From his role in spreading the Tawana Brawley lie to the present, Al Sharpton has never let facts or truth deter him from rhetorical bomb throwing. Having a new TV show on MSNBC hasn’t changed his tactics.

In his latest rant with other like-minded guests, he blasts nullification, the Nullify Now event in Raleigh, NC and one of our speakers, Dr. Greg Brannon, who spoke on nullifying Obamacare.

First off, Al attacked one of the many groups that set up a table at our event the North Carolina League of the South. Its crime, in his eyes, is their belief in the right of session. Let’s establish one fact right from the beginning: the Nullify Now event was about the history and constitutional use of nullification by states to block unconstitutional usurpation powers not delegated to the federal government. The Nullify Now events were not and have never been about, nor will they ever be about, session. That being said, I would like to point out to Al and his guests that the 13 colonies in the Declaration of Independence seceded from England, thereby becoming independent and sovereign states that then joined together to form a new government.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. (Emphasis added)

Many I am sure would agree with this from the North Carolina League of the South webpage:

Our solutions include the restoration of State authority by strongly asserting the provisions of the Tenth Amendment, and electing North Carolina representatives who will assert State authority in political matters where federal interference is forbidden by the United States Constitution. We stress local political action by members and friends of the NC LS to instill traditional conservatisms in local elected representatives, and help bring positive change to North Carolina government. The solutions to unwarranted and unconstitutional federal interference in North Carolina affairs begins locally, and with you. (Emphasis added)

As to his panel of guests, their statements concerning nullification and its use where, as usual, not based in facts. Starting with radio host Bill Press’s subtle insinuation that Calhoun’s use of nullification in the 1860’s brought on the Civil War and was therefore a racist doctrine. Calhoun tried to use nullification in 1830-32, not 1860’s. It had nothing to do with slavery, but directed at tariffs.

Here’s a little needed nullification history for you Bill and Al. You would have learned this at the Nullify Now event. Yes, nullification was one of the causes of the Civil War. But not in the way you think. It was not used to preserve and protect slavery. Nullification of the federal Fugitive Slave Act by northern anti-slave states was one of the reasons cited by South Carolina and others in their Declaration of Causes for Session. Of course, that little fact doesn’t fit your narrative, does it Al?

As to the uses of the word tyranny by Dr. Brannon in describing Obamacare, I would contend that the millions of people that have already lost their health insurance, their doctor, had their hours reduced at work or lost their job would agree with Dr. Brannon.

But in the end, Al, as usual, gets back to his old stand-by of racism, because of course anyone who believes in nullification and would use the word tyranny are obviously ONLY doing it because President Obama is a black man. No, AL prefers to say that those who support TEA PARTY, nullification and favor limiting the federal government to its constitutional roles are all racist.

But Al has never let facts deter him form stirring up racial animosity where there is none. Throwing down the race card is almost reflexive – all in efforts of self-promotion and enrichment.

Benjamin Franklin’s quote was never truer than when it comes to Al. “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”

I would say Al and his guest are working harder at it than most.

William Kennedy

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