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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy Texans Fear Invasion
Some of you may recall that a few months ago, the federal government announced that it would be holding military training exercises in seven states in the Southwest, including Texas. They would, literally, bring in heavy artillery like aircraft along with Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets and other Special Operations forces.
This opinion piece tries to explain why Texans are freaking out over this.
to some people around here, the governments plan to train service members to work in complex environments looked like something else: a plot to take over the state. This is in preparation for the financial collapse and maybe even Obama not leaving office, the Texas-based conspiracy theorist and radio talk show host Alex Jones declared. That was followed by about one zillion Internet cranks predicting the declaration of martial law you probably got word about the shuttered Walmarts being converted to makeshift detention centers. Gov. Greg Abbotts attempt to calm the populace by ordering the state guard to keep an eye on the feds came next, an action that did nothing to confirm the pre-election rumor that he was much smarter than his predecessor, Rick Perry.
I dont disagree with the observers who say that anti-Obama sentiment provided much of the fuel for this fire. But the local (over)reaction also has its roots in Texas DNA. Put another way, it wasnt so nutty to get bent out of shape about a hostile invasion by a supposed tyrannical government around 185 years ago. Consider that much of Texas, then part of Mexico, was settled by prickly Scots-Irish types whod had their own issues back home. Some of these folks were big movers in the events leading up to the Texas Revolution.
See the list of events at link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/17/opinion/why-texans-fear-invasion.html?emc=edit_th_20150717&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=45299538&_r=0
In the end:
Those in the mental health professions might suggest a pattern here. They would also suggest that, over time, patterns can be broken, so that they dont lead to destructive events, like the deadly 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Tex., or just plain silly ones, like believing a military exercise is cover for an invasion.
Many Texans have taken that advice: Were moving slowly into maturity. But you know, there are always a few who take longer to get there.
Full article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/17/opinion/why-texans-fear-invasion.html?emc=edit_th_20150717&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=45299538&_r=0
Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)Because there is a sizable portion of Texans that are paranoid idiots?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6982155
REASON FOR ALERT
This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.
ALERTER'S COMMENTS
sizable portion of Texans that are paranoid idiots? This post is catheterizes a large populous as Paranoid idiots.
You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Jul 17, 2015, 06:46 AM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.
Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: So? It's an opinion. One which many posters on this board might agree with.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: it says sizable portion, not all
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: What? This post is inserting a plastic tube into the penii of Texans?
That is awful. Just the thought of it is making me squirm.
i like cjeekdgg
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Southern bashing.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: inappropriate
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.
Igel
(35,383 posts)Sorry. I don't think any human has a penius. Then again, there are a lot of little wrist bones ...
"Penes" or "penises." The first is for Latinate purists, the second for people who speak only English.
"Penii."
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)s/he meant "characterize".
Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)951-Riverside
(7,234 posts)He's clearly funding people like Alex Jones and various right wing and conspiracy communities to sew distrust of the US government and its military, create dissent within the military itself and also encourage well meaning idiots to report and provide intel on troop/equipment movement and activities within the US.
SamKnause
(13,113 posts)Gotta keep the Military Industrial Complex and their
puppets happy.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)He was a major ass when I ran into him 25 years ago and age hasn't improved him.
ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)No one wants your shithole.
Paladin
(28,281 posts)Over 3 million Texans voted for Obama, both in 2008 and 2012. Just something to keep in mind, the next time you take aim at the entire state, as if we're all a bunch of Rick Perry clones.
ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)I stand by my statement
Paladin
(28,281 posts)And accept my sincere gratitude for no longer being a Texas resident.
liberal N proud
(60,349 posts)Just some Texans who are paranoid idiots.
A little propaganda anywhere could have created the same effect in many places.
Matrosov
(1,098 posts)Many Southerners are brain dead.
UTUSN
(70,772 posts)tyrannical government around 185 years ago"?????????!1 Uh, who was invading whom?!1
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)Yes, there are folks who fear invasion. Yes, some of them live in Texas.
If the same military exercise was being held in New England, you'd have folks in Connecticut stirring up the exact same conspiracy theories.
To say however, that Texans are freaking out over this, is absurd on its face. There are millions of Texans, and such use of a broad brush is immature, and full of projection, even though it comes from a Texan.
Texasgal
(17,049 posts)The people that are freaking out are fringe nut jobs! Most of us do not care about Jade Helm. I guess it makes for a better story when you point out a few lunatics and not the "boring" sane folk.