Stupidity at its finest

[Njall]

To be blunt, some of your rather personal comments in the climate change debate soured me deeply on the degree of scientific detachment you may be able to bring to bear to a discussion that conflicts with your world view.

What thread was this? I don't remember us having a climate change discussion here. If so I'd like to read it.

I could be conflating things but it occurred well before my earlier departure from this website over a year ago. Sorry, having other things to fry that are unpleasant today.

[Fridmarr]

this is one reason why I don't think the union will always be. both texas (and now I know after this tread) and alaska have made mention that they want to separate from the union if things continue the way the are going. there are such vast differences in culture, values, beliefs, political views, and even language, and you could even say just that on the east coast. I doubt it would happen in my lifetime but it will happen someday. I know early on in US history that each state had printed off its own currency and that would again prove to be a dilemma and one reason why some states would be hesitant to do that.

I don't know. I mean I'm sure our civilization like all others will eventually end as we know it today. But having lived in PA, AL, MS, and WA, and spending considerable time in many other places, I find the differences between people incredibly small and typical. While we do have regional concentrations of certain beliefs, even in those regions there is lots of variability. The core beliefs are pretty much universal, not only across the US but in nearly all westernized cultures. Even in our great debates, despite all the rhetoric that gets tossed around, the common ground far outweighs the trenches.

[Rachmaninoff]

this is one reason why I don't think the union will always be. both texas (and now I know after this tread) and alaska have made mention that they want to separate from the union if things continue the way the are going. there are such vast differences in culture, values, beliefs, political views, and even language, and you could even say just that on the east coast. I doubt it would happen in my lifetime but it will happen someday. I know early on in US history that each state had printed off its own currency and that would again prove to be a dilemma and one reason why some states would be hesitant to do that.

I don't know. I mean I'm sure our civilization like all others will eventually end as we know it today. But having lived in PA, AL, MS, and WA, and spending considerable time in many other places, I find the differences between people incredibly small and typical. While we do have regional concentrations of certain beliefs, even in those regions there is lots of variability. The core beliefs are pretty much universal, not only across the US but in nearly all westernized cultures. Even in our great debates, despite all the rhetoric that gets tossed around, the common ground far outweighs the trenches.

perhaps its my inner punk that wants to see the system torn down and watch it crumble that crooked crooks/politicans/business people alike have so hard built and tried to force us into. but if history tells us anything its only a matter of time before the wealthier states get tired of supporting the poorer states and don't want to support them anymore. if they are self sufficient they can easily succeed from the union. texas is a good example. I remember hearing that one (or some I can't remember) politician(s) wanted the state to succeed because it didn't want to be apart of Obama-care and his socialistic processes. correct me if I'm wrong but texas succeeded from mexico, was an independent state before joining the union. (not sure if they were independent or just joined the union.) so what do you think will take before the union collapses?

[Fridmarr]

My guess would be that when it occurs, it's the result of an economic crisis of some sort, but it's pretty hard to fathom currently.

As far as a politician making a threat to leave the union, that sort of thing is not uncommon. Eastern Washington often claims they want to form their own state, because the entire state is controlled by Seattle due to the population balance. The threats are realistically pretty hollow though.

[Gorlando]

perhaps its my inner punk that wants to see the system torn down and watch it crumble that crooked crooks/politicans/business people alike have so hard built and tried to force us into. but if history tells us anything its only a matter of time before the wealthier states get tired of supporting the poorer states and don't want to support them anymore. if they are self sufficient they can easily succeed from the union. texas is a good example. I remember hearing that one (or some I can't remember) politician(s) wanted the state to succeed because it didn't want to be apart of Obama-care and his socialistic processes. correct me if I'm wrong but texas succeeded from mexico, was an independent state before joining the union. (not sure if they were independent or just joined the union.) so what do you think will take before the union collapses?

Texas was independent for around 10 years, I believe. I'm not 100% sure on that though.

[Skye1013]

The term "six flags over Texas" came from the several nations that had ruled over the territory. Spain was the first European country to claim the area of Texas. France held a short-lived colony in Texas. Mexico controlled the territory until 1836 when Texas won its independence, becoming an independent Republic. In 1845 it joined the United States as the 28th state. The state's annexation set off a chain of events that caused the Mexican–American War in 1846. A slave state, Texas declared its secession from the United States in early 1861, joining the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. After the war and its restoration to the Union, Texas entered a long period of economic stagnation.

As much as I'm not a fan of quoting Wikipedia, it does provide the information I was taught in my history classes. 1836-1845 as its own Republic.

Also, just fyi (yes, I realize not all the posters are native English speakers, and those that are, aren't necessarily spelling prodigies):

Secede - Withdraw formally from membership in a federal union, an alliance, or a political or religious organization

Succeed - Achieve what one aims or wants to; Lead to the desired result.

(Please don't take this in any negative way, it's only meant to inform)