When the City Council lured the Montreal Expos to Washington D.C., they were concerned about having to fight property owners over land to build a new stadium. Yesterday's Supreme Court decision vacating private property rights is music to their ears. D.C. politicos are already saying the decision will give them a good negotiating position with stubborn residents who don't want to give up their land.

D.C. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) said that the ruling should give the city a powerful hand during negotiations with the 33 property owners at the ballpark site.

"It puts to rest the issue of whether the city has legal rights to take the properties," Evans said. "This strengthens our hand to get control of the property. Hopefully, it will encourage owners to settle with the District and accept a fair price and move on."

The District normally would have had to meet land-owners demands, or face a long expensive legal battle. Now that they already have the backing of the Supreme Court, they are free to low-ball residents. If the offer isn't good enough, tough luck. They can use police powers with relatively little due process. The courts will only decide how much the city has to cough up.

As for resisting the seizure D.C. is effectively "gun free", and Anacostia residents are sitting ducks.