A petition has traveled around the Lone Star State seeking federal permission to withdraw from the union. There are a few things that must be assumed. First, Texas is the greatest state in the union. Second, Texas is the strongest state in the union. Third, Texas has the best citizens, servicemen and public servants in the union.
It is an absolute and appalling shame that any true Texan would advocate secession from the U.S. Disregard the fact that secessionist talk is about a hundred fifty or so years late at this point. The fact of the matter is, to turn tail and run all over a petty election is anti-American and anti-Texan.
It’s no secret that Texans view themselves as high and mighty and they have the numbers to back it up. Almost one-third of U.S. Marines come from Texas. Fort Hood is one of the largest military installations in the nation and has the firepower to take over a small country if it wanted to.
According to the petition, Texas could also muscle other countries out with our economic prowess given that it has the 15th largest economy in the world.
Going along with the assumption that Texas is the best state in the union, it is doubtless it will thrive as a sovereign republic. With this assumption in mind, it makes Texans cowards. The U.S. was founded on the principle that it is better to fight foreign tyranny and oppression together than to do so individually. The Constitution was drawn from the belief that to form a stronger and more perfect union, we must combine our strengths under a single federal government so we do not expose our weaknesses to the enemy.
With the entire country weak and the economy stagnant, for Texas to turn its back on our brothers and sisters is disgusting.
Those who support Texas secession and sovereignty must remember why they want to become an independent nation. The unique Texas culture comes with an attitude of stubborn defiance in the face of adversity and hardship.
These secessionists have forgotten our greatest legends. They’ve forgotten the Alamo, where outnumbered and outgunned Texans stood their ground despite having the chance to leave with their lives. They’ve forgotten Goliad, where Texans were murdered in cold blood by a ruthless tyrant. On top of that, they’ve forgotten previous Texans who fought for the U.S. in the world wars. These secessionists are traitors, backstabbers and cowards.
This is not to say the secessionists don’t have my sympathy. It’s clear that the rest of the nation looks down on our great state. Californians and New Yorkers sneer at Texans and paint them as backwards rubes who ride horses to Walmart. New media has enforced the image of fat, lazy and racist rednecks who marry our sisters and sleep with our cattle. I’d like nothing more than to shove Texas sovereignty in their faces and politely advise them to perform a sexually impossible act with themselves. Despite this, running away from the fight is not how Texans do things.
The petition has garnered widespread support since its introduction Friday. Monday morning, the petition had about 16,000 signatures. Tuesday morning, there were 61,000. It is sad to see so many Texans ready to run from a fight even when they have the upper hand. They forget the Texas exceptionalism that inspired secessionist dreams in the first place. One day, and hopefully that day never comes, Texas may secede from the U.S. once it has been shown there is no longer a United States to belong to. The only legitimate reason for secession is repeated abuse and neglect by the federal government.
The U.S. is neither decaying nor improving. It remains stagnant. The fight can still be won and Texans can still lead the way. Texas is not alone in the secessionist struggle. According to The Daily Caller, 46 other states have citizens that filed similar petitions to secede. The eyes of America are upon Texas, and it is time to show that Texas colors are the same as America’s. And those colors just don’t run.
James Wang is a history sophomore and may be reached at [email protected].
Texans wanting secession are neither ignorant of their legends of history, nor have they forgotten it. Citing the Alamo and Goliad are precisely the same reasons for wanting to once again be a free and independent Republic. The federal government was not instituted to “to form a stronger and more perfect union, ” Those are Lincoln’s words. It was formed to settle disagreements between states and provide for the common defense, end of story.
Wang wrote a good article and Crimson has a good rebuttle. I am impressed with you both. Kudos to the Coogs English, Political Science, and Journalism classes. Keep it up.
I forgot to hand out Kudos to the young Wang for his editorial and to the History Professor that has inspired Mr. Wang.
