Worst headline I've seen this week

[The D]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/23/scotus.p...y.ap/index.html

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses -- even against their will -- for private economic development.

It was a decision fraught with huge implications for a country with many areas, particularly the rapidly growing urban and suburban areas, facing countervailing pressures of development and property ownership rights.

The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.

As a result, cities have wide powet to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes to generate tax revenue.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has been a key swing vote on many cases before the court, issued a stinging dissent. She argued that cities should not have unlimited authority to uproot families, even if they are provided compensation, simply to accommodate wealthy developers.

"Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random," O'Connor wrote. "The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and powet in the political process, including large corporations and development firms."

She was joined in her opinion by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, as well as Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.

O'conner seems to be one of the more sensible justices, but i'm suprised Rehnquist dissented. He's a conservative republican.

Anyway, this now means the government can take your property if they want to. Delightful huh? I thank you Lord God Bush and your followers, the politicians and policy-setters in Washington! Please, take away more of our rights! Please, shit all over the constitution. Please, take over the world and fuck us all over and become the Big Brother we all love!

*burns a flag*
OH WAIT THAT'S ILLEGAL NOW TOO EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE WAY YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DISPOSE OF THEM!

[Guest]

The area in question isn't run down at all from what I've seen.  It's just an older neighborhood with the misfortune of being near a good view, so someone with deep pockets gets to displace businesses that have been in families for generations, people who restored the beautiful little Victorian cottages there, elderly people who have lived there for 50-60 years.  

Yep, high morals & famblee values for everyone who can afford it.

On a related note, when my sister was pissing & moaning about the gas prices, I reminded her that her personal hero Uncle Dubya said anyone making over $20K a year was wealthy.  She hung up on me.  

 

[Merla Hilton]

Woo! Hoo!  I am a wealthy bitch.  













NOT!!!  <_<   :angry:  

[PapaMidnight]

A 5-4 vote? When will people learn? DEMOCRACY DOESN'T WORK!!

[Derrick]

Just give Bush four more years and Karl Rove will make sure we never have to worry about Democracy again.

[The D]

And now O'connor just retired. Now one of the few Justices with the most common sense is gone. I'm sure Bush will vote in some hardcore neo-con Justice who will be like "Abortion... ILLEGAL! Gays... ILLEGAL! Fornication... ILLEGAL! Stem Cells.. ILLEGAL!..."

[MegatronYES]

Is hating the new St*r WarzzZZ movies illegal yet?

[B E C K]

"We're gonna take your house for private business."  That's the most anti-American thing I've ever heard.

[TM2 Rampage]

"We're gonna take your house for private business."  That's the most anti-American thing I've ever heard.

What? Are you being sarcastic? I see a rise in capitalism and a fall in communism.

[B E C K]

What? Are you being sarcastic?

I'll never tell!  NEVER!