The "Aspen, CO, is really part of the Republic of Texas" legal defense

[Wonk]

Aspen, Republic of Texas, is the defense being used by a Pitkin County Jail inmate who is arguing that that he can't be prosecuted in Aspen because this ski town actually is part of the sovereign nation, which includes not only the entire state of Texas, but also a slither of Colorado - Aspen included.

And Monday in Pitkin County District Court, Timothy Paul Kootenay, 43, produced a flag of the Republic of Texas, complete with the Lone Star and some of Kootenay's personal inscriptions about why he can't be charged in the state of Colorado.

As far as the 2 1/2-year Aspen resident is concerned, this part of Colorado doesn't even exist under the laws he follows. Neither does Pitkin County, which is actually Santa Fe County, the separatist contends.

Republic members such as Kootenay maintain that the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845 was illegal and refuse to recognize Texas' statehood and institutions, including the court system.

more...
http://www.aspendailynews.com/articles.cfm?id=2

:eyes:

[GOPisEvil]

1. This "defense" rears its head every couple of years...

...remember the idiots in the Republic of Texas "militia" group in the Texas mountains a few years ago? Nice try Kootenay. :eyes:

[zbdent]

Then they shouldn't be afforded the protections, either

Therefore, unlawful incarceration is no longer unlawful.

Police brutality means nothing, since the Right doesn't think our Constitution should protect foreigners.


Hey, that would only help us! George W. Bush claims to be from Texas, and you cannot have a non-American holding the office of the White House!

[joeybee12]

2. All I gotta say is the few times I've been to Aspen, Texans are

everywhere! Wearing fur anf being bigots.

[johnnie]

3. Texas

I would tend to believe that when the State of Texas rejoined the union in 1866, it made all previous agreements and treaties with the State of Texas null and void.
I am sure that when the people of Texas still believe they are a Republic and can secede at anytime based on the initial 1845 treaties, they are incorrect.
Also, any state can secede at anytime, there are no laws against that.

[david_vincent]

4. I completely support these people

who say that Texas is an independent republic. America would be *far* better off without Texas. Think how refreshing it would be not having a bunch of people around who think they have a right to run the United States because of where they're from. Scumbags like LBJ and evildoers like the Bushes would be out of our lives. Good riddance!

[GOPisEvil]

5. Gee thanks.

What about the many, MANY liberals who inhabit Texas? I guess we don't matter...

[david_vincent]

6. Didn't mean to offend, but look at it this way

If Texas became independent, then wouldn't that make it easier for lefty types down there? No Pentagon shadow government behind the scenes... oh, I forgot, Diebold is based in Texas.
Well I didn't mean to offend anyone I might actually like - I have friends and relatives down there. Hell, Phil Ochs was born in Texas! You could always move... wouldn't you rather live in a place that doesn't have fire ants anyway?
For too long I've had to work alongside Texans who are completely and unabashedly in my face about how they feel they have a birthright to run the United States. They truly feel that they're literally better - in fact, *chosen* - because they're from Texas. I'm just fed up with the arrogance and its many, many manifestations right up to, and including, Governor Bush.
I'm convinced that the role of Texas in American history has been, on the whole, detrimental rather than beneficial. Please don't take it personally unless you actually like to have criminals in office.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Hmm...interesting...

Except, Diebold is based in North Canton, OH. :-)

You are right about the attitudes of many Texans. I can't deny it. But some of us actually like living here, depsite those morans.

Er...not that I'm against relocation, mind you. Got a job offer for me?! :D

Corrected punctuation.

[argyl]

8. One more time.The Bushes are New England born and bred.

xx