I take it that * would have no problem with US states declaring independence

[Hugabear]

Let's say that a state like Hawaii, Texas, or any other state (or group of states) decide that they want to declare themselves independent. Doesn't *'s decision to recognize the breakaway Kosovo province set a precedent? How can we demand that other countries allow their provinces the right to secede, but not allow our own states or areas to do so?

on edit: changed from "dangerous precedent" to just "precedent".

[Eurobabe]

1. Why are you against Kosovo becoming independent?

Just curious.

[Hugabear]

3. I'm not per se - but would you have a problem if a US state wanted to secede?

If so, please explain why it's okay for non-US regions to declare independence, but it's not okay for US states or regions to do so?

[Eurobabe]

4. Why not, it will probably happen if CONS take the White House

for another 4-8 years. I never said it wasn't okay for US states to secede. I just wonder why everyone is so huffy about Kosovo? The comments I have seen on other threads are appalling coming from "DEMOCRATIC" Underground. They read like FreeperVille.

[qazplm]

6. well you know

it isnt as if only the US is supporting this, so is a good chunk of the rest of the world.

You know everything we support, or Bush supports for that matter, is automatically on its face evil or hypocritical.

IF we were oppressing a state, then you might have a point, but since currently all 50 are neither being suppressed nor held in against their will, then you dont.

I guess since we'd fight secession in our own land therefore we must never support secession in other lands?

That's pretty much 8 year old thinking.

[Tarc]

2. Yugoslavia was a patchwork enforcement remnant of post-WWI brokering

It forced several distinct ethnicities and cultures to live under the Serbs for decades upon decades of misery. Since it never should have been in the first place, it is only right to see it broken up now. Much like the artificialness of the USSR.

[sam sarrha]

5. the same WW1 dividing up caused the problems with the Curds, and Iraq, which was 3 tribal groups

forced together and divided..

[kedrys]

7. The Texas state constitution already provides for secession

and breakup into 4 distinct states, IIRC. Not that it would if Boots McCain is elected, but if he loses...

[KG]

8. it's amusing to watch the citizens of a country created by being a 'breakaway province'

object to citizens of another country doing the same.

[AlertLurker]

9. This is the first salvo in the war for the Caucasus.

Russia is threatening to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia (semi-autonomous provinces in Georgia), and who knows which is next? Obviously both the USA and Russia want to control the oil and natural gas rich lands bridging the Black Sea and Caspian. Somebody's nose will get bloodied, for certain.

[Romulox]

10. I think it's inevitable that the US will fragment. Different states have little common interest.

We have seen that it is perfectly possible for people in California or New York, say, to be perfectly content while people suffer in places like Ohio and Michigan.

IMO, we are currently a country in name only; there is no purpose of country which does not care for one another.

[Hugabear]

11. You might be surprised, secessionist movements are already working

http://www.secessionist.us/

http://www.secessionist.us/second_secession_convention.htm

http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Features/most_likely_to_secede

Do I ever think we'll see a independent Vermont? Probably not, but there are people out there who are working on making a fragmented US a reality.

[Romulox]

12. The US won't fragment with a bang; it will be whimper

We've already seen that the US government is incapable of governing and controlling large swaths of US territory; Katrina demonstrated the impotence of the US government to render assistance in a major disaster.

So I don't think the US will fragment due to secessionist movements, but rather from the federal government's inability to either control or provide assistance to large portions of the US.