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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-07/jade-helm-15-prompts-texas-takeover-conspiracy/6452810
A paper published last year found that around half of the American public consistently endorses at least one conspiracy theory, and that many popular conspiracy theories are differentiated along ideological dimensions. Having said that, their research was pre-Snowden revelations, so many of the conspiracy theories may have been well founded.
Even so, the hysteria surrounding Operation Jade Helm 15 seems unusually shrill, with Chuck Norris (ex fake Texas Ranger) urging Texans not to believe government reassurances that it is just an exercise, and Governor Greg Abbott ordering the National Guard to monitor the US military's activities.
So what do Soylentils think? Will conservative Texas, in the words of Freedom Fighter 2127 on YouTube be, "The first state, according to our military source, these are not just drills. Texas will be the first state to be under martial law"?
There are plenty of people willing to point out the lunacy of the conspiracy theorists. Of course, Jon Stewart is one:
"There is no Texas takeover," Stewart said. "The United States government already controls Texas — since like the 1840s. And you left and then you came back. Just borrow a textbook from a neighboring state. It's all in there.
(Score: 2, Troll) by kaszz on Saturday May 09 2015, @06:42PM
If it's true that any permanent martial law in Texas isn't going to happen. Then prove it with documentation and reality?
It's not like transforming this nation into a semi permanent martial law perhaps is that far away.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Ethanol-fueled on Saturday May 09 2015, @06:48PM
Texans like to portray themselves as rebellious and independent, but in fact are by far one of the most authoritarian bootlicking populations in the 'states. If the military ever did invade Texas, they'd be welcomed with open arms and any rebels would be squished like roaches.
Texas: A whole-lotta nothin'.
(Score: 4, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 09 2015, @11:09PM
Why is that modded Funny? It should be modded Insightful.
Texas is like the big, brawny man you see at the gym benchpressing 450 lbs, curling 100 lbs in each hand, and squatting 650 lbs. Then after the workout, you see him in the showers and he has a tiny micropenis, and maybe even a shriveled scrotum.
He may look big and tough, and he may act it, but when it comes down to it he's totally lacking where it really matters.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 09 2015, @11:44PM
That AC has lots of experience checking out men's cocks, apparently. I'm sure you'll find the perfect cock someday little buddy.
(Score: 1, Troll) by Runaway1956 on Sunday May 10 2015, @04:16AM
Wow. Just wow. You spend a lot of time examining micro penises in the shower? Which part of California are you from?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 10 2015, @07:55AM
Which part of California are you from?
The part that's in Texas.
(Score: 3, Touché) by TheRaven on Sunday May 10 2015, @09:11AM
Which part of California are you from?
The part that's in Texas.
Austin?
sudo mod me up
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Immerman on Saturday May 09 2015, @07:15PM
I do agree that the threat of permanent martial law in this country seems closer than ever: The US governments trampling of rights is getting ever more egregious (that has been going on since the founding, but we seem to be finally reaching the kink in the "hockey stick" curve) . We've installed a domestic surveillance system that would make the KGB blush with inadequacy. And we've spent over a decade with our military engaged in continuous asymmetric urban warfare and policing. The pieces are pretty much all in place for the fall of democracy - and I think that's legitimately terrifying.
I really doubt it's going to happen right now though, while we've got a figurehead president hated by the people most likely to offer immediate armed resistance. You don't ant to start the revolution with bloodshed, that makes things far too difficult. Assuming for the moment that there is a conspiracy, I would expect the conspirators to first install a vibrant, charismatic leader capable of mobilizing the most immediately dangerous potential resistance into leading the charge against "the threat from within" (probably Arabs and Muslims at this moment), so that the "revolution" starts its life with the veneer of a populist movement. Not unlike what happened in Germany, Russia, China, etc.
You do understand that you're asking for negative evidence though, right? What would satisfy you? The 300 page plan by which the US military will be not instilling martial law? I mean we all know how it goes - one minute you've got a perfectly "innocent" military training exercise of the sort that happens all the time, then somebody trips and before you know it there's martial law all over the place.
