faces sizable hurdles, however, before Congress could force Trump to end hostilities. In the House, four Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie (Kentucky), Tom Barrett (Michigan), Warren Davidson (Ohio) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) — joined Democrats in voting to force Trump to end the war.

‘Mural, Mural, On the Wall – Who’s the Luckiest Off Ramp of Them All?’

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:11:28 +0200

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Help Out Artist and Point Loma Native Jim Welch Complete His Mural on Nimitz Off Ramp

By Geoff Page In the midst of all the bad news inundating us these days, it is nice to have something positive to report on once in a while. This brief account is intended to bring some attention, and hopefully some help, to the on-going work of art along the Nimitz to Famosa exit ramp retaining wall. A bright, colorful, a 150-foot long coastal scene greets drivers to the right as they exit Nimitz to Famosa. It is beautifully done, as the pictures will show. It is the work of one man, Point Loma native Jim Welch.

Planning Dept. Holding Community Input on Mayor Gloria’s ‘Homes for All of Us’ — Be There to Ask Questions – Tues. June 9th

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:39:13 +0200

Help Make Sure Gloria's "Homes for All of Us" Includes "All of Us" By Paul Krueger The Mayor's Planning Department is hosting a June 9 "community input" meeting on his "Homes for All of Us" initiative on Tuesday, June 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Malcolm X Library at 5148 Market Street in Valencia Park. If you care about the impact of new housing development on your community, please plan on attending. And be prepared to cut through the bureaucratic spin by asking pointed questions. Gloria says Homes for All of Us "...will create clear pathways to build townhomes, duplexes, and small-scale multiple homes ... and provide more homeownership opportunities." Such a program would be a positive step towards providing much-needed for-sale housing, as opposed to the high-rise, cookie-cutter, $2,750/month studio and one-bedroom apartments (with no parking) that are blighting our neighborhoods. But there's a very real danger that this potentially valuable initiative will morph into yet another program that serves developer and investor interests by ignoring community input,

Xavier Beccera Will Be the First Mexican-American Elected as Governor of California Since Pio Pico — the Last Mexican Governor in 1846

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:23:02 +0200

With the clarity of the morning after, the California Primary results of 2026 show that Xavier Becerra -- the top Democrat in the slugfest that was the gubernatorial race -- will be the first Mexican-American to be elected governor of the state. This will be the first time since 1846 when the last Mexican governor, Pio Pico, fled to Baja as American military forces swarmed into Alta California after war between the U.S. and Mexico began. A bold assertion? Just look at the numbers. Steve Hilton, the top Republican, received 27.8% of the total vote to Becerra's 25.4%. But if one adds up the percentages for Tom Steyer, Katie Porter and Mike Mahan -- you get 28.3%, and coupled with Becerra's, you have 53.7% of the vote available for Xavier. That smashes Hilton even with Bianco's numbers -- a total of 39.1%. (A Republican has not won a state-wide race in California for years.) Absent some unforeseen upset or crisis or calamity, Becerra will journey to the General Election in November -- and win it. This victory 6 months away will result in the first Mexican-American elected as governor for California -- the first time since the state has been in the Union.

It Will be Nicole Crosby vs. Richard Bailey in District 2

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:56:15 +0200

Election day and night are over and it's now clear who will advance to the General Election in District 2: Nicole Crosby with 31.3% and Richard Bailey with 38.8%. The two other top vote-getters were Josh Coyne with 11.3% and Mandy Havlik with 10.5%. Here's the latest numbers from the Registrar of Voters -- with nearly 25% of the ballots counted:

Changes Coming to Coastal Parking Lots

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:58:24 +0200

by Katheryn Rhodes On June 10th of this year, the California Coastal Commission will hear the case of Coastal Development Permit (CDP) 6-26-0202 (Item w17c-6-2026) to revise vehicle parking restrictions at 35 Coastal Public Parking Lots and public access areas with a consolidated CDP. These consist of approximately 9,255 off-street parking spaces the City manages, including parking lots from Sunset Cliffs to the Torrey Pines Gliderport, and beach and bay access in Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla.

Voice of San Diego: ‘No, Richard Bailey Won’t Stop the Midway Rising Project’

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:26:56 +0200

By Scott Lewis / Voice of San Diego / June 1, 2026 A campaign text message hit phones Friday with a striking claim: “No more overdevelopment! Richard Bailey will stop the Midway Rising mega-development, limit ADUs, and stop city hall politicians from destroying our communities.” The mailer was paid for by Steven Richter, the resident who poured money into an effort to support Larry Turner for mayor in 2024, This was interesting because we’ve tracked Bailey on Midway Rising for months now and, while he was at first saying pretty harsh things about it, he seemed to be settling into a it’s-not-my-favorite-but-what-are-you-going-to-do message.

