Democrats open fire on Perry over secession - comments "anti-American", should be condemned

[jefferson_dem]

Updated: Democrats open fire on Perry over secession

By Jason Embry | Thursday, April 16, 2009, 02:19 PM

Gov. Rick Perry did not say Wednesday that Texas should secede from the United States. But he gave his political opponents just enough to suggest that he’s suggesting secession is an option down the road. And they’re doing it.

Here’s what Perry said, according to the Associated Press: “We’ve 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. But Texas is a very unique place, and we’re a pretty independent lot to boot.”

Perry has received a lot of love from conservatives over his cranked-up criticism of the federal government, which he calls oppressive. But now Democrats sense he’s given them an opening.

Former U.S. Ambassador Tom Schieffer, who is looking at a Democratic run for governor, said today, “Talk of secession would be laughable if it weren’t mentioned in a serious way. Texas certainly can’t withdraw from the world. We can’t withdraw from America. We can’t roll up into a ball and pretend problems don’t exist. This is not the time to build walls between Texas and the world.”

Update: House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam today introduced a resolution saying the Texas House “expresses its complete and total disagreement with any fringe element advocating the ‘secession’ of Texas or any other state from our one and indivisible Union.”

Said Dunnam, “I am suprised that Governor Perry would reinforce a sentiment that is so clearly anti-American. He should choose his words more carefully unless they are intentional, and if his words were intentional, they should be condemned.”

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/04/16/democrats_open_fire_on_perry_o.html

[CTyankee]

1. Wonderful! I love the sound of "un American" when spoken about a republican!

At long last, the truth is out!

[graywarrior]

2. They have their beloved president living there so why not give them what they want

[Paladin]

10. By "They" I Take It That You're Referring To The Entire State Of Texas...

...including the 3.5 million Texans---44% of the electorate--- who voted for Obama. Do you think all of those Democratic voters are overjoyed that their state is burdened with yet another brain-free embarrassment of a governor?

Christ, I get tired of these blanket trashings of my home state. Find some other big group to stereotype and hate....

[graywarrior]

11. But "they" I mean those who want to succeed

Lighten up.

[jazzjunkysue]

3. They should be on this like Brittney Spears on a gurney.

And never let him live it down.

[Phx_Dem]

5. ROLF. Good one.

[Phx_Dem]

4. I was wondering if the Dems were going to address these incidious comments

by a sitting Governor. I read earlier that some America-hater in Georgia is now making the same comments. Geeze, you'd think Georgia would have learned it's lesson from 150 years ago, but clearly not. I guess they enjoy being humiliated and having the crap beat of them.

[ieoeja]

6. The whole thing doesn't make any sense.

I have been in the workforce since 1985. During that time I have experienced at least 9 federal income tax decreases, only 1 federal income tax increase, 1 state income tax increase, and dozens of state, county and/or city property or sales tax increases.

If anything, we should be seceeding from our states, counties and cities! The United States is the only entity that has NOT increased taxes numerous times in my life.

Stupid people are really frustrating.

[ThirdWorldJohn]

7. 1869 SCOTUS Ruling That Texas Was Always a US State after joining the US

I think it says that after joining the US - Texas was a state of the US even when they erroneously thought they had seceded. But I bet the Republicans still believe Perry.

~Texas vs White~ ~1869~

When, therefore, Texas became one of the United States, she entered into an indissoluble relation. All the obligations of perpetual union, and all the guaranties of republican government in the Union, attached at once to the State. The act which consummated her admission into the Union was something more than a compact; it was the incorporation of a new member into the political body. And it was final. The union between Texas and the other States was as complete, as perpetual, and as indissoluble as the union between the original States. There was no place for reconsideration or revocation, except through revolution or through consent of the States.

Considered therefore as transactions under the Constitution, the ordinance of secession, adopted by the convention and ratified by a majority of the citizens of Texas, and all the acts of her legislature intended to give effect to that ordinance, were absolutely null. They were utterly without operation in law. The obligations of the State, as a member of the Union, and of every citizen of the State, as a citizen of the United States, remained perfect and unimpaired. It certainly follows that the State did not cease to be a State, nor her citizens to be citizens of the Union. If this were otherwise, the State must have become foreign, and her citizens foreigners. The war must have ceased to be a war for the suppression of rebellion, and must have become a war for conquest and subjugation.

Our conclusion therefore is that Texas continued to be a State, and a State of the Union, notwithstanding the transactions to which we have referred. And this conclusion, in our judgment, is not in conflict with any act or declaration of any department of the National government, but entirely in accordance with the whole series of such acts and declarations since the first outbreak of the rebellion.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0074_0700_ZO.html

[Froward69]

8. I say

expand Oklahoma southward and New mexico eastwards. give the rest back to Mexico... see how they like those apples.

asI am a Coloradoan I have virtually no use for Texans. they cannot drive in the snow... and every where they go they ridicule that place as not as good as Texas. THEN STAY THERE!!!

[nichomachus]

9. Hey, Rick -- Love it or leave!

[jberryhill]

12. Do they say "indivisible" in the Pledge of Allegiance In Texas?

Or do Texans just leave that part out?

[Canuckistanian]

13. Wanting to break up the US is the very definition of "anti-American"

And Perry walked right into that. He deserves what he gets.

Expect some furious backpedalling in about a day or so.