Farce

So some of us are aware of this eminent domain question that the Supreme Court was looking at. For those unaware, basically the question is do city governments have the right to force individuals to sell their property at fair value to the city for the good of the city. My understanding of things leads me to believe that the law is there so that things like freeways, power facilities, armed forces bases, and even parks can be built (preserved in the last case). And while the bigger-picture/ideological-level argument about how wealthy neighborhoods will never be confronted with this type of problem are valid, I don't want to get into that now. It seems logical that, while unfortunate, if you live in the path of an 800-mile long freeway, you are going to have to move. I know people who have been forced to do so.

But the question the Supreme Court was looking into involves whether a city can force someone off their property -- at fair value -- and then turn around and sell the land to developers who will, um, develop, and therefore increase the property values and therefore, bring higher property taxes to the city.

I know a woman who has family members who live on the coast in Connecticut. Gorgeous views of the sea. Prime real estate. The home has been in the family for generations. But now the government wants to kick them out and develop condos so rich people can move in. I have always assumed this was a Republican strategy. You know, fuck the people and let the big-time developers make their money. It also seemed like a ridiculous idea. It has nothing to do with the spirit of the eminent domain law.

Except now it does. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that this was legal. And it was the liberal justices: Stevens, Bader-Ginsberg, Souter, and Breyer -- joined by conservative Reagan-appointee Kennedy, who ruled this way.

You fucking traitors.

There is no reason for this, except some rich fuck of a developer wants to put up some obnoxious condo unit or office building, and some hack politician wants the lobby money and higher taxes they won't get from the poor, working-class peasants currently living on thnat pristine land. God forbid someone making less than six figures has a nice corner of the world to call their own, you fucking robed Judases. I don't suppose Bush is going to hail this decision as one of activist liberal judges, is he? And if he does, then fuck the five of you for aligning me with that morally corrupt asshat.

I am looking forward to you guys reenacting the jus primae noctis, though. At least that way we won't be fooled with illusions of equality the symbolic rape tries to hide behind and we can get down to the real stuff. Congratulations! Now bend the fuck over!