I personally believe that seceding would be a horrible idea; we may not like the economic situation at this current moment in time, but it is a lot better than what we would have if we did actually secede. As to the Texas pride thing, and referencing the Alamo and Goliad…those were battles fought in a revolution to break free of the corruption of Mexico, and to give Texas a better chance. But one thing that nobody knows or realizes about the Texas Revolution is that the Battle of San Jacinto was fought not only by Texans, who remembered the Alamo and Goliad, but also by Americans who supported Texas’ break-away from Mexico, to not only give it a fighting chance, but to also join the Union, so as to better both the Republic of Texas, AND the United States of America. Another little known fact: Sam Houston, the man who led us to victory in the Battle of San Jacinto, supported Texas joining the Union, and wanted it very much so. This is a man who knew the devastation of the Alamo and Goliad, and yet still wanted to join this country. Yes, our country may not be perfect right now, but did Texas secede during the Great Depression? Did Texas not offer up its services and resources in WW1 and WW2? Leaving the US now would be foolish, in my opinion; instead of leaving, we should work together with the other 49 states, petition laws to Congress to be passed that could benefit all of us, and see how exactly this country can be pulled back together, regardless of who is president.
The racism of yesteryear has come full circle in our county. The entire world embraced our choice of a black President four years ago and most nations of the world still support him. The fringe elements of Republican sect have crept through into the mainstream once again with conservative mouthpieces planting the seeds of hate. The only doubt lies here at home rooting from bigotry. Watch the white hands paint Obama in Blackface at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/10/bamboozling-obama.html
Why did you take this to race? Oh, because you’re the racist…
And the page it is on is clearly pro Obama.
It is actually quite pitiful that you use no factual evidence to support your claim that Texas cannot secede from the Union. It is indeed you who needs a lesson on secession. Secession is an American tradition considering we first seceded from the british. It’s a way to prevent the federal government from overstepping its boundaries. And above all, all the states/colonies joined freely of their own will, if we are truly a free society then we should have the right to leave on our own free will. In terms of constitutionality secession doesn’t have to be in the state constitution or the federal one. The 10th amendment grants the right for states to secede considering its not specifically stated in the federal constitution that the states cannot secede therefore the right is reserved to the states. Also, the United States should happily endorse this secession considering we’ve endorsed secessions of free republics across the world
Ummm…William Vedder are you a slow or did you not pay attention in the required history courses? I love to break it to you, but Texas does not have the right to secede. Period. You might want to go through and read the SCOTUS’s ruling in Texas v. White. The state of Texas may have passed a resolution in 2009, but it’s rendered null by the federal government, which has power over the states. Also, Gov. Rick Perry doesn’t want to secede, and it’s not like he’s very popular anyway, so the case is closed. Might I suggest moving to India?
SO in other words the 10th amendment really has no meaning any more is what you are saying correct?
Why don’t you read.
Love how you can’t answer the question and have to deflect it. Since you wanted to go this way ok, can you read this.”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.” So this statement from your Texas vs white decision clearly states that it is NOT the power of the federal government who has the say but through revolution or consent of the states to dissolve from said union. So again I ask does the 10th amendment still have any meaning? For that matter we as a state have our STATE constitution setup to read and recognize only the authority granted and reserved by the constitution of these United States.
Actually, the Texas Constitution says that the only law higher than that of the state is that of US Constitution, however, an amendment saying that secession is not permitted was never made, so, Texas can indeed secede. Furthermore, the Declaration of Independence states that in some cases it is o.k. to break ties with another political entity and so reinforcing that same idea.
So, can Texas secede? Yes. Would it be incredibly stupid for Texas to actually do this? Of course. Is this idea extremely embarrassing? Big time! But in all, is it likely that Texas will secede? Doubtful.
http://www.texassecede.com/faq.htm#txconst
This should clarify some issues, including debunking your point about Texas v. White.
As a 22 year old veteran from texas, i think i have the right to want a Republic of Texas. Mr. Wang, have you ever gone to war? Have you seen friends die because a politician in Washington cant stop bad mouthing the people of Iraq? If what i want and believe in makes me coward, then you sir are ignorant.