The Observation Deck

Mike,

We used to have about 85 to 90 people at the meetings. Indeed the numbers have shrunk.

Peter, don't you live in Akron?

Michael Deneen wrote:

Peter Grossetti wrote:And I'm guessing BL has all but disbanded now that election season is over. BL was essentially a PAC.

No it has not...contrary to their public rhetoric, they know that the issue is not over.
I'm sure they've met behind closed doors to develop their strategy.

No, Mike ... I was asking if the "Pre-Election, Jump On The Bandwagon, Regurgitate the Talking Points BL" has gone kaput. We all know the Usual Suspects (who have been at it for years now) are still scheming in the shadows.

Peter Grossetti wrote:No, Mike ... I was asking if the "Pre-Election, Jump On The Bandwagon, Regurgitate the Talking Points BL" has gone kaput. We all know the Usual Suspects (who have been at it for years now) are still scheming in the shadows.

No, it has not.

Lori Allen _ wrote:We used to have about 85 to 90 people at the meetings. Indeed the numbers have shrunk.

The numbers show that recent meetings have been in line with 2015's.
You clearly have an ax to grind.

Lori Allen _ wrote:Mike,

We used to have about 85 to 90 people at the meetings. Indeed the numbers have shrunk.

Peter, don't you live in Akron?

Your investigative skills astound me, Lori. I didn't realize Lakewood citizenship as a prerequisite to posting here. I lived in Lakewood for 29 years and I maintain close ties to many friends and issues in The Wood.

Peter Grossetti wrote:

Lori Allen _ wrote:Mike,

We used to have about 85 to 90 people at the meetings. Indeed the numbers have shrunk.

Peter, don't you live in Akron?

Your investigative skills astound me, Lori. I didn't realize Lakewood citizenship as a prerequisite to posting here. I lived in Lakewood for 29 years and I maintain close ties to many friends and issues in The Wood.

Wait. What? There is an outsider among us? I thought the internet stopped at the Lakewood border.

I have never been a member of Build Lakewood or Save Lakewood Hospital.

However the Mayor and his posse, have shown a propensity for not be honest or forth coming.

He has also shown himself, like his posse to NEVER admit lies and mistakes.

Even his closest friends and partners in this have admitted he has completely screwed the deal up.

To think people that embraced, employed and used thugs, fake names, lies and intimidation to rig an election would car about bringing anyone together is laughable.

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote: Even his closest friends and partners in this have admitted he has completely screwed the deal up.

Names?

Brian Essi wrote:

m buckley wrote:Jim Kenny wrote:
"Brian: I will pray for you. Please accept my apology. Like many here, I’ve been amused how you’ve selectively pulled quotes, facts and data points to give these another context, even when targeted at me. Over time, however, your commentary, interpretations and conclusions have been untethered, imbalanced and unsettling. At best we can call these extreme, yet at their worst these border on pathological. I don’t want you to cross that line, as a return can be horribly difficult. I now feel guilty that I ever experienced pleasure when reading your rants. For this, I apologize and will pray for you. I do not want to be a contributor to your suffering. Godspeed."

Jim Kenny wrote:
"Brian: I’m uncertain what your latest rant is asking me. If it’s a plea for more prayers said on your behalf, please know it’s granted."

Mr. Kenny, what a thrill it is to catch you in the dual roles of "thought oncologist" and High priest of Build Lakewood. It's absolutely dizzying. First you're praying for us and in the next sentence you're denouncing us as pathological extremists. This is real Fire and Brimstone stuff. Bravo. Not to sound ungrateful (because really, who doesn't need prayers from Jim Kenny) but is there any chance you'll be handing out Indulgences on the side, maybe slip in a couple between rants against your neighbors? Make no mistake, you Deck Deviationists, you Pathological Extremists, prayers are fine, but Jim Kenny-sanctioned Indulgences, that's where it's at. That's the fast track to Build Lakewood Heaven and Salvation for us all.

Price Tag For Build Lakewood's Campaign: The Loss of a $120M 108 year old institution.

A few lines from Mr. Buckley: Priceless!

Based upon the number of texts I received last night in response to Mr. Buckley's post (including the words "I'm in tears") I nominate Mr. Buckley's post for the Deck's "2016 Funniest Satire Post of the Year"--and its only March.

Forget moving City Hall to downtown, the Wreck Center, the First Federal of Lakewood Office Tower or the Juris Micro-tel as possible land uses for the "empty building" former hospital site.

As one of the leaders of the "Infidel Pathological Extremists" may I now suggest the highest and best use for the land is the new "Summers Build Lakewood Mosque-Cathedral" A new and innovative "Thought Oncology Clinic" to promote health and wellness and "convert" us to the "Healthiest City In America" The "Build" faithful will emerge glassy-eyed ready for crusade-style jihad to wage a holy war on "cancerous thoughts" that resist the ideology of "economic revitalization of downtown."

