State Secession talks haven’t been this serious since the 1800’s.
Washington D.C. has a major problem and no one seems to be taking it seriously at the top levels of our federal government. A few of the standard news sources are picking up the story, but it seems like zero response from the federal government is likely, although under their own terms it is mandated. This constitutes a promise to respond to such petitions per the terms and conditions of the electronic petition process.
After Barack Obama’s re-election over 50 secession petitions have been filed with www.petitions.whitehouse.gov Louisiana and Texas have drawn the most attention. Texas now has over 100,000 signatures and Louisiana had over 30,000 signatures within 48 hours of first filing.
This is a little different than the “Occupy” protests in my humble opinion. Why? Because the people signing these petitions are following the letter of the law to try to get a response and possible action, according to the self-written terms of the federal government.
The “We the People” site has “terms of participation” written on this page for anyone to browse. Surprisingly enough the terms are fairly straight forward and easily understood by people without legal degrees. The terms clearly state that a petition that gains 25,000 signatures within 30 days will receive a response.
As of this writing, the following ten states have already gathered the required 25,000+ electronic signatures within 30 days: Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama and Oklahoma. Ten additional states are sitting at 19,000 signatures or more, which would lead one to believe that they may reach the 25,000 threshold. In fact Ohio could reach 25,000 by the end of the day (currently sitting at 24,819).
There is a third party site available to follow the up to date numbers at http://lanceingle.com/playground/
So what does all of this really mean? Does it mean these states will secede from the Union? In my opinion a lot of people signing the petitions are angry and just want their voices heard, but… Keep in mind that the government does have a mandatory response if they are able to reach the minimum 25,000 signature threshold. My state is one of the ten already “qualified” for a response. Would I like the secession debate to escalate? Yes I would, because I think the voice of the constituents should be heard. Would I vote for actual secession if it came to that? I don’t know. Like any person who tries to remain open-minded, I would first have to hear arguments from both sides. I think there are problems but no one would want to rush to any kind of judgement on such a major issue. It’s an issue that would effect myself and my family for the rest of our lives. Even so, I want it talked about and 911,168 people who have currently signed these petitions want it talked about as well.
Are we heading toward states actually holding special votes for secession from the United States of America? Possibly so but probably not.
Even though almost 1,000,000 people have signed various secession petitions, it’s still less than 1% of the population in most states. Either way I would encourage everyone to put pressure on the federal government to gain the mandatory response. They have promised it. Now will they deliver it?
If the federal government delivered everything they promised, every time they promised it…it’s doubtful we would even have this discussion.
Keep your federal government honest my friends. Make them offer a response. It won’t likely be the response nearly 1,000,000 people want but the communication is owed to the people and we should demand it no matter which side of the fence we are on. As usual, just my insights and opinions…feel free to offer your views below.
The D.C. Clothesline 
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your
sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Cheers
Thanks for visiting. We are just getting started so I expect the site will get better and better.
You’re a Moron, the petitions to the whitehouse mean nothing, because the President doesn’t have the power to give states rights to Secede. It clearly states that it’s within the power of the State itself if it wanted to Secede from the Union, then congress is to respond to their request. Not the President. So the Petitions are for nothing.
Sorry you feel that way God. Those are hurtful words from my Father. Seriously, the American public is not a country of political scientists. The point is not whether or not the President responds to the petitions directly, the entire point is that there is a decent amount of disdain with our fellow Americans and someone needs to respond and listen to them. These are supposed to be “servant” leaders. Are they going to hide behind legalities and such? Yes because that’s what politicians do. Is that right? No because the people deserve communication. It’s like any family…when the communication stops, the family ceases to become a functioning unit. I fully suspect you are right. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t talk about the issue. Actually I believe the U.S. Supreme court ruled 5-3 that state secession was unconstitutional after the problems of the 1860s. So it’s debatable if anyone truly has the power to grant this, except for you God. Work your magic and Git R Done. –Your Humble Moron Son
Sir, exactly where in what law does it state that it is to the States to choose their existence within the Union? You Sir, have stumbled upon the golden goose. As not Princeton, Harvard, House Judiciary Committee, nor the Supreme Court can find laws on the books that state anything about the legality or illegality or the procedures regarding secession. FYI: Heads up- Texas has no by-law in its State-hood clause that speaks of a “reserved right to leave the Union”. So before you try to pull that card its bogus, doesn’t exist. The true story is the first documents had that in it. However they were told no. All or nothing and nothing meant a swift kicking from the U.S. Army. In which they would have complied kicking and screaming anyway.
There are several states that I would like to see secede from the USA. Does it count if I sign their online petitions? If a petition gets more signatures than the population of the state, doe that give it added weight?
Interesting concept my friend. LOL I am not currently a sitting member of the supreme court, but even so, I am fairly confident that the answer has to be yes. Surely we have to be able to vote other states off the island. It could be a weekly reality show like Survivor.
It actually gives no weight. These petitions are simply all show and no substance. The REALLY Interesting piece will be the PR work that goes into the response (if we get one). This is going to take some REALLY crafty spin to make the White House and the government smell like roses on the other end.
