Dear people signing secessionist petitions . . .

Stop. Just stop.

If you haven’t heard, a number of pro-secession petitions have cropped up on the White House website’s page for public petitions. When I checked earlier today, there were petitions for “peaceful withdrawal” from the U.S. by 20 states. Not all of them went for Mitt Romney last week, or are in the South: There were also petitions for such states as Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Oregon.

It should go without saying that these petitions a) aren’t going to lead to any kind of action and b) aren’t supported by the vast majority of people who voted against President Obama. If you could cross-check the two groups, I suspect there would be a lot of overlap between the petition signers and birthers.

To those who are signing these petitions out of a sense of anger or exasperation or desperation, let me say this:

Maybe you believe all hope is lost now that we’re getting four more years of Obama. There are a lot of possibilities for his second term that I’m not happy about, either. Quite the opposite, as should be clear from pretty much everything I’ve written on this blog.

But the election, while not all that close in terms of the margin in the Electoral College, was rather close to producing a different outcome. By the count of National Review’s Jim Geraghty, Romney fell short by a combined 407,000 votes in four states that, had he won them, could have pushed him to 275 electoral votes and the White House. I point this out not to engage in wishful “what ifs,” just to observe that it was very much possible to have gotten an outcome that would have had the left in a fit of apoplexy instead.

And when the nation is that closely divided, the conclusion in my view is not to decide it actually needs to divide in two. Rather, it’s that it wouldn’t take much next time to earn a more amenable outcome.

To do that, Republicans have to make some necessary but hardly revolutionary changes. But it does not help them do that when there are people signing petitions that confirm the worst stereotypes the left can dredge up about the right. Let’s face it: In light of the need to appeal to a wider swath of the electorate, comparisons to the Civil War do not aid the cause.

So, please: Find another outlet for whatever energy you’re expending on this kind of junk.

NOTE: The comments thread on this post has long since devolved into mostly personal attacks, so I’m shutting it down. A new post will be up soon, and a number of you may be facing some time away from the blog. I’m not sure yet which will happen first.

– By Kyle Wingfield

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504 comments Add your comment

carlosgvv

November 12th, 2012
6:54 pm

Tiberius – 6:44

I no more, or less, state my opinons as fact than you.

Like you, I call them as I see them.

If, in the future, you think I’m wrong, prove it. Otherwise, be a man and just admit it’s a disagreement.

Disagreeing with me and concluding you are proved to be right and I am proved to be wrong is Christian fundamentalist thinking.

md

November 12th, 2012
6:54 pm

“md is looking for some sort of moral victory to make himself feel better after that thumping he took last week”

Thanks again for the chuckle……all this from posting about a re-count…..doesn’t take much to stir the masses on here does it……too funny.

Stephenson Billings

November 12th, 2012
6:54 pm

The petition to let Texas secede from the U.S. to be reviewed by the White House

“Well, Texas, you have done it.

As of 3:40 p.m. ET, more than 25,000 Texans have already signed the petition on The White House website to let Texas peacefully secede from United States of America and “create its own NEW government.”

According to The White House, the petition must reach 25,000 signatures within 30 days in order to be considered.”

http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2012/11/the-petition-to-let-texas-secede-from-the-u-s-to-be-reviewed-by-the-white-house/

Sister Sarah

November 12th, 2012
6:54 pm

“I’m just glad the secular statists are anti-Second Amendment. That’s a good thing.”

Hmmm …. “secular statists”…. SOMEbody’s been listenin’ to Mark Levviiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnn….. [:0D

“anti-Second Amendment”? Another delusion they have willingly convinced themselves of. Silly rabbits. Keep dreaming. It’s “good” for you! LMAO.

Glenn Beck

November 12th, 2012
6:55 pm

Emily

November 12th, 2012
6:55 pm

It’s hardly a call for another Civil War. Quite the opposite; it’s a request for peaceful secession.

Glenn Beck

November 12th, 2012
6:56 pm

md

Please continue to post about your gullibility on these issues you think are the next big “story”..

Speaking of “too funny”. Yes you are that. Thanks for the laughs.

md

November 12th, 2012
6:57 pm

“Also, the tcpalm article has nothing to do with the card vs. registered voter issue you cite. Try to focus.”

