Bush Decries "Vigilantes," For Reasonable Immigration Policy(W Calls Minutemen "Vigilantes")

NEWKERALA ^ | 3/24/2005 | staff

[Wurlitzer]

,i>"Just think of them as "undocumented Border Patrol officers".

I like that!

[spodefly]

You may be trying to focus on an aspect of vigilantism that accomodates the volunteer nature of it, or the aspect wherein vigilantism is a response to inadequacies in 'official' law enforcement, but the MMP is not about law enforcement in and of itself, nor about punishment for law breakers. Its goal is to observe and report only, not to detain and punish.

The term 'vigilante', used in the setting where the President used it, has very negative connotations, and will not enhance the safety of the MMP, who are already under direct physical threats from Mexican gangs and Mexican officials.

It was a stupid thing for him to say, in addition to being wrong.

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One entry found for vigilante. Main Entry: vig·i·lan·te
Pronunciation: "vi-j&-'lan-tE
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish, watchman, guard, from vigilante vigilant, from Latin vigilant-, vigilans
: a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law appear inadequate); broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice
- vig·i·lan·tism /-'lan-"ti-z&m/ noun

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[sdpatriot]

interesting.... i was wondering how W would LABEL these Patriots.. and now i know. and he was NOT being complementry.

W was in the oil business in Midland and Odesa Tx during one the biggest Tax and Big Gvt revolts this country has ever seen. and it happened right there. there were Patriot men buying local TV time to go on air and give their views of what they saw as a tax-crazed and rule/regulation passing Fed Gvt gone mad.
they had some excellent points and had many local LE on their side in this...
but then the feds sicced the IRS on the Patriots with orders to make examples out of them. with the help of Judges - they did just that. many went to prison...

W was there during this period.... and i have wondered how this effected his politics... and just who's side he chose.... well, now i know.

surprise surprise.... they're all the same. he sounds no better ... no more Constitutionally Educated than Janet Reno.

[Serenissima Venezia]

"Nature abhors a vacuum, Mr. President.

If you don't do it, someone will."

Now that you put it in terms of physics, I get it! Actually, I got it decades ago, but I like any chance to insert a physics concept into a discussion.

I spent part of last night scraping the 'W' stickers off of my car and throwing away my Bush-Cheney signs. And I donated some more money to the Minuteman Project (money that will NOT be going to the GOP now!).

http://www.minutemanproject.com

[mr_hammer]

Ah, wrong! They are not punishing anyone. The are infact turning them over to the correct law enforcement officials for processing. These people deserve a Citizen Merit Awards!

[Stopislamnow]

If the Minutemen are vigilantes, then GW Bush is Fox/Mexico's whore.

[Burlem]

I heard some of he "volunteers" they stated that they are not going to shoot anyone, they are going to bring them to the authorities. they are not vigilantes

[paleocon patriarch]

President Bush assumes the position on border security once again!

[paleocon patriarch]

President Bush assumes the position on border security once again!

[Quartermaster]

Me thinks there is a FOX hiding in the Bush.....

[P8riot]

I'd like to remind President Bush of a statement from "his" first inaugural address:

"What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character."

[Quartermaster]

Yep, Bush is an empty suit occupied by Karl Rove and all the corporate special interest groups.

I voted Repub in every election since Ronald Reagans first term, but not the last. I didn't leave the Republican party, it left me and went spinning out into some place that i can't go. I'm not a Democrat, but i sure don't feel Republican anymore. And by judging what i read here, alot of freepers feel the same way i do.

[PGalt]

hmmm...

undocumented Border Patrol officers

LOL! OUTSTANDING.

[COEXERJ145]

I voted Repub in every election since Ronald Reagans first term, but not the last. I didn't leave the Republican party, it left me and went spinning out into some place that i can't go. I'm not a Democrat, but i sure don't feel Republican anymore.

Whatever Newbie. Do you also call Rush and Hannity and tell them this same lie?

[Quartermaster]

I'm not sure what "lie" you're referring to? Its very well known that Karl Rove formulates much of the Bush Administration policy (see documentary Bush's Brain). And what would calling Rush or Hannity achieve? They will just disagree.

There is a sea change happening in the Republican party about unrestricted immigration. Bush will NEVER get his "Guest Worker" program. That's turning radioactive in congress and they are backing off it. Note that Rush and Bill O'Rielly are supporting the MMP. Lou Dobbs is finally not alone in media no-mans land on this subject.

Congressman are finally listening to public opinion that shows over and over that it is overwhelmingly against illegal immigration. They (congressman) won't risk thier political lives to support a lame duck President on an issue that they know is unpopular.