DEFENSELESS

     To remain without means of protection, unable to guard oneself or one's property from attack and harm. Defenseless. That is what the Village was on Thursday nite as the hurricane approached.
But where were the guards? The Shadow knows, for they were not in the guardhouses and the arms were up so anybody could just walk in or drive in, all the better to rob. Never let it be said that the Village is hostile to visitors!
    So in the "greatest contract ever" someone evidently forgot to make provisions for hurricanes and the need for guards. Yes, the guards have families too and we can understand that but it was and is incumbent on the security company - or should have been according to contract -  to have made provisions for  emergencies. Period.
     The Village was defenseless in other ways. I once suggested at a DA that the Village set up a phone tree, sending texts to the Village residents, at least those who register, and warn people of possible danger and emergencies. Well, nothing happened there, did it? The great maven of the Internet could not figure this out?
     John Hoess went on for ever and ever at numerous DAs that hurricane season was coming, coming and here, but, a great big but - nowhere were there guidelines issued and advice given for practical matters. Telling people to go around and check units is not truly helpful for people understand that as an unspoken need. What needed to be publicized were details. Where to go for food? Where to find help? How to get in touch with authorities? What about medical emergencies? Anyone hear anything? Aha, dead silence.
     Putting information on David's blog could have been helpful but all we were told was that the DA was cancelled for Friday - duh! What about how to check in, come for help and what about the people who do not have power. What were they to do to get instructions and directions? Go and shout in the street. Mob David Israel at his unit or in UCO?
     We are pathetically behind the eight ball here amidst the biggest waste and danger of a UCO president. All we get are blasts for his pet projects, but nothing for the Village and its residents. We were very lucky - I hope - and have not suffered too much damage. I know that when I call in my answer machine picks up so I still have power, but what about others? And what about the property as a whole? I know Don Foster was around pre hurricane checking on things but one man cannot do it. Nor should it be that way.
     David Israel has fallen down on the job and so has his adviser Ed Black and all the rest of the officers. Shame on them. Truly. Wonder what the next greatest contract ever will be for and what it will be lacking. Interesting to think about it and what we would do about that, is it not?
     This lack of care for the plain people, the poor peons who have not much power, who work hard and pay taxes - hear that Donald Trump - are also left defenseless against people such as Trump who ride roughshod over the population and who think it wise and clever to do so, even publicly boasting about it. They will leave our Constitution defenseless as well and we will find ourselves in a parody of the United States and will be living in a world of no rights, strict division of society into classes and ethnic divisions, no hope for betterment and no hope for the future - defenseless to watch out for the future of our kids and grandchildren.
     So be careful out there and check if the guards have returned and then ask hard questions as to where the guards were and why provision was not made for emergencies and what about village wide notices that do not depend on computers and make provisions for notification before the power goes out and afterwards as well. I do not think we are asking too much.
     As I sit here in Chicago, I hope all is well for my friends in the Village and indeed, for all the residents. Please check on your fellow association members, check for damage of buildings and watch out for the never ending saga of Matthew as it comes around for round 2 next week. Can you believe that!!!! If the people who are supposed to be watching out for you do not - then we must build our own defenses. It is merely a matter of thought and plans and follow through and common sense in the first place. Be safe, be well and hope to be back soon. And do not forget to watch the next debate and get Trump jokes for a week! Nor should you forget the questions to ask of David Israel and the answers you must demand.