Posted on 04/08/2005 1:46:00 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
President Bush has called the Minutemen, who are now patrolling the U.S.-Mexican border:"vigilantes." I suppose that Bush believes anyone who wishes to help enforce our laws and maintain U.S. sovereignty is a vigilante. If our president had not abdicated his responsibility in this matter, the Minuteman Project would not exist. However, he did and they are doing a great job!
Despite the erroneous propaganda perpetuated by the liberal media, the ACLU, the Mexican government, and even our president, the Minutemen are not a group of wild-eyed racists--with bloodlust in their hearts. They are retired police officers, former military men, laborers, businessmen, moms, and dads, in short--they are a cross section of America. The only difference between these Americans and most of us, is the fact that they are willing to sacrifice their time and are even willing to put themselves in harm's way. They like most of us, are fed up with our government's lack of interest in enforcing our borders.
Much has been made of the fact that many of the Minutemen volunteers carry firearms.They do not chase down illegals with guns drawn. They are carrying weapons for self-defense purposes only. They do not apprehend suspects. They are simply operating as the eyes and ears of the incredibly under-staffed U.S. Border Patrol. The area along the Arizona border with Mexico (where the Minutemen are stationed) has become a very violent sector, filled with Latin American drug smugglers. Perhaps, we should remind the left that we as U.S. citizens, still have the right to bear arms.
The Minutemen have taken on the responsibility of spotting and reporting anyone seen, illegally crossing the border. Period.
The Project's duties were well described by Minuteman spokesman Mike McGarry this weekend, he said : "You observe them, report them, and get out of the way."
This past weekend saw the first patrols of the Minutemen, which yielded several arrests of illegal aliens. On Saturday, volunteers spotted and reported sightings of illegal crossings. Their actions resulted in 18 arrests.
As of Tuesday (three days after patrols began), the Minutemen were responsible for aiding in the arrest of 176 illegal aliens. These numbers will continue to rise and by the end of April, this dedicated group of men and women will have done their country a great service. With every illegal alien who is apprehended, President Bush looks a bit more foolish and impotent.
The big stink is only because this is making the 'powers that be' look very, very bad and they can't stand the heat. SOMETHING has GOT to be done to control the flow across the border and the 'elected' politicians sure are not doing anything about it. Key word, ELECTED. Remind those jokers in Washington this.
Oh but illegal immigrants destroying traces and evidences of their status except through the garbage they leave ARE NOT VIGILANTES?
Suicide by invasive collonization. At least we made a deal, however raw for them, with the Indians, for all to see and even reconsider.
AMENSTY FOR ILLEGALS BUT NOT FOR MINUTEMEN?
Maybe he's afraid of being labeled racist. Why would that be?
Mr. President will come around , once he considers the fruit of this effort. No one knew what would happen . Including him.
While it's our responsibility to do so, we are only compelled to rise and defend our nation after THE FAILURE of the government to do so.
THE FAILURE is the President's direct responsibility.
And I am...was...a rabid supporter of President Bush.
I still am on many issues, but on this one, I am...."disappointed". He's done amzaing things to transform the Middle East. Historical changes, but like his father, he was blind to a major domestic issues that directly impacts each and every citizen. I don't care if he thinks turning a blind eye helps defeat Communism in Mexico, he needs to explain that to the people. In the mean time, the Minutemen need a good marketing team to begin fundraising.
If the rats run a strong anti-illegal immigration platform they will wipe us out the next election.
The Republi-crats have wasted their final opportunity to look competent.
excellent post!!!!!!!!
For whatever my powers as a prognosticator are worth, I believe that uncontrolled, illegal immigration, and "the border" will be classic wedge or stealth issues in the 2006 and 2008 elections-- the side which best articulates and promotes a way of dealing with these will be unstoppable.
The Republicans ignore this ( or wish it would go away ) at their peril. Most Americans are not all that dogmatic or doctrinaire, and the party which does the best job of finding solutions to this problem will sweep all before it. You have been warned.
What all this complaining is about is simply an attempt to divide the GOP.
Is illegal immigration a problem?
Yes, it is, but it is not going to be solved quickly.
The only way the Democrats are going to regain national power is if the Republicans split their vote.
Some 'hard line' anti-immigration guy will run (who can't get elected) and take enough votes from the GOP to put the Democrats right back in power (like they did with Wilson and Clinton).
bttt
And besides, what alternative do you have for the next 4 years or when the next election comes?
That's why the GOP needs to act now and get their crap together....who could disagree with you? We all know the dems won't actually do anything about it, no one here would make the case that they would....it will give them a nice issue to glom onto....wake up GOP!
Immigration is one issue that GW is SO VERY WRONG on. The Minuteman project is proving that the "Border Patrol" has not been doing their job - a job that has been rather limited by the "powers that be".
"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."
From all the negative threads about Pres. Bush on here lately, I'd say that when the next election comes you may have Hillary or someone of her ilk as your "Commander in Chief".
It is bordering on the ridiculous that the Border Patrol is crediting the Mexican Army for reduced border crossings on the Arizona Border.
They really do think we are stupid.
The danger won't be from conservatives voting for Dems, it will be from them either voting third party or staying home. We all saw the importance of high vote turnout last November. If Republican candidates enrage part of their base and lose future elections, they will have only themselves to blame.
Is it possible to get enough Minutemen for the whole job? I understand the Mexican army has people directing Mexican criminals to easier crossings.
And besides, what alternative do you have for the next 4 years or when the next election comes?
None. Until a viable third party somes along, voting for them is masturbatory - it makes you feel good, but accomplishes nothing.
