John Sophocleus Details His Fight Against the Alabama DOT & Their Use of Eminent Domain
{ Posted on Jun 10 2009 by Pete Eyre }
When visiting the good folks at the Mises Institute we learned about John Sophocleus, a professor who’s property the Alabama Department of Transportation has been attempting to seize for over a decade. In a story similar to that of Jimmy McCall in nearby Montgomery, in this video John details the experience, including his picking up his rifle as a earth moving machine approached his house and his subsequent courtroom battles, which made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. John is a true freedom fighter in ever sense of the word and it’s certain that his actions will help motivate others to stand up for their rights against government oppression.
I commend him on the courage it takes to keep up the battle. He’s right though…most don’t have the resources to continue the fight (legal fees alone are prohibitive for most of us) but by him standing up for his rights, he’s also standing up for ours – and I, among others, appreciate that.
I also appreciate you guys bringing these stories to us. As soon as the paychecks start coming in for me again, I’ll be sending you guys some money for food and gas!
John Sophocleus the first person I voted for after I turned 18. He was running for Governor of Alabama in 2001-2002. I remember watching him in the gubernatorial debates and (being less familiar with libertarians) thinking “If this guy says that X isn’t the responsibility of the government” then I’ll vote for him. He did.
Too bad the IJ didn’t argue Kelo this way, if they were smart they’d use this case/argument to re-open Kelo which has laid fallow for years and the developer is bust. So much for increasing the tax base…
This guy’s (sophocles) case is the antidote to Kelo – those who care about their civil rights should hope he can manage to get back to the US Supreme Court to win again – extremists judges like Myron Thompson and the 11th Circuit must be stopped.
Another awesome eminent domain video, thanks guys!
@Chris, Kelo is a completely different. Public versus private use. Kelo was an argument over what is “public.” Sophocleus seems to have no problem with eminent domain for public use.
You got it! Kelo did NOT meet the stated “public use” asserted – so, possession returns to the original owner.
Sophocles argument is not needed except for the extremists who have asserted “public use” to mean ANYTHING…
Of course, the reason they don’t want someone like this to prevail is there will be no developers (who then won’t give to politicians campaigns) willing to take property when all that is required are some economists to show that it really didn’t raise the tax base and then the developer must return the property.
Name one developer who will steal property IMPROVE it, then have to return it to the person they stole it from?
Remain inspired at diligent stand by you and your bride. God be with you. I’ll share this with many. Thanks for sending.
I had Sophocles for econ 101 in 1996 as a freshman at auburn and continued to regularly visit his office for the next 4 years. Although I was aware of his plight my entire time on the Plains, it was his presentation regarding the gross violation of his property and civil rights in my law and econ class eventually led me to law school.
This video did not discuss the initial offer of “just compensation” the ADOT made for the house which was insulting; nor did it discuss some of the other repercussions the Sophocles have endured.
John and his wife T are inspiring and true friends of liberty