The social-media ramblings of a woman who read about a conspiracy theory on Infowars wouldn't usually be newsworthy, but in this case, the woman is a lawmaker in New Hampshire's state legislature who thinks the government is responsible for the Boston bombings. Three-term Republican representative Stella Tremblay first made her case in a scare-quote-saturated Facebook post on Friday. Writing to Glenn Beck, she said:
Just as you said would happen. Top Down, Bottom UP. The Boston Marathon was a Black Ops "terrorist" attack. One suspect killed, the other one will be too before they even have a chance to speak. Drones and now "terrorist" attacks by our own Government. Sad day, but a "wake up" to all of us. First there was a "suspect" then there wasnt. Infowars broke the story and they knew they had been "found out". http://youtu.be/axQtAFtmtVA
The YouTube link takes you to an eight-minute Infowars video called "PROOF! Boston Marathon Bombing is Staged Terror Attack," which currently has 2.45 million views.
For some reason, there was a backlash to Tremblay's post, including from the Democratic and Republicans parties in New Hampshire. So last night Tremblay elaborated on the case for a government conspiracy via her favorite medium, the unhinged Facebook rant, one that manages to include Biblical quotes, CNN's John King, and Bengazi [sic]:
Holy COW!!! Because someone asks questions one is viciously attacked? What happened to discussion? Truly was it told: They hear with their ears, but are deaf, and they see with their eyes but they are blind. How can it be "delusional" for asking questions? There WERE military with black back packs on the last mile of the marathon. Some had detonators...is it not coincidental that they were stating there was a "drill" and not to be alarmed? Why are they seen quickly moving away from the area of the bomb just a minute before it went off? Why did Reporter King (a seasoned reporter with credible sources) announce that there was a "suspect in custody" and then hours later had to rescind the statement. Talk about credibility being shot! Why is it wrong to ask questions and demand answers? Our friends, neighbours, brothers and sisters were maimed and killed by terrorists carrying out "jihad". They were innocent victims going about doing their daily routines. This is NOT right! We need to face facts and get answers. If you think I am delusional to ask these questions, so be it. If honest answers were given...I will be satisfied. Bengazi still has not had an investigation. When do we get answers to those questions?
When all else fails, Tremblay falls back — as many a deranged conspiracy theorist before her — on the freedom of speech defense:
Tremblay, reached by telephone Tuesday, said she has a First Amendment right to free speech just like anyone else and quoted Thomas Jefferson as saying, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." .... "We can say whatever we want, am I correct in this premise or not?" she asked.
It doesn't matter what the First Amendment says. Tremblay knows too much. The military, John King, Benghazi, Roof Man — they're all in on it. The black helicopters are coming.