Christmas in July in Lakewood? Blessed are the Peacemakers..

[Gary Rice]

Fellow Lakewoodites...

Those of you who know me also know that I'm a "conflict resolution" kind of guy.

I've spoken with a number of people of late who are so tired of conflict.

Whether in the world, or in our community, so many people are just sick of it.

Back when the internet came along, so many felt that better communication would help to resolve so many things that have driven the human race apart....

...and how does that seem to be working?

I've driven more than a few people here on the Observation Deck to distraction over the years, whenever I've figuratively interjected my "peace-making" banjo into their discussions; if I felt that those discussions were getting counter-productive...

...like now.

See, I may be wrong, but I truly believe that it's entirely possible for people to be 100% right, and yet, be wrong too. The answers to life's problems may not always be either/or positions, and yet, neither are they always found in the shades of gray. Sometimes, they can be arrived through compromise, and sometimes, they are arrived at through legal battles.

Sometimes, they can be solved too; if people would just meet face to face and talk things over.

Let's face it, The hospital issue WILL eventually resolve. Lakewood WILL continue to have one or more major modern medical facilities of some kind here, regardless of how either side feels, and people WILL go back to their personal lives once again. Our fine city WILL continue to address community issues, from housing to business development. Politicians WILL come and go, the sun WILL rise and set, and the lake WILL continue to lap on our northern border.

See, as has been said so many times before, the journey matters every bit as much as the destination in life. We have a VERY good city here, and we ALL know it.

Believe it or not, there are some bottles of "kumbaya" brand wine for sale down there at Rozi's. True to the spirit of compromise, there are several variations of that wine available to suit different tastes.

Who knows? Maybe we should have a "KUMBAYA COMPROMISE" meeting?

The Mayor, meeting with some of those vociferous 'Deckers?

The lawyers and the lay people, all holding hands? Just think about it.

Landowners, leasers, the powerful and penniless?

ALL of us... from Clifton Beach to Coutant, ALL breaking open a bottle together?

(and not over each other's heads, either)

For those averse to alcohol, plenty of sparkling grape juice could be made available....

...and my sing-a-long banjo would be right there; leading us in a unified songfest...

Let's SING!



Lakewood, Ohio, Is Our Home by Robert and Gary Rice

Golden diamonds on the lake, caught by the morning sun.
Cliffside caves and river trails where freedom's hopes were won.
Kirtland's Warblers, Templar cars, on old plank roads we roamed.
Lakewood, Ohio, is our home!

Emerald canyons seen through pale reflections from the moon,
A hundred ways to worship God, and sing our favorite tunes,
See the eagles soaring over Erie's stormy foam.
Lakewood, Ohio, is our home!

Refrain:
Come with us to our...hometown!
This is Lakewood, Ohio, won't you come right down?
Come with us, sing a song of cheer,
As we celebrate another hundred years!

Lakewood, Ohio, where the present and the past,
Forever blends together with new memories that will last.
In the hearts of Lakewoodites, wherever they might roam,
Lakewood, Ohio, is our home!

As George Bernard Shaw, Robert Kennedy, and others have reportedly offered...

Some people see things as they are and ask, "Why?"

I see things that never were, and ask, "Why Not?"

Back to the banjo...

[Bridget Conant]

Gary, you are right, as usual. This is one reason I'm not happy with this deal because it's presented as all or nothing. I'm open to alternatives, as are many others. It just doesn't seem the Administration has any interest in looking at other ideas. We are told that they know best and here's what we are doing.

I suspect that attitude has magnified the conflict. Which is a shame for the city. I posted before about the schools. They had a problem but they reached out to the community, got input, and while final decisions might not have pleased EVERYONE, at least most people felt there was an effort to listen and include everyone at the table.

That's not happening here. And it's dividing the city and creating conflict.

Was nothing learned from the West End debacle?

[Alex Belisle]

I'm glad I bumped into Gary so soon after I moved to Lakewood. He is one awesome dude!

[Brian Essi]

Gary,

Good Post.

I agree that this matter will be resolved.

However, I read somewhere that "peacemaking" is not about avoiding conflict.

Since you brought up his birthday, I'll note that Jesus provoked conflict for the good of everyone.

Running from a problem pretending it does not exist, being afraid to talk about it is actually cowardice, not peacemaking.

