Texas Military Exercise Sparks Speculation of Martial Law

[Straight Shooter]

For a made-up military mission, Jade Helm 15 is impressively elaborate: The two-month simulation planned for this summer spans much of the Southwest, requiring special forces from four branches of the military to carry out covert operations amid “hostile” territory in Texas, Utah and part of California.

In at least one of those states, hostility toward the operation has begun a few months early. Online and at in-person meetings, many Texans have expressed suspicion and outright opposition to the project. Some are understandably worried about how it’ll affect their daily lives, while conspiracy theorists claim it’s an attempt to institute martial law, possibly in collusion with Wal-Mart.

In response, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has ordered the State Guard to monitor federal troops there during the exercise.

“During the training operation, it is important that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property right and civil liberties will not be infringed,” Abbott wrote in a letter to Maj. Gen. Gerald Betty of the Texas State Guard Tuesday.

At an information session in Bastrop on Monday, command spokesman Lt. Col. Mark Lastoria fielded questions about whether Jade Helm 15 will involve bringing foreign fighters from the Islamic State to Texas, whether U.S. troops will confiscate Texans’ guns and whether the Army intends to implement martial law, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

“It’s the same thing that happened in Nazi Germany: You get the people used to the troops on the street, the appearance of uniformed troops and the militarization of the police,” Bastrop resident Bob Wells told the Statesman after the meeting. “They’re gathering intelligence. That’s what they’re doing. And they’re moving logistics in place for martial law. That’s my feeling. Now, I could be wrong. I hope I am wrong. I hope I’m a ‘conspiracy theorist.'”

Concerns about the operation extend beyond Bastrop. Texas talk show host and self-described “thought criminal against Big Brother” Alex Jones ran a story about the operation under the headline: “Feds preparing to invade Texas, list state as ‘hostile.'”

“Texas is listed as a hostile sector. Of course we are. We’re here defending the republic,” he said on his show.

Multiple Web sites of varying repute also drew a link between the operation and a recent Wal-Mart announcement the chain will be closing five stores, two of them in Texas.

“Are the closed Walmarts being activated as central command for underground operations?” read a headline on IntelliHub, which calls itself the “Civilian Intelligence Agency.”

Other sites posted a video allegedly showing underground tunnels between the shuttered Wal-Mart locations and Jade Helm training sites.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...draws-scrutiny-and-wild-speculation-in-texas/

Only in Texas. That's all I have to say

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

“They’re gathering intelligence. That’s what they’re doing."

If they're gathering intelligence what the heck are they doing in the Texas? Ain't gonna find much.

 

[Jagger69]

I posted this yesterday in another thread. Great commentary in Sunday's Houston Chronicle by columnist Lisa Falkenberg:

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news...ia-6238575.php

Some of the people in this state are absolutely bat-shit crazy. Unfortunately, many of them are running our state government.

 

[MMMariah]

fucking conspiracy theory weirdos. I'm sure that Eric weirdo will be along soon in this thread with his nonsense. And Ted Cruz and that ilk are right there fueling it. Geez.

 

[Will E Worm]

They should not be training in this manner. That's what military bases are for.

So, they are bringing this on themselves.

If they're gathering intelligence what the heck are they doing in the Texas? Ain't gonna find much.

Be good. :nono:


:tongue:

fucking conspiracy theory weirdos.

:nono:

 

[Mr. Daystar]

FEMA has done this in the past, WITHOUT notifying local and state officials, and pissed off a lot of people, mostly police officers that were suddenly in the middle of a military situation. Personally, I see nothing wrong with the Governor keeping an eye on what they're doing, I don't give a fuck what administration is in charge, FEMA is in serious need of a tighter leash. There have also been cases of joint training, that included foreign military, on American soil. That's just wrong, period. People take for granted how much power, and abuse of that power, FEMA wields.

 

[Jagger69]

This isn't FEMA. It's the US Military. Maybe they aren't to be trusted either so let's close up Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, Fort Sam Houston, all the AFBs and NAS facilities....and all the jobs that go with them.

