The state Court of Appeals, ruling in favor of the Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights, has unanimously struck down King County's "Critical Areas Ordinance".
The decision is here.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at July 07, 2008 07:03 PM | Email ThisI haven't read the decision, but this is great news. I always thought the CAO violated the takings clause. It will be interesting to read the court's decision and reasoning.
Posted by: Obi-Wan on July 7, 2008 07:22 PMAmazing.....
Posted by: gs on July 7, 2008 07:57 PMWe WILL punish you!
Posted by: Touchstone on July 7, 2008 08:07 PMSounds like king ron is threatening some more onerous restrictions for the rural land because of this ruling.
"...higher restrictions than those already in place." WTF does that mean?
http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/news/2008/0707cao.aspx
A Moonbat "Rule Book" was found left behind at a Starbucks coffee shop in Portland Oregon. Here are a few of the rules that moonbats are attempting to place on the rest of society.
Rule 1.0 - If you don't agree with our unfair stereotype of conservatism, you will be guilty of conforming to our unfair stereotype of conservatism.
Rule 2.0 - All Republicans are guilty of something and it is usually mass murder.
Rule 2.1 - If Republicans have not been found guilty of something just give us time and pay for the investigation. We will find something.
Rule 3.0 - Democrats are NEVER guilty of anything. Ever.
Rule 3.1 - If a Democrat ever makes a mistake or is accidentally found guilty of something; BLAME THE REPUBLICANS.
Rule 4.0 - It is not who VOTES that matter. Rather it is who COUNTS the votes that matter. Please refer to Washington State and Oregon State elections offices.
Rule 4.1 - It is OK for Democrats to fix elections and find votes for dead people. It is NOT ok for Republicans to find fault with that.
Rule 5.0 - Americans share our moonbat values. However never, ever campaign on Moonbat values because Americans are stupid and will never actually vote for Democrats if they really KNEW they shared our moonbat values.
Rule 5.1 - Never, ever under any circumstances admit rule 5.0.
Rule 6.0 - Bush did it. Unless it is good.
Rule 7.0 - Make sure we always attack the military. However, ALWAYS say we are defending the military when we are attaking them. The mainstream press will never know the difference.
Rule 8.0 - Do not ever speak in public or post to a conservative blog the way we normally speak amongst ourselves. We know we have potty mouths but we really really don't want everyone else to know it.
Rule 9.0 - It is OK to hate. Just so long as you hate conservative Republicans
Rule 9.1 - Remember all Republicans are Nazis so it is OK to hate them and if anyone backs you into a corner you can always yell "NAZI!" and that will usually fix things.
If you Marxists want to have your property confiscated, there are several other Marxist countries that will be happy to have you, and they'll also be happy to take your wealth.
Posted by: Jeff B. on July 7, 2008 09:16 PMTime to light the brush hog and clear the other half of my land so I can use it as I intended.
I wont hurt any fish, frogs or piss off any neighbors with runoff.
Who wants to bet that KC will try again? I'm not going to wait this time.
Posted by: MSRedneck on July 7, 2008 09:41 PMGREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD. GREATER GOOD.
Say it over & over again.
Pass the Kool-Aid.
Send em on down Ron, we'll leave the lights on for em!
Posted by: gs on July 7, 2008 10:31 PMCitizens' Alliance for Property Rights
Defending Property in Washington State since 2003
Probably a good time to show them how much you appreciate them!
Posted by: GS on July 7, 2008 10:33 PMCitizens' Alliance for Property Rights
http://proprights.org/
Posted by: gs on July 7, 2008 10:47 PMThe way the decision reads, all King CO has to do is to rewrite the CAO to have each land owner pay to complete an impact study that will be used determine what the clearing limits for each owner's site shall be.
Since the court accepted the "Best Available Science" studies on clearing limits that County used to create the CAO, these same studies will still have legal standing in evaluating the property owner's study.
Now instead of having a cookie cutter 35% to 50% limit on clearing, property owners will likely have a similar proportion (or more) based on their paid for study.
Expect this to go before the council soon.
Posted by: deadwood on July 7, 2008 10:50 PMFigures.
And KS @10, go ahead and prattle on! I'm often amazed that conservatives can whine and moan and complain on and on about how Democrats are so evil when Republicans do pretty much exactly the same things that you describe.
I mean, c'mon... it's funny that you complain about being called a "Nazi" when you fall into the pathetic habit of yelling "Moonbat!" and "Marxist!" about anything or anyone that you don't like. Don't you find that even a teensy bit hypocritical?
Posted by: demo kid on July 7, 2008 11:36 PMDemo Kid says we won't be happy until the entire planet is a privatized hell hole. A lot of hyperbole, I doubt anyone here wants a hellhole. But compare that with Marx's central principle which is that capitalism is exploitation. Demo Kid sees privatization as bad. It's not bad. Ownership of capital is what creates the incentive that has driven our economic engine and expanded our life spans from 40 years to 80 years in less than a century.
Or compare Marx's approval with the collective ownership of production to Obama's desire to nationalize the oil companies and socialize healthcare.
Another of Marx's key ideas was that all of history should be viewed in terms of a class struggle. This is where we get today's rhetoric like that of Obama that calls for change based on little merit or fact. Factually the country has done quite well from almost every angle and growth has continued for decades regardless of the president in office. We don't need change if change means more government meddling. When we last tried some of the ideas proposed by Obama under Carter, it was a low point of the last half century. But the worst lie is retelling history to make people feel as if they've had it poorly.
Marxism most notably believed as Mr. Cynical points out above, that a managed society is for the good of all. Isn't that what the Critical Areas Ordinance is all about. Yes exactly, decisions about your property for the good of all. Guess what? That is Marxism.
