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170 Comments
- GovernmentsGun, on 05/31/2009, -7/+216The philosophy of government is that it does own you. Things like this should remind you of that.
- FlyingCaveman, on 05/31/2009, -1/+190I bet they'll really ***** him with impound and storage fees while they're at it.
- thegrantman, on 05/31/2009, -15/+135From the comments:
Fane Lozman got just what he deserved for not following the rules. If the city did not have legal grounds to do what they did, I'm sure they would not have done it. Fane Lozman is not an activist, he is a distraction to the board, and residence, and has been for some time. He could have followed the rules and then complained and went too court. Robert Hinton
I'll bet Hinton has an interest in the development. - GovernmentsGun, on 05/31/2009, -4/+111Or is just someone who believes that anything the state does is justified, which is worse.
- MHunt, on 05/31/2009, -0/+75This story is a couple months old. The only update I could find online was from a few days later. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/local_ ...
I can't see any resolution.
RIVIERA BEACH - Fane Lozman, the city activist whose houseboat was seized by federal marshals Monday, has asked the court to order that his home be returned to Riviera Beach Marina. In a motion filed Tuesday to dismiss the city's complaint, Lozman claims his houseboat was removed based on "faulty statements" in what appeared to be an emergency. His motion asks for six months' rent, legal fees and sanctions against the city, marina director, city attorney and the city's outside lawyers for "misrepresentations and omissions made to the court." - Zarokima, on 05/31/2009, -16/+78We went to war on false pretenses, killing over a million; do you really think the government would have any qualms about taking a person's home?
- 4chin8, on 05/31/2009, -3/+56We can all judge this guy as rich and spoiled, but the fact that the law appears to be on his side and that due process seems to have been circumvented, should mean something to us. If a city government decided to take your home and didn't even let you have notice that they were going to cease it, you would be angry...and I would be angry for you! This quote was about freedom of expression, but I think that you can put any thing in the blank:
"If we don't believe in freedom___________ for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all." -- Noam Chomsky - Briandrews15, on 05/31/2009, -1/+52Yeah I learned a long time ago that you don't pay a portion of your income in taxes, it's that they let you keep a portion of your income after taxes.
Same thing in a practical sense, but it's really not. - RegularUser, on 05/31/2009, -2/+51"Lozman, a 40-something millionaire"
""I don't even have any clothes to wear, man," said Lozman"
This guy surely has had pissed off somene. - Long189, on 05/31/2009, -8/+53***** THE POLICE
- jivatmanx, on 05/31/2009, -2/+47This idea came about with the creation of the income tax. The original definition of "income" was "a gain on investment" essentially, profit from a business, either corporate or personal. It did not mean wages.
Of course, it was expanded and now, instead of just having jurisdiction over business activities, now in a fairly egregious invasion of privacy, all workers are required to submit wage information to the Federal Government, who can seize your assets if you are untrue, or submit less than the required tax.
This makes everyone, in a way, an employee of the federal government. And the new power to seize property based on unpaid income taxes was quickly expanded to other taxes, and now, basically any reason whatsoever.
The IRS's power over workers themselves is a violation of the bill of rights. Yes, It is of questionable "letter of the law" legality., but the more important thing is that it is almost certainly a clear violation of the spirit of the constitution, bill of rights, and the american revolution.
Read some of Thomas Jefferson's words about a variety of subjects and this becomes immediately, and intuitively, clear. - maxtangent, on 05/31/2009, -2/+47Yeah, nice circular reasoning, isn't it?
If the government did it, it must be right otherwise they wouldn't have done it. - cliffzdude, on 05/31/2009, -1/+42I spent a few minutes googling and reading about this guy, Fane Lozman. He's my kind of guy.
"It's true. Lozman, who is 44 years old, was in the Marines as a fighter pilot for seven years. That was after he graduated from the University of Miami with a mathematics degree at age 19. One surprise after another, this guy." http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2006-08-10/news/wi ...
Successful trader, owns patent on stock-quote-display system called scanshift. http://www.scanshift.com/
Fights "the man" - intimidation and all: "http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2006-08-10/news/wi ...
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2004-03-11/news/the-a ...
http://www.dumpdugger.com/
http://www.ditchdorne.com/
Given his resume and past actions, its hard to imagine anything else than the guy's being hassled.
It's against Florida State law to use imminent domain for private development, so the powers that be seem to be resorting to other tactics to get their way. Note - its all too common for local governments to be in the pockets of development companies, this local and state corruption trumps "big pharma" and "big oil" big business corruption by an exponential margin. I think its the most vast and far reaching form of ongoing corruption in America today. - drew101, on 05/31/2009, -3/+36rich... poor dosen't matter it sounds like the city went...pardon the pun "overboard" on this matter, but the facts on both sides have been omitted from this article.
- shrudheuie, on 05/31/2009, -2/+34Seemed like a very one sided article. On the other hand, few people will stand for their rights (and yours) as strongly as a vet. Those of us who sacrificed to ensure our rights understand that they are not automagically there and need to be defended stubbornly or they will disappear. I hope he wins. Eminent domain for private use is *****. It is how rich people are bought off by politicians.
