The Balance
I'd like to write about a little something political for a moment, then we can get onto more pleasant topics.
As those of you who follow the news may know, the Supreme Court recently ruled that the government had the right to invoke eminent domain upon any private property for the sake of the "common good", and this common good includes economic benefits from commercial development. The commercial interests only have to have the potential for benefit for this use of eminent domain to be utilized.
Well, folks, this is it. We've gotten to the point where the government can now take your private property out of your hands and do with it as it likes, including selling it to major corporations. If someone wanted to knock down your house for a strip mall, there is no legal recourse. It's moving time. This kind of shit makes me so furious. Whatever happened to the sacredness of personal property in this country? The notion that you could own property and not have it taken from you by the government was part of the founding notions of this country.
As some of you may know, I have found myself leaning toward libertarianism. Unlike Republicans, libertarians are not slaves to big business. The right of an individual citizen cannot be trumped by a corporation. But yes, people, we are now living under a government that says that they, working as hatchetmen for big business, can force you out of your home. It sounds more like fascist Germany or communist Russia, not the United States.
Another death knell for individual liberty has been struck. First property, what next? Free speech? Freedom of religion? Trial by jury? Oh wait, they've already shit on that down at Gitmo.
Okay, enough of that.
So only Donna came out with me yesterday. I have to say, it was sort of funny realizing that everyone else was doing something and decided that other people would be there. It wasn't bad at all; the Big Bang was great fun and in a way, not having to split my attention a dozen ways was good because then you don't feel like you're neglecting someone. After midnight we checked out this place called the Study Hall a little ways down the street. It was all right, but seemed to be a low-budget operation.
My final drink total that night? Four screwdrivers. With only one companion, getting into "I need to be carried to the car" mode would have been incredibly rude.
Baseball game tomorrow. Meet up at my apartment, 3404C in the Grand Forest Apartments at SLU. Because of the ridiculous heat, I am suggesting we get Terrace Reserved seating. It's $22, but sitting in the shadow of an overhang is worth the few extra bucks as far as I'm concerned. Call my cell if you're going to be meeting me down at the park so I know you're coming.
Other stuff's going on, but I've gone on too long at this point already. I'll post again tomorrow with a few items from today, and hopefully the ledger doesn't get too unbalanced.
As those of you who follow the news may know, the Supreme Court recently ruled that the government had the right to invoke eminent domain upon any private property for the sake of the "common good", and this common good includes economic benefits from commercial development. The commercial interests only have to have the potential for benefit for this use of eminent domain to be utilized.
Well, folks, this is it. We've gotten to the point where the government can now take your private property out of your hands and do with it as it likes, including selling it to major corporations. If someone wanted to knock down your house for a strip mall, there is no legal recourse. It's moving time. This kind of shit makes me so furious. Whatever happened to the sacredness of personal property in this country? The notion that you could own property and not have it taken from you by the government was part of the founding notions of this country.
As some of you may know, I have found myself leaning toward libertarianism. Unlike Republicans, libertarians are not slaves to big business. The right of an individual citizen cannot be trumped by a corporation. But yes, people, we are now living under a government that says that they, working as hatchetmen for big business, can force you out of your home. It sounds more like fascist Germany or communist Russia, not the United States.
Another death knell for individual liberty has been struck. First property, what next? Free speech? Freedom of religion? Trial by jury? Oh wait, they've already shit on that down at Gitmo.
Okay, enough of that.
So only Donna came out with me yesterday. I have to say, it was sort of funny realizing that everyone else was doing something and decided that other people would be there. It wasn't bad at all; the Big Bang was great fun and in a way, not having to split my attention a dozen ways was good because then you don't feel like you're neglecting someone. After midnight we checked out this place called the Study Hall a little ways down the street. It was all right, but seemed to be a low-budget operation.
My final drink total that night? Four screwdrivers. With only one companion, getting into "I need to be carried to the car" mode would have been incredibly rude.
Baseball game tomorrow. Meet up at my apartment, 3404C in the Grand Forest Apartments at SLU. Because of the ridiculous heat, I am suggesting we get Terrace Reserved seating. It's $22, but sitting in the shadow of an overhang is worth the few extra bucks as far as I'm concerned. Call my cell if you're going to be meeting me down at the park so I know you're coming.
Other stuff's going on, but I've gone on too long at this point already. I'll post again tomorrow with a few items from today, and hopefully the ledger doesn't get too unbalanced.