Sure it does, it’s about total votes……and where they all came from. The same votes in question on the West issue……it WAS the same voters……….

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
6:57 pm

“On the other hand, Dusty’s dream about a conservative blog without liberals is another silly (no offense intended, Dusty) idea. What a boring blog would that be”

Boring? Yes.

But the intellectual level of THIS blog would increase exponentially if the libs (and Fred) would just leave.

Fred ™

November 12th, 2012
6:57 pm

Maria

November 12th, 2012
6:52 pm

Fred, I didn’t get my “far right wing nutcase ideas” from any “talk radio/FOXbots” as you call them. I got my ideas from the bible.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Really? What Book is it that tells you to vote for a particular party?

I mean JESUS (you know who he is right) said: My Kingdom is not of this world.

He also said: Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.

DON’T you even try to get all holy roller when talking about politics. It’s not the way of Jesus. But who is he anyway? I mean he wasn’t a Christian or anything……….

Fred ™

November 12th, 2012
6:58 pm

Tiberius – pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
6:53 pm

Every day is drama day for Fred.

Every day is nasty day for Fred.

Every day is disgusting day for Fred.

Every day is another day for Fred to prove he cannot hold a civil conversation on any blog.
+++++++++++++++++++++

Every day is a good day for Tiberious to post lies and slander against other posters because he has no intellectual content to use.

Jefferson

November 12th, 2012
6:58 pm

Stupid is as stupid does.

Glenn Beck

November 12th, 2012
7:00 pm

Banderson: BINGO

And the counter will be well it isn’t an exact doubling of the votes cast.

Easy answer: not every person voted one way or the other on the long list of amendments that were on the FL ballots this year………..

md – don’t lose site of this story. you are the point man

;-)

Fred ™

November 12th, 2012
7:00 pm

But the intellectual level of THIS blog would increase exponentially if the libs (and Fred) would just leave.

There you go with your lies and insults again. Are you a Baptist? Or one of those Baptists that pretend they aren’t like little Davy Slagle’s church?

md

November 12th, 2012
7:01 pm

“Please continue to post about your gullibility on these issues you think are the next big “story”..”

And that’s the real funny part…..for I never said it was a “big story”……that part came from your head. That’s why I get the chuckles…..you get soooo serious.

If you slow down a little, you may have noticed awhile back where I said it may or may not be relevant……..talking about running with it………

But do carry on, I’m having fun……

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:01 pm

“Disagreeing with me and concluding you are proved to be right and I am proved to be wrong is Christian fundamentalist thinking.”

And once again you are wrong, carlos, as I am not a Christian.

Please admit that you are wrong about me, as you said you would.

saywhat?

November 12th, 2012
7:02 pm

Listen to the Republiconserviteatardiatarians speak and you will undoubtedly hear them proclaim the virtue of the free market…..

…..until in the free market of ideas, their ideological nonsense is soundly rejected by the majority of Americans. Then they get all butt-hurt and blame the media, the poor, the unions, the teachers, anybody or anything except their own failed ideology.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:04 pm

Every day is a day for Fred to misspell my blog name and wrongly accuse me of some religious affiliation.

He can’t even get the simple things right. :lol:

Glenn Beck

November 12th, 2012
7:04 pm

md

You have not intellectual honesty at least in terms of the FL voting issue. You wanted to believe this story and you did.

I debunked it quicker than the article you read from your favorite lying website.

But thanks for the laughs. You are a riot.

Aquagirl

November 12th, 2012
7:05 pm

md throws a rod and then does a walkback to “just kidding! I luv it when y’all get crazy U R my beyotchez lolololol!!!11!!!”

In all fairness maybe he’s serious, the meds have to kick in sometime.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 12th, 2012
7:06 pm

John Q is so full of self esteem that he can’t believe two people are kicking his butt instead of just one.

Stephenson Billings

November 12th, 2012
7:07 pm

“…..until in the free market of ideas, their ideological nonsense is soundly rejected by the majority of Americans.”

To quote a really funny ecard I recently received: “Now that the election is over, I fully intend to put aside my personal political views and celebrate the wondrous diversity of of stupid people in large numbers” :D

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:09 pm

“…..until in the free market of ideas, their ideological nonsense is soundly rejected by the majority of Americans.”

