The Observation Deck

Here’s a rather distressing generalization about Lakewood coming from Robert Goldberg, president of Ohio Savings Bank and national chairman of United Jewish Communities:

``The people who are not supporting Israel are those of Arab descent, those living in highly Arab-populated areas, like Lakewood, Ohio, and anti-Semites,'' he said.

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/15108994.htm

What really motivates such an outrageous slur on the city of Lakewood?

Why tar Lakewood and not Westlake, for example?

Is it because of our Congressman is Kucinich whose position on Iraq diverges from the war party?

Is there a material dot that makes the anti-Semitic slur on Lakewood a red herring?

Goldberg is not only co-chairman of Ohio Savings Bank he is head of a steering committee of downtown property ownersâ€â€￾“Downtown Cleveland Improvement Corp., made up of property owners, and Downtown Cleveland Alliance, a nonprofit that will handle administrative functions. The district is expected to have a $3 million annual budget and will feature 55 full-time equivalent employees, private safety patrols, extra maintenance crews and an increased focus on economic development.â€Â￾

Source:
http://ora.ra.cwru.edu/techtransfer/new ... ry1231.pdf

Does Lakewood as a "highly populated Arab area" and according to Goldberg's ethnocentric playbook anti-Semitic by default deserve to be punished with an underclass assault force displaced from downtown?

Kenneth Warren

So, I guess it's time to start a boycot of Ohio Savings Bank? Or atleast until there's an apology....

Who would like to interview Mr. Goldberg for an Obsrver article on his "observations"?

It is anti-semitic to not make ourselves responsible for ensuring the survival of Israel. Perhaps even unpatriotic.

Maybe within two thousand years a Basque will be running the Ohio Savings Bank and chairing the Basque Neighborhood Council. A strong Basque state(Basqueland) will provide a strong buffer between European Liberals and the Atlantic Ocean.

Basqueland is good for furthering American interests in Europe. I can't identify those interests. Or explain how Basqueland furthers them. But interests are a positive thing to have. But Basqueland does further American interests in Europe, as long as both words are used in the same sentence.

Isn't it true that Lakewood has a high Arab population relative to most communities? I certainly take no offense to that perception. Your sense of outrage implies that a large Arab population would be a bad thing.

I also don't mind the fact that many folks believe Lakewood has a high gay population. Once again, I'm not sure that it is factually true, but the fact that many folks perceive lakewood as gay-friendly certainly doesn't bother me.

And to be fair, in his statement he labeled Arabs and Anti-Semites as two distinctly separate groups. If he had said something like "Lakewood hates Jews because it's full of Arabs", then I could understand being upset.

"those living in highly Arab-populated areas, like Lakewood, Ohio, and anti-Semites.........................................."


Sounds like he's lumping them together to me........
He should apologize..then leave the US and all his $ and stock options and move to israel...there......

That;'s quite a shocking statement. Now, we're tying our opinions on Middle East politics to our ziccodes?

What it one's reply to Mr. Goldberg was, "What does he know about Lakewood? Jews don't even come over to the west side?" The person saying that would be factually wrong and correctly labeled as a perpetrator of racist and ethnic stereotypes.

Yes, there is a concentration of Middle Eastern (and certainly Mr. Goldberg knows that everyone from the Middle East is not an Arab) in Lakewood, although not as heavy a concentration as Jews is, say, Beachwood. But I find my neighbors and friends here as split and ambivalent about the situation in Lebanon as polls say Americans are everywhere.

That said, I agree with Mr. Deneen that official protests would create the perception that Middle Eastern populations are intriniscally bad... or that unwavering support of Israel is intrinsically good, I view it as the unfortunate remarks of a man who should probably choose his words more carefully.....and one who needs to get out of his office a little more.

sounds like the next rabble rouser has snuck his way into leadership of several respectable organizations. I'm a bit more concerned about his paraphrased statement prior to the Lakewood quote.

Goldberg repeatedly voiced concerns that countries and areas with growing Arab populations were at risk because of possible ties to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations.

Should we imply from this that since Lakewood has a growing Arab population that they somehow have ties to Hezbollah? Well reasonable people wouldn't but then again if your a fanatic maybe you would and the Akron Beacon Journal will happily quote you.

Odd how the state of Isreal was created to "set things right" after a long history of being poorly treated, and you've got this guy willing to spread hatred and prejudice here in the states. If he wants to use stereotypes and these sort of blanket descriptions, he should take a quick look at how popular a notion that turned out to be when Hitler did it. This guy sounds like a crackpot, hate monger. How did he rise to the position of influence in anything?

By comparison on a wider view, I can't imagine that there would be this national tolerance if say this situation was unraveling in Northern Ireland. Can you imagine the response if some a speaker said that we should be suspicious of those that are British or Irish because they may have ties to so and so. The entire middle east region has been at each others throats for an eternity, can't we just get along here and start working on some real problems.

This specifically the type of demagoguery that pits people who have been living peaceably side by against one another. And to make matter worse, he's importing a middle east issue, and superimposing it on the landscape here. The man should be ashamed.

Jeff

Why tar Lakewood and not Westlake, for example?

Is it because of our Congressman is Kucinich whose position on Iraq diverges from the war party?


Kenneth Warren

Westlake is in the 10th District. So that arguement really doesnt fly Ken.

I do agree that it is an unfair statement by Mr. Goldberg. They are many pro Israel people in Lakewood. Maybe we should hold a pro Israel rally at Lakewood Park to show our support.


God Bless America!!!
Terry

I'm sure that a pro Isreal rally would really rattle Goldberg's cage. Of all people don't you, Terry think that voicing your disapproval to Ohio Savings for such outrageous remarks from their co-Chairman are more appropriate?

Definately Shawn,

I dont bank with them now. I do think all Lakewoodians should close their accounts. We could do a Pro Israel/Anti Ohio Saving Bank Rally to kick it off. I believe strongly in voting with your wallet when necessary. I sleep good at night knowing that certain companies and businesses dont get my money. Excellent Idea!


God Bless America!!!! Support a Strong Vibrant Israel in their Fight!!!!

Back in June, Diane Rehm had two Harvard professors on the show discussing the relationship between the US and Israel. They contend that the benefits Israel receives from the US go far beyond what would be expected in a normal strategic relationship and that, in fact, our foreign policy actions on Israel's behalf are not justifiable.

Intersting read. Here is a link to the paper:



http://ksgnotes1.harvard.edu/Research/wpaper.nsf/rwp/RWP06-011

The idea of a pro-Israel rally is exactly the type of divisiveness that this idiot hopes to foster. Then we can have a pro-Lebanese counter rally....then a pro Palestinian rally.....then we can start our own militias...

And in the end, since the parties affected really could care less about our rally, all we would have accomplished is injecting into our homes someone else's disagreement.

Jeff

Jeff,

Are you suggesting we should stand for nothing? Maybe I misunderstood you.
All i suggested is that Pro Israel people in Lakewood stand up. The writer claims we are anti semetic here in Lakewood, I disagree.
I do favor Lakewoodians standing together against Ohio Savings Bank, why should we let them trash us. Lets vote with our wallets in this case.


God Bless America!!!
Terry

Terry,
How about we stand for bringing our neighbors together. Bobby should apologize for his clearly provacative statement but then again, he got us talking about it. So for him, mission accomplished.