I am not a republican, or a supporter of the 'tea parties', in fact on the surface I would be perceived, by many, to be a liberal by many by policies I support, that have been tied to them. From public speeches I have no doubt that Sarah Palin, is out of touch, if not a little confused, as to much of the public's attitudes towards policy. I believe christian morals belong in the christian church, the homes of christian parents, and no where else especially in any governing or judicial system. I believe the government is groundless on enforcing what an adult citizen does to his or her body, to the point I support the decriminalization of many substances. Mind you I believe the penalties, for actions under the influence that could impact others detrimentally such as intoxicated driving, are far too lenient. I believe consenting adults should be able to enter into any sort of familial relationship they desire, being neither rewarded nor penalized by the state. I believe judicial correction should be about rehabilitation, or at the very least removing danger from society. Intentional punishment being left to ones conscious or their almighty as they choose. I support a woman's right to choice.
But I do not count my self as democratically leaning, or associate with any political movement. I would not even know where to begin to classify myself politically. I do know I was born and raised in Texas, and I believe, much to the contrary of many peoples perceptions of texans, most of them share core beliefs similar to my own. The majority of texans I know hold vastly different belief systems, secular and otherwise, but there seems to be a core belief that a person is guaranteed freedom and self determination, so long as they they are not harming another. The perception of us as inbred redneck homophobe racist, while mildly funny in jest, was not something I thought, most intelligent people, actually held. But by merely mentioning the phrase 'Free Texas' it has been insinuated that we texans are, treasonous, fascist, racist, homophobes, less than evolved, and all manner of other insults, including by members of our enlightened collective which I won't mention here. I do believe some of the statements were in jest, but the volume of the explosion seems point at there being more than just jest, there seems to be quite a bit of emotion invested in the topic. As a texan I don't know if I want to sat, stay out of our business, or shucks I didn't know you cared so much.
btw as many of you in chat know, things such as that do not really bother me, and I pretty much take the stance bring it on but try to be civil.
Which leads me to the question, and point of this post, why does this topic inflame so many, so quickly, to the point that they drop their mask of decency, and take up the arms of name calling and stereo typing? Outside out collective it often results in physical threats, and the conversation spirals that way rather quickly. I am not ignorant to the fact that the S word being flung around, by various political figures, is largely political staging, but the passion it inspires is not without a notice.
thoughts?
Nice post. I'm with you.
My guess is that anyone giving you grief for longing for a "free texas" perceive the threat of leaving the Union is being made for personal gain by individuals in the state and having no regard for the well being of the country at large. And I agree with them to a point. I believe some individuals in Texas might make too much of the clause allowing the state to secede from the Union if the citizens desire. I would hope that card would be played only in the most dire of circumstances. Unfortunately, making statements like that gets air play in the main stream media through out the country when ever the words are uttered by prominent texans in times of relative prosperity.
In the end, I believe that secession talk by Texans is a lot of hot air. You secede and Texas gets isolated, imo. The U$ would be pissed. Mexico becomes your closest ally and I firmly believe the economy of texas would look more like that of Mexico than a state of the U$, imo. (Maybe I'm wrong.)
Keep in mind this is being written by a person who can imagine the day when I would want to leave the U$ to live in another country due to actions by our gubmit and ignert people at large.
lw
Actually, it is my understanding that Texas' constitution does not imply that we may secede. It sates we are a free and independent state subject only to the US constitution. And that tends to get exaggerated. So really we have no special privilege among the states to secede, to set the record strait. We do have the special privilege of dividing Texas into five separate states.
What has sparked my interest is not so much the plausibility or implausibility of a secession or the events leading to its recent attention, but the passion it inspires. Obviously those supporting the movement would be highly passionate. But opposing the issue, even by those whom it would seem to have little effect on, seem to become just as riled by the topic. Maybe I missed it but Alaskan and Hawaiian movements didn't seem to inspire as much ferver.
Well, I personally don't see much fervor over the state of Texas, to be honest. Maybe those living in the states in question have more of a heightened awareness of the issue. Maybe the texas situation gets more air play here in the continental U$.
On the other hand, I found it to be very disingenuous of Sarah Palin to call a political opponents credentials as an American into play when she herself has participated in the movement to free Alaska from the union.
Btw, how can you say that a state seceding from the Union doesn't affect the country as a whole? Your roads were built, largely, with federal money. The rest of the country has much invested as well as a vested interest in the state of texas, imo.
When its time for me to leave this country, I'll simply pack my bags and go. Anybody who doesn't like that can fuck off. Now, if you want to take a piece of this country with you when you go, there may be problems. I can see that.
I just hear enough "don't mess with Texas" rhetoric from some of your belt-buckled brethren over minor details that tend to make me think some/many in the state are looking for an excuse to pack up and leave the union. I'm guessing soem folks are just tired of hearing those (idle) threats.
Btw, I'm just talking through this. No problems with Texas, here on my little patch of prairie.
lw
.... and here's another comparison I'd like to make (as devils advocate) that came to me last night...
Individuals representing Texas in our federal gubmit have become privy to information vital to national security through high-clearance jobs. Maybe similar to a person who joins a gang and later wants to leave: There are usually consequences due to the potential danger the defector poses because of the sensitive information gleaned while part of the gang, er, gubmit. All for one and one for all. Thick as thieves and all that..... hehe (Except just maybe there is more honor among gang members than among gubmit representatives.)
lw
Free Iowa.........
In all seriousness, I believe, on occasion, the fed does indeed exert more control over states than is healthy or wise. In my view, there must be a victim to have a crime. That should be the litmus test for the law of the land. Every inhabitant of our great country should be free from moral tyranny.
lw
i am similar to you, in the sense that I do not categorize myself politically. I have both democratic and republican values, and I do not claim a party.
i think the reason many attack the different views of others is because we are currently trapped in a system that has been steered / manipulated into being one that divides and conquers. by pushing duality on us rather than a wider spectrum of choices (e.g. coke vs pepsi, repub vs democrat, pro-life vs pro-choice, etc.), those that fund the elections can more easily divide and conquer and manipulate our decisions.
that is my 2 cents.
i think it makes much more sense to have a much wider range of parties promoted, and perhaps a council of paper making decisions for our country, not just 2 parties and one president.
just my 2 cents.
-Abe
It doesn't appear that you understood the question, pook.
What do you think of the "Free Texas" movement?
What are your thoughts about texas leaving the union?
Why do people show passion for this topic when it applies to Texas and not Hawaii and Alaska?
lw