Colin's Last Stand, Episode 4: California's Harebrained Secession Movement (Part I)

I now realize this was posted in the wrong video. C'est la vie.

Ryan Berry

I think the only way to proceed safely is to consult with South Korea, China, and Japan to identify a strategy. Give them our state-of-the-art defense tech to protect against a strike, so that we can invade, or something to that effect. Ensure all parties agree on the level of resources to commit, and then execute the plan. It's a dangerous proposition, but simple enough to execute, especially compared to the Syrian conflict. I (unfortunately) don't see a world where Trump does nothing. If we instigate an attack from NK to JP or SK, then we lose some powerful allies, and become at risk for an attack by someone much more powerful than NK.

Ryan Berry

Like you, I've talked about the absurdity of a secession movement as well with my friends. As a person who comes from debate, i think you're taking the right approach with a systematic, point-by-point destruction of the argument.

Caleb Greer

Another great video man! As a resident of California, it's good food for thought.

John Quinn

Colin: just wanted to add a potential source for you. A recent Kevin Williamson piece in NR about the same subject. Not sure if it'll add anything but thought I would at least forward it! <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2017-04-17-0100/calexit-2019-russia" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2017-04-17-0100/calexit-2019-russia</a>

Brian Prewitt

I would like to add one thing concerning what you said about California vs Wyoming representations. Mathematically speaking, they are not represented equally. California currently has 53 representatives in the House covering 38, 332, 521 citizens. This equates to 1 person representing 723, 255 people. Wyoming currently has 1 representative in the House covering a population of 582, 658 citizens. If California were to have equal representations, 1 rep per 582, 658 citizens, the number of representatives California should have, is 65 (66 rounding up), not 53. This increase in representatives obviously could provide a sway in the House... especially if you do the same math for all states (for example Texas would have 45 instead of 36, NY would have 33 instead of 27, etc). Because the number of electors for the Electoral College are generated by adding the number of senate and house reps for a state, this could even have a sway on presidential elections.... though, and I am saying this from memory, when I calculated the results for the 2016 election, Donald Trump would have still won. Anyways, my point being, mathematically, things are not equal. Due to the Apportionment Act of 1911, however, the number of representatives has been capped, (which probably makes sense... could you imagine how bloated such a massive legislative body would be at that point?) so despite disparate population growths in different states, the ratios can never be corrected in the House's current state. Redistribution, while keeping the House number of reps at 435, would result in a fraction of a representative for states like Wyoming.... which poses all sorts of moral and ethical issues ;)

Eric Iverson

Calexit, just like the same nonsense from Texas during Obama's tenure, is absolutely childish and ascinine. Colin, I commend you for taking the time to actually put this video together to pick apart the idea. I can't help but be dismissive to the thought because it is so utterly ill conceived. It's fallacies don't lie very far under the surface. Great video as usual, sir!

Eric Iverson

Great job! Looking forward to part 2

Marc Boggio

Thanks again for another interesting topic

God - this really made me think In Ways I wouldn't have ever imagined. Like: Water supply?! 😳 I so enjoy this type of learning. Thank you, Col. 🤓❤️

BettyAnn Moriarty

Didn't know that California was interested in pursuing this, so I learned something new! Their list of reasons seemed short-sighted...how much support for this movement is there? Is it something you hear about often living in the state? I had never heard of it on the east coast.

On the off chance that California does secede, you moving back to Long Island Colin?

Great job on the video, Colin! Loved it. Very interesting. Well done on sorting the thumbnails. You are literally fixing everything I wanted you too. Cant wait for Monday!

Samuel

My favorite video yet! It was nice to see a rational breakdown of such a ludicrous movement.

Jared Brazil

Had never heard of CalExit until now, hasn't registered across the pond here, but this was really interesting because of the parallels to Brexit. Looking forward to the rest. There is glimmer of, much deserved, confidence in this new video. Keep up the good work.

