Real Estate & Property Law

Life, And Eminent Domain, Imitiate The Clancy Brothers

By Robert Thomas (inversecondemnation.com)

Last year, Professor Gideon Kanner tuned us in to a folk song apropos of eminent domain, "They're Moving Father's Grave to Build a Sewer" by the Clancy Brothers (sadly, earlier this month we lost Liam, the last of the Clancy Brothers).

They're moving father's grave to build a sewer,
They're moving him regardless of expense.
They dug up his remains,
To put in five-inch drains,
To irrigate some posh bloke's residence.

Well, it looks like life has imitated art. According to this story in the Chicago Tribune, the city can exercise eminent domain to acquire a 6.3 acre cemetery in order to expand O'Hare airport. The city will "transfer" (whatever that means) 900 graves after acquisition.

Now what's the use of having a religion,
If when you'd dead your troubles never cease.
If some posh city chap,
Wants a pipeline to his privy,
They'll never let a British workman rest in peace.

The rest of the lyrics here.

Full post as published by inversecondemnation on December 21, 2009 (boomark / email).