HAKARAT HATOV GRATITUDE FOR THE GOOD THAT WAS DONE

      One of the major principles of Judaism is Hakarat Hatov - gratitude and appreciation for the good that a person or group has done for one. It is the basis of good relationships and appreciation for the effort that another puts in for others.
     That principle should be recognized in every area of life and in every religion and philosophy. It is a simple human and humane idea. In this case, here in the Village, we in the Village owe Howie Silver a huge Hakarat Hatov. He has worked selflessly for us, through good health and bad, in various areas. He has been an officer of UCO and on the Executive Board, an official photographer for The Rag even before it became such and singularly talented in making even photo -shy people look good (and I know that for a fact!) He has worked selflessly in other areas and organizations, all in the name of helping people. He has even become an impassioned defender of the Village and when it needed help or something was done wrong, Howie spoke up - as in the awful floods in the parking areas of many associations after the oh so wonderful paving job.
     He is a man supported by his wife in all his endeavors and asked for nothing in return. In addition, he is just such a sweet man that one wonders how someone could be mean and unfair towards him.
     Yet such is the case here. Howie knows what is right and what is wrong and spoke up. In doing so, he has angered His Holiness, David Israel , who could not answer his questions and/or would not answer for fear of incriminating himself. He spoke up at The Rag meetings when he saw something wrong even as he worked so hard to maintain its journalistic integrity which is long gone.
       So what has he received in return? A thank you? A plaque? A well done handshake? A card? A bouquet of flowers? A lollipop? NO!!! What he has received is a kick in the pants when Joy Vestal, David Israel's puppet editor of The Rag, called him in, like a little boy to the principals' office and fired him. So much for Hakarat Hatov. So much for gratitude and appreciation. So much for Joy Vestal's purported independence and if you believe that, I have a bridge and  a tunnel to sell you.
      All of you who have accepted your little fiefdoms and petty positions of power and think you have it made in the shade - think again. If this can be done to Howie it can be done to you as well. Just disagree once too many times with David and Ed and out you go, under the bus. and do not think it will not happen - it has, many times before already. Think of your loyalty to Howie and stand by him. Think of your loyalty to the residents of the Village, which is where your loyalties should be and not for David, and think about your souls and your own self worth. Do the right thing!
     Is it not time to get rid of these nasty do nothings except bad deeds people? The time is now. No, the time was months ago. Recall. Cash them in. Get them out. They are do nothings that help our associations fall into disrepair and bad situations and all that we are hearing now are excuses as to why the VPs sat on their collective asses and did nothing. NOTHING!!!!! It is so easy to make a phone call, send an email, reach out and touch someone. What else do they have to do? Why else are these positions there. They have failed in fulfilling their responsibilities and need to go NOW!!!!