Why Does the Supreme Court Hate Americans?

Kris Weberg | June 23, 2005
Well, the Supreme Court today ruled that cities can use eminent domain to forcibly obtain private land for other private owners to economically develop an area. Basically, lots of towns and cities have been forcing local owners to sell their land via eminent domain so that the city can turn around and sell it to a big retail store.

Anyone want to explain to me when we became One Nation Under Wal-Mart?

Mike Eberhart | June 23, 2005
This decision by the Supreme Court is definately one that I disagree with. I'm sure there is plenty of other space available to put in a strip mall instead of tearing perfectly good houses down and kicking people off their land. My own solution to this problem is not living within any city limits. Not too much commercial business out where I live. However, I can see a lot of problems ahead for this decision.

Amy Austin | June 23, 2005
This is about to happen right here. From what I understand, Camp LeJeune is needing to expand (in order, of course, to accomodate the arrival of new commands and some of those made "homeless" by the BRAC list), and there is private ownership standing in the way of said development. In particular, I've heard (from a mortgage broker) about one crusty old farmer who is planning to refuse any cooperation with these efforts, which will -- in some amount of state/federal decency -- include buy-out offers in exchange for the land. I'm not sure if he's aware, though, that too much resistance could lead to his being out the money *and* his land, as there will be no qualms about just seizing it (when has there ever been???)... however, I don't think Wal-Mart is playing any part in the matter. ;-) That is atrocious, and I sincerely hope that it's some sort of media exaggeration... but at the same time, I'm sad to say that I wouldn't find it shocking if it's totally true.

And in answer to your question, Kris... I think it was probably when Sam Walton died and left a group of corporate assholes boss. I really have to wonder at times if he would have approved of all of the actions being taken in his name (or in the name of the monster he created anyway...)!

John E Gunter | June 23, 2005
The cities are just selling to big retail stores, they're selling to developers who will put multi-dwelling buildings up. Imagine how much extra tax money a city can generate for a piece of land that held 1 or 2 homes which now holds a 12 unit + condo/apt building. Oh, but remember, we gotta conserve water and all!

John

Jackie Mason | June 25, 2005
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Scott Hardie | June 25, 2005
Did you forget, Jackie? They won't even let in Jon Stewart's book with the naked pictures of Supreme Court justices. :-)

Michael Paul Cote | June 25, 2005
Or how about the father that is suing Wal-mart because his kid bought a CD with, God help us, all of the "explicit" lyrics in tact and not "scrubbed clean" by the Walmart censors. Bet they'll never let that happen again.

Jackie Mason | June 25, 2005
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