Originally Posted by aletarw (Post 1798281)

The recent Lake Sumter “white power” political confrontation exposed two issues in The Villages—the racial divisions and political divisions.

Continued silence by, the Morse family, the owners of the Villages, makes it appear that this type of confrontation with racial epithets is condoned in The Villages. Through their silence, the Morse’s are losing the opportunity to set the record straight.

As the political season heats up over the next months, there will be more political activities in the Villages, and potentially more heated clashes with racist tones and a possible threat of violence. Some current Villages residents report that they fear placing a Democratic sticker on their car because the car may be vandalized.

The image of the Villages as a racist and politically volatile community diminishes the value of the existing homes and lowers the expectations for future home sales.
We strongly urge the Morse family to capitalize on this as an opportunity to publish plans to ensure a fair, open, and diverse community of residents, employees, political parties, and businesses in The Villages, and that they demonstrate a clear and continuing commitment to maintain a diverse community.

Additionally, we ask that they explicitly state what actions will be taken to reign in the types of behavior seen in the video.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 1798283)

I believe you are making more of that incident that it merits

The entire video was not shown by the media as they want to show us in a bad light.

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1798286)

The whole video would give full context, but it is more dramatic to show only part of it so that people can draw the wrong conclusions.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 1798305)

Cannot take the media seriously at all anymore.

Originally Posted by aletarw (Post 1798281)

The recent Lake Sumter “white power” political confrontation exposed two issues in The Villages—the racial divisions and political divisions.

Continued silence by, the Morse family, the owners of the Villages, makes it appear that this type of confrontation with racial epithets is condoned in The Villages. Through their silence, the Morse’s are losing the opportunity to set the record straight.

As the political season heats up over the next months, there will be more political activities in the Villages, and potentially more heated clashes with racist tones and a possible threat of violence. Some current Villages residents report that they fear placing a Democratic sticker on their car because the car may be vandalized.

The image of the Villages as a racist and politically volatile community diminishes the value of the existing homes and lowers the expectations for future home sales.
We strongly urge the Morse family to capitalize on this as an opportunity to publish plans to ensure a fair, open, and diverse community of residents, employees, political parties, and businesses in The Villages, and that they demonstrate a clear and continuing commitment to maintain a diverse community.

Additionally, we ask that they explicitly state what actions will be taken to reign in the types of behavior seen in the video.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 1798316)

You must have some definite steps that could be take to accomplish this, mind sharing with us.

Originally Posted by aletarw (Post 1798281)

The recent Lake Sumter “white power” political confrontation exposed two issues in The Villages—the racial divisions and political divisions.

Continued silence by, the Morse family, the owners of the Villages, makes it appear that this type of confrontation with racial epithets is condoned in The Villages. Through their silence, the Morse’s are losing the opportunity to set the record straight.

As the political season heats up over the next months, there will be more political activities in the Villages, and potentially more heated clashes with racist tones and a possible threat of violence. Some current Villages residents report that they fear placing a Democratic sticker on their car because the car may be vandalized.

The image of the Villages as a racist and politically volatile community diminishes the value of the existing homes and lowers the expectations for future home sales.
We strongly urge the Morse family to capitalize on this as an opportunity to publish plans to ensure a fair, open, and diverse community of residents, employees, political parties, and businesses in The Villages, and that they demonstrate a clear and continuing commitment to maintain a diverse community.

Additionally, we ask that they explicitly state what actions will be taken to reign in the types of behavior seen in the video.

Originally Posted by JimJohnson (Post 1798376)

I find the Villages very representative of the American normal when it comes to racism. No more no less. Americans in general, both black and white are somewhat racist. It’s the fear we have of anything different than ourselves. Most Americans stereo type other races and religions into the worst category when in fact, there are wonderful people of every race and religion. We as humans always find a way to blame our own shortcomings on someone else.
I try to see the good in everyone.

Originally Posted by aletarw (Post 1798281)

The recent Lake Sumter “white power” political confrontation exposed two issues in The Villages—the racial divisions and political divisions.

Continued silence by, the Morse family, the owners of the Villages, makes it appear that this type of confrontation with racial epithets is condoned in The Villages. Through their silence, the Morse’s are losing the opportunity to set the record straight.

As the political season heats up over the next months, there will be more political activities in the Villages, and potentially more heated clashes with racist tones and a possible threat of violence. Some current Villages residents report that they fear placing a Democratic sticker on their car because the car may be vandalized.

The image of the Villages as a racist and politically volatile community diminishes the value of the existing homes and lowers the expectations for future home sales.
We strongly urge the Morse family to capitalize on this as an opportunity to publish plans to ensure a fair, open, and diverse community of residents, employees, political parties, and businesses in The Villages, and that they demonstrate a clear and continuing commitment to maintain a diverse community.

