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?
I'll be fed just fine as I assume you will too being from a west coast state.
It is fun to imagine liberals fanning out across the countryside in rebellion only to find themselves cold and hungry in a matter of hours.
My big problem with the maps is that my red county in a red state is included with all the northeast liberals, as are the red counties surrounding me.......... My region consists of counties from 3 states - 1 red adn 2 blue, but all the counties, save 1 are squarely and deeply RED!!!!!
Bet those counties with the food and wood won't be giving it to any tree huggers!!
ping
You do realize you're talking to someone in Seattle here, right...? :)
The entire freaking state is sanely, sensibly blue ... except, that is, for THIS @#$%ing place, and Tacoma. The only way I could conceivably be more out of place, socially, would be by walking the streets, day and night, in a full-body ALF suit. :)
The Red County CA Militia will be tasked with seizing the passes-- Altamont, Pacheco, Grapevine, etc., as well as shutting down the aqueducts. With no incoming supplies and dry faucets the Blue Counties Rebellion will be one of the shortest lived on record.
This especially as what military force the Blue Counties can muster will be elsewhere occupied with putting down the South Central and Oakland disorders.
Certainly. Just attempting some reassurance, on the off chance that you were genuinely consternated, is all.
Occasionally, some folks tend to take these airy little "what if...?" exercises just a wee bit too seriously, for whatever reason(s). Leads to hard words, and hurt feelings. Bad. bad. :)
as I assume you will too being from a west coast state.
I'd hightail it straightaway to Nashville, Tennessee, where the rest of my family (sensibly) still lives. Screw staying here, in the event of a food embargo. :)
It is fun to imagine liberals fanning out across the countryside in rebellion only to find themselves cold and hungry in a matter of hours.
I look forward to being able to hunt them for food, actually. As well as finding various and sundry uses for the hides, properly cured. :)
I know.......and you have my complete and total sympathy.
No problem. William Franklin was the last Royal Governor of New Jersey. He was arrested at the Governor's Mansion in Perth Amboy NJ on the evening of June 19, 1776 and held as a prisoner of war for two years. When he was released, he fled to British lines at New York City and later emigrated to England. He never was allowed to return to New Jersey.
P.S. - The Royal Governor's Mansion still stands in Perth Amboy (Proprietary House). It is the only original Royal Governor's Mansion still in existence in the United States (The mansion at Williamsburg Va. is a 20th century reconstruction). It is owned by the State of New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry. Currently it is undergoing extensive renovations and is open to the public on certain occassions.
I'd like to see an overlay map of tax donor vs. receiver (net taxes-paid versus net taxes-consumed) counties with the blue/red county map.
The Royal Governor's Mansion still stands in Perth Amboy (Proprietary House). It is the only original Royal Governor's Mansion still in existence in the United States
What about Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC?
Tryon Palace burned to the ground in 1798. While some of the outbuildings are restored originals, the Palace building itself was reconstructed in the 1950's using original architectural drawings.
Why bother to put it down? Let the big cities have their own government(s), let 'em secede, and we'll watch 'em fall into hell.
This Owens guy is unfortunately blinded by his half-baked love of Lincoln, the tyrant. He, and others on the list who may consider themselves "conservatives", keep forgetting that the very FOUNDATION of this country is the RIGHT OF SECESSION!!!!
It's called....
The Declaration of Independence!!!!
And just what is it about the right to self-determination that folks don't understand????
I think it's all this blind Lincoln-worship, personnally....
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