115k signatories petitioned the White House to ask that Texas be allowed to secede from the United States
24k signatories petitioned the White House to demand deportation for Americans who sign secession petitions
(Source: forbes.com)
Gov. Perry believes in the greatness of our Union and nothing should be done to change it. But he also shares the frustrations many Americans have with our federal government.Catherine Frazier, press secretary for Texas Governor Rick Perry • Pouring a bit of heavily-couched water on the burgeoning secessionist movement within the state of Texas. In fact, it isn’t even limited to the Lone Star State — since the reelection of President Obama, secession petitions have been filed by (presumably) disgruntled voters in 30 states. The Texas portion of this discontent has furnished a petition with well over 25,000 signatures, the amount at which the Obama administration must review the list and issue a reply. Our guess? No go. Perry coming out against this movement is instructive, perhaps, in how seriously he now takes the rhetoric — back in May of 2009, Perry opted to stoke such sentiments, while speaking at a Tea Party rally in Austin. source
bsig asks: What is there to this rumor I hear of the southern half of California trying to become the 51st state. I'm guessing that would mean out of state fees for all So. Cal residents at Nor. Cal schools. And UCLA would become USCLA?
» SFB says: Basically, the idea would involve splitting 13 more-conservative counties from the mothership. It’s a long shot, but one that’s being explored. Also see our coverage of Baja Arizona, a similar idea floating around the Tucson area. EDIT: Seth points out to me that L.A. will not be part of South California; the biggest city in the proposed state would be San Diego. — Ernie @ SFB
Late registration: The reporting is a bit muddled and inconclusive, but it looks like Texas Governor Rick Perry may be testing the waters for a presidential run. Jumping into the race this late in the game would require a lot of catch up, and Perry’s past flirtations with secession could pose a problem for him as a presidential candidate. Nevertheless, if he did enter the race, he would have a very solid chance of getting the nomination—and, in our opinion, a reasonable shot at defeating Obama in 2012. source
Pima County wants to become the 51st state. It’s a left-leaning county in conservative Arizona, and a group of residents have initiated the process of secession. The new state, dubbed “Baja Arizona,” would be larger than four existing states and more populous than five others. The movement gained steam after some controversial moves by Republican Governor Jan Brewer, but it has a long road ahead. First, petitioners must collect 48,000 signatures. Then, voters need to approve a measure to send the proposal to the state legislature. Then, the legislature has to pass it. Then, voters have to approve it again. “All the stars would have to align for this to happen,” a lawyer backing the Baha effort said, “but it could conceivably happen by the fall of 2013.” As residents of California, count us skeptical. source
» The spit has something to do with it: The size of Sudan’s debt could effectively limit the region’s ability to get a fresh start as it splits into two. Southern Sudanese official Gabriel Changson Chang is making a hard push for the changes before the countries divide. “We want both the north and south to be economically viable,” he says. Current president Omar al-Bashir has made similar claims as well, and with good reason: Half of the country’s population currently lives on less than $1 a day and need some sort of food aid.
We will announce today in front of the world our acceptance and respect for the choice of the people of the south.Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir • Revealing that his country would accept the results of a country-splitting referendum between the north and south. The south chose, by a wide margin, to secede, a result that cuts back Bashir’s clout but could help stabilize the entire region. source (via • follow)
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