Damn, I wish I could have voted in Montgomery County

for a politician who is willing to stand up to developers (a/k/a capital). Saturday's Post reports, in "Developer Can't Ban Photos, Leggett Says," that Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett (note: The Honorable Isiah Leggett taught law at the Howard University Law School) wrote an emphatic letter to Peterson Companies stating that Peterson's understanding of their privileges to manage leased public space is overbroad and that the County does not support Peterson's claim of full control to the extant that they can deny citizens rights enumerated within the Constitution of the United States.

Click here for a copy of the actual letter, via the Free Our Streets blog.

Meanwhile in DC, we have laws passed and forward to Congress in such a manner as to avoid citizen review. (See "Critics of Fenty's Takeover Plan Call for Referendum," subtitled "Although Move Would Be Largely Symbolic, Some Say Residents Have Right to Vote on Proposal," from the Post.)

And late night deals to sell properties to a developer with little if any citizen involvement and oversight--not to mention little protection and concern for the public interest. (See "Nader Leads Rally Against Plan To Replace West End Library," from the Post.)