Additionally, we ask that they explicitly state what actions will be taken to reign in the types of behavior seen in the video.

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 1798442)

Phineas T. Barnum said, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.”

I do not think the Morse family ever will speak about the recent publicity. Business is business and the cash flow will continue.

BUT although the cash flow will go on, I think the recent publicity will tilt the dynamic of TV — an already tilted dynamic.

There will be some potential buyers — and owners — who are repulsed by what they see, not just in the video, but also in the underlying — and not so underlying — tone of the place — where the tilt is more and more in-your-face — with carts plastered with political bumper stickers, with their political flags waving............

We also see a lot of those political flags in front of houses. And, btw, running up that flag — you know the one I mean — on the same pole with our beloved American flag shows disrespect for “Old Glory.” That political flag is an advertisement. Flag etiquette states that we are NEVER to fly an advertisement on the same pole as the American flag. (State flags are allowed on the same pole.) But ignorance of flag etiquette surrounds us, just like ignorance of golf etiquette.

But, I digressed on etiquette — back to topic now, about those potential buyers under discussion: There also will be potential buyers who will be attracted to what they see because it taps into who they are — that might not show on the surface — yet. But now they can buy in and easily find their people.

And then (sigh) — Whatever will happen to manners and moderates? (I bet some of those who have been thinking about buying are wondering what the hell is going on so they might decide to watch and wait.)

TV is not what it used to be. That’s for sure.

Boomer

PS: For those of you who keep saying that the entire video was not posted in the media, I told you before that it was — on the NPR site.

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1798466)

Why do they NEED to speak out??


They are real estate developers.


Silly to think NEED.

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 1798442)

Phineas T. Barnum said, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.”

I do not think the Morse family ever will speak about the recent publicity. Business is business and tohe cash flow will continue.

BUT although the cash flow will go on, I think the recent publicity will tilt the dynamic of TV — an already tilted dynamic.

There will be some potential buyers — and owners — who are repulsed by what they see, not just in the video, but also in the underlying — and not so underlying — tone of the place — where the tilt is more and more in-your-face — with carts plastered with political bumper stickers, with their political flags waving............

We also see a lot of those political flags in front of houses. And, btw, running up that flag — you know the one I mean — on the same pole with our beloved American flag shows disrespect for “Old Glory.” That political flag is an advertisement. Flag etiquette states that we are NEVER to fly an advertisement on the same pole as the American flag. (State flags are allowed on the same pole.) But ignorance of flag etiquette surrounds us, just like ignorance of golf etiquette.

But, I digressed on etiquette — back to topic now, about those potential buyers under discussion: There also will be potential buyers who will be attracted to what they see because it taps into who they are — that might not show on the surface — yet. But now they can buy in and easily find their people.

And then (sigh) — Whatever will happen to manners and moderates? (I bet some of those who have been thinking about buying are wondering what the hell is going on so they might decide to watch and wait.)

TV is not what it used to be. That’s for sure.

Boomer

PS: For those of you who keep saying that the entire video was not posted in the media, I told you before that it was — on the NPR site.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 1798459)

I do not have a flagpole but a flag announcing your support for the President of the United States is fine by me.

One of the networks (think it is abc) has announced that to be objective their reporters are not allowed to wear a US pin on their lapel.

We are only here for 5 months but feels good to see all the flags outside our homes.

Originally Posted by Lindsyburnsy (Post 1798510)

Unfortunately, it worked. TV is definitely being talked about everywhere we go and it isn't flattering at all.

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 1798499)

Hold on there, Stu from NYC,

Don’t take me out of context and try to imply that I am somehow anti-American flag. That is exactly what you were doing in your last sentence — but I guess you could always say you “did not hear it.”

If you re-read my post (quoted above) you should see that my explanation of flag etiquette is in defense of the American flag.

To run a political flag up the same pole is to hijack our American flag. I am tired of our American flag being hijacked — and that is what is happening.

I just looked more closely at the flag code which says, “The POW/MIA flag, a state flag, a US territories flag, and military flags can be displayed on the same pole as the American flag.” — but any other kind of flag does not belong there.

The flag we so often see here, sharing the pole with our American flag, is an advertisement — and that is a definite breach of flag etiquette which says, “It is never acceptable to fly a company flag, corporate banners, or any other form of branding/ advertising on the same pole as the American flag.”

While I am doing this little review here with you, how about let’s recite the Pledge together.........

And please do not forget that pesky part that says, “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Sincerely,
Betsy Ross Boomer

Originally Posted by Lindsyburnsy (Post 1798510)

Unfortunately, it worked. TV is definitely being talked about everywhere we go and it isn't flattering at all.

Originally Posted by John41 (Post 1798385)

This post is just to create dissension. It’s political only and should be removed and the poster banned for a week.