What ever happened to the Fifth Amendment?

The English political philosopher John Locke, whose ideas underlie the U.S. Constitution, proclaimed that "government has no other end than the preservation of property."

Those ideas were what prompted the Fifth Amendment which states no one can be "deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

Now the U.S. Supreme Court by a 5 to 4 decision has struck a blow to private property rights and as usual, the liberal media is singing its praises.

The New York Times wrote, "The Supreme Court's ruling yesterday that the economically troubled city of New London, Conn., can use its power of eminent domain to spur development was a welcome vindication of cities' ability to act in the public interest. It also is a setback to the "property rights" movement, which is trying to block government from imposing reasonable zoning and environmental regulations."
The Limits of Property Rights (6-24-05), NYTimes.com

The majority Opinion for the Court was written by Justice John Paul Stevens and supported by David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer, as well as Reagan appointee Justice Anthony Kennedy, who noted in his concurring opinion that states are free to pass additional protections if they see fit.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote the minority opinion with Justice Thomas also dissenting.

Read the full Opinion of the Court with the Concurring Opinion and the Dissents.

Whatever was left of the idea that liberals were there for the "little guy" was destroyed yesterday by this opinion by the libral wing of the U.S. Supreme Court. These homes where not blighted, but nice, decent homes that were well kept and well cared for full of hopes, dreams and memories.

One home was bought in 1987 by a woman who wanted a nice home to fix up and where she could enjoy a nice quiet, waterfront view.

Another home was lived in by a woman who was born there in 1918. Her husband moved into the home with her when the couple married 60 years ago. Is it the new "liberalism" to tell this nearly 90 year old that her whole life must now be bulldozed for a new Coast Guard Museum and a TGI Fridays?

Whenever a liberal says Republicans are only for the rich and big corportations, remember that it was the liberal Democrats that handed over the property rights of the "little guy" over to the big boxed retailers and large scale developers.

If we're going to start letting local governments take property for economic development, I have 6 homes we can start with: Steven's, Ginsburg's, Breyer's, Souter's, Kennedy's, and the editor of the New York Times.

Bowers for Supreme Court Justice?

Governor Perdue's office sent out the following press release concerning finding a replacement for retiring Justice Norman Fletcher:


STATE OF GEORGIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Sonny PerdueGOVERNOR

For Immediate Release Contact: Office of Communications
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 (404) 651-7774

Judicial Nominating Commission to Receive Georgia Supreme Court Nominations

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue’s Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) is now accepting nominations to fill the vacancy on the Georgia Supreme Court created by the retirement of Justice Norman S. Fletcher.

Members of the Georgia Bar Association and the public may submit nominations to Michael J. Bowers, chair of the JNC, by May 6, 2005. Nominations may be sent by mail to 14 Piedmont Center, Suite 1100, 3535 Piedmont Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30305 or by fax to 1-866-547-3433.

For each person nominated, the JNC will send a questionnaire to be returned on or before May 18, 2005. The questionnaire will also be available on the State Bar of Georgia website – www.gabar.org. The Commission will meet to interview nominees on May 23-25, 2005.
The JNC will select and recommend to the Governor a short list of up to five nominees who are found to be “qualified” or “well qualified.” Governor Perdue will make the appointment from this list of recommended nominees.

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Why not the head of the JNC, Mike Bowers for Supreme Court Justice? He has been an invaluable resource to our party (he could retire on a private island is he actually billed the Republican Party, our candidates and elected officals for all of the legal help he gives).

But is his past still too much with him? It's been almost 8 years since he ran for Governor. Is it time to draft Bowers out of electorial retirement and ask him step up again and serve our state and its people in public office?

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The Buckhead Young Republicans launch ourselves into the Blogosphere and become the first YR organization in Georgia to host a blog site. Be sure to visit and post often!