Eminent domain wins a big victory, actual ownership of property loses big. Apparently, it really is okay for your city to take your house away, forcing you to sell it to another private buyer.

Who knew? I had naively believed that this case would come out different.

Bryan, in his reaction says that he predicts “Abuse. Abuse. And more abuse.” I would agree, although this isn’t where the abuse begins, it’s just where the abuse begins with the Supreme Court’s sanction.

Luckily, I also don’t believe that this has to be the last word on the subject, and it verifies one of my own growing beliefs: local politics is becoming at least as important to me as national politics. Passing laws restricting localities from seizing private property (which is precisely what happens when an owner is forced to sell) except under very specific circumstances should become the goal of everyone who was watching this and hoping for different results.

On a more positive note, my respect for Justice Thomas continues to grow.

Read more here.
Be sure to read Steve’s Will’s response. And McGehee, too. That last sentence is a doozy.

Update: Jeff G hits it just about right. A repeating theme--both here and in a few other places that I’ve read today--is that this should help the President make a strong case for conservative appointments to the Supreme Court. No doubt.