Texas Gov. Defends Ordering State Guard To Monitor Possible Military Takeover

FILE - In this July 25, 2011 file photo, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott talks with the media as he leaves the Tom Green County Courthouse, in San Angelo, Texas. Abbott is accusing Google of improperly withholding... FILE - In this July 25, 2011 file photo, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott talks with the media as he leaves the Tom Green County Courthouse, in San Angelo, Texas. Abbott is accusing Google of improperly withholding evidence sought in an investigation into whether the company has been abusing its dominance of Internet search. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) MORE LESS
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Monday stood by his decision to order the state guard to monitor the U.S. military amid fears from conspiracy theorists that an upcoming training exercise is really an attempt to take over the state, the Texas Tribune reported.

Abbott, who last week issued a letter to the Texas State Guard ordering it to oversee the U.S. military training operation known as “Jade Helm 15,” said his decision was an attempt to function as a “communication facilitator” between the military and Texans concerned about the program.

Jade Helm 15 has been described by the military as a “standard training exercise”; however, conspiracy theorists have said the operation may be an attempt by the federal government to stage a military takeover of Texas.

Abbott told the Tribune his actions were “simple and non-inflammatory” and shouldn’t be misconstrued.

“I frankly think that there was an overreaction to the simple fact that someone has to be in charge of gathering and disseminating information and we stepped in to play that role, which is a role to be applauded,” Abbott told the Tribune.

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  1. Best line from one of his own party is former state Rep. Todd Smith, who has accused Abbott of “pandering to idiots.” Indeed Abbott knows there is no takeover planned, he is just pandering.

    Plus what does he mean by “monitor”? The military is not just going to allow you to observe their training exercises. The guys he is sending must be rolling their eyes thinking “is this clown for real”?

  2. Thank you, sir, for removing the last infinitesimal doubt I may have had regarding whether you might in fact not be qualified to be governor of one of the largest states in the USA and economies in the world.

  3. Then why would several prominent GOPers write editorials slamming this? Or, don’t they understand who butters the Guvnah’s bread?

  4. I thought these maroons were going to secede from the Union? Can they hurry up and do it already.

  5. You dummy - that’s why we’re invading Texas, to prevent that from happening!

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