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Post by AnthonyV on Feb 12, 2005 13:35:35 GMT -5
Ed:
I have complete respect and admiration for your thoughts and opinions on "inclusion." It is a fair issue to bring up and discuss and you've pretty much received positive support via this message forum - so your efforts have not gone unnoticed. I applaud and support your cause even though I may not understand it as well as you do. Yes, it might seem that there has not been an extensive exchange or interest in your concerns, but as President Kennedy once said "life is unfair."
But why would you leave a forum that is primarily centered around the preservation of mid-20th century architecture and design and how that style defines a particular New Jersey shore community? No offense but I am not understanding your reasons for contemplating leaving this message board.
You are surely an intelligent person with quite a bit to offer that we all might learn from. By removing yourself from this forum you are acting exclusively and not living up to your own standard as defined via your concerns for being "inclusive." I think that you are a more genuine person than that and everything you are doing regarding this cause has been accepted and supported here as best it can...But even the power of the internet does have it's limits.
Wildwood is certainly not exclusive to your feelings that acceptance should be extended to everyone everywhere...This nation has become much more conservative and near-sighted in its vision over the last decade or so, but more so since 9/11. Whether that's good or bad is not up to me to decide, but limiatations have been applied to almost everyone in the USA not just those who come here to work for a summer. When the acceptance of just one person is denied the acceptance of everyone is denied whether it be an American citizen or a foreigner comeing here simply to experience a small portion of the freedoms we often fail to recognize. Sadly, the concept of "inclusion" is one that seems to be dwindling world-wide and is not limited to just the USA.
I would also ask that you not leave this forum. By removing yourself you deny people of the right to learn from your own observations, opinions, and thoughts. There is only so much we can do here regarding your plight, but at least you made more people aware of something you hold near to your heart. And for exposing us to that situation you've made us all better people for being able to recognize this problem better than we have.
Thank you!
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Post by Al Alven on Feb 12, 2005 13:56:02 GMT -5
Ed, I must second Anthony's well-stated sentiment.
You are a true asset to this board, the "Doo Wop" preservationalist movement and the betterment of Cape May County/Southeastern New Jersey on the whole.
Your leaving us on Friday would be a striking "loss" to all of the above, and would seem to go against everything that you stand for and have taught me.
I understand that you are frustrated. I do.
But, as I said before, now is a time where we really need to pull together and stick to our guns. Nothing is going to come quickly or easily as it relates to our quest to help preserve the history, culture and spirit of the Wildwoods.
We are making a difference, though. Each and every time one of us posts a thought, idea or opinion here, valuable knowledge is exchanged and we move closer to realizing our ultimate goal.
And, we're just getting started.
Please, don't go. Please, remain a part of what we are building here. Please, continue to speard the word about "inclusion" through this forum.
As Anthony noted, we will all continue to become more informed, better people for it.
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 12, 2005 16:29:07 GMT -5
Gentlemen,
I so appreciate your kind thoughts.
You and the others who are contributing in this forum make up the best group of people I have encountered on the internet. You have surpassed the group who I interacted with at the Jefferson County Public School's Columbine High School Crisis Forum initiated after the terrible tragedy there.
In fact, Al, you should move to Wildwood and run for mayor. Your welcoming spirit, your enthusiasm, your youth and energy...and intelligence would be a tremendous asset to that town.
Yes, this is a good place with good people....and the Wildwoods are in danger of losing you, the ones who see the magic...the possibilities, the ones who hold memories of the shore dear...and pass them on...and create new ones year after year with your children and your children's children.
Wildwood is in danger of losing its people...and you.
What a crime!
I am sorry, though. I must do this. I have worked too hard...too long. I have been too successful to continue to be ignored and marginalized in the area where I live.
I need to see something concrete.
Make no mistake about this...
Those who can make something happen are monitoring this forum.
I am telling those people...
Do something, or I go.
And I am telling my daughter who is also lurking here...
Emily, I mean this.
It is time for this crap to end.
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Post by AnthonyV on Feb 12, 2005 20:07:20 GMT -5
Ed,
You seem to be taking out frustration out on a group of people who identify with your thoughts and feelings totally - and those peope hapen to be on this forum.
I really do not know what you might have expected (via this site especially) but I apologize if results were not made as quickly as you felt they should. Things take time and whatever it is that you feel should be done is not going to happen with in the next week, nor the next month, and probably not within the next few years. But if it is a cause that truly means something to you you WILL forge ahead with doing everythign you can to change things, or at least die trying.
Even though my mother was one of those Freedom Marchers in the early '60s (I myself attended the March on Washington in August 1963 when I was not even two years old), it was not until I was older that I gained an enormous amount of respect and admiration for the work people like Martin Luther King, Jr did for Civil Rights. He died standing true to his beliefs and his beliefs remained true well behyond his death.
If you believe in something, believe in it totally and back down to nothing regardless of your frustration. And if things don't change the way you want them to during your lifetime, leave a legacy that will live long after you've left this earth so others can carry on...
I once heard a story that comedian and activist thingy Gregory told many years ago that took place in 1963 that is the shortest but most powerful story I have ever heard.
He and about a hundred other Black-Americans were all arrested for a Civil Rights demonstration in the south. While Gregory stood within a packed jail cell he saw a small boy who could not have been more than 3 or 4 years old standing by himself in the corner, so he made his way over to the little boy out of concern and curiosity. Gregory wiped away the tears from the boys face and asked him what he did that put him inside that packed jail cell with all those activists? The boy looked straight at him and proudly said "Teedom." As Gregory later described the event "I knew right there and then that eventually our cause would be heard and felt throughout the world... Here was this little black boy all alone who couldn't even say the word freedom, but he sure as hell was brave enough at such a young age to pay a price for it."
Think about it Ed.
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 13, 2005 9:02:50 GMT -5
Anthony,
You must be an attorney. Your case is powerful.
I know what it takes. My family knows what it takes.
I have been in the battle for nearly twenty-five years now locally, and I have endured. I will, indeed, continue to death. My hope is that, when that time comes, I will be given the strength and opportunity to say and give the greatest gift of all to our human family...The Truth, that is, truly, Everyone is Included.
Meanwhile, I am in the trenches advocating and fighting for all in our human family. My work is not limited to here, Anthony...it is statewide...nationwide...indeed, the world.
Where do you think all of this talk about the inclusion of all originated? Who has stimulated and continues to stimulate this discussion?
Lord, I am trying to be unselfish...
But the fact is...
I am the one who says, "Everyone is Included."
Now the people in the Wildwoods, the towns of my youth...especially the Status Quo, as I like to call them, have to deal with this reality.
I need something by next Friday.
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Post by AnthonyV on Feb 13, 2005 19:46:44 GMT -5
Ed, Not sure if I should take it as an insult or a compliment but I'm not a lawyer (LOL)... Regardless, I do hope you find what you are looking for that might further your cause in a more positive way in the future. My best to you and your family. Anthony
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 13, 2005 20:46:02 GMT -5
Thanks, Anthony.
We may take a first step this week.
We shall see.
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 14, 2005 7:39:25 GMT -5
Although I am quite frustrated locally, I must tell you that I am most pleased and honored with what is currently going on in Iraq.
The inclusion of all has been embraced there and it will lie at the foundation of this reborn nation...and will remain there for generations to come.
I am also quite pleased that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is using inclusion as one of his tools in building peace between his people and Israel.
It ain't all bad, folks.
I just have to find a way to get the Wildwoods and our county rolling.
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 15, 2005 7:30:33 GMT -5
Nothing yet from the Wildwoods although I was very pleased and surprised to get such quick responses* from the Chamber of Commerce. Generally, I have to figuratively "pull teeth" or be a real pain in the neck around here to obtain information or get any response at all.
My website had a very nice spike in visitors yesterday, too.
We shall see, my friends.
*Talk about quick responses. I received a note from Ed Rendell first thing yesterday morning in response to my e-mail to him over the weekend.
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 16, 2005 8:19:23 GMT -5
www.capemaycountyherald.com/index.cfm?CID=news_view&Section_ID=1&News_ID=1464The recognition of Wildwood's Olympian was very nice. It should be noted that Special Olympic's mission is to promote acceptance and inclusion for all. Perhaps, Jeff can be an ambassador of these values in a new...inclusive Wildwood. Unfortunately, I did not like the term "migrant worker." It is negative...and smells of the "other." While it is true that there are bad apples in every basket, overall, Mexican workers, to whom, I believe, Ms. Dougherty was referring, deserve our respect. Their values of faith, family, and hard work are assets to our area. ---------- www.capemaycountyherald.com/index.cfm?CID=comment_view&Comment_Type_ID=1"As a former worker for the recently razed Siesta Motel, I can attest that it will be missed. The infiltration of condos on the island serves to underscore how change is not always to be regarded as 'a good thing.' Intelligent and diverse planning and design are what is needed for the Wildwoods to thrive. 'Development' established exclusively on motives of profit and greed serve no one except those with vested interests. Some may say change by nature is disruptive. But in this measure, who is to say that we as residents have no control over its trajectory? For all of the condos being built, how many new apartment complexes have been constructed for the people that are the lifeblood of this community? Unaffordable housing and jobs that pay mediocre wages are a recipe for disaster for a community to survive and thrive. It is time for a serious look at where Wildwood is heading before it is too late." Spot on, Spouter. Wildwood very much needs to explore the concept of inclusionary planning....indeed, our entire county should.
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 16, 2005 8:52:42 GMT -5
Regarding the recognition of Jeff DiAntonio...
Let us hope that any future Wildwood Special Olympian will receive equal recognition both in the local media and by the city...regardless of his/her family's background or socio-economic status.
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Post by FlyinGN on Feb 16, 2005 10:02:34 GMT -5
amen Ed!!
Frank
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 16, 2005 10:10:37 GMT -5
Amen, indeed.
This has been a big part of my battle throughout my life locally.
I want everyone to be treated equally in our area. Everyone must be included.
You know, I was given a little bit from the People and the Status Quo today.
I think I'm gonna stick around and try to snowball these snowflakes.
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Post by FlyinGN on Feb 16, 2005 10:48:19 GMT -5
from your mouth to Gods ear Ed..
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Post by Ed Rosenberg on Feb 16, 2005 11:01:21 GMT -5
Frank,
I believe the Creator, the One of Love, is aware of this movement...and is pleased.
In fact, perhaps, this is the God.
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