Sad Epilogue to Kelo v. New London

Remember when the town of New London, CT, bent over and took one for the team for its anchor tenant, Pfizer, by bending over its own residents and exercising eminent domain, kicking them out of their homes to develop the land, ostensibly for commercial purposes that Pfizer's presence there would attract? Remember Kelo v. New London, which went all the way to the Supreme Court, which decided in favor of the town and allowed it to takes its residents' homes? Remember that this was an issue on which Republicans and Democrats actually agreed?

The joke's on all of us -- especially the town of New London: Pfizer's pulling out. Gonzo. Doing for corporations is rarely as good an idea as doing for people.

From the Supreme Court decision (June 2005):

"Petitioner Susette Kelo has lived in the Fort Trumbull area since 1997. She has made extensive improvements to her house, which she prizes for its water view. Petitioner Wilhelmina Dery was born in her Fort Trumbull house in 1918 and has lived there her entire life. Her husband Charles (also a petitioner) has lived in the house since they married some 60 years ago. In all, the nine petitioners own 15 properties in Fort Trumbull--4 in parcel 3 of the development plan and 11 in parcel 4A. Ten of the parcels are occupied by the owner or a family member; the other five are held as investment properties. There is no allegation that any of these properties is blighted or otherwise in poor condition; rather, they were condemned only because they happen to be located in the development area."

And from a report elsewhere on the web since the announcement that Pfizer is departing:

"The area on which Susette Kelo’s house once stood is now an abandoned wasteland, the Associated Press reported in September."