Woman Suspected of Causing DUI Hit-and-Run in Ocean Beach Arrested

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:13:57 +0200

City News Service - Patch San Diego / June 1, 2026 A 37-year-old unidentified woman suspected in a DUI crash in Ocean Beach Friday, May 29, that left her and three people in the other vehicle injured was arrested. San Diego Police Department officers responded at 3:55 p.m. Friday to Ebers Street and Bermuda Avenue where the suspect, who was driving a 2009 Mazda 6 eastbound on Bermuda Avenue, failed to stop for the stop sign at Ebers Street and struck the left rear of a Chevrolet Bolt, which was driven by a 42-year-old man.

Opposition Grows to SDG&E Hi-Voltage Line Through Anza-Borrego Desert Park

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:01:19 +0200

San Diego Gas & Electric wants to lay down a 140-mile, 500-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line that would cut through California's largest state park, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. They call it the Golden Pacific Powerlink and it would run from the Imperial Valley to the Orange County border. The proposed line has also sparked massive opposition from environmentalists and local communities who are strongly against the overhead route. They are demanding the project be entirely rerouted away from protected environments and population centers. Opposition to the line is lead by the Anza-Borrego Foundation, which is fighting to keep the lines out of California's largest state park. Opponents point out that a previous proposal (the 2008 Sunrise Powerlink) was rejected for its park path, and warn that nearly 200-foot-tall towers would ruin dark skies, impact endangered bighorn sheep, and destroy fragile cryptobiotic soils.

The Story of a San Diego Poll Monitor on Primary Election Day

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:30:10 +0200

Rag Writer Signed Up for Nonpartisan Voter Assistance

By JW August I signed up with California Common Cause as a nonpartisan poll monitor at three locations. CCC chose the three locations, all in the 92111 area. I was connected with a partner who, like me, is a first timer. Our bottom line is to support all voters, regardless of political affiliation. There is a long check list of responsibilities, including but not limited to making sure the polling locations provide the materials voters need, that all concerns or questions voters may have are responded to in a courteous manner by the poll workers.

San Diego County to Launch Resources as New CalFresh Work Rules Went Into Effect June 1st

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:18:09 +0200

Nearly 100,000 Impacted in San Diego County; 665,000 in California

New federal rules will go into effect Monday, requiring some San Diego County residents who receive CalFresh food benefits to meet work or volunteer requirements to get or keep benefits. State-wide, the updated CalFresh work rules impact approximately 840,000 recipients, with state officials estimating that up to 665,000 Californians are at risk of losing their food benefits if they do not meet the new requirements. The updated federal rules apply to certain Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, or ABAWDs, who are applying for or renewing CalFresh benefits. Those affected are individuals who:

Are between 18 and 64 years old;
Are not living with a child under 14;
Do not meet a federal exemption;
Are physically and mentally able to work; and
Are not pregnant or disabled.

Today Is Last Day to Vote in California Primary

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:39:55 +0200

VOTE TODAY

Reflections from the Shootings

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:02:30 +0200

by Ernie McCray Turning on my TV and hearing news that there had been a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego caused my heart to grieve immensely and my breathing didn’t come easily as the first thoughts that came to my mind were of my many visits there and how I would be met with a “Hello, my good brother” kind of greeting at the door by a friendly guard who I heard had been killed along with two other members of the center’s staff and I nearly crumbled

On Eve of Primary, California Sets Record in Number of Registered Voters

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:51:04 +0200

By Corey Washington / Patch San Diego / May 31, 2026 Just days before voters will cast their ballots in California's contentious primary election, a record 23.1 million Californians have already registered to vote, according to figures released on Friday by the Secretary of State's Office. The latest Report of Registration, released by Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, found that 23,155,447 eligible Californians were registered to vote as of May 18, the highest total in state history.

"California's record voter registration numbers show that our democracy is alive and well, powered by millions of Californians who are excited to take part in shaping both the future and values that strengthen our state," Weber said in a statement. "Our voters are not only staying engaged, they are stepping forward with purpose."

Democrats continue to make up the largest share of the state's electorate, with nearly 10.4 million registered voters, or 44.9 percent of the total. Republicans account for about 5.8 million voters, or 24.96 percent, while 5.28 million voters, or 22.82 percent, are registered with no party preference.

