Our Views: Secession talk is unpatriotic

We think that Gov. Bobby Jindal said just the right thing when asked about a petition being circulated on the Internet for Louisiana to secede from the Union. Similar petitions have surfaced in a number of other states since President Barack Obama was re-elected on Nov. 6, fueled by right-wing anxiety about the president’s policies.

“It’s silly,” Jindal said about the Louisiana petition in a prepared statement. “We are proud to be part of the greatest country in the history of the world. Whatever our political differences, we are Americans first,” added the Republican governor, a frequent Obama critic.

We believe that Jindal speaks for most Louisiana residents in professing his love for the United States of America. Talk of secession is deeply unpatriotic — and profoundly insulting to the men and women in harm’s way abroad who are serving in the American military’s defense of U.S. interests.

We don’t take these secession petitions seriously, but the fact that someone would bother to post such a document — and that thousands would apparently sign it — points to how sick our political discourse has become.

We commend the governor for reminding us that regardless of party, we continue to stand under the same flag — the good old Stars and Stripes.

Comments

1) Comment by InPVille - 18/11/2012

Succession talk may be unpatriotic. Refusing to say the pledge of allegiance and burning the country's flag can also be considered in this category. The latter two are considered to be protected speech. Why not the first, whether you agree with any of the three or not? None of these rise to the level of treason as defined by the Constitution. Calling for the peaceful enactment of a constitutional amendment or some sort of statute enactment doesn't rise to the level of levying war or giving aid and comfort to an enemy in the sense of the constitution. It would probably rise to the level of cutting off the nose to spite the face.

2) Comment by Lannonmac - 18/11/2012

Like most of the ultra right wing’s ideas, talk of Louisiana’s secession from the USA is an irrational fantasy cooked up by a bunch of malcontents. Of course the Secessionist wing of the Republican Party does not contemplate issues of how to run a nation, because they are more interested in tearing down our State than they are about build a future for our children. This issue is nonsense and simply demonstrates how out of touch with reality the Louisiana conservative movement is.

3) Comment by eavesmac - 18/11/2012

It is a sign that americans are not happy with recent developments in washington. First, those in washington have forgotten they are servants and not masters. That it is a privilege to serve in a public capacity, and not a license for legal theft. For some time now govt. has increased regulations and decreased personal freedoms. Also a lot of people have found out that some are more diverse than others, when it comes to pushing diversity,and that rewarding sloth and dishonesty are the norm. Under these outrageous ideologies is it so absurd to desire secession? When the leadership is totally corrupt, how can one take their side in so-called patriotism? The washingtonians have pushed us off of govt. patriotism to patriotism in territory only.

4) Comment by gofigger - 17/11/2012

We still have slavery, all that's required is a vote every four years to keep the chains tight.

5) Comment by nimby? - 17/11/2012

DMJ , we'll never know what would have been had the union army not crossed the Potomac and invaded Virginia . by the mid 1850's slavery was on the decline . I was in Gettysburg last week . it's been a while since I've seen so many Confederate flags in one place ....

6) Comment by DMJ - 17/11/2012

To those who fly the rebel flag unironically, I ask...which "states rights" were the Confederacy fighting for....other than the right to own another human being? The other "rights" they list are usually overly vague, Palin-esque like "freedom" or "liberty" or whatever. If they get specific, they usually say that they don't want to be taxed by the federal government or that they don't want the federal government interfering in interstate trade or immigration policies- three powers expressly given to the federal government by the Constitution. It's ironic that those who claim to love the Constitution are often the same people flying the rebel flag, the symbol of a treasonous movement the very purpose of which was to destroy the country and, with it, the Constitution. The Confederacy was one of our nation's biggest sins and those who celebrate it and call for round two are misguided at best and just plain stupid at worst.

