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Go (Away), Blue! ["We Can Do Just Fine With only the Red States"]
National Review ^ | 11/16/04 | Mackubin Thomas Owens

Posted on 11/16/2004 8:55:57 AM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

In the wake of George Bush's reelection, we are now getting a sense of just how estranged are the Democratic-party elite from the American public, and the level of contempt that the former group feels for the latter. Liberals who yammer on ceaselessly about "tolerance" and "diversity" don't seem inclined to extend those concepts to many of their fellow citizens, whom they portray as religious bigots, racist rednecks, and generally stupid people. As the Wall Street Journal's "Best of the Web" reported on November 10, an entire thread on BillMaher.com , the website of the HBO talk-show host, was devoted to the issue of "Shooting Republicans, ethical? Discuss."

Of course, we expect such stuff in the fever swamps of internet conspiracy theories. But the rot is more widespread. Blue states have come to believe that they are too good to associate with the peckerwoods who reelected George Bush. For instance, on a recent installment of the McLaughlin Group, Lawrence O'Donnell, a major Democratic operative and alleged "political analyst," suggested that the election will lead to serious consideration of blue-state secession from the Union.

On one hand, I don't think much of the concept of secession. Several years ago I wrote "The Case Against Secession," in which, following Lincoln, I observed that

Secession constitutes a repudiation of republican government as understood by the Founders....When the States ratified the Constitution of 1787, they pledged that they would accept the results of elections conducted according to its rules. In violation of this pledge, the Southern States seceded because they did not like the outcome of the election of 1860. Thus secession is the interruption of the constitutional operation of republican government, substituting the rule of the minority for that of the majority.

As Lincoln said in his First Inaugural Address, "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it."

On the other hand, it might be fun to consider the possibilities that blue-state secession would provide. Red-state Americans who have grown weary of being lectured by their moral and intellectual "betters" from the precincts of the Massachusetts witch-burners and slave-traders might just say: "Go ahead, punks. Make my day."

To begin with, where would the blue-state secessionists get the military force they would need to vindicate their action? After all, to paraphrase Thomas Hobbes, principles, no matter how noble, are mere wind without the sword. Most U.S. servicemen come from the red states, or from the red counties of the blue states. The blue states have made it next to impossible for their citizens to own firearms, so they can't count on "a people, numerous and armed" to vindicate their secession.

Blue-staters frequently dismiss those who serve in the U.S. military as ignorant bumpkins who can't make it in civilian life. One of the big lies of the Vietnam era was that the anti-war protestors didn't blame the soldiers who fought the war. I'm here to tell you that that's a crock. And it doesn't look like it's gotten any better over the years.

So when a red-state soldier or Marine is putting down the blue-state rebellion, what is he going to think of this exchange from the aforementioned Bill Maher website? "You do realize that over 80 percent of our troops support Bush, don't you?" "Yes darling — I do.... That's only fair isn't it? Why should decent people die in your bogus war you murdering hun. I hope the whole lot of them are decapitated...but getting their butts blown off will suffice."

And who would lead this blue-state secession? Martin Sheen? Well, why not? He is already president of a parallel universe. Or maybe it's not so "parallel." After all, on The West Wing, the liberals are all noble and the conservatives are all evil.

Of course, President Sheen wouldn't actually control much territory, and the rebellion probably wouldn't last too long since the unarmed secessionists he would be leading wouldn't be able to feed themselves. The U.S. Navy would detach a frigate or two to blockade New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The Air Force would close down blue-state airports. So an "Anaconda Strategy" might work this time.

The Unionists in the blue states would, of course, create loyal governments recognized in Washington. The red counties of California, New York, and Pennsylvania might even form new states on the model of West Virginia in 1864. Of course, the red states would have to contend with their own nests of "copperheads" — Austin, for instance. But I say a few Aggies could take care of that.

