One would have hoped, if one were exceedingly naive, that Governor Greg Abbott might have backed off after finally realizing how absurd it is to send the Texas State Guard to monitor the U.S. military training exercises known colorfully as Jade Helm 15. One might have thought Abbott would have reconsidered after so many people -- including Republicans like David Dewhurst and Rick Perry -- chided him for doing so. "We are playing a pivotal role of government and that is to provide information for people who have questions," Abbott told reporters.