Ice Haven’t seen it, not out and about much these days after my accident … but judging from the n umber of calls I’ve received, there’s a flag flying on the porch of a house at the corner of 8th and East Mount Avenues in Atlantic Highlands that some people are finding rather incendiary. On the surface, it seems to me its only purpose is to cause disagreement and unpleasantness among neighbors.
The flag apparently urges readers to “Abolish ICE”. Really? Where did that come from? And why?
This is Atlantic Highlands! It’s a great community. Great people. Wonderful things happening.
But it’s got a First Aid Squad and a fire department who are both pleading for more members. It’s got a planning board that has approved just about every variance application that’s come before it, without any concern as to the impact on water, or sewer, or electrical power. It’s got a police department that is terrific but still has to fight crime, arrest drug users, protect people in their homes and on the streets.
Why not flags calling for help on these local issues?
Atlantic Highlands is charming, no doubt about it. But residents complain because they can’t find parking places at the Yacht Harbor. Restaurateurs and other shops lose customers because some folks who would eat or shop locally go other places because they can’t find parking on the street.
Why not flags calling for help on these local issues?
The Board of Education is looking to fill a vacancy on the board of education, some parents don’t like what’s taught in the schools or how it’s taught. Regionalization with Sea Bright has been talked about for years, but nothing has been done in Atlantic Highlands, not even so much as a public vote just to get opinions on the record.
Why not flags calling for help on these local issues?
The people of this borough and the area came together to assist a foreign born relative of a resident, a man who worked here but did not even live in the borough. Generous people raised $100,000 or so to help in the fight. Why wasn’t the Abolish Ice flag flown then?
In short, what has happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota that makes it so important to fly a flag in a quiet, suburban little community on the east coast of the United States that still has a few problems of its own to resolve, a few improvements that could be made, and some action at all levels that could really do something to improve life in this little, safe, quiet piece of the world?
As a journalist all my life, this writer certainly believes, espouses and defends freedom of speech and everyone being able to express their own opinions….that’s what the United States is all about and what my friend Thomas Jefferson felt is so important..
But why start something that isn’t going to help change something one or two people might not like? Or is this an issue that is going to start in little Atlantic Highlands and be heard around the nation? Is that what the people of Atlantic Highlands really want?
Why put out a message that might be liked by some, hated by others, but certainly isn’t going to change the way life goes on in the United States … instead of taking action or doing some little thing that could make a difference right here in our own backyard?
Why take on the nation when we still have matters that need full attention in our own backyard?
Is hanging a flag on a porch in a terrific residential neighborhood worth it just to create a sense of irritation in a town that is so full of kindness, great people, but has problems of its own it hasn’t been able to conquer?
Better to put out a God Bless America flag, or simply the Stars and Stripes neither of which should offend anyone living in this country.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
ICE Ice Ice Ice Ice
Disagree
ICE is nearby in red bank.
Everyone needs to speak up not just those affected.
Agree need to take care of local issues as well.