The free market of ideas, saywhat?

Is the the one where almost every paper and electronic media parses, distorts, lies denigrates and creates fictional people and policies for the conservative side of the aisle, while they promote and embellish their side?

That free market?

Fred ™

November 12th, 2012
7:09 pm

Every day is a day for Fred to misspell my blog name and wrongly accuse me of some religious affiliation.

Really? In YOUR world asking a question is an accusation? Or do you just lack in basic reading comprehension skills. I just read your post to carlos that you AREN’T a Baptist. You do share many of their characteristics so if you ever wanted to convert I think it would bean easy transition for you.

What is your religious affiliation? Are you a “heathen” lol?

As to typos? If pointing out typos makes you feel like a big man, don’t let me stop you. You’ll find plenty from my fat fumbling fingers.

Do you do anything other than insult people while hypocritically accusing them?

mike

November 12th, 2012
7:11 pm

I remember the “good old days” when the righties used to come over to Bookman’s blog to interact with those “way out” lib nutcases. How things change. How the mighty have fallen!

saywhat?

November 12th, 2012
7:12 pm

I thought the FOX News bubble of ignorance and self delusion was difficult to penetrate. Now I see its nothing compared to the cryberius bubble.

Stephenson Billings

November 12th, 2012
7:12 pm

“Is the the one where almost every paper and electronic media parses, distorts, lies denigrates and creates fictional people and policies for the conservative side of the aisle, while they promote and embellish their side?”

To quote George Orwell: “The people will believe what the media tells them they believe.”

saywhat?

November 12th, 2012
7:17 pm

As the weak minded continue to blame the press for the world’s rejection of their failed ideas, one almost has pity on them. But then one realizes that they WANT to be allowed to fail, and as they practice at it, their failure grows ever more spectacular in scope, magnitude, and audacity. It only hastens the coming of their total irrelevance, which can’t come too soon.

Kennesaw David

November 12th, 2012
7:17 pm

Please all you so called “progressive thinkers” can you tell me, how do we hope to pay the annual interest payments on 10 trillion dollars? Please explain me that one. Because the clown you all re-elected hasn’t a clue. Perhaps you can tell me?????

mike

November 12th, 2012
7:19 pm

What’s the next step from here? That step is the final realization by the American Public that their government is controlled by corporations and that these corporations do not act in the public interest but in their own selfish interests. And that the only way their lives will improve is breaking the cycle of corporate ownership of government.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:19 pm

“What is your religious affiliation?”

I have none, Fred. As I have repeatedly written on this blog, I am an Agnostic.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:21 pm

“Do you do anything other than insult people while hypocritically accusing them?”

Yes, I post informed opinion, Fred.

Try it sometime. The informed part, that is.

md

November 12th, 2012
7:23 pm

“You have not intellectual honesty at least in terms of the FL voting issue. You wanted to believe this story and you did.”

More from your head…….why do you insist on speaking for me? I found the story interesting, but I also understand it may be absolutely nothing at all…….which is why I said it may actually be nothing at all in the first place. geez, do I have to go back and do that for you guys too?

And Aqua, you are free to look that up too so you don’t look so silly……

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:24 pm

“And that the only way their lives will improve is breaking the cycle of corporate ownership of government.”

Replacing one master (corporations) with another one (government) is still slavery, mike.

Try individual responsibility sometime.

It’s LIBERATING!

Fred ™

November 12th, 2012
7:24 pm

Thanks tiber. I know it will be a real blow to your ego, but I don’t read teh comments of this blog often nor have I reall paid much attention to the personal details of you. But since you decided to attack me today as soon as I came on I figured I would find a little bit out about my new cyber stalker.

I would call agnostic a “religious affiliation.” You defien your “belief” by a lack thereof.

Thanks for the info. Some people are really touchy about their religious beliefs.

md

November 12th, 2012
7:25 pm

Since you two seem to have an affinity for reading or going back, I did it for you:

“I’m not alleging anything, merely posting the info that’s out there. There very well may be a valid reason for it…….as there is also a chance it may be something else entirely.”

