Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Western Maryland secessionists seek to sever ties with the liberal Free State
Washington Post ^ | 9/8/2013

Posted on 09/08/2013 4:42:26 PM PDT by markomalley

The push by 50 western Virginia counties to secede in 1863, forming West Virginia at the height of the Civil War, was led by a charismatic store-clerk-turned-lawyer who famously urged his supporters: “Cut the knot now! Cut it now! Apply the knife.”

West Virginia was the last state to break off from another. Now, 150 years later, a 49-year-old information technology consultant wants to apply the knife to Maryland’s five western counties. “The people are the sovereign,” says Scott Strzelczyk, leader of the fledgling Western Maryland Initiative, and the western sovereigns are fed up with Annapolis’s liberal majority, elected by the state’s other sovereigns.

“If you think you have a long list of grievances and it’s been going on for decades, and you can’t get it resolved, ultimately this is what you have to do,” says Strzelczyk, who lives in New Windsor, a historic town of 1,400 people in Carroll County. “Otherwise you are trapped.”

Strzelczyk’s effort is one of several across the country to separate significant portions of states from, as he puts it, “the dominant ruling class.” Nearly a dozen northern Colorado counties are the furthest along, with nonbinding referendums set for November ballots. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is making a move to join with parts of Wisconsin. Northern California counties want to form a state called Jefferson.

Historians, political scientists and the leaders of the movements say secession efforts are being fueled by irreconcilable differences on issues such as gun control, taxes, energy policy, gay marriage and immigration — all subjects of recent legislative efforts at state and federal levels. The notion of compromise is a non-starter. With secessionists, the term “final straw” comes up a lot.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Government; US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: schism
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

1 posted on 09/08/2013 4:42:26 PM PDT by markomalley
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: markomalley

It seems like everyone is looking to secede.


2 posted on 09/08/2013 4:43:41 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (IÂ’m not a Republican, I'm a Conservative! Pubbies haven't been conservative since before T.R.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jack Hydrazine

This revolution is based upon population density.


3 posted on 09/08/2013 4:45:38 PM PDT by Vince Ferrer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Colorado, Maryland. Like rolling pebbles before a landslide. This is looking interesting.


4 posted on 09/08/2013 4:46:55 PM PDT by jeffc (The U.S. media are our enemy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

So many of these popping up. Colorado, California, now Maryland. Fair enough. Marylanders essentially live under the tyranny of the Bowling Ball Mikulski and her stooges in Baltimore who gerrymander like there’s no tomorrow.


5 posted on 09/08/2013 4:47:45 PM PDT by Viennacon (E)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jeffc

There’s a movement in northern California as well.


6 posted on 09/08/2013 4:49:35 PM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

You sure can’t blame them.


7 posted on 09/08/2013 4:50:20 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( ==> sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley; Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Freak State Ping!



"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

8 posted on 09/08/2013 4:50:53 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

It’s a really nice thought.


9 posted on 09/08/2013 4:57:35 PM PDT by workerbee (The President of the United States is DOMESTIC ENEMY #1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Maybe we in Western PA can split from the Philadelphia liberals too.


10 posted on 09/08/2013 4:57:41 PM PDT by FroggyTheGremlim (Palin was right (again)!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Hey! “Strzelczyk” is my middle name, and even I can’t pronounce it!


11 posted on 09/08/2013 5:07:14 PM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ( Ya can't pick up a turd by the clean end!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
maryland, the FREAK state, needs to have the western counties break off. Then maryland will be pure commie LIB DIM hell hole.
12 posted on 09/08/2013 5:08:14 PM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

North Baltimore and Harford Counties would go too. Cecil County, also. Everything along the Mason and Dixon line.


13 posted on 09/08/2013 5:09:20 PM PDT by IndispensableDestiny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Viennacon
Vermont called it: http://rense.com/general68/secede.htm


14 posted on 09/08/2013 5:17:22 PM PDT by Daffynition (Life's short- paddle hard!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Salamander
ShamWOW!


15 posted on 09/08/2013 5:18:50 PM PDT by Daffynition (Life's short- paddle hard!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Love how these historic backgrounders neglect to mention West Virginia wasn’t just the last state carved from an existing one, it was the only one carved out without the consent of an existing one.


16 posted on 09/08/2013 5:27:07 PM PDT by Prospero (Si Deus trucido mihi, ego etiam fides Deus.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: eCSMaster

Allegheny County should have a wall around it if that were to happen (Well, even if it doesn't happen, it still needs a wall around it).

Centre county is unhelpable because of all the LGBTABCXYZ studies professors and clueless coeds at PSU.

Erie county is being handled... sorta. GE is moving a huge portion of locomotive manufacturing to a non-union facility in Texas... expect thousands to be put on the welfare rolls and economic collapse... or they can all become Boehnercare "Navigators".

Whatever... I am pretty certain at this point there is a plywood shack outside of Lincoln, Montana that's in my future.

I also hear it's cool to wear grey hoodies now... you know, "for Trayvon".

17 posted on 09/08/2013 5:37:06 PM PDT by Rodamala
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
Don't you enjoy the snarky, bitchy, superior tone of the writing in the Post?
18 posted on 09/08/2013 5:39:38 PM PDT by ottbmare (the OTTB mare, now a proud Marine Mom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hal ogen

Hey, wait! Don’t leave us on the Eastern Shore with the commies.


19 posted on 09/08/2013 5:39:45 PM PDT by Bigg Red (Let me hear what God the LORD will speak. -Ps85)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
God as my witness, if he pulls it off, I'm leaving Alabama and moving back to Allegany County.


20 posted on 09/08/2013 5:54:32 PM PDT by Viking2002
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson