It brought back many memories. During that time, we had family friends from Cuba who were quietly leaving with as much as they could. While Fidel Castro was being hailed as the "George Washington of Cuba" in the American press, one reporter came back and broke the story, Fidel was a Communist and his "revolution" was not a good thing. That reporter was promptly fired, blacklisted, and spent years trying to get back into journalistic graces.
 Mr. Garren, before taking a WeHo sabbatical. Courtesy Ed Garren. |
Last year while running for city council, I talked about the original promise of West Hollywood, and how that promise was being broken by greed, the abuse of power, and inappropriate development. I expressed my fears that as height restrictions were being removed, the city would turn into a forest of tall buildings, a "Manhattan West", with clogged streets and shadows replacing sunshine.
Of course, I was cast as an "alarmist", the word "paranoid" was frequently used in quiet circles behind my back, only 712 people were listening.
Well, last week, under the guise of the new "Mixed Use" ordinance, the city began the process of making it possible to build an additional seven stories where four had been the limit along Santa Monica Boulevard on the east side. Ten story buildings along SMB?
And you wonder why I sold my house and left town?
But being a student of history, and personal experience, I've learned that the way tyrants come into power is taking advantage of the fear and naivet�' of the people around them.
The process is systematic, tyrants quietly get rid of anyone who opposes them. We've watched the Bush administration do it in Washington, and the same thing has happened in West Hollywood. Anyone who opposes the Emperor, his Prince or his Queen, is quickly banished from the court, marginalized and punished.
 West Hollywood’s City Council and top officials. From left, City Mgr. Paul Arevalo, Mayor Abbe Land, City Attorney Michael Jenkins, Council Member Jeff Prang, Mayor Pro Tem John Heilman, and council members John Duran and Sal Guarriello. By Ryan Gierach. |
All of the boards and commissions in the city have gradually been "cleaned out" of any opposition, appointees are rewarded by their ability to facilitate the royal agenda which is dictated from on high.
There is a cloud of fear hanging over the city. During the campaign earlier this year, one commissioner actually distinguished herself by speaking at a city council meeting, declaring her "love" for the Prince, who was facing stiff opposition. It was so theatrical. I heard later that she did it because she was afraid of being "fired" from her commission post because she has occasionally voted against the Empire’s agenda.
The Prince has often stated that West Hollywood reminds him of "Emerald City" and he thinks of himself as "The Wizard of Oz". As idiotic as that statement might be , what is even more tragic is that no one in the city dare comment on it.
Emerald City was a cold and impersonal place, supported by illusion upon illusion, and the Wizard was a consummate fraud. More recently the Emperor lost it with another appointee over a disagreement. It was somewhat public and quite nasty.
Like the well-intentioned Fidel Castro, who quietly got rid of anyone who disagreed with him, the Emperor, who has good intentions, has eliminated all of his opposition, and now rules a city that lives in fear.
Those who suck up to him are rewarded, those who don't are punished.
It's SO Junior High School, so Republican, so Barbara Bush.
God Bless America, God Bless West Hollywood, and as Edward R. Murrow said, "Good night and good luck".