As most of our readers have probably heard, Governor Abbot has ordered the Texas State Guard to monitor the planned military exercise Operation Jade Helm 15.  This has some in the media throwing stones at the “paranoia” of Texans and looking at Abbot as simply trying to deal with a slight few tin foil hat wearers in the state.  (See The Dallas Morning News and MSNBC)

In a letter to Major General Gerald Betty of the Texas State Guard, Abbott said his order was “to address concerns of Texas citizens.”

“During the training operation, it is important that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property right and civil liberties will not be infringed,” the governor wrote. “I am directing the Texas State Guard to monitor Operation Jade Helm 15.”

abbot twitter Jade Helm 15

Governor Abbot’s Tweet to the public.

In a letter to Major General Gerald “Jake” Betty, Abbott says monitoring the exercises will let the state stay informed about training schedules and help facilitate communications with local law enforcement and citizens.  You can read Abbott’s full letter here.

 

Despite what certain media outlets say concerning what they deem as “paranoia”, we need to remember that our country was founded on the very concept of distrust of centralized power.  And, one would be foolish to not take notice when the only world superpower is planning any exercise among its own people.

“All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.” ~

James Madison, speech at the Constitutional Convention, July 11, 1787

“Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” ~ Thomas Jefferson; Epilogue:  Securing The Republic