Ted Cruz: I Understand Why People Fear A Possible Military Takeover Of Texas

Talking Points Memo ^ | MAY 4, 2015 | AHIZA GARCIA

[SoConPubbie]

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said Saturday that he asked the Pentagon for answers about Jade Helm 15, a military training program that has sparked conspiracy theories about a possible military takeover of Texas, Bloomberg Politics reported.

The 2016 presidential candidate told Bloomberg during the South Carolina Republican Party's annual convention that his office had been "assured that it is a military training exercise." But, he added, he also gets where the conspiracy theorists are coming from.

"You know I understand the concern that's been raised by a lot of citizens about Jade Helm," Cruz told Bloomberg. "It's a question I'm getting a lot. And I think part of the reason is, we have seen for six years a federal government disrespecting the liberty of the citizens and that produces fear. When you see a federal government that is attacking our free speech rights, our religious liberty rights, our Second Amendment rights. That produces distrust as to government."

Cruz's comments came after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered the state guard to monitor the military's activities after the conspiracy theorists raised concerns.

Cruz told Bloomberg he has "a great deal of faith and confidence" in the governor.

Bloomberg also reported another prominent Republican and potential presidential contender was less concerned.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told Bloomberg on Saturday that he was unaware of any conspiracy theories or fear surrounding Jade Helm 15.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who has also announced a run for president, said on April 21 he would "look at" the program, saying he wasn't "sure about exactly what is going on with that."

Watch the video below, courtesy of David Weigel's YouTube channel:

VIDEO

[trisham]

Thanks, hosepipe. I agree!

[Norm Lenhart]

I wonder if the friction he gets from Barry causes an internal glow...

[stephenjohnbanker]

Now THAT is not a pretty picture....

[NormsRevenge]

Would a Federal Gubamint act against an individual state to compel it to ease up on its conservative governing policies?

It would if it had a scumdog as regime CEO.

Eternal Vigilance ain’t just noble concept.

ITs mandatory these days.

[dirtymac]

I have had a concern, with all that we have been seeing as of late, that Obama does not intend to leave office. He has stripped the military to like minded individuals, he has armed several branches of the government, and he just does not follow the law of the land. the Republican party has shown itself to not be willing to stop him at any turn. Truly, I do not believe that it likely to happen, but the real concern is that it could happen. Texas is the training ground and the area that would need to be controlled first.

[truth_seeker]

“Can someone tell me how a major military training exercise has not been coordinated and agreed to by State officials?”

Coordinated perhaps, agreed to doubtful. I know several large military reservations in California, such as Camp Pendleton, Twenty-nine Palms, Camp Roberts, Vandenberg Air Base, Edwards Air Base, etc.

I seriously doubt the US federal government seeks “approval” from state government, when they execute planned operations in these places. But I expect they do notify state government, of the plans, for coordination purposes only.

[magua]

25%chance barry is not leaving office.

[Boogieman]

Ugh, this is the first thing Ted’s done that I dislike. He shouldn’t need to pander to the conspiracy nuts. They’re probably all voting for Rand Paul anyway.

[Boogieman]

On to something? Lol.

He just threw this out to placate the paranoids. From his phrasing, it is quite obvious he knows there is nothing to this, but he doesn’t want to offend people who believe it.

[hosepipe]

I wonder if the friction he gets from Barry causes an internal glow...

[Boogieman]

Wanna make a bet? I’ll give you 10 to 1 odds.

[right way right]

He is doing his job as a Senator from Texas.
If constituents are concerned, he owes them at the very least an exploration of the the concern.

The media just seeks the same old tired “extremest nut job” label for Cruz.

When Jeb or his pet Rubio get the nomination I hope Cruz runs as an independent, because at that point a D or R really does not matter come November 2016

[Norm Lenhart]

You missed the thread a couple days ago where all the staunch conservatives showed their patriotism by declaring their intent to vote elsewhere...so offended were they.

You are correct. No reason to be remotely concerned with such a patriotic American at the helm, firing Generals for off color comments and replacing them with his people. Several hundred top brass replaced to date. It would be crazy to question the patriotism of soldiers, many of whom have already been asked “are you down?” by certain politically aligned soldiers of color, going back even b3efore Black Jesus was immaculated. No reason for the slightest concern.

In all likelihood, nothing will happen I’ll grant you. But to TRUST that nothing will happen in light of all the abuses to date is lunacy considering Barry, Val and the two buffoons in the (snicker) opposition party.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Don’t waste your time on that one.

[Norm Lenhart]

Thanks. Seem to be a lot of that type lately.

[Boogieman]

“In all likelihood, nothing will happen I’ll grant you. But...”

but we should go all paranoid anyway and give the leftie media plenty of fodder to make us all look unhinged?

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

These threads are bringing them out in droves. That’s another sign.

Matthew Bracken hit the nail on the head with this Jade Helm business:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3271355/posts

[Norm Lenhart]

Do whatever floats your boat. If you want to think a senator responding to the questions is a negative after conservatives have for years screamed that senators refuse to respond to their voters, I don’t think Ted’s the guy with an unhinged issue.

[Boogieman]

Nah, he’s not unhinged, but he is pandering to the unhinged, and obviously it works because so many of the conspiracy theorists are running around trumpeting that Cruz agrees with them (even though he said nothing of the sort).

[Norm Lenhart]

There has to be a script involved because since this happened, that word seems to come up a lot.