Toni Dockter

Toni Dockter was born and raised in Southern California. She was also born a writer and matured into a social commentator. After enough schooling, she high-tailed it north to the better half of the state, where she met her better half, Twonky Zotz. They own an environmental company where she works -- draining valuable hours from time needed to write. Oh well... After writing 3 novels, 3 YA books, 3 animation screenplays, and over 500 blogs which are all mostly unread, she remains undaunted in her quest to become a "famous" writer. Or any kind of writer that people actually read would be fine, too.

Thoughts on International Women’s Day – Especially about Women Supporting Women

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 »

What’s So Funny About Peace, Love & Understanding Feminism?

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 »

How to Step Out of Line: For the Greater Good

Last year Alex Borstein won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress. In her acceptance speech she told a story about her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, standing in a line that would lead to her execution. She asked the Nazi guard what would happened if she stepped out of line. He told her that somebody would shoot her. She stepped out of line anyway. Alex said, “And for that, I am here, my children are here. So step out of line, ladies, step out of line.” Although nowhere near as epic as that story, here is one of mine about stepping out of line. …Read more »

Ashland, Oregon: Where Certain Turkeys Don’t Deserve a Pardon

Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude. But when your hometown is over-run with corrupt “turkeys,” they don’t deserve a place at the table. They don’t deserve a reprieve. They deserve to be thrown out or run out of town. Here’s a story how to accomplish this all-American goal–so important now more than ever–cleaning up government to make life better for all. (Note: Our cartoonist, M.C. Escher Jr., commented that drawing turkeys with no backbone was difficult. But we think he did a great job. See for yourself…) …Read more »

New Play about the Earl of Oxford: “To Be or Not to Be Enlightened”

The authenticity of the man named William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon being in fact the person who wrote the Shakespeare canon has been in doubt for hundreds of years. A viable alternative is Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. For one thing, his biography matches the plots of plays and his level of education regarding subjects written about far surpasses the other guy’s. People who believe the theory that de Vere is Shakespeare are called Oxfordians. People who believe the antiquated notion about the Stratford grain seller are called Stratfordians. It’s kinda like the Hatfields vs the McCoys. Only more intellectual. And no guns. (At least not literally.) There are plenty of groups and organizations that support both camps. We at the Gazette are enthusiastically Oxfordian. Unraveling the veracity about the authorship is important if you value Truth–which is in short supply these days. It’s important to us because not only do we value Truth, we also value the written word. Sometimes it’s fun to be aligned with this mission in life. Other times not. Hence the need for this article. Read on, and remember: “The play’s the thing.” No matter who wrote it. …Read more »

KRAP-TV Launches New Reality Show: America’s Sleaziest Lawyer

Mark Twain said: “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.” He very well could have been referring to the preponderance of lawyers in our government–as he also said, “Lawyers are like other people–fools on the average. But it is easier for an ass to succeed in that trade than any other.” Of course there are terrific lawyers. The kind that make the world better. The kind that help people; not make their lives miserable. Like the three-woman SCOTUS Squad and their pal Stephen, Stacey Abrams, Marcia Clark, Sandra Sawyer, Lawrence Kouns, Elizabeth Warren, Erica Sorosky, Katie Porter, Thomas R. Burke, Randi Weingarten, Kirsten Gillibrand, Joseph Cotchett, Michele Dauber, Kyrsten Sinema, Cory Booker, Deb Haaland, etc. But this article is not about those kinds of lawyers. It’s about the other kind. The kind that society makes the most jokes about. Like: “What do you call a platoon of lawyers in the 9th Circle of Hell buried up to their necks in a frozen sea? A good start.” We sent our reporter to review a live television show about these folks. Warning: It’s a bit saucy. Following is her report. …Read more »

Upcoming Feature Film: From Host Town to Ghost Town – The unfortunate demise of Ashland, Oregon

We at the Outlandia Gazette have been told again and again by citizens that all small towns have problems with city government–that Ashland, Oregon is no different–and there’s nothing you can do about it. We call that small-minded thinking. We think bigger than that. We have identified the problems and solutions. We feel if enough citizens are informed of the self-serving, unintelligent, and harmful actions/mindsets of elected officials and city employees, then change can begin to happen–if enough Ashlanders care enough to instigate change. That’s what our newspaper’s purpose is. To shed light on the entire picture. To let the will of the people decide what kind of town they wish to live in–not a privileged few who dominate the scene. Ashland cannot sustain its present course of viability–either financially or morally. The time to do something is now. …Read more »

Ashland’s Great Carrot Conspiracy: What the heck are these icky orange sticks doing in a salad?

City government is a tricky business–because it gets political; gets personal; gets out of whack. Ashland, Oregon is no exception. We’ve said it before and are repeating it again: Ashland’s City Hall is controlled by a good-ol’-boys network. This mentality of clinging to the old-thinking white male hierarchy is not just outdated and out of touch, but in these turbulent times, also harmful. To survive as the vibrant, unique, culturally varied, naturally beautiful, trying to be progressive and trying to peaceful town that it is, Ashland must change its old ways and join modern times. Because frankly, #TimesUp. …Read more »

What’s Wrong With Major League Baseball? Plenty. Including SFGiants CEO Larry Baer.

Baseball is more than just a game played on a field with a bat and ball. It’s a reflection the American way of life. Gigantic salaries notwithstanding, baseball represents positivity in a world enmeshed in negativity. To the San Francisco Giants Owners, its Board of Directors, Major League Baseball and Commissioner Rob Manfred: Do you really want to mess with the Great Game of Baseball? (Charles Johnson maybe. So don’t listen to him.) Baseball is bigger than just one person. Do the right thing: transparency, accountability, and decency. The fans–who pay everyone’s salaries–thank you. …Read more »

Vanity Project Implodes. Two Trees Survive.

The glory of trees is not just in their beauty. It is their vital contribution to life on Earth. If you like to breathe oxygen you need Trees. Among other valuable properties, Trees combat climate change, clean the air, provide a habitat for wildlife. Trees are awesome! What is not awesome but rather abhorrent is ordering the execution of a healthy tree. That would be Parks & Rec King Michael Black’s edict. Oh wait, he’s not royalty. But rather a frontal lobe challenged usurper. Following is an editorial why Michael Black must go. …Read more »