7) Comment by agagent - 17/11/2012

The secession movements are about the soft tyranny of an over-reaching federal government. The constitution and a free press were our protection against a federal government that takes control over our lives and against a heavy-handed government which ignores private property rights and directs the economy. The press has taken sides, politically, and progressives ignore the constitution’s limits on government. We need an impartial, free press and limited government, as described in the constitution, to solve our problems, not secession.

8) Comment by Whatchange - 17/11/2012

"The new Confederacy" now that's a funny DMJ. On another note, personally, I believe the single biggest threat to our military serving aboard and the most unpatriotic is the media. Their main concern is reader/viewership.

9) Comment by gofigger - 17/11/2012

I don't think a seccesion would do any good. But, if the government were to see "we the people" agreeing on one thing, that might get their attention.

10) Comment by potkcalb - 16/11/2012

Talk of states seceding is abject idiocy. I have to agree with Phil on this one "it is just another form of free speech."

11) Comment by InPVille - 16/11/2012

@tradewinns: It does seem as though the early praise for the "Arab Spring" now is the winter of "their" discontent.

12) Comment by tradewinns - 16/11/2012

just for discussion: before anyone says seccession really couldn't happen, look at what is happening in the world today (or recent history). the balken states, all nice and tied together, erupted into civil war and now are different nations. the middle east is bursting out all over, and while the map hasn't changed much yet. it will. iraq is still feuding and killing each other. syria is embroiled in a civil war-which are actually two tribes fighting for control not democracy in action. libya is still in turmol with al queida(sp) still involved.so there are a bunch of nations that have split lately. as divided as we are it is possible we could split also.

13) Comment by nimby? - 16/11/2012

I can think of the negatives , please enlighten me with some of the positives .

14) Comment by Christine - 16/11/2012

The current advocates for secession apparently don't remember how poorly that worked out last time around.

15) Comment by DMJ - 16/11/2012

As if the people living in urban areas don't provide anything for people living in rural areas. What a bogus question.

16) Comment by nimby? - 16/11/2012

two sides ; one growing more tired of having to provide for the other whose want list grows daily . interesting that the election results of the "trouncing" are 51 to 49 , more people piling into the wagon . anarchy would never work . too many helpless depending on the government to do their thinking . I don't like the thought/talk of secession but it could happen . just a thought ; could the 51 percent cramped into their urban areas survive without the other 49 percent providing ?

17) Comment by DMJ - 16/11/2012

First of all, 3 out of 50 is hardly "almost every state." Secondly, I'm just kidding. Third, I'm not the one talking secession.

18) Comment by Being_Stupid - 16/11/2012

Well Gee Whiz, DMJ. You have insulted almost every state in the union. Arkansas, Alabama, and now Utah. What are you still doing here?

19) Comment by DMJ - 16/11/2012

The new Confederacy can have Utah as well. Mitt Romney might still be president after all!!!

20) Comment by NearBarbarian - 16/11/2012

Editors--Thanks for being a voice of sanity on this matter. Even though Mr. Jindal's motives for being so conciliatory and citizen-friendly during the past week are probably self-serving, credit must be given where it is due. Those calling for secession, or at least sympathizing with them, tend to be in states that would not do well economically if not for federal dollars. On top of that, they live in states which have had a major influence on the direction of the U.S. government over the last thirty to forty years. Lastly, judging from the most vocal proponents of secession--some of whom have commented here and confuse secession with succession--the kind of government secessionists would probably offer would take us back to the "golden age" which gave us the Spanish Inquisition, pogroms, witch-hunting and corrupt, nepotistic feudalism (at best). For Mr. Jindal to be put off by such a prospect indicates how retrograde it must be.

21) Comment by phil - 16/11/2012

Sometimes you have to go to the extreme in stating your opinions to make a point - and so what we end up with is a secession petition. I think perhaps it is just another form of free speech.

22) Comment by tradewinns - 16/11/2012

we already own PR. this seccession discussion is unpatriotic talk ranks right up there with if you don't pay taxes you're unpatriotic! given 47%(or so) don't pay taxes, the seccusisonist may take the unpatriotic to well over 50%!

