There are more than a few political commentators who are
mewing that, since the majority of Crimeans (but not the 96% as the recent
voting indicated) believe that this part of Ukraine should be reunited with
Russia, who are we or others to object? Interesting point … but then one must also ask why were not the Confederate States allowed to secede from the United
States back in the early 1860’s? Why cannot all or part of Montreal split from Canada
whenever it chooses? If Scotland soon votes to depart the United Kingdom should
this be opposed or even penalized in some way? Venice, from Italy?
As long as we are exploring the notion of national
self-determination, why cannot Chechnya or other predominately Muslim republics
secede unopposed from the Russian Federation? Isn’t what is good for the sow
bear also good for the boar bear? Why
are not Tibet or other western Chinese provinces allowed to go their own way
independent of Bejing’s tight control?
And how about the real poser … what if large portions of the
American southwest, including California, now that they are predominately
Hispanic, vote to rejoin Mexico? Should
this be permitted … or even encouraged? One could argue that this might
significantly shift the United States’political balance rightward … and also
relieve much fiscal stress on other neighboring American states.
President Abraham Lincoln once said, “A house divided cannot stand.” But
as that other U.S. President, slick Willy Clinton, might have added, “It all depends on what your
definition of ‘house’ is.”
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