The conspiracy theory that sprung up around Jade Helm 15 is almost too stupid to dignify. From July 15 to September 15, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command has scheduled the military training exercise -- with a name perfect for the next Avengers movie -- for the southwestern United States. The operation is Realistic Military Training, which means it will occur off federal property. The actual training is basically standard military exercises with the added edge of the territory on which the exercises are occurring being unfamiliar.
Naturally, a certain corner of the Internet believes Jade Helm 15 is the first step toward President Obama's inevitable implementing of martial law. The whole thing is bizarre, as fully explained by Gawker over a month ago.
Seemingly, Jade Helm 15 paranoia was going to die where it should have, wherever the Alex Jones crowd left it, but Texas Governor Greg Abbott is not going to let that happen.
Abbott has ordered that the state guard to monitor Jade Helm 15. He is actually going to waste the guard's time, and taxpayer money, to have the Texas Guard send him regular reports on the training exercises.
"During the training operation, it is important that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property rights and civil liberties will not be infringed. By monitoring the Operation on a continual basis, the State Guard will facilitate communications between my office and the commanders of the Operation to ensure that adequate measures are in place to protect Texans," Abbott said in a letter to Texas Guard Commander Jake Beatty.
Sounds like Abbott's in on it, if you ask us.