23) Comment by Being_Stupid - 16/11/2012

Succession is not the way to go, instead we need to annex Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Philippines, Quebec, and more parts of Canada.

24) Comment by spqr - 16/11/2012

@potkcalb.."It is isn't going to happen"? That is what the British said when the American colonies tried to break away from King George. But it happened.

25) Comment by Chucky - 16/11/2012

@gary-True America is still present and accounted for, was trying to convey a different attitude than the one I grew up with when the bumper stickers said “ America Love it or Leave it” I think Washington and Colorado has taken back some of America with the repeal of Marijuana laws I think some of America has been lost (sold) due to our debt ( blame who you like ) nice post.

26) Comment by DMJ - 16/11/2012

Alabama can go...if we can keep the coast.

27) Comment by Lannonmac - 16/11/2012

Hey, Whatnow, if the Klan robe fits, wear it! I probably should amend my statement to say "I would give good odds that most of the “Secessionists” have either a Nazi flag on the wall or a Klan robe hanging in the closet."

28) Comment by Whatnow - 16/11/2012

Lannonmac, yeah, that's it... that old, worn out excuse. The race card rears it's ugly head time and time again. It's about as worn out as "It's Bush's fault."

29) Comment by potkcalb - 16/11/2012

Fall out or fantasy spqr it isn't going to happen.

30) Comment by Lannonmac - 16/11/2012

It is rare for me to agree with Gov. Jindal, but I have to applaud him for denouncing the secession petition and not pandering to the worst elements of the Republican Party. All this secessionist talk is nothing but sour grape fantasies of the Timothy McVeigh wing of the Republican Party, fueled by racist hatred of the President of the United States. I would give good odds that most of the “Secessionists” have a Klan robe hanging in the closet. This is just more juvenile, bully-boy behavior by extremist Conservatives, who simply refuse to leave the 19th Century and cannot accept that the USA elected a Black man to the highest office of the land, TWICE.

31) Comment by bourbon-soda - 16/11/2012

At least we wouldn't have pay blood and treasure for wars one of whose purposes is to lower the price our main economic asset.

32) Comment by spqr - 16/11/2012

Or, post-election fallout. Get with it.

33) Comment by potkcalb - 16/11/2012

Secession talk is post election fantasy. Get over it.

34) Comment by spqr - 16/11/2012

America is not strong. It is weak. Weaker than ever. It is $16 trillion in debt. Our outsourcing of jobs is underemploying our citizens. Our actual UNemployment rate is staggering. We face fiscal cliffs so often it is frightening. Our crime rate is high. Our test scores are low. Our prison population is rising. Our infrastructure is crumbling. The dollar's value is weak compared to other currency. Our military is stretched to the limit. We have a trade imbalance allowing a dangerous China to rise. Our borders are unprotected and the government turns its back on border states out of political correctness and cowardice. Our politicians are not leaders often in gridlock instead of fighting for the greater good. Gang culture in our schools and tv are on steroids and are kids are watching. We have tens of millions on welfare who abuse it; a culture that is growing. Those that work are over taxed while unelected federal judges destroy what is left of common sense. Hey, I love this nation, but it no longer represents an increasing number us. Secession is a response to frustration. Some want to begin anew. Let's watch.

35) Comment by Scrooge - 16/11/2012

Louisiana's secession might be a problem for Jindal's national political ambitions

36) Comment by gary - 16/11/2012

@ Chucky: I keep hearing folks from the right side of the political table, use the phrase "take back America" - who took it away? I read the Advocate and other newspapers daily, watch most of the national news in the afternoon - none of them have reported the theft of America. I consider myself a moderate and stay away from Fox news and Rushlimbo, maybe they are reporting the stealing of the USA. I see America everyday when I leave my house - it's still here and stronger than ever.

37) Comment by Chucky - 15/11/2012

I have never pledged my allegiance to Louisiana, only to the United States of America. Do not even think of giving up, take back America and keep the Union together.