DAY 3: Minuteman Caravan to D.C. - Deep in the Heat of Texas

The Spirit of Allegiance ^ | May 5, 2006 | Reporterette with Headset

[La Enchiladita]

On the road again… the Caravan is “making tracks” to and through the great state of Texas. After a few hours of sleep, the brigade has mustered out. There’s a great song about “Abilene”…. prettiest place I’ve ever seen, people there don’t treat you so mean … in Abilene.” Let’s hope that is true for our heroes.

The Minuteman Caravan will be a positive statement for the citizens of the United States of America. The Minutemen will drive from Los Angeles California to Washington D.C. Major rallies will be held in Phoenix, Crawford Texas and then concluding on May 12th in Washington D.C.

[La Enchiladita]

The Minuteman Project (MMP) is a citizens' Vigilance Operation monitoring immigration, business, and government.

The Minutemen know that it is not too late to restore America’s faith in the rule of law and it is not too late to convince Capitol Hill that the American people have had enough! What is to be done? We shall drive across the nation from California to Washington D.C. in the first ever Minuteman Project Caravan.

Caravan Schedule May 3rd - Los Angeles, CA May 3rd - Phoenix, AZ May 4th - Albuquerque, NM May 5th - Abilene, TX May 6th - Crawford, TX May 7th - Little Rock, AR May 8th - Memphis, TN May 8th - Nashville, TN May 9th - Birmingham, AL May 9th - Atlanta, GA May 10th - Greensboro, NC May 11th - Richmond, VA May 12th - Washington, D.C.

[doug from upland]

Great title. Let's hope they have a big crowd tonight in Abilene.

[La Enchiladita]

It could happen, Janet!

The Minutemen have already won over some who were formerly foes, or at least sceptical.

;^]

[MineralMan]

"The Minuteman Project (MMP) is a citizens' Vigilance Operation monitoring immigration, business, and government. "

Is that from their own description of the organization? If so, the choice of the word "Vigilance" is probably no such a good idea.

"Vigilance Committees" were the names of the original vigilante organizations. Not a good choice of words, if it's from the MMP.

[La Enchiladita]

It is from their own self-description.

[MineralMan]

"It is from their own self-description."

I'm sorry, but it's an unfortunate choice of words for their description. Google "Vigilance Committee" and you'll see what I mean.

The Vigilance Committee of 1856 was the very source of the word "vigilante." By choosing this word in their description of themselves, they have invited the use of the word "vigilante" for their group. It's sad.

Anyone with a knowledge of history knows this. President Bush knows this, and chose to use the word "vigilante," probably at least partly based on the organization's description of itself.

Very bad choice. They have a good cause, but they hurt themselves from the first line on their web site.

[janetgreen]

President Bush knows this, and chose to use the word "vigilante

He knew exactly what effect that word would have in his speech. He should start speaking up in defense of patriots rather than trying to smear them.

He has lost much credibility because he panders to Mexico and open borders and refuses to listen to what America is trying to tell him.

[doug from upland]

MIDI - DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS

The Minutemen are off again...deep in the heat of Texas
The issue's raised...they have our praise...deep in the heat of Texas
For you and me, our sovereignty...deep in the heat of Texas
Illegals run...man, this is fun...deep in the heat of Texas
The caravan has lots of fans...deep in the heat of Texas
They bring to light...our awful plight...deep in the heat of Texas
Let's not pretend...the flow must end...deep in the heat of Texas
Bush, heed the call to build the wall...deep in the heat of Texas

[evets]

Rumble at the Ranch

KTON 1400 AM 05/06/06.

[hispanarepublicana]

It's raining in the West Texas/Abilene area.

[La Enchiladita]

Whoa. I think I saw a report on that elsewhere, too.

I just tried phone contact but they're busy... prolly maneuvering through the weather.

Thanks!

[La Enchiladita]

I KNEW you would come through, ya ol' songwriter you!!

George Strait, are you paying attention?!

They're not getting heat though, they're getting RAIN!

[hispanarepublicana]

It's cool and rainy (windbreaker weather) at Lubbock, which is 3 hours NW of Abilene.

[MineralMan]

"He knew exactly what effect that word would have in his speech. He should start speaking up in defense of patriots rather than trying to smear them.

He has lost much credibility because he panders to Mexico and open borders and refuses to listen to what America is trying to tell him."

---

That may be, but President Bush took the word "vigilante" directly from the challenging use of the words "Vigilance Organization" in the description the Minutemen use themselves.

The Minutemen knew the origin of the word "vigilante" when they chose the words Vigilance Organization to describe themselves. They knew full well that anyone who knows any Southwestern History knows where the word "vigilante" comes from.

It was a direct challenge, and President Bush took them up on it. I'm not commenting on the pros and cons of Bush's policies. I'm just pointing out a salient fact.

[Syncro]

They should be driving through Midland/Odessa area where President Bush is from.

Then past Colorado City and Roscoe (population about 25), towns I used to live in.

Then through Sweetwater to Abilene.

I think they are too early for the Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater, dang that would make a nice snack! (Rattlesnake tastes like Dragon)

We used to work in Muleshoe and the Lubbock area when I was in Texas hispanarepublicana.

Thank goodness Texas is getting some rain!

[Syncro]

I just tried phone contact but they're busy... prolly maneuvering through the weather

Once they hit West Texas it is miles and miles of miles and miles.

They should pass the Mountain View Motel. If you look off into the distance from the Motel, you can see a little hill about 50 miles away...

[La Enchiladita]

Patriot ping to let you all know that the Caravan is now in Texas, spoke with The Spirit of Allegiance within the past hour.

For FReepers anticipating the Caravan coming through your area, please check the MMP site for latest changes and updates to the schedule.

TONIGHT: BIG RALLY IN ABILENE! WOO-HOO! Lyman is waiting for a call from local media... thanks to Doug, the Abilene media have been informed of the Caravan's approach.

The groundswell of support for secure borders and immigration law enforcement is well represented and ministered to by these travelling Patriots, building strength for this "Defining Moment for America."

[doug from upland]

I would have written it differentLY had I known. :)

I THINK YOU MIGHT ENJOY THIS PATRICK KENNEDY SONG

[raybbr]

Good luck and God speed all of you to D.C. I wish I could be a part of this.

[Rushmore Rocks]

Thanks for the ping. I mailed my fuel donation to Lyman's home address this morning. It was suggested that I call him to let him know, but I really hate to bother him. So, next time you speak to him, you might let him know that "the check is in the mail".

Thanks for keeping this thread going.

[Ron H.]

Here's to seeing you all in Crawford tomorrow!

[La Enchiladita]

I wish I could too. I'm just staying in touch with the Caravan by phone, alternating duties with Doug from Upland.

The Spirit of Allegiance is the FReeper name of the driver of the pace car, if you'd like to post to him. Don't think he'll have much time to get on the 'net, but later he will see what folks said. Just a thought.

[La Enchiladita]

I wish it was me but I'm still here in CA, relaying reports from the Caravan to FR.

[Deguello]

Hope that the Pace Car doesn't get bashed up tonight from hail.

[RonDog]

See also THIS thread:

Minutemen's message on immigration: on a roll?
[FReeper mentioned in Christian Science Monitor!]
Christian Science Monitor ^ | May 5, 2005 | Daniel B. Wood | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Posted on 05/05/2006 11:05:28 AM PDT by RonDog

from the May 05, 2006 edition - http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0505/p02s02-uspo.html

Minutemen's message on immigration: on a roll?

The activist group will pass through 12 US cities during a push for tighter US borders. Polls show most Americans support that.

By Daniel B. Wood | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

LOS ANGELES - Construction worker John Peaslee drove 100 miles from Kern County to cheer, wave an American flag, and send a message to the US government to "close the border, period."

Microbiologist Heather Evans took the morning off work to "stand up for the US Constitution ... without which we will lose the American culture, country, and values," she says.

Lyman Stucky will dedicate the next two weeks and "a few tanks of gas" to caravan all the way to Washington to "urge people to stand up and encourage others to do what's right: Obey the law, that's what makes America great."

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

[RonDog]

Thanks for the ping. I mailed my fuel donation to Lyman's home address this morning...

EXCELLENT!

See also, from the [Riverside] Press-Enterprise:

Minutemen take show on road

CARAVAN: The illegal-immigration foes begin a cross-country trip in a bid to drum up support.

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 3, 2006

By SHARON McNARY
The Press-Enterprise

Minuteman Project co-founder James Gilchrist led a cross-country caravan from Los Angeles on Monday to recruit new members among those who were turned off by recent pro-immigrant demonstrations.

AP photo

Genevieve Peters, left, a Minuteman supporter, argues with Monica Morant in Los Angeles. Minuteman Project co-founder James Gilchrist kicked off a cross-country caravan in Los Angeles on Monday to recruit new members.

The tour began in Los Angeles' Leimert Park, a famed black cultural center. The destination rally in Washington, D.C., on May 12 will feature Ted Hayes, a longtime advocate for the homeless who says that large-scale illegal immigration takes jobs from black Americans.

Calling from a mobile phone in an RV rolling on Interstate 10 nearing Blythe, Gilchrist said the marches bolstered the Minuteman Project. Demonstrators, he said, "were sitting under a Mexican flag claiming that the U.S. is theirs. That's just upsetting Middle America."

He said, "Every time our adversaries did something like that, our volunteers doubled overnight and our donations tripled."

Nativo V. Lopez, a spokesman for the March 25 Coalition that organized the recent boycott and large marches, said the Minuteman caravan was an effort to regain the limelight following heavy coverage of pro-immigrant demonstrations.

"They are appealing to the base, nativist prejudice of a minority of Americans," Lopez said.

Gayle Nyberg, of Murrieta, said she and Penny Magnotto, of Perris, planned to join the road trippers early Monday in Los Angeles, but their 1986 Pace Arrow RV, freshly painted for the tour with red and blue stripes and white stars, clipped a car at a gas station and had to join the caravan later in Indio.

About 10 vehicles are in the caravan, Magnotto said. She said she often checks out the window to make sure she is not being followed by some of those who have threatened project members.

"If I'm going to die on the highway trying to save my country, so be it," Magnotto said. She estimates the trip to Washington and back will cost about $3,000 in gas and expenses.

A rally was set for Wednesday in Phoenix, and another in Crawford, Texas, President Bush's hometown, on Saturday. The caravan will pass through Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia on the way to Washington, D.C.

The group has been critical of Bush's support for immigration law changes that would permit large numbers of undocumented immigrants to stay as guest workers or permanent legal residents.

Reach Sharon McNary at (951) 368-9458 or smcnary@PE.com

---

Online at: http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_P_caravan04.1.8624c30.html

[RonDog]

Thanks for the ping. I mailed my fuel donation to Lyman's home address this morning.

It was suggested that I call him to let him know, but I really hate to bother him...

Not to worrry.

You did the RIGHT thing. :o

I was the one who suggested that you call, as I wanted to make sure that Lyman knew how much support he was getting via the mail.

Lyman was concerned initially that he might have to turn back if he did not get enough money donated to cover his expenses to make the entire trip.

I did not want him to give up, thinking that he had no support, and then come home to find a mail box full of money.

As it happens, I talked to Lyman this morning -- and he said that he DOES have somebody at home to pick up his mail, and deposit the checks into his account...

...so that he can get the money for gas, from wherever he is on the road.

[antisocial]

I plan to be there to support them, sorry I don't have a camera.

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

Sounds like the caravan is picking up lots of media attention. Too bad they can't all camp out on Bush's ranch in Crawford...

[rfreedom4u]

Wish I could be there to support them. If they ever come through Hawaii before July or Alaska after that, I'll behappy to buy them a beer.

[doug from upland]

Please give us your eyewitness report.

[doug from upland]

If they were illegal aliens, they would be able to enter the ranch and no one would remove them. They would be given a voter registration form, a free pass to the nearest hospital emergency room, a driver's license, and an ACLU attorney to sue if anyone gets near them.

[Rushmore Rocks]

Glad to hear that. I was worried about him running out of gas money. Thanks for letting me know.

[doug from upland]

I think they are planning to drive to Hawaii on the next caravan. :)

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

Yeah, I hear ya.

[SwinneySwitch]

Freedom Through Vigilance Association

http://www.ftva.org/

I guess we all have to stop using the word Vigilance?

[SwinneySwitch]

The Vigilance Committee of 1856 was the very source of the word "vigilante."

Vigilante means watchman in SPANISH, from the Latin vigilns, vigilant.

[SwinneySwitch]

Just pointing out some salient facts, Mineral Man.

sexist, elitist, xenophobic, racist, vigilante

[RonDog]

Glad to hear that.

I was worried about him running out of gas money...

LOL!

He's not out of the woods yet...

...and can certainly use MORE help -- before this thing is over.

The Caravan is not yet in Texas. They still have to drive all the way to Washington, D.C. -- and then back to California.

I personally plan to send him money for ANOTHER tank of gas -- next week, HERE: -- www.spiritofallegiance.com

[abigailsmybaby]

That's good to hear. I called him this morning (I sent money by PayPal) to let him but had to leave a voice mail. I hope he got it.

[RonDog]

:o)

[Deguello]

I Sure hope that they are already in Abilene. They need to hunker down for the rain cloud coming their way out of the west, towards Abilene.

They can expect heavy rain, high winds, hail and possible tornado.

[La Enchiladita]

Too bad they can't all camp out on Bush's ranch in Crawford...

My bad. I forgot to call the White House and wangle an invite for them!!

[doug from upland]

I don't think Lyman bargained on a tornado. Why could't a tornado hit when Cindy Sheehan was in the area.

[La Enchiladita]

This is an excellent article, Ron Doggie, and I made a point of telling The Spirit about it this morning. It's a darn fair piece.

[Arizona Carolyn]

What kind of turnout are they getting along the way???

[La Enchiladita]

Here are a couple of (better) photos from the Los Angeles send-off:

The top two are Minuteman Founder Jim Gilchrist
and the bottom photo is a caravaner placing a huge American flag on the side of his RV.

[Deguello]

If they are still on the road, they need to either beat storm or wait it out. It is about 1.5 counties wide. You can't drive through golf balls or baseballs.

[La Enchiladita]

Lyman said last night they had "few hundred" supporters in ABQ. I'd say that's darned good.

We'll see what he says on the after-report tonight. I'll be sure to ask him your question...