WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?

         Look around and ask yourself what's not to love about life here in the Village, life here in south Florida?
     Shall we list the points? For me the super library system is a top point. There are always new books and if one is not bought a request can be made and the book purchased. The staff is a helpful bunch and what is more - we have two library systems to choose from - the County and the city of WPB.
     Shopping is your delight? Shop till you drop, as the saying goes, be it in a mall, an outlet mall, or go thrifting for fun and see if you can uncover a treasure to take home with you or a great book or record find.
     Love nature? Morikami to Gumbo Lindo and everything in between. From Okeeheelee Park to Peanut Island, never a day when one cannot find a nice nature trail or even go watch some alligators at rest or fly thru the Everglades on an airboat. And of course, do not forget the beaches.
     The people? I find most of then lovely, willing to strike up a conversation, help carry a bundle or open a door, and of course, most helpful when looking for the facilities. The stores will go a hunting for just the very item you want and get it shipped to you and the people you pass every day begin to wave at you and before you know it, there is another friendship that has been set in motion.
      Even eating out can be an adventure with so many restaurants opening up- even kosher ones and the shopping, food and sundries is just fine. Publix is one of the most obliging chains I have ever seen - just look at the amount of space the Community Drive Publix sets aside for CV customers.
     The down side? Distance from family and those precious grandchildren, but then again, the quiet is nice too and the kids love coming to their grandparents' "hotel"! Less space for "stuff"? Well, that actually can be a good thing!
     So what are we missing? Yes, aside from the lessening of our physical and mental prowess! We are missing the exercise of our rights as American citizens, the rights of free speech, of a surety that all functions and processes are done with an open and transparent manner, with assurance that those entrusted with our financial well being are actually taking that responsibility seriously and honestly, and not slushing and mushing all together for exactly what purpose, that all administration papers and books are open and available to all, easily and quickly.
     There is an old Bavarian saying, - "Not the flesh of the prey only, but fear is the sustenance of wolves." This is what is happening in the Village. People who ask questions, people who displease those who think "they" got the power are threatened, intimidated, cut off from their rights, from possibility of working in UCO, of speaking up, for should they do so, woe upon them. Many fear the consequences to them personally as certain statements are made. So they shut up and opposition and criticism is verboten!
     This is not the way it should be and is the only cloud over our life here - aside from those blasted hurricanes- may they long stay away from us and go safely out to sea! It has been said that, "Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword."
     Thinking men do not fear the pen, indeed, even welcome it as a guide for themselves, as a source of wisdom and advice and even criticism. Honest men cherish the word for with it they can spread the power of goodness. And the power of the pen brings about revolution and reform. Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense, Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence,  Hamilton wrote The Federalist Papers, and Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address. FDR spoke of the Four Freedoms that all are entitled to and Kennedy penned his wonderful phrases that encouraged a young generation to grow up and serve their country in one way or another, to work for change. (Sorry, but cannot think of any inspiring words spoken or penned by our most recent leaders!)
     It is only the fearful, the dishonest, the incompetent, the hoarders of supposed power that oppose the freedom of the pen and the words that flow from these pens. It behooves us to think about this, long and hard, and then look at our lives, and think about the conjunction of these two trains of thought.