Conspiracy theorists, often connected with apocalyptic  venues, have had a hey day with the Jade Helm 15 conspiracy.  The conspiracy is based on the belief the federal government is organizing a military exercise that will result in marshal law  being declared.  This will result in federal government intervention in the lives of U.S. citizens by use of the military.  
     One local proposal was that Wal-Mart has been working with the government on this secret conspiracy.  Of course the usual fear mongering has suggested the ideas that Obama will declare himself dictator for life, the government will confiscate guns, and Christian pastors who refuse to preform marriage ceremonies for gay couples will be fined and placed in prison.  One local minister  told me he was fully armed with assault weapons and refused to eat at a restaurant with his back to the door.  If the government, (or when) the government comes to take their weapons they will take out some government officers before they are taken in or killed.
     Adding to the hysteria are the actions of Texas Governor Gregg Abbott.  Abbott incited the riot by promising to call out the Texas State Guard to monitor the exercise to make sure these suspicions were not carried out.  Some of Abbott's supporters are claiming he did the right thing in an attempt to diffuse the situation and calm down the state, as well as nation.  Opponents of the governors snicker that he helps create further fear mongering by his actions.  
     Recently Michelle Obama gave the commencement address at Tuskegee University.  She lamented the fact that she and husband are constantly the blunt of some conspiracy theory.  She was deeply offended when some of the President's critics accused the couple of not loving their country.  The Southern Poverty Law Center claims the election of a Black President has helped to fan the flames of the right wing conspiracy theorists.
     Jerry Falwell warned followers that Clinton might use Y2K as an excuse to take away our weapons.  Our most recent U.S. Congressman warned readers that the Branch Davidian event was staged as an excuse to take guns away from Americans.  This type of mentality might help explain why every recent attempt to regulate guns in America has met with such an emotional outcry.  Factors like Texan Jon Hagee's media voice help to contribute to strange myths about government.  Any time there is not a GOP President Hagee tends to see the judgment of God upon the nation.
     Jade Helm 15 will come and go, but don't look for theories to die down.  Conspiracies are powerful items.  We found out in the Southern Baptist Convention that what was perceived as truth often was more powerful than the truth.   The great American dream will continue to believe that eventually  people will get it straight and truth will be more important than myth.  That is the basis of the hope we plan for in our Democracy.