Independent satire & opinion, in West Hollywood.
Resisting the Establishment
Occupied West Hollywood is an independent platform dedicated to incisive local commentary and political satire. We pair irreverent humor with rigorous research because laughing at power is the first step toward reclaiming it. Our mission is to puncture inflated egos, spotlight policy blind spots, and challenge the unexamined orthodoxies that shape civic life.
At its core, our philosophy is simple: government exists to serve residents, not itself, not special interests, and certainly not the fragile reputations of elected officials. By dissecting budgets, ordinances, and back‑room deals in plain language—and then lampooning the absurd—we aim to empower readers to demand better.
What We Mean by “The Establishment”
West Hollywood’s establishment is the tight circle of office‑holders, favored developers, big unions, and paid activists who call most of the shots. They thrive when turnout is low, language is opaque, and reporters repeat talking points.
We do not oppose power itself. We oppose power that dodges accountability. When City Hall green‑lights luxury projects while branding them as “equity,” or when political friends try to muzzle critics, that is the establishment at work. We translate their jargon into plain English, spell out who benefits and who pays, and let residents decide whether that is good enough.
Our Dual Approach
- Satire – Hyperbolic, ironic pieces that lampoon policies, public officials, and cultural quirks. If it stings, it’s working.
- Serious Commentary – Evidence‑based opinion articles that dissect local governance, labor policy, budgeting, public safety, land use, and more.
Both forms aim at the same target: an informed, engaged, and empowered public.
Curated Discourse
We moderate comments to cultivate a productive town‑square vibe:
- Supportive insights run as‑is.
- Contrarian takes that sharpen the discussion are welcomed.
- Noise, spam, or outright stupidity gets the airlock.
Comments are ultimately published only at our editorial discretion.
Editorial Standards
We fact‑check serious pieces, embed citations and links inline wherever useful, and identify satire through context—category tags, visual cues, or a brief note when necessary—so readers can distinguish tone at a glance. When mistakes slip through, we issue clear, prominently displayed corrections. Accuracy matters; so does the right to parody.
Legal & Ethical Framework
Occupied West Hollywood operates under robust First Amendment protections for satire and opinion. We avoid defamation, respect privacy, and publish corrections when warranted.
Contribute
Think you have a razor‑sharp take? Submit pitches or drafts via our encrypted form on the Contribute page. Submissions may be edited for clarity, brevity, or comedic impact, and authors will be credited according to their preference.