[BroJoeK]

OIFVeteran quoting: "The constitution must be adopted in toto and forever.” - James Madison

Thanks for that, and several similar quotes from Founders at that time.
It's a key point and one which Kalamata invariably brushes past, as if it doesn't mean what it says, or is of no importance.
Despite such quotes Kalamata firmly believes the Constitution really does contain a magical escape clause -- a secret constitutional trap door leading to a tunnel under the castle walls and out into the forest of secession.

Kalamata thinks it's just a matter of saying the right magic words, and the secret door will open and out he can scoot.
How can he be so certain?
Because that's what he learned as a child, and now nobody can tell him different.

In reality there is no secret door and no magic words.
There are only two ways to leave the Union, and those are the two ways by which it was originally formed: 1) from necessity caused by "a long train of abuses and usurpations" as in 1776, and 2) at pleasure, by mutual consent as in 1788.

Neither condition existed in 1860 and that's why Kalamata must resort to magic words and secret trap doors to justify unilateral unapproved secessions at pleasure.

[Kalamata]

>>OIFVeteran quoting: “The constitution must be adopted in toto and forever.” - James Madison”
>>BroJoeK wrote: “Thanks for that, and several similar quotes from Founders at that time. It’s a key point and one which Kalamata invariably brushes past, as if it doesn’t mean what it says, or is of no importance. Despite such quotes Kalamata firmly believes the Constitution really does contain a magical escape clause — a secret constitutional trap door leading to a tunnel under the castle walls and out into the forest of secession.”

The Constitution WAS adopted in toto. Not a word has been changed since it was signed in convention. Check it out. Hamilton and the others settled for requesting a Bill of Rights (as Amendments,) and they got it.

The Bill of Rights simply restated the fact that the Federal Government’s powers are few and defined — they are specifically named and listed in the Constitution. All others, named or unnamed, belong to the states. One of those unnamed rights is the right to secede.

If you don’t understand that, read the 10th Amendment over and over again until you do.

Mr. Kalamata