Jordan Durrant

Contructive Criticism: As I mentioned on the previous CLS video, I'm glad you aren't giving up on the more produced/scripted vids. Despite a seemingly collective favor for the recent off-the-cuff videos, the Colin Was Right series had some of the most viewed and lauded works you've ever produced for a reason. I am pleased to see that you're falling back into stride with this one (very interesting and hilarious, btw, posting it on FB after I'm done here) with no hiccups that come to mind after watching it. I don't know if it was the subject matter, the delivery, or timing of the episode, but you knocked it out of the park, man! And it looks so good, giving me flashes of Rubin Report level professionalism. If you can hit this mark and even improve on it every time, I'd almost say this is the style you want to use permanently. Professional is the key word here. Great job!

R Bamb

Well done! I agree that secessionist movements are extremely likely. However, I think they serve an important purpose in getting people to think about what they want from their government. It's too bad that yescalifornia.org 's language is so flimsy because I think they have an opportunity to express their dissent in meaningful ways that could find its way into actionable policies.

VegasBuffet

Great video Collin! As a libertarian from Louisiana, this is a super interesting topic. As foolish as it may be, I think California, or any other state should have the right to secede if that's what it's people want. I 'd love to hear your in depth take on the subject in general . Also, I'd like to suggest for these scripted videos, maybe having a table in front of you, similar to the Collin was Right setup. I think that would really sell the difference between your two types of content. Keep up the great work

Chase Moroni

My jaw nearly hit the floor when you read that second point about how California has no influence in the Presidential elections, and that they "often know the results before they are counted". That's the funniest thing I've seen all day. It blows my mind that any human being could look at the number of electoral votes California has in relation to the rest of the country and conclude that they have no effect on the election. I live in Rhode Island buddy. Cry me a river.

Nick

Nice. I was just discussing this with a friend. Can't wait to watch this evening. My argument has always been (as witnessed in 1860s) the federal government is letting anyone go anywhere regardless of the will of the people. Not to get to grim with it but the federal government controls the last hedge against the nation breaking as well in the military. I love discussions like this though. Very interesting.

Josh in Tampa

Great episode Colin! As someone who lives in Kentucky, I knew a bit about the topic, but this was very informative. I like knowing what's going on in other parts of the country, wether it's good or bad. The CalExit... that seems bad. For them anyways. Especially after you after you laid out the issues, I just can't see how it would be a beneficial move. Our states shouldn't be trying to leave, we should all be supportive of one another. Were all on this crazy journey call life together. One minor note of criticism, this episode was a big improvement from the last which was still good, but the scrolling titles in the back ground... I think you could slow those down a bit. It's a distracting at times! That's it though. Thumbs up to you good sir!

Fantastic Mr Scott

Great video Col! I absolutely don't like the idea of CalExit. I think it doesn't make sense, and all the facts you point out just seem to make that argument even stronger. I love California, but good God, I want to be a part of the entire country, not just this state. Looking forward to the second part, keep it up!

Khalil Sadi

I love this topic, since I live in a state that also likes to threaten to do the same (Texas). Learned a lot I didn't know before!

So i was thinking about an interesting topic to me and it affects me. I want to know your thoughts on Puerto Rico's current status and if it benefits more from becoming a State or an independent country. What do ypu think Puerto Rico should do.

John Miranda

Great idea for a video Colin. I have heard of this movement but haven't read up on it because I never took it serious. I think you do a great job of pointing out how ludicrous the idea actually is. Can't wait for part 2.

Dan Phillips

Beautiful! Keep up the fantastic work, hoping we can get these in podcast form soon! Some days I just don't have time to watch the videos, it would be great to be able to listen to them at work.

Austin Killian

Great stuff Colin, you can tell you are getting more and more comfortable in front of the camera with a script. Keep up the great work!

Bryan Finck

I always liked history and politics, never loved the topic. You've proven that it can be more engaging. Thank You.

John Miranda

Loving this content Colin, you continue to prove how engaging you can be :) and you're reigniting my love for history and politics as someone who studied it at university but has fallen away thanks to my distain for modern politics and outrage culture. Thank You Colin!

Simon Winstanley

Another phenomenal video Colin, well done! The only thing that caught my attention was when you brought up the CSA, you displayed the often-mistaken battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia as opposed to one of the three CSA national flags, it's totally fine and I understand if you did it because the flag is more widely known, but I would have thought a huge history buff such as yourself would've gone with the accurate flag. Super small thing, but overall really great work. Proud to be a supporter!