August 23rd, 2012
06:24 PM ET

Comments: Time for another Civil War? Or not? Readers debate disagreement

Editor's note: We're listening to you. Every day, we spot thought-provoking comments from readers. Here's some comments we noticed today.

The Civil War we read about in U.S. history books took place in the 1860s, but even today people are talking about the possibility of it happening again. A Lubbock County, Texas, judge named Tom Head stirred up controversy when he said the United States would enter such a civil war if Obama were re-elected. Texas Democrats are calling for his resignation. The story got more than 17,000 comments about political boundaries, and about what it means to disagree and fight.

Texas Democrats: Judge who said Obama could trigger civil war should resign

Does it matter who is president? (Putting aside views about what constitutes a "good president" for a moment.)

Picturamadoj: "If we didn't have a Civil War when Bush was in office, why would anyone think we'd have a Civil War with a good president like Obama?"

bhartman36: "We had a civil war when Abraham Lincoln was in office, too. The quality of the president has nothing to do with whether or not there's civil war."

Some readers griped about Republicans.

kkhjlh: "Talk about extreme politics. Does the Republican party really endorse this garbage? And they want to run the country."

But some blamed the president.

Jakerman: "Proof of how Obama has divided the country? Read the posts on here."

And a few others said maybe secession isn't such a bad idea.

RubinL: "So secede already! This time, not only won't we try to stop you, we'll even help you pack."

What do you think? Does the judge's commentary matter? Share your opinion in the comments area below and in the latest stories on CNN.com. Or sound off on video via CNN iReport.

Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.

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Filed under: Comments • Politics • U.S.
soundoff (88 Responses)
  1. Name*Lance D.

    Texass, obuttma, stupid as stupid is. Think about it.

    August 25, 2012 at 2:08 am | Report abuse |
  2. Name*Lance D.

    Oops sorry, forgot to add CNN to the list too. Better late than never.

    August 25, 2012 at 2:11 am | Report abuse |
  3. M

    Obama is not a good president .
    I'm glad to see there is an elected official that isn't sheep but a wolf.
    It is sad that a Lot of u that commented on here is ignorint and blind as to what Obama is rely trying to do.
    it might not come to an actual civil war. But there will be a fight if Obama is re-elect just due to the entire dissatisfaction
    of the American people on how Obama is tring to weeken us and take our rights away, from hoarding firearms and ammo to forcing medical care that doesn't really work, to holding Americans without due process, and all in between. He isn't trying to protect us, which is the job of the president and the US government, he is tring to enslave us.

    August 25, 2012 at 11:43 am | Report abuse |
    • jt2658

      M: if Obama wins the election it means that a mojority of Americans believe he is the right person for the job. That means YOU and your views are the minority. Think about it.

      August 25, 2012 at 12:46 pm | Report abuse |
    • Andrew

      I just love the fact that you misspelled ignorant. Just saying.
      Get ready, guys.

      August 25, 2012 at 2:49 pm | Report abuse |
    • Gus

      Kevin, check your sources...Fox News is not always correct. Obama won both the popular votes and the electoral votes needed to win. So JT is right in saying that the majority did think Obama was still right for the job.

      November 9, 2012 at 7:38 am | Report abuse |
  4. Linda

    You forgot to add, "or old and white."
    Laws passed in this country must cover everyone, regulations must cover everyone, assistance must cover everyone or we cease to be a democracy. I was taught that we are all equal in this country and that is what makes us strong. No one person is any more deserving than any other person. Wealth does not make you special, religion does not make you special, ethnicity does not make you special, political affiliation does not make you special, age does not make you special; they are merely a factor in what determines your individual opinion not a reason for preferential treatment. It's long past time that the citizens in this country remember this.
    The hate rhetoric and exclusionary policies that have become the Republican/Tea party platform need to be reassessed. This type fear mongering is bordering on sedition, especially when it comes from such a powerful elected official. All of us in this country need to develop a zero tolerance policy with regards to politicians and others of authority that use it. Vote. Them. Out!

    August 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm | Report abuse |
    • Tonya

      We aren't a democracy. We are a republic. "One nation, under God. And to this Republic...for which it stands." wow. We are so blind we dont even see it.

      November 7, 2012 at 2:03 am | Report abuse |
  5. Carl

    We're actually having a "cold" civil war now as the country is evenly divided between left and right, and with the Congress virtually deadlocked. Instead of fighting it out we should have a peaceful settlement to decide who gets what states with a coin toss.

    August 25, 2012 at 11:47 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Southern mom

    test

    August 26, 2012 at 12:11 am | Report abuse |
  7. isolate

    Certainly not civil war, but an amicable separation is in order. With the country polarized as it is, it should be relatively simple to create two governments, a progressive one and a regressive one. Let the extreme right, beginning with this judge, form a safe haven of states which will be happy living in their fantasy of a century ago. Mississippi, the most conservative state (also the least educated, most obese, poorest and arguably the most religious) could become a role model.

    Let all the others form a nation that isn't obsessed with guns, god and gynecology but are more concerned with education, invention, equality, freedom and the state of the Earth.

    The only drawback I see is that the regressive nation would immediately declare war on the progressive one....

    August 26, 2012 at 1:34 pm | Report abuse |
  8. alansretired

    the sad part is this nut case really wasn't just "warning about" a possible civil war, he is probably "hoping for" it. His crafty use of "warning the public" is really a cloaked cue for inciting it, thus rendering a later "I told you so..." response. Then he will be elevated to a party clairvoyant. Somewhere the doomsday crowd is buying ammunition....

    August 27, 2012 at 1:59 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Tendofreak

    The government is fine....its the people running it I disagree with.

    August 28, 2012 at 3:31 pm | Report abuse |
  10. lc

    Bring it on hillbilly

    August 29, 2012 at 3:05 am | Report abuse |
  11. Melinda

    I think that another civil war is not only close to happening, the seeds have been planted. The country is so evenly divided and neither side is willing to give, As a Southern woman, I hate the ideals Obama is pushing, the whole country is so massively in debt and the Northern states, along with the west coast seem not to notice, or care. To me, this election was about people wanting everything for free and not realizing that it's coming off the backs of other Americans.

    I hate to see the country spearate, but maybe it is for the best, if we can't agree to disagree, break apart and figure it out on our own.

    November 7, 2012 at 7:49 am | Report abuse |
  12. Stephen

    He has a right to his opinion. I think it's true. I predicted the same thing before I read this. Obama is a failure and a socialist. When he attempts to become the dictator, that's when the civil war will come. Or when he attempts to take away gun rights.

    November 7, 2012 at 9:33 pm | Report abuse |
  13. JellyBean

    Let the Red Welfare States secede. We're better off without them.

    November 15, 2012 at 12:29 pm | Report abuse |
  14. brandog

    why cant we all just get along i am sick of all of this political gossip

    December 10, 2012 at 7:53 am | Report abuse |
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