Last week, I caught an article in The Daily about the picture at right. Here’s the story:
Their house is in the middle of their street — literally. As every other structure in the Chinese neighborhood outside of Wenling was demolished to make way for a new road to a railway station, Luo Baogen and his wife have told the government they will not leave without a larger compensation package. But local officials are not budging either. “We cannot just give whatever he demands,” village chief Luo Xuehua said. “That’s impossible.” — Associated Press
I just think this story gives a whole new meaning to “life in the fast lane.” In the US, the law of eminent domain says that private property can be taken for public use by a state or municipality following the payment of just compensation to the owner of that property. Seems like they do things a little differently in China.
I look at that photo, and I think how isolated the owners must feel now that all of their neighbors are gone. How trapped in the situation.
There are times in every life when a person feels isolated and trapped. When I start feeling that way, I remember this verse:
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.”
—Proverbs 18:10
Have a blessed week!
~robin
