Where have I been? As a reporter, I think I’m pretty streetwise. I know the controversies involving private prisons. But private debtor prisons? That’s beyond belief and I can hardly believe the judicial system has not taken aggressive action against these outrageous prisons. As you watch this short documentary imagine if HOAs could gain the power to create private prisons!
I’ve never been a big fan of the ACLU. Oh, I’ve interviewed ACLU officials a number of times in my career. They’re rarely the ones who say, “No comment!” And some of their battles I’ve certainly supported. Sadly, there are too many cases which I firmly believe that the ACLU won’t touch.
It’s a completely different story where the Institute for Justice (IJ.org) is concerned. They, too, are a civil rights organization but they seem to be more focused on housing, minority rights, and seeking out the kinds of justice that would help all of us, not just small minority interests.
Guest blogger Deborah Goonan sends this link to us:
http://ij.org/wa-lawyer-free-speech-release-2-20-15
Institute for Justice has a number of other great videos at:
IJ.org
You could and should spend an entire afternoon watching their videos and studying their interests. And then, as I’m doing now, write them a check. They’re doing some excellent work.
It’s hard to make long stories short, but I’ll try.
When my wife and I were out of state a number of years ago, a squirrel got into the house and did thousands of dollars worth of damage, chewing up the sofa, all the drapes, the carpets. I called State Farm and asked if I was covered. They said “no.” If an elk or a bear had gotten in your house you’d be covered because those are wild animals.
“Aren’t squirrels wild animals?”
“Nope, they’re rodents and there’s an exclusion in all home insurance policies for rodents.”
“What if a rabbit had gotten into the house?” I asked.
“They’re rodents and they’re excluded.” Wow, I thought I had them there because I knew that rabbits and hares aren’t rodents, they’re lagamorphs. Look it up. One way or another, I’m sure the insurance company would find a way to do its customary screw job.
I started studying the exclusions and discovered another few I didn’t know. (Yes, sometimes I’m deadly stupid). But flood damage is another tricky one. If a raindrop touches the ground before it enters your house it’s considered a flood and insurance companies have tricky ways to exclude flood damage. That also means if the corroded water line to your house breaks, the water hits the ground first, so you’re not covered. If the raindrop hits your house before coming inside, then the coverage is good.
BTW, so called Smart Meters are being installed in millions of homes across the country. They’ve exploded or melted, caused thousands of house fires in the U.S. and Canada and…you might have guessed it… Smart Meters aren’t UL listed, therefore insurance policies automatically exclude any fire damage that comes from a non-UL listed device. Smart meters have also blown out entire kitchens full of appliances. Again, no coverage.
While we’re speaking of damage and insurance companies, let me refer you to another interesting story that broke last week. I won’t try to prejudice you with my thoughts…. I’ll just send you to the link.
(insurance issues in Hurricane Sandy)
Being a customer of Comcast is mandated in Homeowners Associations across America. HOA boards and managers make backroom deals to allow only one company to service customers. Setting up a monopoly with utiltities supposedly saves money for homeowners. But money isn’t as big a problem as the quality of service.
Obviously, not all customers are satisfied with Comcast customer service. But for the second time in two weeks we hear of the ‘special’ way some customers are treated by the company’s billing department.
(link to story on mary super-b1tch bauer)
I know of at least four HOA movies in various stages of production. Movies are extraordinarily expensive to do, and to do right. One of the older ones that appears to have stalled had a wonderfully clever trailer….worth watching.
If anyone has an update on this production, please let me know.
