Author Archive | Derek Sheriff

On May 17th, Arizona Tea Party activist, Steve Weston, was interviewed on a Blog Talk Radio show called,  Crossroads with Van.  I hope you will check out the show and tune in often!

This particular interview introduced the topic of state nullification and addressed the question of whether its use is constitutional or not.

I wanted to appear on the show as the other guest, in order to champion nullification, but unfortunately, my work schedule did not permit it. However, you can listen to the entire interview by clicking HERE. And you can also listen to a previous debate between Steve Weston and Professor Kevin R.C. Gutzman by clicking HERE

Part 1

This is the first in a series of blog posts meant to clarify some of the issues raised in the interview, to correct some of the errors that Mr. Weston made concerning the history of nullification and to share some observations and insights that I gained from listening to the interview.

Who’s the Authority?

At the beginning of the interview, Mr. Weston mentioned that he considered Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to be the two most authoritative writers on the subject, with Madison’s writings carrying the most weight, in his opinion.

While I agree that Jefferson and Madison were two of the most important figures when it came to articulating and clarifying the doctrine of nullification  (what would eventually come to be known as the Principles of ‘98), I would like to point out that arguments in favor of nullification go all the way back to the ratification debates (especially in Virginia), and were instrumental in persuading those opposed to the Constitution’s ratification.

Also, a number of other brilliant, although younger patriots, whose lives overlapped with those of Jefferson and Madison’s, were also important champions of nullification. Their insights and arguments concerning the nature and character of the Union need to be considered as well. The arguments I’ve always made in favor of state nullification have never been based on the ideas or writings of one, or just a few, founders, framers or ratifiers. One has to to look at the big picture, and listen to the many voices that were all part of this long debate, both before, during and after the Constitution’s ratification.

But back to the radio interview… Continue Reading →

Less than a year ago, I invited an outspoken critic of state nullification, State Senator Jim Whelan of New Jersey,  to debate New York Times best selling author, Thomas E.Woods Jr. on my Blog Talk Radio show.

Tom Woods was ready and willing, but not surprisingly, even after attempting to reach Sen. Whelan by phone and email several times, the only response to the challenge I ever got was a generic form letter from his staff… Why am I not surprised?

If anyone knows for a fact that Sen. Whelan didn’t just chicken out (maybe his staffers just deleted all my emails and voice mails accidentally), please let me know ASAP. I’ll recontact him tomorrow. Otherwise I will just assume he wasn’t up to the challenge.

Now fast forward to February, 2011. A blogger from VA has made the gratuitous assertion that “The Whole Tenth Amendment Business is Dumb and Crazy.”

Not content to simply disagree with the Tenthers and argue against our ideology using well reasoned arguments,  Dan Casey thinks it necessary to insult our intelligence by calling us “intellectual boobs”, question the integrity of our leadership and associate our movement with 19th century slaveholders. What a zombie…

Well guess what? Just like NJ State Sen. Jim Whelan, I’ve challenged him to debate a representative from the TAC, and I’ve given him at least three very flexible options:

1. A debate via recorded conference call.
2. A debate on a live streaming internet radio program.
3. A text based email debate.

Will he accept the challenge? I seriously doubt it. But you can give him some encouragement by sending him an email.

I’ll keep you posted…