Posted on 04/22/2009 7:12:17 AM PDT by AmericanHunter
When Texas Gov. Rick Perry floated the idea of secession if the federal government continues to pursue an aggressive tax-and-spend policy, the mainstream media, as well as the political establishment, cringed.
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews called talk of secession “whack-job stuff,” calling Mr. Perry a “bozo” and telling the Texas governor, “You don’t have a choice buddy.” Mr. Matthews’ colleague, Rachael Maddow, said Mr. Perry was “flirting to the point of adultery” by talking about secession, while commentator Thomas Frank reinforced the disconnect between the media and many Americans.
“What you’re seeing … what is one of the surprising things about these tea parties … surprising to people like you and me, is how mainstream extremism is in the Republican Party and the conservative movement,” Mr. Frank, author of Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule, told Ms. Maddow.
But is the idea of secession a foreign concept to the American experience? Is talk of secession automatically treasonous? Is any secessionist movement doomed to be defined by the Civil War and exiled to the political wilderness?
“I think the biggest surprise to me was the outrage expressed by an individual who even thinks ... along these lines,” U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, said yesterday on CNN’s American Morning.
“Because I heard people say, well, ‘this was treason,’ they say, and ‘this was un-American.’ But don’t they remember how we came in to our being? We used secession. We seceded from England. So it’s a very good principle. It’s a principle of a free society. It’s a shame we don’t have it anymore.”
Dr. Paul, who ran a hard fought grassroots campaign for the Republican nomination in 2008, argued the principle of secession is one that protects the union rather than threatens it.
“I argue that if you have the principle of secession, our federal government wouldn’t be as intrusive into state affairs. And to me, that would be very good,” Dr. Paul said. “We as a nation have endorsed secession all along. I mean, think of all the secession of the countries and the Republicans from the Soviet system. We were delighted. We love it. And yet we get hysterical over this.”
Critics of the coverage of the secession comment argue the media is trying to paint the Republican Party as extreme. They say Mr. Perry was not advocating secession, but rather saying the federal government could cause its resurrection.
“We got a great union. There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that?” Mr. Perry asked.
While the notion of secession was floated by Mr. Perry, he was not expressly advocating Texas leave the Union. Rather, the Texas governor used the idea in a manner Dr. Paul believes is historically accurate — to send a warning shot across the bow of a federal government that is encroaching on state’s rights and individual liberties.
Last week’s tea parties exposed a major rift in the country, and some are concerned the Obama administration does not understand the degree of dissent that is fomenting outside the Beltway. And despite panning by the political establishment, the majority of the nation viewed tea party dissent in a favorable light.
Fifty-one percent of Americans had a favorable view of the nationwide rallies, while 32 percent responded their view was very favorable, according to a poll released by Rasmussen Reports. A third of the nation had an unfavorable view with 15 percent unsure.
But among the nation’s “Political Class,” Rasmussen found just 13 percent held a favorable assessment and zero percent held a very favorable view of the nationwide protest. This disconnect, according to Dr. Paul, is a major part of the problem.
“People are angry. And if we don’t sense that, we don’t know it’s actually what’s going on there,” the Texas congressman said. Dr. Paul said the worst is yet to come because secession will achieve a greater legitimacy as the country struggles.
“When the dollar collapses and the federal government can’t fulfill any of its promises, what if they send you dollars and they don’t work,” Dr. Paul said. “People are just going to — they’re not going to have a violent cessation. They’re just going to ignore the federal government because they will be inept.”
With the way things are going it may soon be the only option available.
I think some states tried to, but they failed...LOL...
If a “right” is G*d given, rather than given to us by some goober in a gooberment agency, then that right is always ours.
I believe I am correct when I say that Lincoln won a war but could not remove the rights which the Declaration of Independence refers to.
Since the Declaration of Independence has not been changed, Man (note I didn’t restrict the discussion to Americans) can still claim the rights mentioned therein.
Whether we decide to act on that right is our choice.
Obama, being a Chicago, minority activist who accepted the communism of Alinsky and Davis, will have a hard time understanding what the Founding Documents actually say.
That Obama and his ilk, misunderstand the TEA Party movement is almost a given.
Congress had better wake up and smell the outrage,lest the rage increase. When he tells the world America is not a Christian nation, he angered many. His whimpy, Muslim-centric attitude caused him to prolong the pirate standoff, and his communism is also angering many.
Time to prepare for the worst, and, just as important, call your Congress Critters regularly.
Secession is the best answer. The South has the econmy, resources and is gaining the political will to make a better nation.
The Constitution and Bill rights explain the role of the Republic Government of the United States while at the same limiting the powers of the government.
The Constitution acknowledges the organization of the states by consent. That consent being derived from the will or permission of the people and their desire for the government to act on their behalf.
The Constitution is basically a permission slip to loosely bring the states into a federation thereby strengthening the ability of the collective states in bargaining with other countries and organizing, nationally, for the interest of the states.
The state also have constitutions with most of those organized in the same manner as the National Constitution.
Again, they acknowledge God and that certain inalienable rights are guaranteed by God and the further describe the individuals rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
At all times the Federal government is limited in it's power with the rest of the power, to act, being delegated to the states.
The states also are organized at the consent of the people and votes are tallied by the individual at the district or county level.
All states retain the right of secession as they operate under a federal of sovereign and independent states. Of which they make their own laws, unique to the state and regions within.
All state constitutions recognize their sovereignty and individual rights. Further the 10th amendment of the Constitution recognizes the right of sovereignty, within the borders of each state. It is enumerated. To wit, not a guarantee, permission or franchise with limitations. But an right inherent to a territory or state that existed independently of the United States but now has joined into the federal system.
