Positively Freudian: Yep, paranoid people say the darndest things.

The continuance and frequent fits of anger produce in the soul a propensity to be angry; which ofttimes ends in choler, bitterness, and morosity, when the mid becomes ulcerated, peevish, and querulous, and is wounded by the least occurrence.
-- Plutarch

Yesterday, in another moment of weakness, I ducked into the Luddite Bar & Grill for my usual carry-out order (barbecued bologna sandwich on Bunny, Cheetos and a Perrier), and while watching the anonymous patrons with paper sacks over their heads vainly trying to sharpen their stilettos while pouring Bud Light down their Big Johnson tank tops (Hint from Heloise: You really MUST cut both eye and pie holes in those used Rally's bags), I asked the Luddite's proprietor, EastdistEnded, if she would be attending the forthcoming neighborhood association summit conference.

Much to my surprise, instead of an answer I received a primal scream, as recorded in this passage from the SOLNA anonymous bash blog, the underlying reason for the existence of which finally – after all these months – begins to make sense.

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East Ender (a.k.a. Laura Oates) said...

This all seems strangely familiar. An umbrella organization of Neighborhood Associations…a united effort to effect change……Hmmmmmm. OH YEAH, I REMEMBER!!!

I've already traveled this road before. In fact, I laid the bricks. Ask around.

About two years ago I organized 4 neighborhood associations together to work in tandem to get things done that the City administration was ignoring. Like cleaning up the alleys and addressing dilapidated structures, and safety issues.

I brought together Main St., East Spring, East End, and Silver Grove to form a united “umbrella” organization that we were calling "The East Side Neighborhood Association Coalition" that would represent many voters so the administration would be compelled to pay attention to what we were calling for, and be responsive.

After only a few meetings (but a lot of talking) it was obvious the 'Tony' was sent out to break up the alliance by smooth talking some of the neighborhood associations, and making them feel "special".

They received special attention, special "awards", and special considerations and administration participation in events.

So, they succeeded in busting up the "Neighborhood Association Coalition" that was being created to help the neighborhoods.

A Republican neighborhood became the greatest supporters of a Democratic administration, and the other neighborhood became the favorite child, so-to-speak, and practically became a part of the administration.

Two Neighborhood Associations I helped to get on their feet. I was the one who put together the 501C3 application for Silver Grove and got them approved on the first shot! I did their demographics study and gave a presentation so they could have the data, and understand it, that they would need to apply for grants.

I fixed East Spring’s 501C3 application after it was sent back unapproved.I went to court with them about the body shop they worked so hard to get out of the neighborhood.

Yep, I’ve tried this before. Now someone has decided to take the ideas of this previous initiative and do it again, with changes I’m sure.

Not so sure I feel too “warm and fuzzy” about this.

In fact, I feel a bit violated.

Convince me why I shouldn't feel this way.

4:52 PM, February 28, 2006

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Yet another unforeseen twist in the conspiracy theory tale. Am I the only one wondering why EastdistEnded’s own neighborhood group wasn’t sufficiently valued to be ripe for such co-opting, given her pioneering activities?

Is the East End's CEO to blame? Or is she a victim of the Bad Guys in City Hall?

Wow.

It's not unlike watching a sugar cube dissolve, right before your eyes -- except that sugar's sweet ... not bitter.

Aesop, come quick. We need a moral -- STAT!