The Conservatives' New Rule:
"Takings" Are OK -- If Republicans Do Them
by Tamara Baker

May 10, 2001 -- SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA (APJP) -- I don't want to hear one more word out of ANY Republican about how awful it is that the Federales were taking land away from God-fearing white male ranchers and giving it to tree-huggers.

Not until I start hearing the GOPMedia types condemning, with equal fervor, THIS sort of "taking":

May 8, 2001

Bush Would Allow Eminent Domain Seizures for Power Lines
By Scott Lindlaw
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's energy task force plans to propose
legislation allowing the seizure of private property to accelerate
the construction of electrical power lines, three administration
officials said Tuesday.

The recommendation is contained in the final draft of a broad energy
blueprint to be unveiled by President Bush next week, the officials
said. The "eminent domain" authority allows the government to
appropriate private property for public use; the property owners are
usually compensated.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission already has eminent domain
authority over the siting of natural gas pipelines, but has no such
power over long-distance electricity transmission lines. The lack of
authority often requires electrical companies to get approval from
several states and numerous local jurisdictions.

This isn't about making life better, cheaper or easier for anyone, except for the majority shareholders of Enron and all the other corporate energy wholesalers.

You know: the ones who donated so heavily to the GOP in general, and Usurper Boy in particular.

I guess the new rule is that "takings" are OK.

But only if Republicans do them.