If there is a conspiracy there will likely be evidence of it somewhere, at least if you knew exactly where and what to look for. But there will never, ever, be anything but the most circumstantial evidence for the lack of a conspiracy.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Ethanol-fueled on Saturday May 09 2015, @10:01PM
Whatever it is; labeling Texas, Utah, and the southern tip of California as "hostile" was an extremely inflammatory message to send to the American people. Those portions of the US are generally conservative Christian and pro-gun. It was an extremely counterproductive message to send.
They could have just as easily drawn a line through the middle of Texas and labeled one half friendly and one half hostile. Or drawn a horizontal line roughly bisecting the Southwestern states and labeled the north side of the line "friendly" and the south side of the line "hostile."
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Sunday May 10 2015, @12:03AM
Point.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 10 2015, @12:27AM
Um, buddy? Got a minute? Can we talk?
This thing you said,
labeling Texas, Utah, and the southern tip of California as "hostile" was an extremely inflammatory message to send to the American people.
seems to not to under stand that the plans for Jesse Helms 15 were not for public release, it was for the purposes of the exercise, and that means fictional. Not really a statement about anybody that lives in the areas artificially labeled "hostile". But if you take it that way, maybe it is true. I, for one, will support the troops, as they invade Texas, Utah, and the southern tip of California! Bastards deserve it. Oh, and stop listening to Alex Jones and Infowars, certifiably insane!
(Score: 4, Insightful) by TheRaven on Sunday May 10 2015, @09:15AM
sudo mod me up
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Ethanol-fueled on Sunday May 10 2015, @02:18PM
Look, I am neither conservative nor a Christian. And the point I was trying to make was the impression the Jade Helm participants are giving a lot of people here. Congressional approval ratings are in the single-digits and America is now more bitterly divided than ever. Consider all that, and ask yourself if it was really a smart move to label certain specific regions of one overwhelmingly demographic political slant.
What I think about or read both have nothing to do with that. I read a variety of left and right-leaning news sources. My personal opinion of the matter is that labeling things they way they did was unnecessarily inflammatory.
And yes, I did see the map suggesting that California represented Israel, the hostile Southern tip of California representing Palestine, hostile Utah Representing Syria, and hostile Texas representing Iran.
Why is there so much talk about all this if it's "just nothing" as some are trying to say?
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Sunday May 10 2015, @08:35PM
Eth, often I have been perturbed by your contributions here, especially the racism, sexism, and overall bad taste. But when you have lowered yourself to be serious, I usually found you to be a rather reasonable Soylentil. Until now.
Why is there so much talk about all this if it's "just nothing" as some are trying to say?
Yes, very good question! Why is there so much talk about it? Maybe the Government doesn't want us talking about the sekrit plan to invaidulate Texas! See, right there is the crazy. The reason there is so much talk about this is that there is so much talk about this, by crazy people! As AC pointed out earlier, this is a training exercise, not a public relations campaign by the US Military. As such, they are saying nothing with the pretend designation of enemy territory, because it is not for public consumption. But then the crazies found out, and they started talking about it. Why are you siding with crazies, Eth? Go back to just being crude, rude, and socially unacceptable.
Second reason there is so much talk about this. Governor of Texas is a crazy! If this had been the usually conspiracy theory, it would have been limited to the usual tin-foil wearers. But once Rand Paul, Chuck Norris and Gov. Abbott step into the ring, the rest of us have to ask: "How stupid can Republicans be? Is the crazy contaigious?" And now I fear that Ethanol-fueled is among the victims. Mostly, however, the talking about this is mostly sane people (you know, SJWs, liberals, people with educations) making fun of anyone gullible to fall for this crap! So come back, Eth, step away from the crazy. Don't make us have to send you to rehab.
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Sunday May 10 2015, @09:20AM
instilling martial law?
Are you quite sure that you did not actually intend to say "distilling marital law?", or "infiltrating marshall law?" or "deflating Tom Brady's balls?". I am confused and concerned by your choice of words. I am also interested in your views and would like to subscribe to your instillating newsletter.