Circumspice Literary

Joe was completely exhausted as he got out of the shower in his room at the Agape Lodge.  It was an impressive, brand-new hotel on the grounds of Agape Valley.  The organization bought the land five years ago in a cost saving move by the State of North Carolina or so the public was told.  The truth is that there simply is not enough undeveloped land left anywhere scenic in the country, much less the South, to suit Agape’s purposes.  Prior to the acquisition this land was a State Park with rundown facilities that had progressed to a state of dereliction.  Agape graciously took it off the government’s hands under the condition that the area would still be kept accessible for free use by the public.  The organization kept its word, but after the property was developed with new signage and security booths, everyone assumed they were not permitted on this now private property unless it was to attend an Agape event. The fact that there were no signs affirming such a conclusion was irrelevant.

            After an expedited court battle, thanks to numerous judges up for re-election and reliant on Hughes Foundation campaign contributions, it was determined that Agape’s acquisition of public lands was constitutional because it was a non-profit organization and thus the change of ownership would not benefit any private interest at the public’s expense.  Conservative politicians throughout the country were now campaigning on the “success” of Agape Valley as a model for privatizing State and National Parks.