The Lone Star State has always had an independent streak, and the notion that there is a secession clause in the Republic's statehood agreement with the United States is a persistent Texas folk myth. And in the recent post-election secession petition craze on the White House We The People site, our state has racked up more signatures than any other requesting separation from the union, reports The New York Times.
However, some here in Austin want our city to remain in America. Local resident Caleb M. has also started a petition that as of Sunday, Nov. 25 needs more then 16,000 signatures to be considered by the executive branch. It reads:
Austin Texas continues to suffer difficulties stemming from the lack of civil, religious, and political freedoms imposed upon the city by less liberally minded Texans. It is entirely feasible for Austin to operate as its own state, within the United States, in the event that Texas is successful in the current bid to secede. It is important for Austin to remain in the union as to do so would protect it's citizens' standard of living and re-secure their rights and liberties in accordance with the original ideas and beliefs of our founding fathers.
We would also like to annex Dublin Texas, Lockhart Texas, & Shiner Texas.
So get busy signing, Austinites! (And will someone please let Calab know that Dublin Dr. Pepper stopped being produced, alas, earlier this year?)