Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Poetic Justice

That's all there is to it! Thoughts from the Right asks the question: Justice Souter to Lose Home Because of Kelo? Behold (via one of his links):

Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.

Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner.

On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter's home.

Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.

Oh, how priceless! There better be plenty of pictures of his face when the wrecking crew comes. Somebody bring popcorn!

UPDATE: The Reid Report has more interesting stories of Eminent Doman abuse. Among them:

In case you think it couldn't happen to you... The Institute for Justice, has documented more than 10,000 instances of government taking property from one person to give it to another in just the last five years. In Lakewood, Ohio they've even gone so far as to redefining the word "blighted." A home their can be considered blighted if it doesn't have the following: three bedrooms, two baths, an attached two-car garage and central air.

And for all you Marlin fans, you might want to start routing for Tampa Bay:

The county has said it may need to take as many as 50 homes near the site to build the ballpark under its power of eminent domain -- a government's authority to force a sale of property when it will use it for a public purpose.

Just look at the benefit to the community, though. This new stadium will do for Miami-Dade County what Yankee Stadium has done for the Bronx!

Justice Souter can be proud to know that his decision has helped so many. Including himself. Surely his community will benefit from the increased tax revenue of the Hotel. The sacrifice of his home is a small price to pay for progress. I'm sure he understands!