2005 June 23 Property Wrongs: It sure feels like property rights are falling by the wayside in the US, and in light of todays Supremes' ruling on Kelo v. New London I don't think we will see any improvement in my lifetime. Here in Texas we have seen a number of abusive (in my view) uses of eminent domain to bulldoze homes in favor of parking lots, airports or shopping malls. Is "fair market value" a fair price for a home in which you and your family may have lived for generations, or which is simply all you can afford? I am shocked and angered by the court's decision today, perhaps most of all because I am a homeowner and I can foresee the time when it might be my home that someone else sees as standing in the way of a plant or a shopping center. Highest and best use, as a principle of appraisal is one thing, but forcing homeowners to give up their homes for economic development is quite another. I was already distressed by last month's medical marijuana decision (I believe that medical decisions should be determined by medical professionals and their patients, not lawyers and judges) but Kelo v. New London affects every citizen of this country, not just those who are ill. How long will churches and other non-taxable properties survive in such a broad interpretation of public use?
Maybe the SlashDotters sum it up best with "All your homes are belong to us," except this spin on an old internet joke is no laughing matter.
Becky |
2005 June 14 Flame Warriors: If you've been online for more than a week you have probably already met many of the Warrior Prototypes for yourself. Mike Reed certainly has many of them pegged. Forewarned being forearmed, it might even be useful to acquaint yourself with them to avoid being pulled into the next flame eruption on your favorite forum or mailing list.
Becky |
2005 June 9 Quads, Twice?: If this story is true I can only wonder at the ignorance of that mother. Living on the front row observing the many dangers involved in high order multiple births has taught us more than we ever imagined about multiple births. My niece Liz, mom to the Dixon Quads, finally got to go home after nearly 4 months hospitalization only to fall ill after less than a week and having to return to the hospital for tweaking of her meds. The quads, born April 13, won't be released for at least another month. It may be years before we know all the potential effects to brain and physical development. None of that even begins to address the incalculable financial burden. And this was a case of naturally developed multiple births! No fertility drugs or in vitro were involved. The quads 1 year old brother, Logan, is going to be in for a real shock when his 4 new siblings do come home. He has not even seen them yet.
