We discussed Kelo here shortly after the decision, but I don't know if the Horizon readership overlaps with that of property-rights bloggers covering what may well be a sequel. From one of the Volokhs comes coverage of Didden v. Village of Port Chester:
The owners' property was condemned only because they refused to pay Wasser the $800,000 he demanded. Yet what public benefit would follow if they had succumbed to Wasser's threats by putting the big bucks in his pocket, not the village treasury? Wasser planned to build a Walgreens pharmacy on the property-exactly the same type of use as the original owners' planned CVS. The community gained nothing from the change in ownership, while having to bear all the costs of condemnation. Didden and Bologna in effect were forced to turn over all the value gained from their site evaluation to Wasser without so much as a dime in compensation.
Tangentially related to our Kelo discussion, Eric Muller at Is That Legal? has a conversation with an animated German tour guide. Her sense of humor is better than mine would be.
Posted by Ben Brumfield at January 9, 2007 02:47 PMWot? Was it impolite to ask what she thought about H****r?
Posted by: Martha Bridegam at January 11, 2007 09:59 AMIf she's like most Germans, she's probably (not unreasonably) tired of being asked.
Posted by: Alan Allport at January 11, 2007 11:08 AMIsn't it a little surprising that an official tourism spokesperson doesn't respond with anything more specific in the way of either historical information or official statements of regret?
"Hello, Virtual Colonel Beauregard, I'm here to visit the historic sites of Charleston. Which restored genteel houses and market sites do you recommend I visit? Ah, thank you for the informative list. And what do you think of slavery? Oh, you don't wish to discuss that? I see..."
Posted by: Martha Bridegam at January 15, 2007 05:07 PMThe thing is, what kind of tourists would be looking for a H****r-themed tour of a resort? Would the typical chamber of commerce be looking to attract them?
I'm reminded of Ralph Luker's field trips to mortuaries tragically associated with the Civil Rights struggle, and with the reception he got.
Posted by: Ben Brumfield at January 15, 2007 05:36 PMWe're all very sorry about Hitler. Now, do you want parking directions or not?
Posted by: Alan Allport at January 16, 2007 04:58 AMThat is in fact the very best six word story of them all. "We're all very sorry about Hitler."
Posted by: Alan Hogue at January 16, 2007 08:36 PMThe U.S. Supreme Court just denied certiorari in Didden. I'm surprised.
Posted by: AC at January 18, 2007 01:18 PMI'm disappointed.
Posted by: Ben Brumfield at January 19, 2007 07:15 AM