- inactive, on 05/31/2009, -7/+31Parking illegally on "public property"? I never understood how cities get away with charging you to park on streets that you, as a taxpayer, already own. All I know is that I hate the police, the IRS, and the government. If I ever have a chance to undermine their system, I will.
- m3arvk, on 05/31/2009, -2/+25Dugg for ending the sentence with ", man", man.
- techutopian, on 05/31/2009, -4/+26This judge that sighed this order taking this man's home, I wonder if he is not in the pocket of the developers he sure as heck acts like it.
I wonder if he even researched this before signing off on it or if he just did what he was paid to do. I might have to travel there and ask.
Dimitrouleas, U.S. District Judge
Location of Chambers: 299 E. Broward Boulevard, 203F Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone Number: (954) 769-5650
Assigned Courtroom: #203E - SwutDigg, on 06/01/2009, -0/+20I can't tell exactly what is going on, but the casename is a hoot: "The City of Riviera Beach v. That certain unnamed gray, two-story vessel approximately fifty-seven fee in length." Case number 9:09-cv-80594-WPD. If you want to look at the docket, it's available to the public through pacer at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/default.asp?file=pace ...
To get the seizure order, they claimed to have a statutory maritime lien for necessaries under 46 U.S.C. ยง 3142. The complaint claims he did not pay rent (dockage fees) from September 2006 - March 2009. If, as one blogger suggested, the city did not let him pay rent, and fought him in state court, it seems like they pulled a fast one on the federal judge. If he really owed the rent and didn't pay it for 2.5 years, then I don't feel bad for him.
In any case, I'm not sure why, after 2.5 years, it had to be done without notice and an opportunity to respond. That sure stinks of an attempt to deprive this guy of his due process rights. - BrianTerrel, on 05/31/2009, -2/+22It's sort of hard to pay your bills when the city mails back your payments because they don't like you.
You might try reading the linked article. - elmuerte17, on 05/31/2009, -4/+21Someone who cares enough about their rights to stand up for them is an idiot now?
- CodeCobalt, on 05/31/2009, -5/+21my college was very small, 5 minute drive around the campus, with a tow yard literally right outside of its entrance. $150 to pick your car up same day, +$25 each day. One day I was outside waiting to pick someone up while this truck parked on the side of the road where there was no parking. Right as the guy walks in, cop shows up. Puts a ticket on the guys window and called a tow truck. The guy wasn't even inside for 2 minutes, comes out and is like oh i'll move it sorry. Cop says nope, too late I called the tow truck you can work it out with him. Tow truck shows up a minute later, the guy calmly explains how he just ran in, and if he can just move his car. Driver charged the kid $50. Never even got out of his truck, and only had to make a 3 minute drive. and that tow truck is ALWAYS on campus.
What a job. - ruded0g, on 05/31/2009, -5/+21What part of "no parking" did this guy not understand? I don't understand why people park in a no parking zones, then complain when they get a ticket or their vehicle towed.
That's like complaining but officer I slowed down to a crawl at the stop sign... who knew I actually had to STOP...... - rangah, on 05/31/2009, -7/+22You're an idiot.
If digg hated everyone that was rich, that would include kevin rose, the google guys, every movie star and popular musician...
Nice try. - rizzo2008, on 06/01/2009, -2/+16NoLibertarians could you stop trolling?
- RantPavlov, on 05/31/2009, -3/+16douchebagery at its finest
- mashupXXL, on 06/01/2009, -3/+15What is scary is this article and the actual one linked in the blog post, imply that because of due process the government shouldn't have taken his house in one day. People are so damned programmed and brainwashed, the article words it like the government is granting him his houseboat or whatever. The government is (generally) a useless parasite and is not a God. I am not necessarily sure how to phrase my thoughts properly but damn.
***** government. Every employee should be forced to log what they do and if they are being inefficent (likely 95%+) they need to get their ***** together or ***** off. Useless ***** parasites, sick of hearing about these types of things. - Auraness, on 05/31/2009, -2/+14He should have attached a ***** of balloons to it and flew it away to South America.
- Mahoney07, on 05/31/2009, -2/+13It's called no parking for a reason.
- FlyingCaveman, on 06/01/2009, -0/+11the government can sue inanimate objects now?
- shrudheuie, on 05/31/2009, -9/+20I seem to remember it the other way around recently. But then, I don't watch Fox so maybe I missed something. What I do remember is a huge push, largely by democrats, to restrict eminent domain to protect impoverished persons from having their sections of town "redeveloped" by rich developers. But like I said, I was sober and not watching Fox, so maybe I missed something.
- Jeepinator, on 05/31/2009, -0/+11Well, there is this thing called the 2nd amendment that guarantees that the man can own firearms. They violated the 2nd amendment directly and therefore the author thought it appropriate to mention.
- setset, on 06/01/2009, -3/+14gas tax maintain streets, not parking tickets. I guess rocket science is too advanced for you.
- danthemanhan, on 05/31/2009, -1/+11In soviet america, the police ***** you.
- inactive, on 05/31/2009, -3/+13Nolibs, please qualify your statement "in most cases".
