Toni Buckley Dockter – Founder; Publisher; Editor-in-Chief; Distribution Manager; Intrepid Reporter; IT Guy; Coffee Girl
email: fwepub@aol.com - www.outlandiagazette.com
MOTTO: When telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
All editorial · All social commentary · All for the common good
Scoundrels are everywhere–especially in Ashland Oregon’s City Hall. Here’s how to defend yourself against them and deflate their scurrilous accusations. Tell your story. Tell your truth. That’s all that matters. Read more »
Councilman Rich Rosenthal from Ashland Oregon uses race-baiting tactics to criticize an issue of the Outlandia Gazette. He fails to present a cogent argument to his claims of a “racial slur.” He fails to understand the concept of satire. He fails to obey copyright infringement laws. He does, however, succeed at being an outdated, inept politician. Read more »
Much like the chaotic predicament in the U.S.A. right now, Ashland Oregon is at a crossroad. Due to inept, dishonest, white-male-dominated government, this town is in danger of losing its viability as a financially-sound, socially-equal, attractive to new business development, creative, compassionate, affordable community. Like America, the future of Ashland is headed down one of two paths. A barren road controlled by the old guard and leading to the extinction of our ideals. Or a fertile expressway loaded with 21st century ideas, economic stability, opportunity, kindness, less government intrusion, and social harmony for all. Come November, it’s all up to the voters. Choose wisely. Your future and future generations depend on it. Read more »
Currently on display across America is the corruption of political institutions–from the White House on down–to the Senate to the Justice Department to States to police departments, etc. A good example is in Ashland, Oregon. Less than two months ago Ashland’s citizens voted two to one for a bond measure to change the power structure of City Hall–away from the mayor and given to a city manager. Implicit in the bond was the opportunity to conduct a far-reaching executive search to be able to hire the best professional from outside the City and not someone beholden to the overly cronyistic administration of Mayor John Stromberg. In a blatant “thumb your nose” (or perhaps a digit in the middle of the hand was used?) at the electorate, the Ashland City Council is poised to give this coveted (and highest-paid position) to a member of the old-thinking good ol’ boys club that has plagued the integrity and economic stability of this City for years. Read more »
America at its ugliest: Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Jr., Tanisha Anderson, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Oscar Grant, Amadou Diallo, Dante Parker, Rayshard Brooks, Travon Martin, Breona Taylor, George Floyd. And so many others. Senseless brutal killings and deaths. All because of skin color. America at its best: Owning up to the systemic racism in our culture and doing something about it. Like spreading awareness that the dominant view of America through white people’s eyes must be eradicated. Like a bad virus. Getting rid of an inappropriate photograph in a local newspaper is a start. Read more »
Note from the Publisher: Due to Covid conditions, our staff is on lock-down. (Hold the applause.) This is our first issue written exclusively by an independent journalist. Please join me in welcoming to the fray, award-winning investigative reporter and host of the wildly popular podcast “This American Joke,” the oh-so delightful LoShonda LaBamba. Now you can applaud. Following is her judicious article on the loose-lipped logorrhea emanating from Ashland’s mayor. Take it away, Ms. LaBamba! Read more »
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Voting Community: To help you vote in a knowledgeable and informed way, here’s commentary on a political issue brewing in Ashland, Oregon: A proposed amendment to the city charter which would change the operating structure at City Hall, diminishing the power of the Mayor and councilpersons. I’ll take a career professional any day over an elected BuBu (Bumbling Bureaucrat). Consequently I’m voting in favor of Measure 15-189. Following is my rebuttal to an article written by a has-been politician who supports the opposing view. Read on. But be careful where you step. Read more »
There are two measures on the ballot to be voted upon by the residents of Ashland, Oregon. Measure 15-189 involves switching the city government from a Mayor/City Administor structure to City Manager/Mayor. We on the editorial staff have been acquainted with only two mayors–both of which did not earn our respect for quality governing. Therefore, we recommend a YES vote to make this change to make Ashland a better city. And which hopefully will deflate the egos and influence of these two mayors. Measure 15-193 is about taxing the already financially-strapped citizenry to pay for a remodel of the City Hall building. This should be a time for civic austerity. Not a chance to construct fancy digs for city hall employees when businesses are failing and no one is helping them. Not a chance for self-serving politicians to get to brag, “Look what I got built!” Not a chance for public servants to serve themselves instead of who they are handsomely paid to serve. Therefore we recommend a resounding NO on this vanity project. Read more »
March 8th is International Women’s Day. Its motto is: Diversity. Equality. Unity. Fantastic concepts. But more plain ol’ common sense than an earth-shattering manifesto. That’s why it’s puzzling to me that a large portion of the American female population does not embrace these ideals for themselves. In the spirit of trying to change the minds of women who are fully entrenched in the patriarchy as the acceptable status quo in life, here goes… Read more »
Last year was a wacky year for me–long story. Contributing to this were encounters with organizations that contained a veiled or overt anti-female mindset. Not new. Not rare. More like business as usual.
The anti-female thing is wrecking the world. Open your eyes and you can see the societal detritus of what devaluing women produces.
For me the answer is simple on how to fix this state of social/political/economic inequality we’re in: More women in positions of authority and power. Which will bring more respect for the female gender. You can label this a feminist mindset.
Following is my feminist viewpoint… Read more »