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| Az Republic Article on the Minutemen watching the border |
| 2005-03-10 |
| Minutemess Patrol Just the ticket: White supremacists and vigilantes 'guarding' border 1 Mar. 9, 2005 12:00 AM If 700-odd people wanted to stage a protest that would have an impact on illegal immigration, they could show up for a few of President Bush's appearances around the country. The "we're mad as hell" message could be well aimed at Congress from the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Those are a couple of examples of how people who wanted to make a positive, patriotic contribution would use their constitutional right of assembly to petition a government that is answerable to the people. Instead, the so-called Minuteman Project is putting out the cybercall to mass in southern Arizona next month and take the job of patrolling the border into their own hands. Cochise County Supervisor Paul Newman2 calls them "gun-toting vigilantes." Tombstone City Councilmember Bill Barlow 3welcomes the tourism revenues they are likely to generate. Boy, howdy, better lay in a stock of beer and hot dogs! As if it weren't enough of a circus, White supremacists linked to the Minuteman Project via the Internet as "A call for action on part of ALL ARYAN SOLDIERS." 4 To their credit, organizers of the Minuteman Project say they are working to keep overt racists out of their party. But when you issue the call to get your guns and meet at the border to prevent undocumented immigrants from entering the United States, it should be no surprise that Aryan Nation members think it's their kind of picnic. You don't have to be a racist to want an end to illegal immigration; that's a goal this newspaper and most Americans support. But it doesn't take more than a few functioning brain cells to understand that the idea of taking up arms to block people of color from entering the country appeals to White supremacists. The Minuteman Project is supposed to be a "peaceful protest," according to creator Jim Gilchrist5. Internet advertising for a month of demonstrations and vigilante border patrolling supposedly netted more than 700 volunteers and big-time national media coverage. But c'mon, guys, this is more about Deputy Dawg than effecting change. Law enforcement doesn't need or want a bunch of armed good ol' boys getting in the way of a dangerous job. Paul K. Charlton, U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona 6, put it well: "When people act as vigilantes, they put themselves at risk, they put other law-abiding citizens at risk, and they put law enforcement at risk." This country could definitely use a few well-placed protests to demand that the president and Congress focus on reforming an immigration policy that is deadly and unenforceable. If those protests were staged in Washington, they might actually have an impact. Doing that would take real work, real organizing and a real, unselfish commitment to solve a significant national problem. But it wouldn't be nearly as much fun for a bunch of soldier-of-fortune wannabes as playing Minutemen along the border.7 1 Arizona Republic Puts Bias in Sub-Headline. Yawn. Typical. 2 Democrat. Not to be confused with the actor, though politics similar. He was the subject of a recall attempt in 2002. Webpage As Cochise Co. Supervisor 3 Small Businessman, Owner "Bill Barlow Enterprises" City of Tombstone-Barlow has no individual page 4 There they go again, and the caveat is in small type in the next line, followed by more bias, emphasizing the rogue element. I could say, "Being in favor of Atzlan, the Arizona Republic wants to emphasize fascist elements who want to hijack the immigration issue for their own purposes." And, I would be equally guilty of the same kind of bias the other way. Then, "You don't have to be a racist to want an end to illegal immigration; that's a goal this newspaper and most Americans support.". How condescending. 5 Jim Gilchrist, Marine Vietnam Vet was on Scarborough Country. You have to page down past the debate between Weasley Clark, and one of our favorite leftys, Christopher Hitchins, debating the Iraq Election. 6 Paul Charlton 7 Sounds like a typical hand-wringing bureaucrat to me. Both sides have them. Excuse me Mr. Charlton, you appear to recognize the problem, but ignore the deafness of Washington officials except Cong. Tancredo. YOU could help with your suggestion, but you probably fear getting fired, so you make snide remarks, and fell good. And, the AZ republic calls you a "good" Republican... |
| Posted by:BigEd |
| #1 No mention of the great April 1st rally of the Minutemen, and how that really vicious central and south American gang leader is demanding that his gang "make an example" out of them on that day--the closest thing to a 'scheduled' terrorist attack. I could imagine a pickup truck or two of these *ssholes with machine guns attacking a Minuteman position, and I can even imagine them killing a Minuteman or two; but then they have to drive out of there with several hundred armed men forming a posse after them. Unless La Migra comes to the aid of these criminals, they are going to be propped up on boards to have their pictures taken just like the Younger gang, so long ago. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-03-10 5:05:14 PM |