# Sovereign Citizens-- Please tell me this is fake **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 24, 2016, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572 "2016-10-24T07:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 55
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1081 "2024-08-30T18:07:39Z")
There must be a Venn diagram of that out there somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1082 "2024-08-30T18:26:48Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > This man actually strikes me as being much more emotionally disturbed than the usual sovereign citizen jerk. There are hints of paranoid schizophrenia here. My agency deals with people who walk in off the street looking for help, and among other things we intervene for people who were injured on the job. It’s not extremely rare for some of these people to have paranoid delusions, unfortunately. They’re of no harm to anyone but themselves and it’s honestly sad. Ironically, they are sure the government is out to get them, and we’re the government. But I guess since we talk to them with patience and respect we’re not “them”. I agree that it’s very different from a SovCit who thinks they found a real life legal video game cheat code. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1083 "2024-08-30T18:28:47Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If you’re going to rent a car and not return it, at least make it something better than a _Toyota Corolla_ That may be part of his argument. He’d return a rented Ferrari, but this is _just a Toyota Corolla_! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1084 "2024-08-30T20:27:26Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > He’d return a rented Ferrari, You’d be surprised how many don’t. I recall an episode of “Vegas Metro” or some such “Cops” rip-off had them roll on an abandoned Ferrari left on the side of the road with the keys in it and the motor running. Door open. I assume they ran down the owner and there was a story behind the event, but they never said. 🙁 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1085 "2024-08-31T04:44:26Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > The Jedi mind trick just doesn’t seem to work any more. _“It CAN’T be stolen if I’m in front of them EVERY SINGLE DAY, my man!”_ ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1086 "2024-08-31T12:42:07Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > “It CAN’T be stolen if I’m in front of them EVERY SINGLE DAY, my man!” Police : “That’s why where here, my man!” The guy clearly has mental issues. I hope he gets help. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1087 "2024-08-31T17:05:03Z")
Sov cit “event” in Dallas. > **[Dallas police officer 'executed,' 2 others injured in targeted shootings: Chief](https://abcnews.go.com/US/1-police-officer-shot-killed-2-wounded-dallas/story?id=113266077)** > > One police officer has been shot and killed and two others wounded after a shooting in Dallas, authorities have confirmed. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1088 "2024-08-31T17:13:56Z")
I seriously wonder if there’s a legitimate place in our criminal justice system for whipping, since execution is too drastic and incarceration seems to be too abstract a threat for many people. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1089 "2024-08-31T18:27:00Z")
The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “ **Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted**.” So, given modern sensitivities, probably a no-go. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1090 "2024-08-31T20:02:42Z")
Given modern sensibilities yes. But since corporal punishment survived long after the Eighth Amendment it would be hard to argue that it’s inherently unconstitutional. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1091 "2024-08-31T21:51:47Z")
How about taking away their citizenship (since they claim not to be citizens anyways) and deport them to North Korea? ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1092 "2024-08-31T22:08:54Z")
I think even such an ever scheming, truth twisting crazy regime like NK doesn’t want this kind of fools. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1093 "2024-08-31T22:18:07Z")
Somebody needs to develop Heinlein’s _Coventry_. We don’t have force fields yet, but we can always mine the shit out of the surrounding area. Maybe some piece of backwoods Wyoming. Or a few acres in the middle of China Lake NWC. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2024, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1094 "2024-09-01T01:47:55Z")
Isn’t having to listen to the sovcits’ nonsense in and of itself cruel and unusual punishment? Anyway, I’d dearly love to hear a judge tell them straight up their nonsense is in fact nonsense and then ask them what they really expected to happen when they trotted out their nonsense. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > How about taking away their citizenship (since they claim not to be citizens anyways) and deport them to North Korea? North Korea has shown they won’t accept someone whose thought processes aren’t all that up to snuff. Remember what happened to Private Travis King? And given how strict North Korea is, they’re certainly not going to welcome someone whose major stance is “your laws do not apply to me”. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1095 "2024-09-01T02:40:06Z")
And when did North Korea declare that they are citizens…or are you trying to create a minor problem and a major problem when before all we had a minor problem? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2024, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1096 "2024-09-01T02:41:40Z")
Something like eastern Oregon and most of Idaho? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2024, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1097 "2024-09-01T08:32:08Z")
Do you want to put them in control of the country’s strategic potato reserve? ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2024, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1098 "2024-09-01T13:44:20Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Anyway, I’d dearly love to hear a judge tell them straight up their nonsense is in fact nonsense and then ask them what they really expected to happen when they trotted out their nonsense. I’ve seen that on YouTube and they generally keep on script. It’s interesting to watch SovCitz one their second or third go around and still not getting that it doesn’t work. Sometimes the judge will find them in contempt for something and then after a little while in jail they realize it’s better to have an attorney respresenting them afterall. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1099 "2024-09-01T15:58:34Z")
“The spuds must flow!!!” ![](https://media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExYnl1azhmb3Bja3diZmlvb3dtaWJ5ZzEyYmt3M2s2dWRwaDU1NWYzaCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/WlsLAnYfrB30p9JK5Z/giphy.gif "Protect Timothee Chalamet GIF by Dune Movie - Find & Share on GIPHY") ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1100 "2025-04-16T00:54:40Z")
They have their own movie! > **[Dennis Quaid, Nick Offerman & Jacob Tremblay Thriller ‘Sovereign’ Stakes...](https://deadline.com/2025/04/dennis-quaid-sovereign-release-date-1236368233/)** > > Briarcliff Entertainment has set a June 20 theatrical release for their Dennis Quaid-Nick Offerman-Jacob Tremblay true crime thriller Sovereign. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572.md?page=56)