You and I each have a constitutional right that if our property is taken, it's taken for a public use.

When I taught (medical) residents, I used to say you can tell (right- or left-) handedness by the arm they cut on. It's kind of a grim joke, but I was seeing it a lot.

That is the exception that swallows the rule. Private-to-private takings are still authorized when they are state financed ? something that's true in nearly all large-scale developments. The league-supported bill doesn't end eminent domain abuse; it simply shifts decision-making to St. Paul and enlarges the lobbying power of the Minnesota League of Cities.

What [cities] cannot do is take property from A and give it to B just because B promises to create more jobs and taxes with the land. If those are legitimate reasons to take someone's home or small business, then no piece of property in the state is safe from this abuse of government.

Arnold, which one is your good ear? I want to make sure I stand on the right side so you can hear me.

We know that our season ... this is what it really comes down to right here, where the record is going to be a little more important to you in our league than out of conference.