Although Nebraska is a pretty calm place overall, we aren’t immune to the craziness of the world. These three conspiracy theories about our state had varying degrees of impact on those of us who live in and love Nebraska.

1. China is Seizing Nebraska From the U.S. Government

 

This theory dates back to at least 2009. The story goes that China owns quite a lot of U.S. debt and has decided to call it all in. Because the U.S. doesn’t have enough cash to pay the debts immediately, the government will have to hand over Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and most of Iowa. This theory has been disproven easily and repeatedly by multiple sources, but it has still managed to makes its rounds around the internet for more than half a decade.

  1. The Jade Helm 15 Military Training Exercise Secretly Involves Nebraska

Wikimedia Jade Helm 15 is a U.S. military warfare training exercise scheduled to run from July 15, 2015 to September 15, 2015. Military units in seven states (shown in the image above) were slated to take part in the unconventional warfare training. Multiple conspiracy theories exist about the exercise itself, including speculation that it’s a cover for the military preparing to take over Texas and enact martial law. Nebraska came into the picture when several residents reported seeing unusual numbers of military vehicles carrying ammunition boxes through the state. Since military officials have clearly stated that Nebraska is not one of the seven states included in the exercise, observers have questioned whether the public has been misinformed about the scope and purpose of Jade Helm 15. Some people believe that the military is secretly being deployed to closed Wal-Mart stores around the country so they can be in place when martial law is enacted. The conspiracy theories surrounding Jade Helm 15 have been repeatedly shot down by government spokespeople, but it seems that anything involving the military is subject to rampant speculation and doubt.

  1. The Franklin Cover-Up

Wikimedia/Raymond Bucko, SJ This incredibly convoluted story began back in 1988 and centered around Omaha’s Franklin Community Federal Credit Union (now out of business) and its head, a man named Lawrence King. In late 1988, it came out that King was running the credit union as a Ponzi scheme and had embezzled more than $40 million. As the credit union was being taken down by the FBI and the National Credit Union Association, allegations surfaced that King’s opulent and illegally-funded lifestyle involved activities much darker than theft.A number of witnesses came forward to accuse King and other powerful Omaha men of running a child prostitution ring. According to the accusers, King and cohorts used foster children in their scheme, sending them out to wealthy men in the city and even flying them to Washington, D.C., New York, and L.A. for “parties.“After a two-year investigation and a grand jury hearing, the accusations of sexual abuse and prostitution were determined to be a hoax perpetrated by a disgruntled ex-employee of Boys Town. One accuser served 4 1/2 years in jail for eight counts of perjury. For the embezzlement scandal, King and several other credit union officers were indicted; King served 10 years.The story didn’t end there, though. Several independent investigators continued to delve further into the story and have called to light many questionable elements of the grand jury’s decision to dismiss the abuse allegations. The continuing conspiracy theory supposes that the child prostitution ring reached into the upper echelons of the American government and has been effectively suppressed all this time to protect the powerful men involved. You can judge for yourself by reading the book The Franklin Cover-Up or watching the one-hour film Conspiracy of Silence.

These theories are more than a little disturbing. What do you think about these stories? Do you know of any other Nebraska-related conspiracy theories? Share them in the comments.

Wikimedia

Jade Helm 15 is a U.S. military warfare training exercise scheduled to run from July 15, 2015 to September 15, 2015. Military units in seven states (shown in the image above) were slated to take part in the unconventional warfare training. Multiple conspiracy theories exist about the exercise itself, including speculation that it’s a cover for the military preparing to take over Texas and enact martial law. Nebraska came into the picture when several residents reported seeing unusual numbers of military vehicles carrying ammunition boxes through the state. Since military officials have clearly stated that Nebraska is not one of the seven states included in the exercise, observers have questioned whether the public has been misinformed about the scope and purpose of Jade Helm 15. Some people believe that the military is secretly being deployed to closed Wal-Mart stores around the country so they can be in place when martial law is enacted. The conspiracy theories surrounding Jade Helm 15 have been repeatedly shot down by government spokespeople, but it seems that anything involving the military is subject to rampant speculation and doubt.

Wikimedia/Raymond Bucko, SJ

This incredibly convoluted story began back in 1988 and centered around Omaha’s Franklin Community Federal Credit Union (now out of business) and its head, a man named Lawrence King. In late 1988, it came out that King was running the credit union as a Ponzi scheme and had embezzled more than $40 million. As the credit union was being taken down by the FBI and the National Credit Union Association, allegations surfaced that King’s opulent and illegally-funded lifestyle involved activities much darker than theft.A number of witnesses came forward to accuse King and other powerful Omaha men of running a child prostitution ring. According to the accusers, King and cohorts used foster children in their scheme, sending them out to wealthy men in the city and even flying them to Washington, D.C., New York, and L.A. for “parties.“After a two-year investigation and a grand jury hearing, the accusations of sexual abuse and prostitution were determined to be a hoax perpetrated by a disgruntled ex-employee of Boys Town. One accuser served 4 1/2 years in jail for eight counts of perjury. For the embezzlement scandal, King and several other credit union officers were indicted; King served 10 years.The story didn’t end there, though. Several independent investigators continued to delve further into the story and have called to light many questionable elements of the grand jury’s decision to dismiss the abuse allegations. The continuing conspiracy theory supposes that the child prostitution ring reached into the upper echelons of the American government and has been effectively suppressed all this time to protect the powerful men involved. You can judge for yourself by reading the book The Franklin Cover-Up or watching the one-hour film Conspiracy of Silence.

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