A&E’s TV series, Duck Dynasty, is truly one of the most remarkable shows on television. Yes, it’s been controversial at times, but members of this West Monroe, Louisiana family appear fearless as they deal with personality differences, and walk viewers through the intricacies of their lives.
I also know, after a lifetime of working in television, that almost all of these ‘reality’ shows are heavily choreographed and orchestrated. Sorry if that pops your bubble, but those are the facts of life.
Still, there are some things that can’t be faked. Many of us saw a Duck Dynasty episode a year ago when the Robertson family showed up at their HOA board meeting after being dinged for owning chickens and for burning leaves. The faces in the room are priceless. The vacant far-away, shell-shocked expressions among homeowners should be given some kind of acting award. The matriarch’s repeated statement that she brought a casserole to the HOA meeting had me rolling in laughter. Faked or not, this episode was hilarious.
If anyone among our readership has contact with the Robertson family, or their producers, or the many actors and technicians who work on their set, please let me know. I want to send them some copies of Neighbors At War!
Glory me! Yes, HOA board members and managers are all jittery in Illinois because the courts have upheld the validity of the Second Amendment. Somehow, in their warped way of thinking the CAI (Community Association of Idiots) have figured out that by having a strong Second Amendment and conceal/carry laws, there might be more assaults and threats against HOA board members!
In fact, the CAI recently commissioned a study which ‘proved’ that 13% of board members, managers or homeowners had been physically assaulted and that 52% had been threatened with assault. It’s linked below for those of you curious enough, or bored enough, to want to read further.
Now folks, please understand that I’m a lifelong investigative reporter. I’ve traipsed through slums and I’ve plunked myself down on sofas in Governors’ mansions. I’ve shaken hands with murderers in jail cells and the highest officials in the White House. And you’ll just have to believe me when I say these numbers (13% and 52%) are as crooked as a dog’s hind leg. I could walk into any inner city neighborhood and not find that 52% of the population has been threatened with bodily harm. Unless the CAI produces their survey, I call “fake!”
If such a huge huge number of people are being assaulted or threatened, then it cannot be the people…it has to be the atmosphere. Create a village where all members are supposed to spy on and report the ‘illegal’ activities of neighbors and I might believe a large percentage of people are willing to use physical violence against the Village Idiots.
In the meantime, DO NOT believe the lies perpetrated by the Homeowners Association industry.
Hoo boy, things are going to get downright nasty in one of the largest HOAs in Virginia. Like many Homeowners Associations, there are strictly-worded restrictions against residents who operate home businesses. The ‘home business’ clause is one of the most idiotic parts of the typical set of CC&Rs. I would venture to say that home businesses are one of the largest sectors of the American economy.
Are you a freelance writer? You’re breaking the rules.
Do you do tax returns from home? You’re illegal.
Teach piano lessons? Forget about it.
But the Brandermill Homeowners Association in Chesterfield County, Virginia is about to commit residential suicide. They’re preparing to shut down 360 babysitters and private businesses.
Child care in a private home is outlawed in most associations, but those with smarter board members don’t try to enforce the restriction, unless a business operation is causing traffic problems. But as HOAs continue to hoist their anti-kids flag, more and more potential residents are telling their Realtors, “Don’t show me anything in an HOA.”
Brandermill is going to be turned into a war zone.
I forget which country singer delivered that line, but I do want to pass along some lines to readers of this blog.
There’s another good article on the national HOA scam that’s making its way around the country. This one is published in Naked Capitalismand it discloses what I’ve been saying for years: Homeowners Associations DO NOT protect your property values!
In fact, the column by Yves Smith says while the national housing market is improving, the HOA market is going the opposite direction. Improper foreclosures, declining revenue from dues, underfunded reserves are slamming residents of Homeowners Associations.
And yes, more and more Americans are learning about HOA Amerika. My ongoing prediction: Things are going to get a lot uglier on the HOA side of the wall.
The Australian cast of The Lion King boarded a flight to Sydney and let fellow passengers get a real taste of flying. Yes, we all value the flight attendents and pilots who get us safely to our destinations. But on this flight it wasn’t the safety briefing that got all the attention!
