Date published: 9/27/2005

For a project in my civics class at Thornburg Middle School, I am researching the Supreme Court case of Kelo v. New London.

I have learned about eminent domain and how this ruling of the court has allowed the personal property of individuals to be taken away and given to a private company so that it can build "better" houses and shops.

Adults may not be that interested in what a seventh-grader has to say about this, but I feel that I should put my 2 cents in.

This decision is bogus! I'm pretty sure this is not what our Founding Fathers had in mind for America's future. Samuel Adams once said, "What liberty can there be when property is taken without consent?"

The more research I've done, the stronger I feel about my opinion. Personal property shouldn't be taken away without a really good reason and a true need that benefits everyone, not just the economy.

You can't take away somebody's house or store or farm just because you want to put in a nicer house or business or development.

There are a lot of things that are more important than money--such as family, history and tradition.

I've read seven articles in The Free Lance-Star on this issue, and it sounds as if everyone agrees with me, including Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell and state Sen. John Chichester.

When the General Assembly meets in January, I hope it will pass a law to prevent this from ever happening in Virginia. Otherwise, nobody's property is safe.

Bekah Roberts

Spotsylvania

Date published: 9/27/2005