Publisher’s Note: The “Gold Standard”? Jeezum Crow! Kind words from author Bill Kauffman, who literally wrote the book on 21st century US nonviolent secession movements. Here’s his new “American Conservative” essay on #Calexit, which he prefaces with some remarks about our #Vexit efforts here in the once and future Republic of Vermont. Thanks, Bill. Free Vermont!

When a previous Republican president launched the Bush family’s second war upon Iraq, a merry band of Vermonters responded with what they called a “peaceful, democratic, grassroots, libertarian populist movement,” dedicated to returning Vermont to its quondam status as an independent republic.

Vermontian to the marrow, soaked in the ethos of direct democracy, playful (they paraded and put on subversive puppet shows) and yet thoughtful enough to have won the enthusiastic approbation of George Kennan and John Kenneth Galbraith, these Green Mountain Boys and Girls didn’t achieve divorce, but they did give us an alluring glimpse of the shape that hope takes in a darkening empire.

The new Republican president has also catalyzed an independence movement, this one in the Golden State, though so far it lacks the intellectual seriousness, rooted radicalism, and wit of the Vermonters. (Read Kauffman’s entire #Calexit article here.)