British Lawyer asking for an A** kicking... Says USA is illegal

[guyver01]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/2...-treason-british-lawyers-say/?test=latestnews

Declaration of Independence Was 'Illegal,' Grounds for Treason, British Lawyers Say

The Declaration of Independence was “illegal” and “treasonable,” according to a team of British lawyers, the BBC reports.

The assertion was made at a debate in Philadelphia between British and American lawyers over the legitimacy of the United States of America.

At the debate, pitting British barristers against American attorneys, lawyers for the former colonial power argued that America’s Declaration of Independence in 1776 “was not only illegal, but actually treasonable,” according to the BBC.

The lawyers representing the British team decided that the Americans had no legal grounds for secession. "[President Abraham] Lincoln made the case against secession and he was right."

"The grievances listed in the Declaration were too trivial to justify secession," the British lawyers wrote. "The main one -- no taxation without representation -- was no more than a wish on the part of the colonists, to avoid paying for the expense of protecting them against the French during seven years of arduous war and conflict."

The American lawyers countered that the Declaration's validity has been proven by "subsequent independence movements which have been enforced by world opinion as right and just."

At the end of the debate, which took place just a few blocks away from where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration, a vote was held and American independence was reaffirmed.

 

[FallenHero]

In other news, Britain is full of morons with bad teeth.

 

[J-Money]

Good use of time and money. Debating whether the country is legitimate or not.

I'd say they are little late on this one.

 

[randomrogue]

This is definitely the democrats fault.

 

[Macamus Prime]

And, it's important that all AH-MURI-CANS give him all the attention he is asking for.

 

[shortylickens]

They can have New York.
Mexico can have Texas.
Give california to the Indians.

BUT THE REST, is OURS!
And we bitch slap anyone who tries to cross.

 

[dennilfloss]

Of course it was illegal and treason under then British law. It is legitimate only because the rebels won, otherwise it'd be known as the American Rebellion rather than the American Revolution. Why do you think that slime ball Franklin told the other signatories that they had to hang together or they'd hang separately?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

They can have New York.
Mexico can have Texas.
Give california to the Indians.

BUT THE REST, is OURS!
And we bitch slap anyone who tries to cross.

Don't forget Chicago, Gary, and Detroit -- they can have those too.

 

[ViviTheMage]

slow to the party ...

 

[sandorski]

It was a Debate. It is highly unlikely they were doing nothing more than making a Case for Illegitimacy, not actually believing what they were debating.

 

[Triumph]

fine, they can absorb 10 trillion dollars of debt. not our problem anymore!

 

[PricklyPete]

haha. Discussing this gives it more credence than it deserves.

 

[GotIssues]

Of course it was illegal and treason under then British law. It is legitimate only because the rebels won, otherwise it'd be known as the American Rebellion rather than the American Revolution. Why do you think that slime ball Franklin told the other signatories that they had to hang together or they'd hang separately?

Spot on, chap.

fine, they can absorb 10 trillion dollars of debt. not our problem anymore!

$15 Trillion.

 

[Jeeebus]

I think my fellow ATOT legal mavens will agree with me that the statute of limitations has likely passed on this one.

 

[Veliko]

What an utter non-story. It was a debate.

 

[dennilfloss]

Spot on, chap.

When it comes to rebellions, might makes right. As Blackthorne mentions to his Japanese overlord in Shogun, the overarching reason that legitimates rebelling against your sovereign is when you win (though possibly only for the short term, as shown by Cromwell and his Puritans victory and later demise).

If the Confederate states had won the civil war, their secession would have been de facto legitimate albeit not de jure.

Of course, you can instead go the Canadian route and use reason & logic to convince the imperium to grant your nation independence because it's the right, moral thing to do and will benefit both countries.

 

[corwin]

I think my fellow ATOT legal mavens will agree with me that the statute of limitations has likely passed on this one.

Don't think there is one for treason...

 

[TheAdvocate]

 

[PottedMeat]

What an utter non-story. It was a debate.

NO! IT IS 110% REAL AND THEY ARE GOING TO PURSUE IT!


OP should have posted it in P&N for the lulz

 

[guyver01]

OP should have posted it in P&N for the lulz

If i posted in P&N.. it would have turned into "they're right.. the usa is illegal.. we should revolt.. britain is better" arguments.

 

[olds]

I say we go to war with Britain and take their, uh, take their, umm, take...
Never mind. They have nothing worth taking.

 

[Ancalagon44]

In other news, reports are coming in of a war fought over something like that which I think ended the argument.

But yeah the OP is right - that lawyer is looking for an ***kicking. Lets git in ur pickups an' head over ther' to show em what fer. yeehaw!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

How about we make a deal... we'll become part of the UK once they pay off our credit card bill.

 

[olds]

How about we make a deal... we'll become part of the UK once they pay off our credit card bill.

Pass.
But they could probably afford it with all the money they save on dental care.

 

[crownjules]

If i posted in P&N.. it would have turned into "they're right.. the usa is illegal.. we should revolt.. britain is better" arguments.

Or the flipside - guns are illegal laws, universal healthcare, higher education subsidized by the government - HAVEN OF COMMUNISM.