Squadrons of "Conformity Thought Police" could be dispatched instantly and the Infidels spreading cancerous dissent could be brought back to the Thought Oncology Clinic straight away--no need to go to Fairview. Pope Fitzgerald's newspapers will be dropped from life-flight copters overhead. The new healthcare Clinic--a symbol of unity and healing designed to avoid "more damage to the fabric of Lakewood."

As I laid my head on the pillow last night, my last thoughts were the images of Cardinal Jim Kenny kneeing beside and Imam Jay Carson on the floor bowing to the east praying to for my soul as the misguided radical infidel--I could hear Jay chanting "convert, convert, convert"--he's left his front porch light on for me---and Jim whispering "repent, repent repent".

Oh what a warm feeling of neighborly healing I felt as I drifted off into sound peaceful sleep.

Brian, you and Mr. Buckley are tied for the Funniest Satire Post of 2016, you might have the edge for creativity, what a hoot! I love it! It all seemed so real!

I walked away from this thread to discover that this discussion devolved into the Lord of the Flies. I suspect many of us know the story, but can we see the parallels.

In the story, Ralph and his posse were well intended when organizing the tribe on the island once known as The Observer Project. In fact, Ralph embodies the Project. After a period of relatively peaceful coexistence and debate, this was not to last when a Jack Meridew arrived to champion the cause to save a hospital. Jack's written appeals were targeted to the more primal desires in the Observers and relied on his status as the chosen spokesperson of SLH, a group he refuses to join, to justify his authority. Although his style of writing was neither disruptive nor offensive at the beginning, he does, at that time, express an unquenchable desire to hunt and destroy opponents and spends hours in solitude traversing web sources for information that supports his narrow thoughts at the expense of more balanced information and ideas.

Beginning with his self nomination as the smartest of all Observers attempting to respectfully debate the merits of saving a hospital, Jack eventually degenerates into the beast he is, consumed with being a self-proclaimed warrior and defender of truth. The first time Jack has an opportunity to insult and virtually kick anyone who dissents with his narrow, yet deep research, he pauses. After this hesitation, for which he is most ashamed, Jack's blood lust grows more and more irrational, to the point where he abandons the established rules and high ideals of the Project and Ralph in order to disrespect any and all who dare to differ.

Jack's transition puts him on a collision course with Ralph's mission. As Jack inspires the worst characteristics of those who follow, lured by transparency, truth and beheaded government leaders, a clear dividing line has arisen between the two. Jack represents the irrational nature inherent in all of us, while Ralph represents rationality of the noble group who joined to start the Project. Under Jack's rule, the baseness of human nature is unleashed, and he initiates a period of disrespect, punishing other Observers, inciting the frenzy that leads to the murder of ideas and respectful difference, while torturing anyone who refused to submit to his authority.

The tale ends with Jack leading many of the Observers in a frenzied attempt to kill Ralph. At this time, the last remaining vestiges of civilization are gone, and Ralph's demise is only prevented by the abrupt and unexpected arrival of an outsider who is startled by the savage nature of the Observers.

Moral of the story: Ralph embodies the good intentions of the Project in the implementation of reason, but ultimately fails to execute these plans soundly. In the end, the Observation Deck can’t save itself. It will take an outsider to point out why its participants behaved in ways that failed those nearest to them. The Project can survive. It will just struggle greatly to live up to its well-intended goals -- no matter how hard any of us prays -- if its followers continue to be so insular.

Jim Kenny wrote:I walked away from this thread to discover that this discussion devolved into the Lord of the Flies. I suspect many of us know the story, but can we see the parallels.

In the story, Ralph and his posse were well intended when organizing the tribe on the island once known as The Observer Project. In fact, Ralph embodies the Project. After a period of relatively peaceful coexistence and debate, this was not to last when a Jack Meridew arrived to champion the cause to save a hospital. Jack's written appeals were targeted to the more primal desires in the Observers and relied on his status as the chosen spokesperson of SLH, a group he refuses to join, to justify his authority. Although his style of writing was neither disruptive nor offensive at the beginning, he does, at that time, express an unquenchable desire to hunt and destroy opponents and spends hours in solitude traversing web sources for information that supports his narrow thoughts at the expense of more balanced information and ideas.

Beginning with his self nomination as the smartest of all Observers attempting to respectfully debate the merits of saving a hospital, Jack eventually degenerates into the beast he is, consumed with being a self-proclaimed warrior and defender of truth. The first time Jack has an opportunity to insult and virtually kick anyone who dissents with his narrow, yet deep research, he pauses. After this hesitation, for which he is most ashamed, Jack's blood lust grows more and more irrational, to the point where he abandons the established rules and high ideals of the Project and Ralph in order to disrespect any and all who dare to differ.

