Can’t blame ‘em for trying

I believe this falls under the definition of quaint:

A long-simmering movement by liberal stalwarts in southern Arizona to break away from the rest of the largely conservative state is at a boiling point as secession backers press to bring their longshot ambition to the forefront of Arizona politics.

A group of lawyers from the Democratic stronghold of Tucson and surrounding Pima County have launched a petition drive seeking support for a November 2012 ballot question on whether the 48th state should be divided in two.

Considering what the rest of the state's politics are like, often appearing to be one-part Yosemite Sam and one-part George Wallace becoming one entire Joe Arpaio, I cannot say I blame them for wanting the hell out of the State, but it isn't going to happen.

Besides, they just want to be a new State, but stay in the union.

Unlike some States that maybe should have tried a bit harder 150 years ago to leave...

After initial objections, lawmakers in Tennessee are moving a new version (pdf) of the most expansive anti-Sharia bill yet...when a Muslim starts practicing Islam with partners or in a group, they are forming a “Sharia organization”

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]