The Texas Land Commissioner is responding to Internet rumors that the Alamo could be handed over to the United Nations if the San Antonio mission is designated a
In , Commissioner Jerry Patterson said reports that a UN flag would fly over the Alamo are "horse hockey," by which he means nonsense.
The rumor gained steam when it was, the website owned by nationally syndicated radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. It was picked up by other sites including and . And it appeared on forums like and But other bloggers were expressing concern about the UN designation .
Infowars points to a UNESCO manual called "," which in turn quotes on protecting historical sites that says, "it is the duty of the international community as a whole to co-operate" in their protection. Infowars that "bureaucrats from China or France could oversee and influence the Alamo鈥檚 operation."
Not so, says Patterson, who is currently seeking the Republican nomination for Texas Lieutenant Governor.
"Some folks might think that getting on this list means the UN has some sort of influence at the Alamo. Those folks must not be from around here," Patterson said in his statement. "My legal team at the Land Office has reviewed this. I have personally met with the National Park Service staff working on this nomination and I am absolutely satisfied that a World Heritage Nomination will have no affect on the Alamo other than a possible increase in foreign tourists."
