David V. Daubenspeck
OCEANSIDE – Imagine this composite description of a small cadre of women – a blend of Betsy Ross, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, with a little Annie Oakley mixed in. They’re patriotic and servant-hearted, passionate and outspoken, courageous and trail-blazing!
Their overall objective: to identify and recruit prospective conservative candidates to run for local school board trustee and city council positions; and to then marshal their time, talents, and energy to help these candidates win their races during an election year
like 2022. At times these committed women (mostly females, although a few men have been invited into their midst) also assist candidates running for county-wide, California state and Federal offices when their districts include Oceanside.
Who are these “unmasked” women?
“Rebels In The Park” is their name – “RIP” for short. This group emerged a few years ago as an off-shoot of other conservative-styled organizations in the area, which apparently weren’t making enough of an impact on candidly addressing and actually solving problems in our communities. Tasteless $40 lunches and cliché-laden speeches weren’t cutting it any more!
Most of the participants are long-time, active residents of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, and adjoining cities. They are now raising (or did raise) their children here, and is where their kids attended school. This RIP group believes every child deserves a quality education where the emphasis is on proven academic fundamentals, preparing students to be future, successful adult contributors to our communities and not diverted into “woke,” social justice warrior paths. Advocating for improving performance scores for public school students is a high priority. These women embrace the basic truths of our American Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, where “we the people” give consent via elections to those who represent us in all levels of government and expect integrity, wisdom, effective
results, accountability from them.
Over the seven months I observed RIP’s activities, I learned that they come from various professional arenas with different skill sets. Together they have assisted in setting up a church biblical citizenship ministry, helped recall an unsatisfactory city council member, and rallied around establishing services for the local homeless population, and more. Some of them are more likely than others to get up and speak at a school board of trustees or city council meeting. All of these women are dedicated to conservative activism, and using their collective voice to endorse strong pro-family, pro-life, fiscally responsible, and constitution-originalist candidates. They’re ready to roll up their sleeves and work hard at virtually any task with a positive, can-do attitude.
During the 2022 year of Primaries and Mid-Term Elections, the group typically gathered weekly in a local park to discuss, plan, and enjoy each other’s company. Their
meetings weren’t fancy or stuffy. Each participant brought their lawn chair, and they’d sit
in a circle in the grass. Guests sometimes gave brief presentations. Occasionally visitors
showed up unannounced, but were always welcome to join in the conversation and lend a
hand with whatever project was on their front burner.
Were the November election results all that these women had toiled and hoped for? Unfortunately, no. But these women are seasoned veterans in the realm of local politics, so in spite of some set-backs they’ll continue to learn from past experiences and refocus their energies on the upcoming 2024 general election cycle. One member has joined the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, and the RIP as a whole desires to cooperate with other likeminded organizations when prudent and applicable.
Positive change in culture or politics happens slowly and incrementally over time.
Patience, dedication, and determination are necessary to bring any societal improvement
across the finish line. The Rebels In The Park are to be commended for their commitment to healthy conservative activism in an era when many Americans complain frequently yet are too apathetic or afraid to get involved practically as citizens.
How about grabbing your lawn chair and a snack some afternoon, head over to Oceanside’s Buddy Todd Park, and be ready to listen, learn, and get involved?
For more info, send an email to RebelsinThePark@gmail.com.
