Texas Secession?

[Blacktalon]

Is this true? I read this last night. Apparently that tea party was the result of swelling separatist movements in that state, with the governor going so far as saying that Texas could leave the union if it wanted to (they are in a position to do so, especially with all that oil down there).

What's the deal with this overall? Wasn't there something a while ago in which several states initiated a sovereignty bill in their respective Capitols in response to the financial collapse?

I think Vermont is up there too with the list of states wanting out. That and a Sarah Palin-inspired Freudian slip saying that Alaska is looking for independence too.

One state rambling on about that is fine, but when two, three or more begin to chime in about it, that's something to be weary of.

I'm curious to know more. How is the sentiment around your own individual states?

[vangogh]

I read something about that last night. Sounded more like an off hand comment by someone who's in a re-election race.


Gov. Rick Perry, in comments following an anti-tax "tea party" Wednesday, never did advocate Texas breaking away from the United States but suggested that Texans might at some point get so fed up they would want to leave the union. That was enough to feed opinions for and against secession on Web sites, cable TV and talk radio across the nation.

and


Perry has been speaking out against the federal government lately over federal economic stimulus spending. He's also in a tough race for re-election against a fellow Republican, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, whom he is trying to portray as a Washington insider.

The full article is here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090416/ap_on_re_us/perry_secession)

[cbscreative]

Sounds like news media hype to me. Most of the news media went out of their way to paint the tea parties as something sinister. The tea parties were really just average tax payers fed up with recent power grabbing, socialism, and excessive spending in gov't and wanted to have their voices heard. If that is sinister, then count me guilty because I believe in free enterprise, low taxes, and limited gov't.

[Blacktalon]

Heh, re-election shenanigans. Figures they'd do that. Exactly what happens up here in Canada whenever the PQ or BQ (Parti and Bloc Quebecois) seek re-election. If they were true to their cause then they'd have caused a flurry of attacks or really pushed for it.

But then again this is a clear warning sign to Obama should the entire thing be real and true. I haven't heard of any separtist sentiment in the States up until this point.

There still is probably a lingering sense of resentment in the South since their "defeat" in the Civil War. Wouldn't surprise me if this festers further now that the ball's started rolling.


count me guilty because I believe in free enterprise, low taxes, and limited gov't
As do I. If I am capable enough to do things on my own, then I do not need anyone to tell me how to do it or to what degree it has to be done.

[nealrm]

It is news hype (Lies) and the Democrate jumped all over helping to spread the lie. The Texas Governer was asked by a reporter about secession. His first comment was "We have a great union. I see absolutely no reason to dissolve the union". He then said some political comments about taxes and Washington not listening to the people, and what the results of that might be.

Interesting this was buried deep in the AP article and removed in later versions. Even worse was the helpline implying that he was promoting secession.

[Soapbox warning]
These types of reporters are the some of the lowest type of scum on the face of the earth. They are willing to destroy the true to get create a good new story and then hide behind the first admendment. It's time some integrity was brough backing to the third estate. Truth and fairness first and then make it a good story.
[Stepping off soapbox]

[Spider]

"One country...indivisible..."

The War Between The States - also known and the American Civil War - was not really about slavery (although it has since become thought of as such.) It was about secession. If you recall, the Unionist North won, and the secessionary South lost. At that point the right to secede from the union was denied to all states except Texas. Texas, in fact, joined the Union twice - once in 1845, it seceded as part of the Civil War in 1861 and rejoined after the civil war, in 1870, I believe.

Texas is, I think, the only state that was an independent nation before it became a state in the Union and as such, I am told, it had the unique right to secede. I am also told that ths right was given up by the Texas legislature sometime in the 1950s, but I have been unable to confirm that.

So, apart from some call to a higher power (per the original Declaration of Independence) I believe it would be impossible, constitutionally, for any state to secede.

I thought it was worth noting that prior to the Civil War, the terminology of the day was always, "The United States are ...." and since that time, the terminology is always, "The United States is ...." There is no doubt that the mood of the country is - one nation under God, indivisible,with liberty and justice for all.

This tea-party business is a storm in a teacup. As one ardent republican said in opposition to the fuss - "The fellow has only been in office for seven weeks. Give the man a chance...." I echo that sentiment.

[Steve B]

I lived in Texas for 11 years - it is indeed a very different state and there is more sentiment down there than any other state about the possibility of one day leaving the country. I would guess maybe 2 or 3% of the population down there has that feeling (which is probably 10 times higher than in any other state - but, obviously still a vast minority). I'd venture to guess that the information Frederick got was from a Texan. They teach stuff like that to the kids who are forced to take Texas history as part of every college curriculum. My wife got a degree in teaching down there and TX history was part of her core requirements. They also teach kids in high school that Texas is the only state that is allowed to fly their flag at the same height as the U.S. flag (I never found any reference to this - so I don't know if it's true). I imagine there aren't any laws either way about how state flags are flown, it's probably just a matter of accepted protocol - but, in Texas they teach it as if they have some special right.

BTW - Texas was its own country for a very short time period (< 10 years I think) and it requested to join the Union (they often gloss over that part).

[phanio]

Tennessee was thinking the same thing - at least Texas and Alaska have ports. It is all talk - they will never walk away from the Union.

[huggytree]

WI is spending like crazy....i know were in the top 10 for highest taxes.....our Governors goal is the top 3 i think...they are dissembling the Wisconsin Works (welfare to work) program...the one the whole nation copied....

atleast were not like California & letting our prisoners go....

Texas wont be allowed out....id consider moving there if it did....especially if the next election cycle doesnt moderate the current president some...

[Spider]

...and it requested to join the Union (they often gloss over that part).I heard that the other states requested to join Texas. You mean that's not true?!!!

[Evan]

No state will leave the union without a fight, and that will be costly (in terms of $$$ and lives) to any state which attempts to do it.

[Blacktalon]

Look at what secession has done to Quebec's finances. They were once the most prosperous province in all of Canada. But ever since De Gaule from France triggered the whole separatist movement (which was further heightened by Ren&#233; Levesque), it's pretty much destroyed it as most of the major companies exited to Ontario or elsewhere.

It would be dangerous for them to secede, both financially, politically, and culturally.