It was one of the networks who started the whole "vigilante" biz in re the Minutemen.
This "improved Hispanic vote" for Bush has been proved a fallacy that was forwarded shortly after the election.
In fact, it is not even necessary to dig too deep to see how inaccurate this reporting was.
How could the election be so close if Bush gained any percentage in the Hispanic vote? There is no way it would have been. Bush gained in the White vote. The Black vote was the same as before. If there was any percentage of the Hispanic vote removed from the Dems and taken by Bush, this election would have been a blow out.
The Bush "gain" in the Hispanic vote is mere propaganda. Also, except for Whites, no group as a whole voted for Republican. That's a sobering thought for conservatives as the demographics of our nation change. We are headed for Socialism.
The Minute men do not have the power-nor the intent IMO
to make a fool of a sitting President. THe President alone has made a foolish political deciison, and political public comment that cannot be reconciled to the mission
declared by the Minutemen project. Simcox is controversial
to be honest. But he has been careful in his border patrol.
And they are doing what so many American people want our
Government to do -that it has not done. But the problem of
our disappearing border with the United States of Mexico
goes far beyond Bush -or Clinton but has existed more or less longer than I've been alive.the remedy will not come soon.
Hey, how long before LaRaza, or some other advocate for open borders, creates a setup to 'prove' everything that they have contended about the Minutemen? It's coming, I tell ya. Just look how that T-shirt incident was blown-up all out of proportion.
I agree - and with point No. 2 I think it is something that Bush et al are mistaken on and is a policy that is sure to backfire. Bush only got 40% of the vote based on most polls from the last election.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26119-2004Dec25.html
Yes, they won't be happy until they have someone to really complain about.
Defeating terrorism and getting our economy back on shape after being jolted by 9/11 and cutting taxes while doing it, while holding on to control of both houses of Congress is still not enough.
"Is illegal immigration a problem? Yes, it is, but it is not going to be solved quickly."
If I were POTUS, I would solve it in acouple months. I think W has cozied up to Fox and made some promises that he's paying for now.
Your own party is split on this issue and most of the leadership is pro-immigration. This will destroy our party in 2008.
BUMP
T-Shirt Smee-Shirt
What the MSM needs is a picture of a Mexican standing on a box with a pair of woman's underpants on his head while some big fat white woman moons him!
O how em(barrass)ing - O the humanity!!
"None. Until a viable third party somes along, voting for them is masturbatory - it makes you feel good, but accomplishes nothing."
And that's the menatality Bush and Rove are banking on by taking this extremely unpopular position on border security.
Party loyalty is being misued by the President, IMO.
I'm all for embarrassing the Congress and this Administration into actually enforcing the immigration laws that are on the books.
I think the border patrol is getting pissed, though. The Minutemen are showing them up bigtime.
I second that emotion.
W. is a good (maybe even great) man, but he sure is no conservative.
I agree. It is sad what I've been reading on here lately with all the Bush bashing. I heard on the radio today that the crowd at the Vatican booed our President when his picture was shown on the big screens, and it made me think of some ON THIS (Conservative) WEBSITE who are virtually doing the same thing.
The Republican Party has come too far and accomplished too much for this divisiveness.
I find it very sad when a thread virtually calling our President a fool is not pulled. I'm sure the folks at DU are loving this.
Well, given the fact the the President took an oath to do just that, I'd have to agree with you.
Wet Teddy will whine and sob all about his ancestors and how it is terrible about people not being allowed to immigrate here and then point the bloated finger at the Stupid Party.
The Stupid Party will persist in looking the other way (in the name of "inclusion" and "big tent").
Better get ready to say, "President Clinton." Again.
Well I am sure there are many many people out there just like me now. I have been a royal Republican all my voting life. No longer. And this is NOT just a one issue (immigration) decision.
I just can't see much difference between the Dems and the Republicans anymore. Both parties are too far left on the scale for me and I am sick of voting for the "lesser of two evils".
Republicans need to get in touch with their base on many issues.
Is it possible to get enough Minutemen for the whole job?
Doubtful. The MM are on patrol for 30 days. April is a good month to camp in the desert. Rattlesnakes aren't short-tempered yet & daytime temps are pleasant.
Illegal Immigration will not be stopped for two reasons
(1) Republicans what cheap labor
(2) Democrats want new voters
Correct that to...
1. Republicans want taxpayer subsidized labor
I feel totally the same way - thanks for putting it into words!
All the proof you need is how Alan Colmes acted last night while talking w/ Simcox.
I used to have a modicum of respect for Colmes. I think he is a major masshole now.
They would be even less likely to follow through.
When the Republican Party (and W.) returns to espousing Republican ideas, then maybe the criticism will stop.
Correct.
I recall a famous and widely admired Democrat who once said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." I guess that doesn't pertain to activities that make the state look foolish and weak.
Amen! Bush refuses to do his constitutional duty. It is up to Congress to step up to the plate and do what needs to be done. If they don't do it, the Republican party is doomed.
"In the mean time, the Minutemen need a good marketing team to begin fundraising."
See my tagline
Support the Minute Man Project - http://www.minutemanproject.com/Donations.html
The "guns have been laid" by the mainstream media as far as the Minutemen are concerned. One incident, no matter how minor, is going to get amplified all out of proportion. I hope the Minutemen are vetting supervising their volunteers very carefully.
The one sure way for them to look bad is to have some open-border sympathizer to penetrate the group and then rough-up an illegal. The other way that I can see to sabotage the Minutemen would be from the Mexican side of the border: send over a bunch of thugs to deliberately attack a small party of Minutemen with the idea of getting them to pull their weapons.
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