Posted on 06/28/2005 11:04:00 AM PDT by ovrtaxt
A private developer has contacted the local government in Supreme Court Justice David Souter's hometown in New Hampshire asking that the property of the judge – who voted in favor of a controversial decision allowing a city to take residents' homes for private development – be seized to make room for a new hotel.
Yesterday, Logan Darrow Clements faxed a request to Chip Meany, the code enforcement officer of the town of Weare, N.H., seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road, the present location of Souter's home.
Wrote Clements: "Although this property is owned by an individual, David H. Souter, a recent Supreme Court decision, Kelo v. City of New London, clears the way for this land to be taken by the government of Weare through eminent domain and given to my LLC for the purposes of building a hotel. The justification for such an eminent domain action is that our hotel will better serve the public interest as it will bring in economic development and higher tax revenue to Weare."
The Kelo v. City of New London decision, handed down Thursday, allows the New London, Conn., government to seize the homes and businesses of residents to facilitate the building of an office complex that would provide economic benefits to the area and more tax revenue to the city. Though the practice of eminent domain is provided for in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, this case is significant because the seizure is for private development and not for "public use," such as a highway or bridge. The decision has been roundly criticized among property-rights activists and limited-government commentators.
According to a statement from Clement, the proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, "featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America." Instead of a Gideon's Bible in each room, guests will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged," the statement said.
Clements says the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site – "being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans."
"This is not a prank" said Clements. "The town of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development."
Clements says his plan is to raise investment capital from wealthy pro-liberty investors and draw up architectural plans. These plans would then be used to raise additional capital for the project.
While Clements currently makes a living in marketing and video production, he tells WND he has had involvement in real estate development and is fully committed to the project.
"We will build a hotel there if investors come forward, definitely," he said.
Clements is the CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, which is dedicated to fighting "the most deadly and destructive force on the planet: abusive governments," the website states.
The activist says he is aware of the apparent conflict of someone who is strongly opposed to the Kelo decision using it to purposely oust an American from his property.
"I realize there is a contradiction, but we're only going to use it against people who advocated" the Kelo decision, Clements told WND. "Therefore, it's a case of retaliation, not initiation."
Clements says some people have already offered to put money into the project.
Related stories:
Property battle heads to states
High court's property decision stirs anger
Court rules cities can seize homes
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Tolerance in the face of tyranny is no virtue."
I just love it, too. It will make a statement, but won't be taken seriously beyond that. It won't go anywhere, because Sooter is a 'person of eminence' and not subject to the policies that govern the hoi-paloi.
This is new hampshire. The city council could be republican. Do we know? This would be awesome and would go down in the history books. It sure beats armed conflict.
I am all for that
"I'm thinking of opening up a whorehouse on Ruth Bader Ginsberg's property."
So, you already have an experienced Madame in residence there?
BRAVO!
There is nothing inconsistant with taking the property of a man who took yours. You may as well say I don't have the right to shoot someone who shot me...after all, I cannot deny a man his rights just because he denies me mine?
Of course I can. This taking of Souters home is perfectly justified.
nice quote, if a bit over-dramatic. You know what would be extreme??? Try the following:
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time
to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson
getting joy out of seeing the emperor w/out clothes chastised for his nakedness does not, imho, qualify as extremism. It does bluntly state - if we conservatives were to generally react as such - that the trampling of the 5th is ok as long as we don't like the person.
Let's keep our focus, randog... you know how good the left is at pointing their fingers at us and saying "...if you can do it, then there's nothing wrong with us doing it, too".
No, it simply states it is ok to trample someones rights once he forfeits them by trampling yours.
I've always wanted to vacation in Weare.
BTW, where does R. B. Ginsburg live?
Yes, and where does Anthony Kennedy live?
Yes, take his land now! HAHAHAHAHAHAH!
It certainly falls within the logic of the Kelso decision.
How do I become an investor?
"Its done. The only way to undo it is for the USSC to take another case and reverse the earlier decision. "
So, someone bribes the local government, (only 3 need be bribed, where do I donate?) And procedings begin to take Souter's home. Souter appeals the ruling. The case makes it's way to... the Supreme Court.
That would be bliss. :)
I want to invest in this venture and also stay at this hotel when it is completed.
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