Think of it like this:
An answer that boils down to: “Sure! Have at it!” Means that somewhere someone is going to send a petition to their Governor. That nod and a wink from the Feds will possibly snow ball into Civil War or worse yet a precursor event such as an actual tapping of the Insurrection law takes place. Want to see approval rating dip to the negative? Kill women and children on National TV because they were not in their homes and considered “enemy combatants”. – In other words, This choice is OFF the table.
An answer that boils down to: “Are you kidding me? Hell NO!” Will be taken as a Whaaa!!! Do you mean My State is cast into the lot of disaster with the rest of you! Forget this. Get your guns boys, go find my grand pappies CSA belt buckle and while your at it find me a long stick to tie Dixie to, we are marchin to the Capital. ( I can say this because I am from the South and I know a family member or a dozen that are just like this)
An answer that boils down to: “We at the Federal government recognize your disapproval for the current situation of things. But “we promise” if you stick it out and give Obama his four more years it will all be okay. Just wait and see! There will be Pixies and Rainbows and Unicorns and everyone will shit pink daises and… (You get the picture more hot bag full of air). BUT! The majority will likely fall for it again. The good walrus and the carpenter will once again shuck and devour their guests.
So have no expectations of these events. Now is most sincerely not the time or place to actually completely move towards secession. While the thought must always be on the table. We as a people have not moved far enough into crisis for this to be more than a fleeting movement. Our forefathers would in fact agree with this philosophy. Jefferson wrote in a private letter that was for “eyes only” while he hopes that our Union is never broken. He sees that it must occur at some point. His only wish and hope for the Union is that secession be that as a last resort before all. I intend to keep to that.
My brother is a United States Marine. Proudly serving this nation for nearly twenty years. I am very proud of him and his service to the people. This does not preclude him from being a target in the event of a Civil War. Love my brother, but love my country more. That is my loyalty to this nation and its beliefs ideals and principles. It is bigger than me, it is bigger than you. In fact? We were born in secession. We were whose colonies? We seceded from who? lol.Secession is as American as it gets.
Secession falls under the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution if any place at all.There are currently no laws on the books regarding the legality of secession. The Federal Government has the power to allow the creation of new States but not the secession of them from the Union. As for the Insurrection Act? That law specifically can only be made active if the STATE GOVERNMENT is at risk of being usurped not the Federal Government. It IS however polite and good politics to seek the blessing of the Federal Government before leaving the Union. Currently
Section 1076 of H.T. 5122.ENR allows the President to:
“…employ the armed forces, including the National Guard in Federal service, to… restore public order and enforce the laws of the United States when, as a result of a natural disaster, epidemic, or other serious public health emergency, terrorist attack or incident, or other condition in any State or possession of the United States…, where the President determines that,…domestic violence has occurred to such an extent that the constituted authorities of the State or possession are incapable of maintaining public order; suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy…”
This act attempts to nullify the Posse Comitatus Act and the Insurrection Act (10 U.S.C. 331-335) and gives the President the legal ability to declare Martial Law under any condition he so
chooses.
The Posse Comitatus Act outlaws willful use of any part of the US Military to execute the law unless expressly authorized by the Constitution or an Act of Congress. History supplies the grist for an argument that the Constitution prohibits military involvement in civilian affairs subject to only limited alterations by Congress or the President, but the courts do not appear to have ever accepted the argument unless violation of more explicit constitutional command could also be shown. The provision for express constitutional authorization when in fact the Constitution contains no such express authorizations has been explained alternatively as a meaningless political face saving device or as an unartful reference to the President’s constitutional powers. The express statutory exceptions include the legislation which allows the President to use military force to suppression insurrection, 10 U.S.C. 331-335, and sections which permit the Department of Defense to provide federal, state and local police with information and equipment, 10 U.S.C. 371-381.
Calling for exile of or treason to discuss the possibility of secession is by immediate proxy the same principles as I dare say Hitler and the Third Reich. Congress shall
Excerpts from Declaration of Independence:
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
It is your responsibility as an American citizen to protect not the government but the principles of this nation.
“Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.” – Benjamin Franklin
Congressional Oath of Office:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States.”
Do you TRULY believe Congress has done this? HLS? PATRIOT ACT? Defense of Marriage Act? Countless wars and police actions The American people in the majority were against? I am for invading any nation in which harbors any person(s) that would seek to cause harm to the American people. I will not however agree to do so without proof to the fact. Witch hunts and speculation are not evidence of the fact. Lack of evidence is not evidence to the fact.
Hey Brett, would you have any interest in writing a guest piece sometimes? You obviously know your stuff and I am always in search of good material for our readers.
Sure, Topic? You have my email. Drop me a line.
Actualy Bret I don’t know if I do have your email. Your name is not showing up as linked. I am new with wordpress so I may be overlooking another option. My email is dean.garrison.99@gmail.com Drop me a line Bret and let me give you a forum for your stuff. To make a long story short I was supposed to have a couple of partners on this little blog and they left me high and dry. So I am struggling to find enough content.
Incredible points. Solid arguments. Keep up the good work.
Thank you my friend. Glad you enjoyed it.
Normally I don’t read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice post.
You are quite welcome.