23 Jun 2005
Supreme Court Rules Cities May Seize Homes

In the humble opinion of this writer, we are now ruled officially by an oligarchy. Note Justice O'Connor's stinging dissent:

"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 power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms."

She was joined in her dissent by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, as well as Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. Note that these are the "conservative" members of the court - the "liberals" all voted to allow this abomination.

I would take this opportunity to remind the Court (and the various governments that will be more inclined to steal following this decision) of a quip from James Baldwin that "The most dangerous creation of any society is that man who has nothing to lose." And you've just created a whole bunch of'em.

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.

(link) [Yahoo! News: Top Stories]

Update: Here is a followup from a corporate perspective, via CNN.

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

Democrats Fear GOP Push on Flag-Burning

The economy is in a slow spiral downward. Oil is at $60/bbl. The trade deficit is at record levels, and American agriculture is imploding. Health care now represents over 15% of GDP. We have nearly a quarter million troops deployed in two combat zones. So what does our governing party worry about? (To be fair, they worry a lot about gay marriage, too.)

AP - Symbols are everything in politics. They can get you elected — or defeated. That's why Democrats fear getting singed by a proposed flag-burning ban, forced into a vote that Republicans will cast as a test of patriotism.

(link) [Yahoo! News: Top Stories]

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

Casting their spells

My good friend (and Troth Steward for Illinois) Carolyn Reyes made the Trib:

Carolyn Reyes of Albany Park said that as a Heathen, spells are not part of her faith, so the Samantha character in "Bewitched" doesn't accurately depict witches. Heathenism is practical, Reyes said. "Here's a love spell: 'Take a shower, brush your teeth.' Here's a job spell: 'Get a newspaper and check the want ads.' "

Well said, Carolyn! Spoken like a True Heathen!

RedEye talked with real witches who weighed in on their make-believe movie and TV counterparts.

(link) [Chicago Tribune]

00:00 /Asatru | 0 comments | permanent link

Why Health Care Costs Too Much

Seems as though a libertarian think tank has noticed the problem with health insurance.

Health care costs have increased dramatically over the last few decades and are now thought to be excessively high. That has caused the current political reevaluation of our health care system, including its funding and performance.

(link) [Cato Institute]

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link