Open Letter to San Diego City Council: ‘Give Consideration to Constituents’ Suggestions in Bring City Expenses Down’

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:37:16 +0200

By Jim Varnadore Now that we’ve begun making sense of the trash fees and the hateful parking fees at Balboa Park, you might give sober consideration to the suggestions your constituents sent you for bringing city expenses down to match its income. One very helpful suggestion is to cut your personal staffs in half, eliminating the higher paid half but not increasing the lower paid half - neither numbers nor pay. Your constituents would no longer pay staff members whose main job is to win your next election.

June 2026 Events for San Diego from the Ocean Beach Green Center

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:10:16 +0200

Every Saturday at 10:30 am. San Diego Climate Mobilization Coalition Meetings. June 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th. Every Saturday 10 am – 12 pm Peace Vigil for Palestine: Every Sunday 1:30 pm – 3:15 pm Otay Mesa Vigil Otay Mesa Detention Center June 1st Monday 12 pm – 1 pm Interfaith Vigil for Earth Justice Event by Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice U.S. District Court building June 2nd Tuesday -- Primary Vote Day June 3rd 10 am – 3:45 pm Youth Summit Recommended by MidCity Can June 3rd, 17th and 24th Wednesdays 4 pm – 5:15 pm Resist Trump Flash Banner Action - June 4th Thursday 6 pm – 8 pm Women+ In Green & Green Drinks Mixer June 4th Thursday 5 pm Online film Premiere of “An Ordinary Insanity” Recommended by Peace San Diego

Timeout: A brief analysis of the lead-in to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:40:23 +0200

By Kurt Johnston / UCSD The Guardian / May 26, 2026 1. FIFA ‘Americanizes’ the game In about two weeks, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will host the most bizarre World Cup that FIFA has ever organized. Yes, that includes Benito Mussolini’s personal propaganda tournament in 1934, Vladimir Putin’s personal propaganda tournament in 2018, and the Qatari regime’s personal propaganda tournament in 2022. Take a bow, Gianni Infantino. FIFA is billing the 2026 edition of the world’s biggest sporting event — soon to be President Donald Trump’s personal propaganda tournament — as an overdue expansion of the beautiful game. The month-long spectacle will span three host countries, increasing to 48 participants for the first time in World Cup history. It will instead be remembered for a number of other first-time inclusions that threaten the sport’s integrity. Most egregiously, all matches will be paused for mid-half water breaks.

More Thoughts on ‘Yes on A’

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:23:16 +0200

By Dave Rice Is Measure A going to affect a significant number of properties? Is it going to affect affordable housing in any meaningful way? Come now, let’s not be dense – this hits a handful of rich people who can absolutely afford to drop $10K in the city coffers if they’re leaving a vacation home vacant on purpose – let’s say that’s their civic contribution that would be realized in other ways if they actually lived, worked, and shopped here full-time. Or it hits STVR hosts, who can either factor the cost into their business model or give it up if margins are really that thin (maybe not everyone needs to fancy themselves an amateur hotelier). But let’s not kid ourselves and believe the kind of housing this will free up will be plentiful or affordable.

Counter Point: ‘Yes on Measure A’

Sat, 30 May 2026 01:23:04 +0200

By Chase Here are some counterpoints to the Rag post "Why I'm Voting No on Measure A": “Supporters claim it will free up housing supply by encouraging owners to sell their property or rent it out to local residents.” – I would claim it will EITHER free up housing supply OR raise revenue as a penalty for underutilizing housing. Every property owner this applies to has a choice, utilize the property, OR pay the tax. “It includes retirees who maintain a second home to be closer to doctors, family, or grandchildren. It could impact military families deployed for extended periods if they fail to properly file paperwork with a new city bureaucracy. It affects people navigating inheritance, relocation, family illness, or other life transitions.” – This statement can be boiled down to “it includes property owners who are underutilizing housing” and I fail to see how “if they fail to properly file paperwork” is included in this. Every US citizen is at risk of arrest if they fail to properly file their taxes…

Eight Architects Who Crafted a Distinct San Diego Modernism

Fri, 29 May 2026 19:05:57 +0200

By Aaryn Belfer / San Diego Magazine / May 27, 2026 San Diego is just out here minding its own business. It’s long been cast as Los Angeles’s less ambitious sibling—the chill one, the one who shows up late for dinner reservations in flip-flops with a few provocative opinions. Architecturally it’s often cast the same: secondary, derivative, a footnote to California modernism that seems to begin and end with the Stahl House (Case Study House #22). LA has Pierre Koenig, Craig Ellwood, John Lautner. San Diego has the original fish taco. But this version of the story is redacted, metaphorically speaking. While the jazz hands of Hollywood and its hills cast a spell on historians and architecture buffs, San Diego had, and has, its own quiet evolution: It invented and reinvented itself through homegrown modernism, beginning with The Allen House (1907) in Bonita by Irving J. Gill.