Hmmm……I wonder what it means when someone says it very well may be valid???

Fred ™

November 12th, 2012
7:26 pm

Kennesaw David

November 12th, 2012
7:17 pm

Please all you so called “progressive thinkers” can you tell me, how do we hope to pay the annual interest payments on 10 trillion dollars? Please explain me that one. Because the clown you all re-elected hasn’t a clue. Perhaps you can tell me?????
++++++++++++++++++++++++

Why weren’t you concerned with that when your buddy George was running that debt up with his 2 unfunded wars and the unfunded drug mandate that he put on credit card and never made any payments on?

WAW

November 12th, 2012
7:26 pm

Hillbilly D: The secession members of Congress withdrew (walked out) and started an armed rebellion. Therefore those state’s representatives and senators had to be readmitted to Congress. Lincoln was determined that they should be allowed to return once they laid down their arms and consented to the laws of the land (including those passed while they were away) and that was the reason for the delay between the war’s end and Georgia’s representatives and senators being readmitted.

Fred ™

November 12th, 2012
7:27 pm

Try it sometime. The informed part, that is.

And there you exhibit your hypocrisy. An insult in every post you make.

Stephenson Billings

November 12th, 2012
7:27 pm

“Try individual responsibility sometime.”

But, but, that’s hard… and “unfair”…..

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:27 pm

Remember, md, this is what libs do.

They project their beliefs onto anyone who tries to remotely hint that something might be amiss in their government-blanketed world because they can’t argue the facts.

Someone once said that the very blanket that keeps you warm, also keeps you in the dark.

Fred ™

November 12th, 2012
7:30 pm

Someone once said that the very blanket that keeps you warm, also keeps you in the dark.

Only if you pull the covers over your head which it sounds like you do. Do you also poot when they are over your head? :mrgreen:

Kennesaw David

November 12th, 2012
7:31 pm

And so, Fred, the clown has made it better? He has and will continue to drive it towards a point of no return. May already have. Are you going to try and tell me the course that we are on is sustainable?? Really?? I know what we can do!! Lets tax the productive until they puke. We should punish achievement. Yea, thats the ticket.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:31 pm

“An insult in every post you make.”

Pot – meet KETTLE! :lol:

And in case you missed the signals, Fred, nobody really likes you. Your constant crabbing and lack of any intellectual discussion is a huge turn off to many.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 12th, 2012
7:35 pm

Remember Kennesaw David, whenever these libs are caught without an argument, they always deflect the conversation to “Well, Bush did it and no one complained” (even when some of us did).

@@

November 12th, 2012
7:36 pm

If I can just secede from Clayton County, I’ll be happy.

Hillbilly D

November 12th, 2012
7:36 pm

WAW

It wasn’t the delegations that had to be re-admitted, it was the states and their people. If a state has never left the Union, then it doesn’t need to be re-admitted. If it has to be re-admitted, then it must have not been part of the Union. One of the many hypocrisies of the Radical Republicans of the day.

Aquagirl

November 12th, 2012
7:36 pm

Poor md can’t even stand behind his own mumbled questions and runs off a la Donald Trump. Say hi to The Hair for us.

saywhat?

November 12th, 2012
7:37 pm

Fred-
as you probably know, to be informed implies that information is received, evaluated, and then assimilated by the informed. Unfortunately there are those who are unable to distinguish accurate information from erroneous made up drivel, and when given the choice, invariably choose the drivel every time. They then call themselves and their opinions “informed”, oblivious to the fact that they are actually misinformed. The weird thing is that even when confronted with solid undeniable evidence of their mistaken beliefs, their nuclear proof Cryberian Bubble of Self Delusion prevents even the slightest bit of that evidence from penetrating their wooden noggins intact. Even weirder, the C.B.S.D. somehow actually transmogrifies that evidence into further “proof” that they were right all along.

In other words, unless your fingers need the exercise from typing, or if like me, you find it to be mildly amusing to play here at the kiddie pool, you are only wasting electrons on a mission of futility. But then, you already knew that, didn’t you?

Kennesaw David

November 12th, 2012
7:37 pm

I stopped paying any attention to the whole, “its Bush’s fault” a long time ago. But it is still amusing to hear, I must admit.