However, this morning I read a story, by Bill Hutchinson, in the Manatee Herald-Tribune that has taken HOA dictatorships to a whole new level. This is by far the most egregious and flagrant act of HOA totalitarianism that I have ever encountered. On this there can be no debate.

Kamel Zaki, is being fined $100 per day and is at risk of loosing his home because his HOA wants to snuff-out his Freedom of Speech. You’re probably thinking that this is some kind of joke; these kinds of things don’t happen in America. Or perhaps you think this is over-exaggeration. It’s not. In fact, this isn’t even a case where someone is doing something morally wrong like running an advocate site for kiddie-porn.

You see, Mr. Zaki is the owner author of a simple, benign site named HamptonsNBC. He lives in an upscale community called “The Hamptons” and his site, “Neighbors for a Better Community” raises community awareness for things he finds relevant. The obvious point of the site is communicating neighborhood information.

The idea that an HOA might even consider the idea that it has the authority to regulate free speech is deeply disturbing and perverted. Consider for a moment the ramifications of such an act. This group of Castro wannabes is attempting to exercise their power to force this man to be silent.

When I use the word “force”, I mean it in the literal since. By imposing a monetary penalty ($100 per day!) Mr. Zaki is forced to pay it. If he choses not to pay their fine, his property could be confiscated and he could be forced from his home.

All this because a group of pathetic little people with too much time, too much power and too little education or Constitutional appreciation don’t like what Mr. Zaki is saying.

More on this to come…