The Minuteman Chronicles
As I mentioned in an earlier post there is a group of people down in Arizona who have begun patrolling the U.S./Mexican border there. This is interesting to me so I'll use this post to sort of chronicle the events that will surround this. Even though it is mostly a P.R. stunt, the stage is set for a certain amount of drama
The first thing that stands out to me is that the ACLU is already standing by to protect the civil rights of the illegal immigrants who are apprehended. Wait a minute! Doesn't the A in ACLU stand for American? Shouldn't the illegal aliens (er, excuse me, undocumented workers...wouldn't want to offend) contact the MCLU?
Stumble It!
posted by Mike @ 4/04/2005 11:43:00 AM
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Quick breakdown after 5 days:
Minutemen say they're winning.
Mexican government says the slow down in border crossing is due the operations they're running on their side (anyone actually believe this load of crap?!).
Border patrol says their phones aren't ringing any more than before. Border patrol is also saying the minutemen are causing havoc with sensors designed to stop illegal immigration.
ACLU still standing by to complicate things much further at their first opportunity.
Oh yeah! I'm actually gonna enjoy watching this one!
Many are calling the minutemen vigilantes. So let's see:
vig·i·lan·te ( P ) Pronunciation Key (vj-lnt)
n.
One who takes or advocates the taking of law enforcement into one's own hands.
A member of a vigilance committee.
Hmmm, I guess this forces us to look up another word:
en·force ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-fôrs, -frs)
tr.v. en·forced, en·forc·ing, en·forc·es
To compel observance of or obedience to: enforce a law.
To impose (a kind of behavior, for example): enforce military discipline.
To give force to; reinforce: “enforces its plea with a description of the pains of hell” (Albert C. Baugh).
Well, I guess if cell phones and binoculars compel someone to obey a law I have to find the minutemen guilty of the charge of vigilantism. But then this would also force me to bring all neighborhood watch organizations up on the same charge.
The Bryan Barton Story:
The first absolutely funny (to my twisted sense of humor anyway)event has occured. It seems a minuteman volunteer by the name of Bryan Barton spotted an illegal alian while off "duty". He flagged the individual down, shared a bowl of cereal with him, then gave him 20 bucks and a tee shirt that said: Bryan Barton caught an illegal alien and all I got was this lousy tee shirt.
The minutemen promptly dismissed Mr. Barton from their organization.
9 days are in the history books now and not much new going on.
There is one new side effect that I for one didn't see coming. It seems the local merchants in the Douglas Arizona area aren't too happy with the Minutemen. It turns out that many of them rely on (legal) visitors from Agua Prieta, a city just accross the border, for business. Many of the potential visitors now say they fear harrassment if they attempt to cross.
According to an article by Morgan Lee of the Associated Press the Mexican government is investigating allegations of civil rights violations by the Minutemen against illegal immigrants. Now here’s a hoot! So, let me get this straight; both the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican government are poised to investigate civil rights violations against individuals who are (illegally) outside their country of citizenship.
Now that’s rich.
Here’s something to illustrate why I’m so perplexed by this:
civ•il (s v l)
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or befitting a citizen or citizens: civil duties.
2. Of or relating to citizens and their interrelations with one another or with the state: civil society; the civil branches of government.
3. Of ordinary citizens or ordinary community life as distinguished from the military or the ecclesiastical: civil authorities.
4. Of or in accordance with organized society; civilized.
5. Sufficiently observing or befitting accepted social usages; not rude: a civil reply.
6. Being in accordance with or denoting legally recognized divisions of time: a civil year.
7. Law. Relating to the rights of private individuals and legal proceedings concerning these rights as distinguished from criminal, military, or international regulations or proceedings.
April 12, 2005
James Gilchrist, the Minuteman founder, told Sean Hannity the other night that the Minutemen are considering extending an invite to Senator Hillary Clinton. Gilchrist says Mrs. Clinton is more than welcome to come to Arizona for a first hand look at what the Minutemen are doing. This could be interesting if it happens, especially in light of the public statements Clinton has made in recent days. (“I am, you know, adamantly against illegal immigrants…..") It would appear that she is much farther right on this issue that George W. Bush! I for one will be interested in what happens to her public views as election time draws nearer!
ARIZONA'S SOUTHWEST BORDER
* Approximately 65 percent of the cocaine smuggled into the United States crosses the border with Mexico.
* Colombia-based drug groups have allowed Mexico-based trafficking organizations to play an increasing role in the U.S. cocaine trade.
* The Arizona towns of Nogales, Douglas and San Luis are the principal ports of entry for narcotics. The three secondary ports of entry are Lukeville, Sasabe and Naco.
Source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
Now it seems the Minutemen are so proud of their (self proclaimed) success that they are considering expanding to neighboring states for another vigil this fall.
Hell, why don't we just have the Border Patrol deputize them and really put them to work.
Try this one Mike.
7 Law. Relating to the rights of private individuals and legal proceedings concerning these rights as distinguished from criminal, military, or international regulations or proceedings.
Now do you get the connection?
By the way how do you feel about the President of the United States of America (George @. Bush not Mr. Fox) calling the project members vigilanites?
I noticed you didn't mention it - but you surely were aware of it.
Paul,
Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I am aware of it. As I stated in an earlier post they qualify as vigilates by any literal definition I've been able to find as do all neighborhood watch organizations in the nation. Also, I believe I stated in an earlier post that while I voted for George W. Bush his border policy is very weak.
Here’s a little tidbit that probably didn’t make the 6 o’clock news:
It seems the ACLU (is that Anti-Citizen Litigation Union?) representatives sent to watch for abuses perpetuated by the Minutemen got bored since there haven’t been any. So they did what any self respecting communist hippy would do and smoked a little dope. Of course they’re still monitoring the situation closely; between bong hits of course.
Source: World Net Daily
That post you linked to has nothing to do with what you say it does, no surprise.
Your incorrect, George Bush has a very strong border policy, just no implementation, and if we're honest with ourselves we know the reason.
I'm not sure what the heck happened to that link. This is the page it was supposed to link to:
southern border saga
Thanks Doug. I'm pretty damn tired tonight. Couldn't get my finger off the "o" button fast enough I guess.
Well, it's May 1st. I haven't had the time to watch any news for a few days but I assume the vigil is over. This whole shindig didn't provide near the drama I expected it to but it had it's entertaining moments and, I think, helped to open at least a few more eyes to a nasty problem to which I fear we will never see a solution.
I for one would just like to thank Mr. Gilchrist and company for at least trying to do something.
With that the Minuteman Chronicles come to an end.
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