Jack's transition puts him on a collision course with Ralph's mission. As Jack inspires the worst characteristics of those who follow, lured by transparency, truth and beheaded government leaders, a clear dividing line has arisen between the two. Jack represents the irrational nature inherent in all of us, while Ralph represents rationality of the noble group who joined to start the Project. Under Jack's rule, the baseness of human nature is unleashed, and he initiates a period of disrespect, punishing other Observers, inciting the frenzy that leads to the murder of ideas and respectful difference, while torturing anyone who refused to submit to his authority.

The tale ends with Jack leading many of the Observers in a frenzied attempt to kill Ralph. At this time, the last remaining vestiges of civilization are gone, and Ralph's demise is only prevented by the abrupt and unexpected arrival of an outsider who is startled by the savage nature of the Observers.

Moral of the story: Ralph embodies the good intentions of the Project in the implementation of reason, but ultimately fails to execute these plans soundly. In the end, the Observation Deck can’t save itself. It will take an outsider to point out why its participants behaved in ways that failed those nearest to them. The Project can survive. It will just struggle greatly to live up to its well-intended goals -- no matter how hard any of us prays -- if its followers continue to be so insular.

Jeez Jim I feel bad for you. If Timothy Leary was alive he " might " be able to help you.

Are we talking are facts and truth?

Or just opinions and feeeeeeelings?

Oh, nothing more than feeeeeeelings


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU0Pp2n6ooE

Jim Kenny wrote: Moral of the story: Ralph embodies the good intentions of the Project in the implementation of reason, but ultimately fails to execute these plans soundly. In the end, the Observation Deck can’t save itself. It will take an outsider to point out why its participants behaved in ways that failed those nearest to them. The Project can survive. It will just struggle greatly to live up to its well-intended goals -- no matter how hard any of us prays -- if its followers continue to be so insular.

Jim

You are confusing so much listening to the bullshit and drumbeats of others.

There are no Observers, just observers.

There is no club, just space to post, write and own your words.

One of the things i get a kick out of in this town, are the clans/groups of people that use this project for some sort of strange sport. Even potentially keeping scores on imaginary values. I have been dragged into these "ok you post and I'll post." Fucking insane shit. "OK you get him to say..." Third grade bullshit. I am part of none of it. I simply post what I know, what I think, what I observed and what I believe, and own those words. It is not rocket surgery.

All sides in everything has leakers in this city, and you get to hear the pitiful behavior people are going through, and the pitiful things they believe.

Here is an excellent example, the stuff you post. No one cut it, no one deleted it, if you wee misquoted you had every opportunity to correct it. You had the ability to frame issues and respond to issues. And we all had the ability to read or ignore. The Observer is a threat? Bullshit.

How does that get killed by Brian Essi, or anyone? A place with ZERO political ambition, ZERO bias, and is available for FREE 24/7/365, NO ads, no selling information, no creeping around flowing people and harassing them like other sites.

Perhaps you should be asking yourself, Why do so many fear it and demonize it? Why do people worry more about telling people not to say than to say what is on their mind?

If you would like to talk about the Project, give me a call, or read the last chapter of Ken Warren's book. Let's be honest it didn't win over 20 awards for being the best newspaper!

I promise you, it is nothing you have been told, and it is working damn near perfectly except for lying elected officials.

Jim, as always agree with me or not, thank you for taking part.

Server is paid up for another 5 years (it's cheaper) so it will be here when you need it, when Brian needs it, when Monique Smith needs it, when Mike Summers needs and even when little Jay Foran needs it. It is here for everyone, well those that can be trusted.

.

"Rocket surgery". Best line. My favorite line when trying to break something down to manageable parts is "we're not launching the space shuttle here. Others prefer " this isn't brain surgery". Combining them is nice. Legit. Carry on.

Patrick Wadden wrote:"Rocket surgery". Best line. My favorite line when trying to break something down to manageable parts is "we're not launching the space shuttle here. Others prefer " this isn't brain surgery". Combining them is nice. Legit. Carry on.

Patrick

As much as I would like to take credit for it...

Ken Warren one of the three founders used to be a real assassin with quotes always pulling out some quote for some moment, always to make his point. I took it to be much like the sword of depth, well you know what "Socrates said..." and I would think, no, but I bet it is smarter than what I am thinking... Well to diffuse the situation Steve Davis and I started using "Well it ain't Rocket Surgery." as the answer to the quote question. Needless to say, it diffused many a question with laughter.

Years later I looked up "Rocket Surgery" well it has been in use for a long time, and for many good reasons. Some day if you are doing nothing do a search. And or my favorite "Shrine" and see all of the digital shrines people have built for... "Waffle House," "Slushies." "Packs of condiments" and on and on.

Glad you enjoy, much of this needs to be taken with a little humor, or it gets depressing, angry, nasty and we start thinking the city is filled with asses.

What we do, and what we don;t do define us as a person, and as a community.

FWIW

.