{"id":14980,"date":"2015-05-10T22:59:40","date_gmt":"2015-05-10T22:59:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/?p=14980"},"modified":"2015-05-10T23:00:41","modified_gmt":"2015-05-10T23:00:41","slug":"the-lone-star-state-runs-interference-on-obamas-jade-helm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/?p=14980","title":{"rendered":"The Lone Star State Runs Interference On Obama’s Jade Helm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

Texas bristles at Obama\u2019s \u2018invasion\u2019<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n

Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington
\nft.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"Soldiers\u00a9AP<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

President Barack Obama plans to launch a military operation this summer that will see the special forces which killed Osama bin Laden team up with Walmart <\/a>to take over Texas.<\/p>\n

The invasion will also target the Mormon stronghold of Utah and an \u201cinsurgent pocket\u201d in California. But the main thrust will be in Texas where 1,200 special forces \u2014 Army Green Beret forces to Navy Seals \u2014 will try to reclaim the state that voted for Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.<\/p>\n

As the US focuses on the threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis<\/a>), anti-Obama groups have been fanning the flames of conspiracy over Jade Helm 15<\/a>, a long-planned military exercise to let troops \u201cpractise core special warfare tasks, which help protect the nation against foreign enemies\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mr Obama is no stranger to conspiracy theories \u2014 for instance, Donald Trump claiming that he was not born in the US and so not qualified to occupy the White House.<\/p>\n

The former \u201cRepublic of Texas\u201d has also had one of the strongest streaks of independence in the US since it was annexed in 1845, making the \u201cLone Star\u201d state ripe for conspiracy tales involving the federal government.<\/p>\n

But the latest intrigue took on a new dimension when Greg Abbott, the new Republican governor of Texas, ordered the State Guard, a branch of the Texas state military, to monitor Jade Helm on the grounds that it was \u201cimportant that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property rights and civil liberties will not be infringed\u201d.<\/p>\n

Ted Cruz<\/a>, the Texas senator running for president, said while he was not concerned about Jade Helm, the anxiety was valid because \u201cwe have seen, for six years, a federal government disrespecting the liberty of the citizens\u201d.<\/p>\n

But Mr Abbott\u2019s move sparked criticism from mainstream Republicans and people surprised that he would lend credence to rumours.<\/p>\n

In his inauguration speech, Mr Abbott had thanked the military, including his brother who served in the Navy, for service that \u201csecured our freedom to celebrate events of democracy like this today\u201d.<\/p>\n

His order to the State Guard came days before two men with suspected Isis links were killed by police<\/a> after they opened fire outside a provocative anti-Muslim exhibition in Garland, Texas.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/div>\n

Although just a wild rumour, the Jade Helm conspiracy has tapped into a debate about the relationship between the federal government and the states that is expected to be a central topic in the 2016 presidential election.<\/p>\n

On issues from healthcare to same-sex marriage, many conservatives worry that another Democrat in the Oval Office would push policies that would strip power away from the states.<\/p>\n

Mr Abbot\u2019s order provided rich fodder for satirists. Comedian Jon Stewart ripped<\/a> into the governor, saying, \u201cSo Texas, it appears you are on the verge of being taken over by Isis or the United States of America\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009What would Rick Perry do?\u201d<\/p>\n