When the Presidential Library Does It, That Means It's Not Illegal

The George W. Bush Presidential Library needs a home, and the leading contender is Dallas's Southern Methodist University. One snag: Residents insist the university has been using eminent domain-like tactics to drive them off the proposed site.

More here.

Analysis of the ballooning cost of presidential libraries here.

Comments

[Hoyt]

Eminent domain-like?

http://www.dynamist.com/weblog/archives/002056.html

[Hoyt]

Eminent domain-like?

http://www.dynamist.com/weblog/archives/002056.html

[Russ 2000]

It'll be the first presidential library with coloring books.

[David]

From what I read, the University hasn't used ED, just some dirty tactics such as buying the majority of a nearby condo complex, using that majority ownership to take over its board, then letting the complex go to seed to reduce the property value of the remaining property owners.

[Evan]

I'm curious: who in the hell pays for these silly Presidential Libraries? Sadly, the obvious culprit would be us, the oft-raped taxpayers. Anyone know the answer?

[Russ 2000]

Couldn't SMU be open to a lawsuit though for being an irresponsible condo board? Been a while since I lived in a condo, I sold for just this reason.

[Walker]

Another contender (in the top 4, but probably not the front runner) is the University of Dallas.

They don't have the resources or the administrative experience that SMU does. Which is a shame, because they certainly have the perfect location. They own part of Texas Stadium (which is soon to be vacated because the Cowboys are moving to Arlington), and the City of Irving has voted to give the rest over if it is chosen for the site of the library.

In fact, it is probably the location alone that got that school this far.

[PJ]

Actually the building is privately funded but administered by the Federal gubment.

[Rhywun]

Evan,

read the 3rd article linked above.

[ChrisO]

Maybe it should be built in Dubai.

[FXKLM]

Whether or not it's objectionable, this has nothing to do with eminent domain. The NYSun should issue a retraction Meghan Clyne should resign. This is a terrible excuse for journalism.

[joe]

I was on a condo board, and that doesn't look right to me at all. You have a fiduciary responsibility to your homeowners, which the cutouts not only didn't protect, but actively worked to undermine, for the financial benefit of their backers.

[Tom Greaves]

What the hell would W need a library for anyway? All the interesting shit is going to stay classified.

[Qbryzan]

What the hell would W need a library for anyway?

Maybe he needs a place for "My Pet Goat"?

[Rich Ard]

They have to have somewhere to keep all of the safes, Tom.

[Jeff P.]

We don't like y'all literate types 'round here.
(Cocks shotgun)
Move along, now.

[Stevo Darkly]

Would y'all be willing to vote for me for president, just to see what my presidential library would look like?

[Dogzilla]

Presidents shouldn't build monuments to themselves like they're a god damn pharoah. That is all.