I think you've stepped into another logical fallacy my man. Actually, I can see 3. Think before typing, buddy. - rockytop9808, on 05/31/2009, -2/+11I guess you can't read.
- inactive, on 06/01/2009, -0/+8Apparently, and they don't even have to be specific about which inanimate object!
- Jeepinator, on 05/31/2009, -2/+10Ever heard of Due Process? He was denied it. Respect his rights or nobody is going to respect yours. Also, sounds like you have an inferiority complex.
- emmeron, on 05/31/2009, -3/+11Everywhere that freedom is being defended noLibs is there to say "you're a dick, just submit and take it up the rear, big brother knows best."
Can you please, noLibs, back up that "in most cases..." bullcrap statement? How did you come up with that one? Oh, right. Another convienient invention. - greevar, on 05/31/2009, -0/+8They changed the rules to kick him out. They're pissed at him because they wanted all income from rich people coming to the new development. It's a greed move through and through.
- tgc1, on 05/31/2009, -11/+19USSA
- elmuerte17, on 05/31/2009, -0/+8Uhh, no it wasn't.
- SpykerSpeed, on 05/31/2009, -7/+15The only good government is no government. Western democracies' principle excuses for existing are based on the lie that the free market could never provide certain services as efficiently as they can. All of these are demonstrably false.
We're currently in the era where science is slowly pushing aside religious fanaticism in all parts of the world. It is only a matter of time before a similar logic and seriousness is applied to governments, at which point the more enlightened societies will begin to question the authority of not only God, but of Government. - jivatmanx, on 06/01/2009, -0/+8I am a deep believer in the Western tradition of republics, both Athenian and the 1776 version with it's new natural rights background and updated judicial/other philosophies...
I am an extreme idealist. In the modern age, information itself is the most valuable thing in our economie(s). I believe IP and the social structures/human capital built by companies are around 2/3 the wealth of most economies. It is the freeing of that information, that ultimately has the potential to liberate humanity.
I believe we can replace banks and insurance companies with credit unions partially through use of OSS software.
I think the education system can use Creative Commons textbooks, lectures curriculum, even learning software, conducted online and open to everyone and that schools will never have lectures again, but only direct interaction between teachers/students, and between students, such as projects and real research.
I think that we can begin to make medical journals, information on diagnoses, procedures free. I think we can weaken the patent system and bring more drugs/machines into the public domain.
I think that barring monopolistic/anticompetitive tactics by governments and their corporations, these will happen by default because they are by their nature far more economical than the old ways. It is better to build, than to attack.
Will we still be left with a necessity for police forces? Hopefully the freedom of information makes society more open, wealthy, and empathetic in general and whether police are private or public and the form it takes becomes a trivial issue. Still, in general, I greatly admire the history of what our justice system has built up. - Midtowner, on 05/31/2009, -0/+8If you want to get downright technical, the 5th Amendment doesn't require that there even be a public purpose for a taking, just that the taking be compensated. Eminent domain is thought to be one of hte inherent powers of government and has existed since ancient times (how do you think the Romans built straight roads?).
Republicans and Democrats who know the Constitution well generally acknowledge the government's power to effectuate takings. If we want to limit that power, we need to start pressuring the folks in Congress and in our state legislators to do it instead of relying on 'conservative' justices to legislate from the bench. - Enderplayer1, on 05/31/2009, -2/+10They took his guns! Now how will he protect his...... Oh Sorrrryyyy
- falstaff, on 05/31/2009, -0/+7The Kelo decision:
"Majority: Stevens, joined by Kennedy, Souter, Ginsburg, Breyer"
Generally regarded as the liberal wing of the court.
"On June 27, 2005, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced legislation, the "Protection of Homes, Small Businesses and Private Property Act of 2005" (S.B. 1313), to limit the use of eminent domain for economic development.
...
Similar bills have subsequently been put forth in the House of Representatives by Congressman Dennis Rehberg (R-MT), Tom DeLay (R-TX) and John Conyers (D-MI) with James Sensenbrenner (R-WI). As some small-scale eminent domain condemnations (including notably those in the Kelo case) can be local in both decision and funding, it is unclear how much of an effect the bill would have if it passed into law.[17]"
The public outrage was universal, crossing party lines. gigi52 may have gone too far by implying that rank-and-file Democrats support its use, but then replying that it's "the other way around" in that Republicans support it is demonstrably false. Nobody liked the decision, and most State governments, led by both parties, have neutered the impact. This is a true bi-partisan issue. - ralphodog, on 06/01/2009, -0/+7This is rather common. There are lots of cases against money or other property to determine forfeiture. Though, I'm not a lawyer; but, I did read an entire property law textbook when I had a slow summer job in college.
- OrdinaryPanda, on 06/01/2009, -0/+7... and a jury made up of his peers from the same public backed up his situation, and the city is changing the rules of the game in order to circumvent that decision.
- GovernmentsGun, on 06/01/2009, -1/+8A classic Stockholm Syndrome case. You are trapped in the system, and you cannot escape. Therefore you must believe the system is your friend and you need to participate.
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