I'm a little concerned about the recent Supreme Court ruling

[stephen]

I dont like it one bit. It gives way to much power too the local cities.

I doubt we'll ever see eminent domain being used in a rich neighborhood, and seldom in the poor (only under "blighted conditions"). The neighborhoods that are at the most risk, are the middle-class neighborhoods.

Your city decides they arent getting enough revenue in, and they need a couple of good malls, or a 5 star hotel, they start breaking out the maps, and making circles. Then they put the plans into motion. Unless its going to impact a rare moth or squirel, and the epa doesnt stop it, its gonna steamroll right along. Next they go out and give you an offer for "fair market value" (I always feel quezzy when I hear the government say "fair") of your property. If you fight it, it looks like your gonna lose, and then they take the property, and thanks to eminet domain laws, they are now not under any obligation to pay you for it! So if you dont take thei "fair" offer upfront, you'll be out a house, and your equity.

I know this might be a "Worst Case Scenario" I'm painting here, but this is not beyond what an awful lot within government nowadays are capable of pulling.

Sorry for the rant, I just needed to vent. I'm now off the soap-box.

[Crunchyriff]

Our Nation and Constitution were founded on two pillars regarding its society and citizens.

1. The importance of private property ownership for citizens, and the protection of those rights thereof.

2. Freedom to worship, freedom of religion.

All of the other freedoms and rights our Consititution guarantees, come underneath either or both of these two pillars.

Now that #2 has been fairly eroded, the enemies of this nation are now attacking #1.

If the latest SupremeCourt decision isn't firmly deflated (and NOW), eventually, we WILL see a civil war. And I don't say that lightly, or with any tinge of glee whatsoever.

God help us.

[Barry]

If the latest SupremeCourt decision isn't firmly deflated (and NOW), eventually, we WILL see a civil war. And I don't say that lightly, or with any tinge of glee whatsoever.

God help us.

Which helps support my theory that terrorists don't have to do anything because greed and corruption in the government will destroy our country eventually, anyway. Then they could probably easily walk in and take over.

God can help us if the country lets Him, but we keep taking Him out of the loop.

Lord, help us all to not forget that you are part of our country's foundation. Please help guide our elected officials, and our court system, in their decision making process. We thank you for everything you have done for us, and for everything that you have yet to do for us, and we ask you, Father, to help us to keep our thoughts and our actions in your Will. In your almighty name we pray. Amen.

[Crunchyriff]

Bardani-

What you suggest is very possible, however, the Terrorists do NOT want to "take us over". Far from it. They simply want us dead- each and every one of us. No exceptions. We are the infidel scum that must be purged from the earth. The Terrorists don't want our lifestyle, our homes, schools, cars, our way of life. They still want to live like they have for the last 4000 years, treat their women like dogs, and only use modern technology to kill their enemy.

The Chinese (PRC), our only REAL adversary as a nation at the present, already has us by the "private parts" in more ways than the avg American can imagine. They have already milked us for just about every bit of technological information that we are capable of mustering. They have much invested in US corporations- due to the PRC being host to over 50 uninterrupted miles of factories that produce everything imaginable. The PRC now buys 55% of the world's concrete. They are a new industrial monolith, the likes of the world has never seen.

They have the Panama Canal. They have the Spratley Islands.
(they control virtually all the international shipping traffic)

They have counter-intelligence and military satellites in orbit; and now have the ability to launch an ICBM and hit us with pin-point accuracy (thank you, Bill Klinton..). They couldn't hit their fanny with both hands with a missile before 1992, and before Klinton sent the PRC a Cray supercomputer along with hightech military secrets, being furnished by Loral, etc...as a matter of fact, they couldn't even launch a missle successfully and get it into orbit before the Klinton Presidency.

The PRC now wants to buy Unocal. (just what we need)

One day the PRC will spring the trap. When they are done milking us for all the money and tech they need, they will discard us like a used baggie; or worse, like an unwanted newborn Chinese girl. Goodness knows what that will lead to.

ON another note, there is a German company that owns roughly 40% (IIRC) of the US's municipal water utilities- yep, right here.

[Barry]

CrunchyRiff:

What I meant was take the land if they wanted it. Kind of a rhetorical statement. Of course, I know what they want. It's based on their own misguided religious beliefs. They are, in summary, religious zealots with a mission who don't play fair. Particularly Bin Laden and his gang. There's nothing more dangerous.

Thank God China doesn't control the vast majority of Chinese living here in the USA. My wife is Chinese and was ecstatic the day we went to the INS ceremony so she could be sworn in as a full-fledged citizen of this country.

[Crunchyriff]

bardani-

Check!! Got it!

[Ravindave_3600]

In many places, cities aren't allowing churches to be built. Since most churches don't pay property taxes, they provide no income, so they are disallowed under "good of the community" clauses.

There have been several suits about this. The churches almost always win (since we have a consitutitional amendment on our side) but after this decision I wouldn't be surprised if things start to swing the other way.

On a personal note, my church is on five acres in a VERY nice part of town, and I no longer consider it safe from the government (even in a conservative place like Idaho).

"I used to think the Supreme Court was a valuable part of government. Now it pretty much just scares me."