“So Many Choices”: Obama Picks His Favorite Conspiracy Theory
The right has come up with more than its share of conspiracy theories related to President Obama. In fact, some of the more nonsensical ideas – he wasn’t born in the United States; he’s secretly non-Christian – began before he was even elected.
Obama sat down with Bill Simmons recently for an interview published by GQ, and Simmons asked a question I’ve wondered about myself.
SIMMONS: What’s the most entertaining conspiracy theory you ever read about yourself?
OBAMA: That military exercises we were doing in Texas were designed to begin martial law so that I could usurp the Constitution and stay in power longer. Anybody who thinks I could get away with telling Michelle I’m going to be president any longer than eight years does not know my wife.
The president didn’t literally use the words “Jade Helm 15,” but I think it’s safe to say that’s what he was referring to.
In case anyone’s forgotten about this one, let’s recap. Earlier this year, the military organized some training exercises for about 1,200 people in areas spanning from Texas to California, which started in mid-July. Somehow, right-wing activists got it in their heads that the exercises, labeled “Jade Helm 15,” were part of an elaborate conspiracy theory involving the Obama administration, the U.S. military, Walmart, and some “secret underground tunnels.”
It all seemed terribly silly – because it was – but several Republican officials, including senators, governors, and House members, at least pretended to take it seriously for a short while. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) even felt the need to order the Texas Guard to “monitor” the military exercises – just in case.
The training exercises wrapped up in September without incident.
By: Steve Benen, The Maddow Blog, November 20, 2015
It is interesting he picks that one. This is one of those situations where you would hope the leaders of Texas would basically squash rumors like that and say something like “why on earth would the US government do that?” Even a certain Senator from Texas running for President facilities the rumor. We need our leaders to be better than they have become and act like leaders instead of fear mongerers.
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I recall as a young lad that anytime I or any of my siblings went out into the public, whether it was to the corner store, a get together with our friends and especially to school, my father would explicitly remind us..”When you walk out that door, you are representing this family. Act accordingly”. We all knew exactly what he meant. It’s very unfortunate that politicians especially, as representatives of the people, don’t do not behave in the same manner!
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Your father shared some sage advice.
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Thanks Keith. I remember that advice today and have passed forward.
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