1. Sometimes conflict must be avoided.
2. Sometimes conflict must be created.
3. Sometimes conflict must be resolved.

This conflict started in January.

Since I joined the ongoing conflict in April, I have met face to face with anyone who will meet with me.

I joined the Deck in May and concede I use facts in a provocative manner.

Until the matter is ripe for resolution, I say the fellow Deckers:

Illegitimi non carborundum

[Michael Deneen]

It's hard to find "peace" when your community is under attack.

I'm no fan of the GOP, but I will borrow a Reaganism here: "Peace through Strength".

If the citizens remain strong, this process will play out, and we will find peace.
A "peace" which includes a viable hospital and all the jobs and revenue that come with it.

[Gary Rice]

Bridget, Brian, Michael, Alex:

Thanks all for chiming in and yes Brian, I'm well aware of what Jesus said and did. Good post on your part!

Indeed, we morally and otherwise can NEVER quietly stand by in the face of what we perceive to be a wrong. Silence can indeed be a mortal sin of omission. My own activism for "handicapped" rights in the face of bullying, prejudice, and injustice would speak directly to this issue, although I feel that I could have done so much more....

My position on the hospital situation was stated in an earlier post. We need one, pure and simple.

That there have likely been some VERY serious problems surrounding this whole hospital business? I would certainly agree with those who feel that way.

Although much has come to light already, I suspect that the whole story remains to be told, and yet, if the history of Lakewood is any guide, it may never be told in its entirety.

The dichotomy with peacemaking is both simple and sublime. True peacemaking is not a short-sighted or naive walk through the daisies of life. Peacemaking is a very hard and often contradictory process. Jesus advises us to buy a sword, but also tells us that those who use the sword will perish by it. His is the ultimate peacemaking mission, and yet, He violently overturned the moneychangers' tables in the Temple.

Mixing the metaphors and religious traditions a bit, there is that Yin and Yang thing going on here, is there not? Yet, through that very dynamic of tension and seemingly impossible opposites, can come balance....and yes...even peace.

An old Quaker thought...There are three sides to an argument...Thine, mine, and Truth.

Let us labor for that Truth.

Back to the banjo...

[marklingm]

Although much has come to light already, I suspect that the whole story remains to be told, and yet, if the history of Lakewood is any guide, it may never be told in its entirety.

That, my friend, is the problem.

[Alex Belisle]

As the newbie here, I want to see how this all plays out. There are interesting dynamics here and if possible I'll let the "critical lens" of my camera peer into the truth. The truth is somewhere, maybe I'll get lucky and stumble on to it?

[Brian Essi]

Alex & Gary,

I wish I could be more like you guys.

But I am more of a slash and burn truth seeker---My sword tends to cut to the core of the problem and my spotlight tends to burn so that the metal either melts into flames or can be bent into compromise.

I fear in this case that certain leaders will choose to melt and go down in flames before they turn to the light or compromise.

My Olive Branch is always extended.

You cannot give pearls to swine.

[marklingm]

You cannot give pearls to swine.

Sure you can, Brian.

[Brian Essi]

Matthew,

You are right, but it is not advisable.

Matthew 7:6 "do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

[Gary Rice]

Matt,

That porcine photo has to be one of the best 'Deck responses ever.

All:

You know, so much of our responses to crises seem to depend on our frames of reference.

Attorneys, to me, seem hard-wired to question, confront, engage, and prevail.

Former school teachers, (like me) seem to be hard-wired to engage as well, but rather to discuss, compromise, and conflict-resolve.

Keeping Scripture going here, I suppose this dichotomy is a lot like that great verse in Ecclesiastics....(3:17)

There is indeed, a time for every purpose under Heaven.

So no one should feel defensive in any way for doing their part in this great Mandala. (continuing to mix those faith traditions here, the Mandala represents the Universe)

What needs to be done shall be done.

What needs to be completed, will be.

What is concealed, may well be revealed.

...until at the last, the lion will indeed lie down with the lamb.

(On that point, at least, we're kinda there already....My pastor once told me that lions and lambs lie together now. The only problem being that only one of them gets back up...)

Back to the banjo...

[Lori Allen _]

Matt,

Thanks for the picture. I got a good laugh out of it!