And as I noted above, the main problem for Marxists is that the US Constitution forbids such limits on individual property. If I want to cut down some trees to build a house, it's just too damn bad for my neighbor. And if my neighbor wants to grow trees to block my view, that's too damn bad for me.
Lastly, it's a fallacy that all conservatives wanted a polluted and blasted planet. From the comments I've been reading here for years longer than the latest nom de plume from the typical anonymous progressive troll, I'd say that most at Sound Politics are conservationists at heart. I spend a lot of time outdoors and enjoy the parks and open spaces of Puget Sound. We have plenty of forested, protected land and water to enjoy. And I like it that way, and I am glad we work hard in this country to have to have some of the world's finest air and water quality.
But conservationism allows for private ownership and market forces, and it seeks a good balance between man and nature. Not really the level of control and class struggle that Marx advicated for, hence the Progressives and their environmentalism. They don't want to allow anything that does not come before their own colelctivist tribunals, regardless of whether that is constitutional of not.
Progressives/ Marxists don't want oil drilling, nuclear energy, private ownership or any kind of balance for man. Thwarting progress, limiting freedom, creating class struggle, lowering our quality of life. That's the "Change" that they seek.
Posted by: Jeff B. on July 8, 2008 12:12 AMwhy don't we somehow tie unnecessary legal rulings and results that hurt taxpayers into public officials' salaries? a personal stake and/or accountability always sobers one up;
Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on July 8, 2008 06:06 AMLook at Port Townsend.
The Moonbat Atheist Progressive Marxists have killed the local economy so you need to ride a bike, grow your own veggies, pay massive tax increases, say Poems instead of the Pledge, poke at the Navy, make stuff up etc. It's a bunch of old "pretend hippies"...often with $$ they did not earn. 60 year-olds getting allowances from Mommy. Pathetic. But it shows you where this will lead.
Stefan previously posted a story about one of the local Marxist personalities, Todd McGuire, accused of illegal voting.
The end justifies any means folks.
Too many of you do not take this threat seriously.
Ignore it at your own peril.
Remember too
King County would not be in such a snarl.....
If Marx had been Groucho, instead of Karl.
Marxism is not "name-calling".
By their actions shall they be ID'd!
You leftist nutters want my land? Then have the balls to pay me for it. But the idea that political eunuchs like you would take our property without compensation, and then get all pissy about it when we object shows what a fricking communist you really are.
But I doubt it.
Posted by: hinton on July 8, 2008 06:10 AMYou don't like "moonbat" or "Marxist" then try "asshat". Why don't you try pulling your head out of the bong long enough to read what it says in the constitution about "just compensation". Keep your f**king hands off my property or pay me what it is worth in true market value.
Posted by: NW Denizen on July 8, 2008 07:58 AMOur present system runs contrary to our one person one vote which the US supreme court and the Washington Supreme court have declared.
Our votes are deluded because the people in the city have equal vote for council members but for the most part are not bound by the laws made by the council, including land use laws.
The present county government should be converted to a metro council for overall county planning and coordination with all laws and policies placed on all the county incorporated and unincorporated.
A new county council would be formed elected only from the unincorporated areas. All areas of government which apply to unincorporated areas only would be transferred to this council. This would include Sheriff, land use and building,
Basically unincorporated county would become it's own city with the all rights afforded to cities.
I think the courts may look favorably on this and it would be a way to get more control of our own land.
Posted by: Fred G on July 8, 2008 08:32 AMSee here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_County,_Washington
Posted by: NW Denizen on July 8, 2008 08:45 AMTake a look at the property in rural king county. We large lot property owners tend to be very good stewards of our land. We have lots of trees, lots of open lands, etc.
In general, if you want to see trash all over the streets you have to go to downtown Seattle.
Posted by: johnny on July 8, 2008 09:00 AMIn Demo-speak that translates to we are still going to require the buffers and set asides just we have to tell each property owner individually.
The fight is nowhere near over.
Posted by: Vince on July 8, 2008 09:50 AMUnless Ron Sim's has an enormous legal fund to fight every homeowner who believes they are being done wrong with their own land, and takes each decision to court, this is a win for the land owner.
You cannot take one's land withough just compensation, which Ron Sims has neither the money to compensate, nor the desire.
His land stealing will not be tolerated in rural King county, and I am very happy that the Supreme court handed the landowners and the citizen's alliance for property rights and important case law for all the landowners cases in the future to refer to.
He cannot steal property without compensation.
Posted by: gs on July 8, 2008 11:08 AM
Rule 10.0 - Confusion is our ally. Any fallacious argument that can be made will help advance the cause and mire the opposition in refutation of our logical inconsistencies.
We already see how Demo Kid protested it (#11) - as the shoe fit well. Keep this rule in mind when you hear Sims trying to demagogue his position - he and/or the other liberal cronies of the County Council will be adhering to this rule steadfastly.
Posted by: KS on July 8, 2008 07:49 PMIt is the the government that is polluting the environment.
You socialists won't be happy until you control everyone's lives and have a polluted socialist hell hole like the great polluted socialist example of China.
The fact is that capitalism is better on the environment that any socialist system. And if you actually believe the crap you write, you'd move to a socialist system instead of living in the bosom of a capitalist system with all its advantages while trying to tear it down. You nut-job liberals rail on about the evil oil companies while you drive your oil driven cars, ride the oil driven buses, trains and planes. You consume goods that have been transported exclusively by oil driven
machinery.
How many wind and solar driven cars are there? What goods did you purchase that were transported by solar and wind driven machinery?
Hypocrite!
Posted by: pbj on July 9, 2008 12:06 AM