Texas Secession? Perry, One Third of Texans Are Wrong: Texas Can't Secede

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"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." 9th Amendment.
Is there any legal reason Texas couldn't secede? According to the Joint Resolution, "Texas" still exists as an entity and is not owned by the United States.
I don't think secession would be in Texas's best interest right now, but it seems pretty clear that if it did come to that Texas does have the right. I'm sure the U.S. would illegally invade though, which means we'd have to fight American soldiers who are just following corrupt orders. That sounds pretty horrible to me, so I hope it doesn't come to that any time soon.

Tyler Blake of TX 10:59PM January 15, 2013

"Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable, a most sacred right – a right which we hope and believe is to liberate the world. Nor is this right confined to cases in which the whole people of an existing government may choose to exercise it. Any portion of such people, that can, may revolutionize, and make their own of so much of the territory as they inhabit."
Who said that? That's right Abraham Lincoln. Keep quoting the Civil War as the end all to the talk of succession. The fact of the matter is anything not specifically granted or denied in the US Constitution remains in the hands of the States. That being the case, the Constitutions lack of talk on Succession, in itself leaves the door open.
The US was founded as a Union of Republics, not one Democracy. Get it straight.
Definition of Liberal: A person so open minded, their brain had fallen out completely!

Benjamin Elliott of TX 1:06PM January 15, 2013

I'm no constitutional lawyer...and I'm pretty sure I can't be because I live in Texas and, in the opinion of Mr. Schlesinger, am barely able to feed myself.
Furthermore, since the constitution of the US doesn't specifically grant me the right to become a constitutional lawyer... clearly I cannot.
Oh! Look! A Squirrel!! God, we're stupid people down here. Thanks for your help explaining complicated stuff to us, Bob.

Mike of TX 5:19PM January 14, 2013

"Once in, never out." - Don Vito.
So, if the Irish separatist movement is grand, and Quebec separatist movement very fashionable, etc. why is a Texas separatist movement not in vogue? Of course, people would not be wanting out if current management (in D.C.) wasn't so pathetic. These feelings are not an indication of Texas stupidity, but piss poor governance on the part of out Federal Government. Let us point the discussion in the right direction. This is the first time since the War Between the States that so many people are so fed up with the Federal Government that they would like to see their state try it on their own. Massive debt, rampant spending, arrogance beyond belief and a complete lack of responsible adult behavior is at the root of this discussion. Obama and his cronies promised so much and have delivered nothing. Tax and spend, vilify the other guy and lie to the public is not a policy. It reminds me of the joke about a lady getting married for a second time, claiming to be a virgin. She said her first husband was a politician, and every night they would get ready for bed and he would just talk about how wonderful it was going to be, and nothing ever happened.

bob owens of FL 6:59PM November 20, 2012

Useful info, but you're kind of an ass. Your condescension is palpable.

K of CO 8:09PM November 15, 2012

Ok then people if "Gov Perry" thinks we can't do this ,then he's against us !!!!!!!!!Texas Nationalist Movement will just have to take over!

Antonio Faustino of TX 10:12PM November 14, 2012

so basically what you are saying is that 1/3 = 3/10 and 4/5 = 3/4
check your math

Ravinder Singh of TX 5:21PM November 14, 2012

Who is this condescending d-bag that wrote this piece insulting not only Texans, but anyone who does not agree with standing by and allowing our country to be turned upside down by Marxism and socialism? You are showing you liberal bias and you are wrong. Believe what you want, but we have had enough. It is people like you who have helped this administration destroy the economy and any sense of value and honor this country once had. Be proud! Oh, and yes I have an advanced degree, too. AND I'm a Texan. I refused to let the university system steal my soul...so now I'm "out of the norm?" Are you kidding me? I refuse to let some administration take my rights and tell me how to think! Shove your condescension and the low-life bias that you seeth.

Terry Parker of TX 2:20PM November 14, 2012

The idea is that we Texans would exercise the option to split into five states which would give us ten Senators and more power in the Senate.
There is an assumption that this would not be allowed which would nullify the original annexation treaty and thereby release Texas from the USA.
If it is allowed, then we have eight more Senators, so it's a win either way.
Now, there is that pesky Civil War issue. Some say the terms of surrender and re-annexation nullifies the original treaty.
What is interesting is that half the country thinks that the other half is "ruining the country" no matter which half you talk to. How we got to that condition is what we all should be looking at.

ShannonL of TX 1:14PM November 14, 2012

Good luck with this petition thing given that 1) barely 1/2 of 1% of Texas' registered voters have signed it. I think you need more than 100x that to make anyone really notice, 2) Gov. Perry and the leg don't really support it, 3) SCOTUS has already addressed this issue in 1869, 4) there is no provision in the Texas Constitution now or in the past that allows secession, and 5) I hope you used an assumed name to sign the petition (an obscure post I came across regarding the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America warns people to not sign any of these state petitions for fear of IDed signers being singled out by the powers that be for who knows what purpose.

R. Kay of TX 4:32AM November 14, 2012