Normally, I'd ignore the whole China-is-buying-Idaho conspiracy theory — but we have gotten a few calls about it at the Statesman.

So I guess you could say the theory is out there. In more ways than one.

As with many conspiracy theories, it begins with a kernel of truth: a Chinese national company's interest in pursuing projects in Idaho, and Idaho officials' willingness to talk to the Chinese.

The conspiracy theorists latch onto a couple of quotes from Idaho officials, in Statesman articles on the state's interest in strengthening its business relationship with China.

Quotes like this one from Lt. Gov. Brad Little: “Idaho’s the last state that should say we don’t want to do business with Asia. Asia’s where the money is.”

Quotes like this one from Idaho Commerce Department Director Don Dietrich: "The Chinese are looking for a beachhead in the United States."

Things quickly morph from there. And so, in a post today at a site called The New American.com, Joe Wolverton II says Gov. Butch Otter's rhetoric touting his "Project 60" economic development plan amounts to little more than subterfuge. "There is in Governor Otter’s letter nothing of substance, plenty of weasel words, and an extraordinary display of misdirection all designed to lull the citizens of the sovereign state of Idaho into a stupor while their state is sold to the Chinese."

Here are a few more links. Read them yourself:

• From a site called The Intel Hub comes the warning that China is wants construct a 50-square-mile self-sustaining city south of Boise.

"The planned 'self-sustaining city' in Idaho would include manufacturing facilities, warehouses, retail centers and large numbers of homes for Chinese workers. Basically it would be a slice of communist China dropped right into the middle of the United States."

The springboard for this Wednesday post is a Dec. 31 article by the Statesman's Rocky Barker. The article outlines Chinese national companies' interest in building and financing a fertilizer plant near American Falls, and developing a "10,000- to 30,000-acre technology zone for industry, retail centers and homes south of the Boise Airport."

• In a May 12 post, also at The New American.com, William F. Jasper writes about Sinomach, the company pursuing the two Idaho proposals.

"What the Statesman article does not tell its readers is that Sinomach is not your typical private enterprise, as corporations are generally understood to be in the Western sense, but instead a commercial-political-military-intelligence instrument of the communist regime in Beijing.

"Sinomach’s website makes this interesting admission:

'With approval of the State Council, China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH) was established in January 1997. SINO-MACH is a large scale, state-owned enterprise group under the supervision of the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.'"

• In a May 31 post, self-described reverend and journalist Bill Turner at Boise Conservative Examiner takes things a step further. He posits the theory that Gov. Butch Otter and President Barack Obama are conspiring to make Idaho the first Chinese-owned state.

"Idaho is a resource rich state and the Chinese know it, as does Obama, who keeps snatching Idaho land. Otter, Obama and the attack on business in America paves the way for China to own us. ...

"The term 'Buy Idaho,' has become more than just a brand for Idaho goods. China took it literally."

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