[goldstategop]

We don't own property in this country. Try not paying taxes on your home and you'll discover how illusory your property rights are. You would think its enough for our socialists, comprende? Not really. In Cooper City, Florida, the City Fathers have taken it upon themselves to pass an edict authorizing the city government to seize your personal effects in the event of an emergency. "For your own good." Where have we heard that before? It seems the only party that owns anything free and clear is government. We're well along the road to collectivist despotism and our officialdom is testing to see how much more they can get away with. Next Big Brother will decide he wants to take your life. In the meantime, in Cooper City, besides seizing your personal effects, the authorities have arrogated to themselves the power to confiscate your firearms and ban public meetings. So much for the Bill Of Rights.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[Recovering_Democrat]

When was this law passed? What is the name? I want to now, since I am familiar with and know people in CC.

ONCE AGAIN another story ignored by the South Florida LameStream Media!

[Ben Ficklin]

This is a typical World Nut Daily article.

They take an article, such as this one from the Sun-Sentinal, copy it word for word, except they leave out the part they don't want you to read.

[TankerKC]

Even the most well-equipped, efficient, resourceful and powerful government in the world can't take care of everyone's needs in an emergency.

B-b-b-but why not? </liberal whining>

[jeffers]

I have exactly one response for anyone, government or otherwise, who trys to violate my property rights.

We have rights because we insist on them.

I choose to insist, and negotiation is not an option.

Take it if you think you can, otherwise, respect the Constitution. These are the only choices I'm willing to grant.

[gitmo]

This law removes a citizen's means of survival in times of direst need. Floridians need to take these traitors out NOW.

[visualops]

Under the city law, once the city declares a state of emergency, officials would be able to regulate fuel and alcohol sales, close any place of public assemblage and prohibit public possession or display of firearms. In addition, they would be able "to confiscate merchandise, equipment, vehicles or property needed to alleviate any emergency condition."

Confiscated property would be returned within 30 days after an emergency ends. And the city must compensate an owner for using personal property, which would have to be returned in the same condition in which it was seized.

Note that I still believe this is unconstitutional. However one would hope in times of emergency that people would willingly step up and help if they have equipment.

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

So what is property compared to liberty.

There is a lovely cadre of FReepers just dying to give up more freedom to the government in the emergency we call WOT.

Phone taps and unwarranted searches are just hunky dory as long as its W. As soon as its a RAT govt. it is a totally different story. I can't stand hypocrites and the blind are even worse.

[freedomfiter2]

My copy of the U.S. Constitution doesn't have an emergency clause.

[mewzilla]

The Cooper City law, as with so many others like it, would allow officials to prohibit possession of firearms in times of emergency

Hasn't that already been settled after what NOLA did?

Ruling Seen As 'Landmark' Victory for New Orleans Gun Owners

[Wolfie]

Legalized looting, but only for the State, of course.

[sauropod]

You see, tyrants and dictators always believe they will be benevolent – that they would do the right thing in all circumstances. Few people run for office or seek power believing they cannot be trusted. They almost all trust themselves.

This should be stated over and over and over and over...

[Mamzelle]

Well, "commandeering" in times of emergency is not new. Nor is it pleasant--but picture the man with a bulldozer refusing to let rescue workers use that bulldozer temporarily when a house falls down...or asking scalper's rent to do so. Keep in mind that the city must face the lawyers after the fact--I don't know if this story is "hell in a handbasket" without the other context of government seizing property in other ways.

Exploitation of eminent domain is not going without challenge. Many states are passing laws protecting property as we speak--inspired by the New London and Justice Souter. A jury found for an abused property owner in Greenville, SC just last year in a very important case where the city seized the riverfront property of a citizen, only to turn it over to a private developer. The city lost...huge.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Private property is an illusion.
1. Property taxes are progressive confiscation of your home, a small percent at a time.
2. Business taxes: The government gets a cut of your receipts without doing any work.
3. Income taxes: created to redistribute money.

[Sam Cree]

I have a liberal friend who is always laughing at those bumper stickers that read, "I love my country, but I don't trust my government."

Somehow I think this law might wake him up. At least, if it was applied to his generator.

[Sam Cree]

This is getting very close to martial law...what powers local or central government have under the Constitution to declare martial law, and under what conditions, I don't know.

But this law is unAmerican, and probably not constitutional.

I do know that rights are typically curtailed during the aftermath of hurricanes. For instance, after Wilma, the mayor of Dade Country declared a county wide curfew for several nights, even though serious damage was fairly isolated. After Andrew, the curfew lasted weeks, but only in the areas that were heavily impacted.

[VeniVidiVici]

The city of Cooper City, Fla., has given itself the power to seize residents' personal property in times of emergency.

I'm sorry your Honor but I was in fear for my life.

[Gabz]

Nanny State PING!!!!!!!!!!

[jdietz]

The fact that a government can take any item they think they need in a crises bothers me greatly!

Consider the contractor that has his heavy equipment seized and cannot work. He and his employees are harmed.

The farmer whose tractor is seized. Heck, even horses could be seized to use in a crises. A stretch? I don't know.

[mysterio]

There is no real property ownership in America.

[hosepipe]

Why can't a city(or county or State) pass a law making illegal aliens ..ILLEGAL denying residence in any rental or sale of property?.. And making it illegal to "knowingly" sell them anything?..