Here’s just a little more evidence that the nullification movement is growing by leaps and bounds.
This past weekend, I spoke at a nullification conference in Atlanta put on by the Abbeville Institute. The room was packed out and I met people from at least seven different states. Many of these folks traveled hundreds of miles, plopped down $90 and gave up their weekends to attend an academic conference on nullification.
The list of speakers was pretty impressive too, including two prominent attorneys, a retired judge and two respected historians with PhDs. So, this wasn’t just a bunch of hacks somebody pulled off the street – unless you count me as a hack. :)
In all seriousness, it was a pretty impressive roster of intellectual firepower.
Topics covered included an overview of the history and principles of nullification, the Constitution as a contract, how state courts can nullify federal court actions and the authority of conventions. I talked about practical nullification being carried out today, focusing on James Madison’s blueprint. The audience was particularly interested in the anti-commandeering doctrine and how that opens to door for states to nullify federal actions in effect through non-cooperation.
It was a fantastic conference. The fact that an organization put on such a well-attended event focused specifically on nullification should encourage you!
On a quick side-note, we just published an in-depth report I wrote examining how the Glendale Police Department cooperates with the ATF. If you haven’t read it yet, I think you’ll find it quite informative. You can read it HERE.