 

[Ulysses31]

They should probably kill all the troops just to be on the safe side

 

[knowone]

Doesn't anyone else see the irony in the people who are usually screaming "The Government's most important job is to protect the border!" are now freaking out about them doing some training to do just that!

 

[Johan]

This is why the GOP has been warning us for monthes : Obama is preparing to declare martial law next years so that there won't be election and h'll stay in the White House until he dies, unless some the real american patrits grab their guns and get that kenyan msulim communist dictator out

 

[Mr. Daystar]

This isn't FEMA. It's the US Military. Maybe they aren't to be trusted either so let's close up Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, Fort Sam Houston, all the AFBs and NAS facilities....and all the jobs that go with them.

I seem to remember seeing something about FEMA in a story. And you've been hanging around a few of the asshat to long, you're staring to get that little snarky tone in your posts. Maybe you should save that for people that treat you disrespectfully.

 

[Jack Davenport]

When I first started with the public defender's office, we used to tell people that the fringe on the flags in the courtroom symbolized martial law.

 

[Jagger69]

I seem to remember seeing something about FEMA in a story. And you've been hanging around a few of the asshat to long, you're staring to get that little snarky tone in your posts. Maybe you should save that for people that treat you disrespectfully.

No FEMA connection at all. Besides, WTF? How was I being "snarky" or treating you with any disrespect? You know I love you, rev!! :wtf: :drawheart:

 

[Jagger69]

This is why the GOP has been warning us for monthes : Obama is preparing to declare martial law next years so that there won't be election and h'll stay in the White House until he dies, unless some the real american patrits grab their guns and get that kenyan msulim communist dictator out

Wow. Dude just comes off here as smug.

 

[Jack Davenport]

This is why the GOP has been warning us for monthes : Obama is preparing to declare martial law next years so that there won't be election and h'll stay in the White House until he dies, unless some the real american patrits grab their guns and get that kenyan msulim communist dictator out

Wrong, our plan is for the military to stage a coup. Then the Obama's are put on trial where their sentence will be that Barry has to spend 8 hours a day on a firing range and Michelle's wardrobe will consist of only the Jaclyn Smith Collection from K-Mart.

 

[Supafly]

*sigh* Even Chuck Norris has gone loony!

On a side note: Ever since Sarah Palin literally burned that line, you cannot use "I can see XYZ from my house!"

And it is impossible for a country to invade its own soil. Texas must secede beforehand.

 

[Rattrap]

We've seen two examples already folks.

Ferguson.

Boston.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1033_program

It's not as far-fetched as it sounds - it just might not be coming from the federal level.

 

[Jagger69]

*sigh* Even Chuck Norris has gone loony!

Oh that's a very short walk for him. He's been an fanatical right-wing evangelical Mike Huckabee supporter for a long time.

 

[Jagger69]

We've seen two examples already folks.

Ferguson.

Boston.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1033_program

It's not as far-fetched as it sounds - it just might not be coming from the federal level.

I'd be more worried about the actions of the Texas State Guard than I would the US special forces that are conducting the exercises. Look....if the Pentagon decides they are going to "invade" Texas, they won't be issuing any press releases like this one through the US Army Special Operations Command:

http://www.soc.mil/UNS/Releases/2015/March/150324-03.html

Instead, you'll just wake up one day and there will be M2 Bradley armored vehicles patrolling the streets in your town. Why even ol' Rick Perry agrees that Abbott has gone too far by reacting in this manner:

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/2...or-sending-state-guard-to-monitor-us-military

I travel the US290/TX-71 corridor frequently and I always pass through the Bastrop area so I'll make sure to keep everyone posted on this as Operation Jade Helm 15 is deployed on July 15. Until then....everyone needs to just settle down IMO.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

No FEMA connection at all. Besides, WTF? How was I being "snarky" or treating you with any disrespect? You know I love you, rev!! :wtf: :drawheart:

I don't know, it just seemed like you were doing a Johan impression...my bad, maybe I just misunderstood the tone of your answer, if that makes sense.