A blue-state rebellion shouldn't take too long to put down. What then? Can we expect continued resistance on the part of Maureen Dowd and Michael Moore? What will the occupiers do?

And, will these seceded blue states have to be "reconstructed?" Now, that might be fun. I say skip the "with malice toward none and with charity for all" stuff and go right to "radical Reconstruction." Treat the rebellious blue states as conquered provinces, disorganized communities without legitimate civil governments that cannot regain statehood until the federal government is ready to give it to them. Take Charles Sumner's position: that the seceded blue states have committed suicide and therefore revert to the condition of federal territories.

Of course this is all crazy talk. I doubt that O'Donnell was being serious when he raised the specter of blue-state secession ( though Geraldine Ferraro has made similar sounds ). Maybe liberals will settle for emigration. But as recent days have shown, the Democrats are becoming more unhinged, so who can say for sure?


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bluestates; election2004; mackubintowens; nationalreview; ratfantasies; redstates; secession
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1 posted on 11/16/2004 8:55:59 AM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

and if you look at the county by county map, you will notice that even in CA outside of SF & LA the vast majority of the state is controlled by the GOP.

Semper Fi,
Kelly


2 posted on 11/16/2004 8:59:25 AM PST by kellynla (U.S.M.C. 1st Battalion,5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Div. Viet Nam 69&70 Semper Fi)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
Lawrence O'Donnell, a major Democratic operative and alleged "political analyst," suggested that the election will lead to serious consideration of blue-state secession from the Union.

Apparently they fail to remember that -- through their own choice -- the red states have all the guns!

3 posted on 11/16/2004 8:59:50 AM PST by pabianice
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

Let them have their blue counties. I live in a red county in a blue state and would not want the few counties that turned this state blue to decide for us red counties.


4 posted on 11/16/2004 9:00:38 AM PST by MadAnthony1776
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

5 posted on 11/16/2004 9:05:07 AM PST by conservativecorner
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

Good article on the nuts-and-bolts of sucession, but the author forgot one aspect--energy. Not only have the blue counties off-shored (a) their security by banning guns and (b) their food supply by paving over farmland, but also (c) their energy needs. Where are all the "evil, polluting" power plants, oil refineries, tank farms, and energy distribution points? That's right--they were off-shored to those insignificant, dirty red counties. The blue counties are just a switch and valve away from the 18th century.


6 posted on 11/16/2004 9:06:30 AM PST by randog (What the....?!)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
As I've said before: please, please, please secede.

As a blue state resident living a short drive from NYC, I would love to join a breakaway red militia in a blue state, reconquer North Jersey for the Union and lead my men on a merciless raid into Tribeca and the West Village.

I would crush my enemies, see them driven before me and hear the lamentations of the female impersonators.

It would be better than Red Dawn.

7 posted on 11/16/2004 9:06:51 AM PST by wideawake (God bless our brave soldiers and their Commander in Chief)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
Bill Mayer suggests shooting Republicans?

What are RATS going to shoot us with, spitballs?

Who is going to lead the shooters, yoga instructors?

The last time I checked, Red Staters are champions of the 2nd Amendment, thus more likely to pack.

I cannot assume that these spitballs are harmless, therefore...

8 posted on 11/16/2004 9:07:27 AM PST by lormand (Dead People Vote DemocRAT)
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To: conservativecorner

"AMERICA! F*** YEAH -- !" :)

9 posted on 11/16/2004 9:08:35 AM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (I feel more and more like a revolted Charlton Heston, witnessing ape society for the very first time)
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To: MadAnthony1776

Back when Alabama seceded from the U.S. Winston County seceded from the state. I know because I was in a theatre production about it in Jr. College. Very interesting story. If interested check it out at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/southeastern_us/14700 or http://www.looneystavern.com


10 posted on 11/16/2004 9:08:55 AM PST by Jay777
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To: lormand
What are RATS going to shoot us with, spitballs?

Gangbangers, of course.

