An audible groan could be heard on Thursday amongst the opponents of the Brooklyn Nets arena and
development debacle courtesy of
Bruce Ratner (aka C.M. Burns) and Brooklyn Borough President
Marty Markowitz (aka Mayor Quimby), when the supreme court ruling on
Eminent Domain was handed down by the so-called liberal coalition of the court.
Bad enough that media whore Markowitz and billionaire-soon-to-be multi-billionaire Ratner have managed to run an end-run around New York's City Council (yes, the local goverment of a city of 8 million will have no say in the if/ how/why the debacle is planned/executed/funded), but now we have the 'liberal' justices on the court giving Ratner, Wal-Mart, Ikea, and just about anybody who has enough money to buy off a local election or local politician free reign to destroy your home or business.
Well, I'm mad, and I'm not going to take it anymore....
Time for a constitutional ammendment baring Eminent Domain abuse for corporate interests (and restrictions on Eminent Domain abuse for government public use as well).
It's also time for a new Brooklyn Borough President. No democrat or republican has stepped forward to challenge Markowitz, so a Green candidate has. Go meet Gloria Mattera, and while you're there, drop a dime in the slot (with the usual penny added), especially if you are an NYC resident, as your donation (up to $250) will be matched by the NYC campaign finance board 4-to-1 if she reaches $50,000 in matchable donations.