At any time the people of the state, who have an individual right to exercise the will of the people, who have sovereignty within the borders of said state can refuse to to participate in the federal system.
This would mean, of course, they are now an independent country and would have form their own policies around currency, transportation, etc.
Please note that Texas is the only state with a legal right to secede from the Union . (Reference the Texas-American Annexation Treaty of 1848.)
We Texans love y’all, but we’ll probably have to
Take action since B. Hussein Obama won the election. We’ll miss you too.
Here is what can happen:
#1:Since Barack Hussein Obama became President of the United States , Texas will have to secedes from the Union .
#2: George W. Bush will become the President of the Republic of Texas .
So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?
1. NASA is just south of Houston , Texas . We will control the space industry.
2. We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States .
3. Defense Industry—we have over 65% of it. The term “Don’t mess with Texas ,” will take on a whole
New meaning.
4. Oil - we can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. Yankee states? Sorry about that.
5. Natural Gas - again we have all we need and it’s too bad about those Northern States. John Kerry will have to figure out a way to keep them warm....
6. Computer Industry - we currently lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications—small companies like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon,
> National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Miconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Delphi, Nortel, Alcatel, etc, etc. The list goes on and on.
7. Medical Care - We have the largest research centers for cancer research, the best burn centers and the top trauma units in the world, as well as other large health centers. Dallas has some of the best hospitals in the United States .
8. We have enough colleges to keep us going: University of Texas , Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, SMU, University of Houston , Baylor, UNT ( University of North Texas ), Texas
Women’s University, etc. Ivy grows better in the South anyway.
9. We have a ready supply of workers. We could just open the border when we need some more.
10. We have essential control of the paper industry, plastics, insurance, etc.
11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas
National Guard and the Texas Air National
Guard. We don’t have an Army, but since everybody down here has at least six rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an Army in 24 hours if we need one. If the situation really gets bad,
We can always call the Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over Chuck Norris and a couple of Texas Rangers.
12. We are totally self-sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs, and several types of grain, fruit and vegetables, and let’s not forget seafood from the Gulf. Also, everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don’t need any food.
This just names a few of the items that will keep the Republic of Texas in good shape. There isn’t a thing out there that we need and don’t have.
Now to the rest of the United States under President Obama:
Since you won’t have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only President Obama will be able to drive around in his big 9 mpg SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes.
You won’t have any TV as the Space Center in Houston will cut off satellite communications.
You won’t have any natural gas to heat your homes, but since Mr. Obama has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas as long as you survive the 2000 years it will take to get enough heat from Global Warming.
Signed, The People of Texas
P.S. This is not a threatening letter - just a note to give you something to think about!
SLEEP WELL TONIGHT THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU!!
One Nation Under God
Reminds me of this passage, stating how the bible is nonsense to those who are "of the world" and not "of the Spirit of Truth".
1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (New International Version)
12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I would suppose — then — that you are in full support of the secession movement by the Lakotah Sioux... :-)
If you support that movement and get it accomplished for those Indians, you will be setting up a good precedent for others, then...
Published on Friday, December 21, 2007 by Rapid City Journal (South Dakota)
Lakota Sioux Secede From US, Declare Independence
by Bill Harlan
Political activist Russell Means, a founder of the American Indian Movement, says he and other members of Lakota tribes have renounced treaties and are withdrawing from the United States.
“We are now a free country and independent of the United States of America,” Means said in a telephone interview. “This is all completely legal.”
Means said a Lakota delegation on Monday delivered a statement of “unilateral withdrawal” from the United States to the U.S. State Department in Washington.
The State Department did not respond. “That’ll take some time,” Means said.
Meanwhile, the delegation has delivered copies of the letter to the embassies of Bolivia, Venezuela, Chile and South Africa. “We’re asking for recognition,” Means said, adding that Ireland and East Timor are “very interested” in the declaration.
[ ... ]
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/21/5946
The Republic of Lakotah
http://www.republicoflakotah.com/
I wonder how many FReepers are in support of this secession? And considering that a lot of FReepers are suggesting secession — I would think they would be *all out in support* of these Indians...
#2: George W. Bush will become the President of the Republic of Texas .
********
Go ahead. He’ll bankrupt you too.
Note post #28 — are you supporting this secession?
If the Union no longer wants to follow the Constitution, why be a part of it?
If seceding states can band together to form a new union, then why secede at all? Why not work within the present system?
Dixie Ping
“...That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness”
Years ago Lincoln made this null & void. Why fools like you still praise him for it I cannot understand.
May your chains wear lightly...
The “issue” of secession cannot be settled.
There does not need to be any legal framework for it or laws and policies allowing it. It is something free people do when they no longer wish to be associated with another person, people, group, government, etc...
Only those who have accepted their bondage see secession as illegitimate.
I just want to know if you’re going to support the Lakotah for their secession. They’re a “lot further along” than anyone here, and they’ll “set the precedent” for it.
So, are you supporting the Lakotah to secede from the Union?
No tyranny is “settled” as long as millions of us are still armed.
...oh the country will break apart alright but it won’t be along political lines...it will be race war...ethnic wars of secession and partition are occuring all around the globe....in time they will come here too.....see Thomas Chittum’s “Civil War Two:the coming breakup of America”
I dont give a sh*t about the Lakota Sioux one way or the other. Now grow up & stop trying to change the subject.
So, that means you’re supporting the Republic of Lakota, in their secession from the United States? [ post #28... ]
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