Could someone with Photoshop skills please do up a lowrider with the caption, "Blue State Tank"?

11 posted on 11/16/2004 9:09:38 AM PST by randog (What the....?!)
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To: MadAnthony1776

There are 83 counties in Michigan. John Kerry won 14 of them (some under dubious circumstances) I would be more than happy to plow up the road at the county line.


12 posted on 11/16/2004 9:12:17 AM PST by cripplecreek (I come swinging the olive branch of peace.)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

Red county in a blue state here....dont flush us all!!!


13 posted on 11/16/2004 9:12:50 AM PST by wallcrawlr
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To: cripplecreek

Right across the Lake from you in Racine County. We had blue counties to the north (Milwaukee) and south (Kenosha) of us.


14 posted on 11/16/2004 9:14:27 AM PST by MadAnthony1776
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To: pabianice
the red states have all the guns!

.... and the oil, gas, food, wood, .....

15 posted on 11/16/2004 9:17:38 AM PST by HoustonCurmudgeon (May God Bless the President)
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To: wallcrawlr

They should call us "the disputed territories."


16 posted on 11/16/2004 9:18:07 AM PST by cripplecreek (I come swinging the olive branch of peace.)
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To: HoustonCurmudgeon

".... and the oil, gas, food, wood, ....."



Never been to MI. WI. PA. or MN.?


17 posted on 11/16/2004 9:20:45 AM PST by cripplecreek (I come swinging the olive branch of peace.)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
"Of course, the red states would have to contend with their own nests of "copperheads" — Austin, for instance. But I say a few Aggies could take care of that."

I live just outside the border of Travis County in Williamson County (Big Time Red County). We can set up a road block to allow patriots out of that hell hole called Austin, until Austin and Travis County is purged of the "Keep Austin Weird" crowd. No, don't kill them, just send them packing North with a one way ticket on a mule with 3 legs.

18 posted on 11/16/2004 9:22:38 AM PST by lormand (Dead People Vote DemocRAT)
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To: cripplecreek
Never been to MI. WI. PA. or MN.?

Been to every state in the union except Hawaii. Those states can NEVER supply what the blue states need and if you take it by county it's far worse.

19 posted on 11/16/2004 9:22:59 AM PST by HoustonCurmudgeon (May God Bless the President)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
Maybe liberals will settle for emigration.

Emigration is surely better than secession, particularly when we inform these tolerant, peace-loving, progressive liberals of the superior intellect and higher moral vision (sarcasm on) that they may not take more than one suitcase and $50 in cash with them when they leave. But they will demand full welfare state benefits when they reach CANUCKISTAN or wherever it is they think they are going. They are so much like the little brats who threaten to run away from home when mommy and daddy lay down the law! GOD, DELIVER US FROM THE PRETERNATURAL STUPIDITY OF THEIR TERMINAL ADOLESCENCE! ROTFLMAO!

Better than voluntary emigration, in my opinion, would be involuntary eviction, pure and simple. But that would be "unconstitutional," now, wouldn't it?! Too bad the liberals don't see what they are doing and saying and proposing as illegal, unethical, immoral and unconstitutional!

I would just love to see puke-stains such as Bill Maher and Michael Moore provoke the more unstable personalities in liberaldom (and there are many, many THOUSANDS of them - that may be an understatement)into violent acts of mayhem and rebellion, a second civil war in the streets, open racial warfare, sabotage, fraud, aiding and abetting terrorists, you name it, they'll at least consider doing it!

IT WAS THE LIBERALS WHO TRIED TO STEAL THE ELECTIONS, BOTH IN 2000 AND 2004! In my opinion, our victory in 2004 was just a practice run for the major landslide that I am hoping, praying and working for in 2008!

20 posted on 11/16/2004 9:24:02 AM PST by albertp (Malice in Blunderland, The Wizard of Odd, Gullible's Troubles! Steal the wealth, spread the poverty.)
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