You've read 7 articles this month

TPM is funded overwhelmingly by readers’ membership fees. More than 91% of our revenue is derived from memberships and reader contributions. The rest comes from advertising. As a fully independent organization, TPM has no corporate overlords. TPM is not beholden to or controlled by any outside interests. TPM was founded by a journalist and to this day its “business” side is staffed with former journalists whose primary mission is to create a sustainable environment for our reporters and editors to do great work.

Want better media? Support a better media company

  • Reader-funded
  • Unionized
  • Mission-driven

Rick Perry: ‘It’s OK To Question Your Government’ On Possible Military Takeover

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks at the National Rifle Association convention, Friday, April 10, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) on Tuesday said it was OK for Texans to question the government about a military training program set to take place in seven western states this summer, the Texas Tribune reported.

“I think it’s OK to question your government — I do it on a pretty regular basis,” Perry said. “The military’s something else.”

“You know, I think our military is quite trustworthy,” Perry continued. “Civilian leadership – you can always question that, but not the men and women in uniform.”

Perry’s comments, made during a World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth luncheon, were in reference to Jade Helm 15. The military training program has caused quite a stir among conspiracy theorists who believe the operation may be a covert government plan to take over Texas.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R), Perry’s successor, last week ordered the Texas State Guard to monitor the military exercises to ensure that the operation is truly just “standard training.”

Texas Tribune reporter Patrick Svitek tweeted that he’d asked Perry whether his comments were in response to Abbott’s decision to monitor the military.

Latest Livewire
48
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Ricky me boyo, stop hating the government and try to be a real patriot instead of a tin plated idiot.

  2. Yet another republican asshat proving that they’re unable and unfit for office. Keep it up and there’ll be none left.

  3. Dear Ricky, it’s also OK to question your own sanity about a possible military takeover of Texas. In fact, it’s the advisable first step before going further.

  4. Like those glasses Rick…they may be your ticket to the White House.

  5. It is indeed OK…nay, your duty…to question your government. It’s just that, well, the government’s time is finite and precious, so we’d prefer you stop wasting its and everyone else’s time with the stupid questions.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

42 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for pearlywhite Avatar for brooklyndweller Avatar for ncsteve Avatar for blue_grit Avatar for artemisia Avatar for Diogenes67 Avatar for mcnett Avatar for trippin Avatar for vwjan Avatar for sniffit Avatar for chuck_voellinger Avatar for daveyjones64 Avatar for jjrothery Avatar for borisjimbo Avatar for sarenarterius Avatar for maxaroo Avatar for neal_anderthal Avatar for jaybeeraybee Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for dnl Avatar for whateverdude Avatar for dommyluc Avatar for vladomatic

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher & Digital Producer:
Senior Developer:
Senior Designer: