Theos-Talk Archives (January 2004 Message tt00278)

Arizona Prepares For
Secession From US
By Julie Foster
WorldNetDaily.com
1-14-4


An Arizona state legislative committee has approved a resolution
calling for the dissolution of the federal government in the
event that it abolishes the U.S. Constitution, declares martial
law or confiscates firearms -- scenarios some say are not
unrealistic. Critics of the resolution, however, call the measure
a "total waste of time." Rep. Karen Johnson, a Mesa Republican
and chair of the House Committee on Federal Mandates and States'
Rights, authored the resolution which the committee approved 3-2.
Only the committee's vice-chair, Republican Rep. Gail Griffin,
abstained from voting.

Specifically, House Concurrent Resolution 2034 outlines the
origin of the United States, emphasizing the sovereignty of the
states and their constitutional right to "establish a new federal
government for themselves by following the precedent established
by Article VII, Constitution of the United States, in which nine
of the existing thirteen states dissolved the existing Union
under the Articles of Confederation and automatically superceded
the Articles." It also articulates constitutional violations
committed by the federal government as justification for the
measure, saying "... the fifty current principals, or
signatories, to the [Constitution] have done well in honoring and
obeying it, yet the federal agent has, for decades, violated it
in both word and spirit. The many violations of the Constitution
of the United States by the federal government include disposing
of federal property without the approval of Congress, usurping
jurisdiction from the states in such matters as abortion and
firearms rights and seeking control of public lands within state
borders," says the resolution.

By adopting HRC 2034, Arizona states its intention to dissolve
the current federal government with the approval of 34 other
states and, in essence, start over. Participating states would
re-ratify and re-establish the present Constitution "as the
charter for the formation of a new federal government, to be
followed by the election of a new Congress and President and the
reorganization of a new judiciary," in keeping with the original
intent of the "founding fathers." Individual members of the
military will return to their respective states and report to the
governor until a new president is elected. In addition, each
state will assume a prorated portion of the national debt and
will own all land within its borders. After the new government is
formed, the remaining 15 states will be permitted to join the
revised union upon application, as was the case with the original
union. A three-year veteran to the Arizona Legislature, Johnson
told the Sierra Times the resolution is "insurance policy." "If
the federal government declares martial law or attempts to
confiscate guns, the states shouldn't have to put up with that,"
she said. Joseph Stumph, well-known author and historian,
testified in favor of the resolution at the hearing.

"We're proposing that if things get as bad as they could get,
that these states won't allow the federal government to put us
into a one-world government," said Stumph, who is publishing a
similar proposal in his home state of Utah. "I don't expect we'll
get 35 states to sign on. The American people are not educated
enough on this yet," he added. The resolution was introduced
Jan. 26, and now needs to be approved by the Arizona House.
Should HRC 2034 successfully complete the legislative process, it
will appear on the November ballot for voter approval. But one
legislator does not think the measure will be taken seriously.
Rep. Bill Brotherton, a Democrat member of Johnson's committee,
called efforts to promote the bill a "total waste of time."
"Obviously ... one of the more important issues we have is mental
health in this state," Brotherton said mockingly. "I wonder if we
are going to have a bill on the grassy knoll next to decide who
shot Kennedy." Johnson said she was asked by several Maricopa
County residents to look into preventing the federal government
from asserting power not authorized by the federal and state
Constitutions. To Johnson, the resolution is a watered down,
limited version of the "Ultimatum Resolution," written and
promoted by Stump. Johnson said HRC 2034 was introduced in
response to recent actions by the Clinton administration
regarding the Grand Canyon. On a recent trip to the landmark,
President Clinton declared three new national monuments,
threatening the property and livelihood of ranchers in the
region.

Fears of martial law and firearm confiscation are mere
"conspiracy theories" to some, but in light of the elaborate
preparations government made for potential Y2K problems --
including a ready-to-sign executive order giving Clinton the
equivalent of dictatorial powers -- "these fears have become real
possibilities," according to Johnson. Johnson also made it
clear that the action of possible secession should only take
place if the federal government suspends or violates the
Constitution without approval from the state. "There may be
times when the nation may be at war, and such steps may need to
be taken. But the states should have a backup plan if necessary,"
she said. Arizona is not alone in its fears. Johnson noted
other legislators in other states are considering taking similar
steps.

Despite her current success with HRC 2034, Johnson is not relying
solely on non-binding resolutions to ensure state sovereignty.
She has been joined by a coalition of six other Arizona state
representatives, private ranchers and other states' legislators
in a lawsuit filed against the federal government. The lawsuit
is an attempt to reverse creation of the Grand Canyon-Parashant
National Monument, which covers more than 1 million acres of
land, roughly the same amount as Grand Canyon National Park. The
group says national monument status will affect use and access to
its private property, which will be surrounded by the federal
property. It also asks the court to find the 1906 Antiquities
Act, used to create the Parashant monument, unconstitutional..
The coalition's lawyer claims the president "has taken the act to
the point of actually abusing the rights of people in the West."

The act gives presidents emergency authority to protect
threatened federal lands or "objects of historic and scientific
interest," but lawyer Lana Marcussen said that in using the act
for a non-emergency case, the president has gone too far. Julie
Foster is a staff reporter for WorldNetDaily.

Comment From Jim Mortellaro Jsmortell@aol.com 1-15-4 Should
the scenario described in this article succeed in their endeavor
under the conditions explained, this writer will be among the
first immigrants seeking citizenship there. And I'll be wearing a
tux for the occasion. Of course, I shall also be carrying my best
firearm in my best Mitch Rosen Gun Leather holster, well
concealed according to law. My wife Rosemarie will be carrying
her favorite as well. In a thigh holster designed and fabricated
by Mitch Rosen. Oh boy, oh boy ... I can't wait. Say, izzit
possible to get on the waiting list? I shall write the Arizona
State legislature straight away and place our applications. Only
one thingy, it is most important that the state allow cute French
Bulldogs or ... "Hell no, we won't go!" Jim, Rosemarie and Pepe
Mortellaro Now residing in New York State. New York's motto:
"It ain't hell, but you can see it from here!"