Minuteman Civil Defense Corps Responds to Washington Times (Simcox)

Human Events ^ | Jul 29, 2006 | Chris Simcox

[Anti-Bubba182]

Recently, the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, Inc. (MCDC), and our fiduciary accountability has been called into question in reports in the Washington Times newspaper. Its editors continue to misrepresent the facts and have purposely based their reports and editorials on information that is inaccurate.

They continue in their attempt to hold us to a different and improperly applied fiduciary standard than any other non-profit in the country. Jerry Seper and Wes Pruden seem not to understand the first, most basic matters of non-profit accounting and regulatory obligation. Further, Pruden absurdly describes Seper’s reporting as “careful, rigorous” when Seper has not spoken to at least two of his three “sources” on this matter in over a year, and he and his editors deliberately failed to disclose in their innuendos regarding “where our money is spent,” that tens of thousands of dollars was spent on full-page issues advocacy advertising in the Washington Times itself.

A year ago, people called us racists and vigilantes. We have overcome those falsehoods with an organizational performance of diligence, responsibility and excellent stewardship of the resources entrusted to us by our supporters and volunteers. Our careful spending and high standards in the field, combined with the generosity and faithfulness of our citizen patriot supporters, have allowed us to grow rapidly and effectively, consistent with our mission. This has been accomplished, in part, by aggressive advertising and outreach to people across the country, putting a spotlight on the state of lawlessness at our wide-open borders which our government continues to tolerate......."[snip]

".... The leadership of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and its officers continue to have full faith and confidence in American Caging, Inc., who acts as our comptroller, and in our other accountability and legal professionals..........."

[Anti-Bubba182]

"..Its editors continue to misrepresent the facts and have purposely based their reports and editorials on information that is inaccurate."

Those filthy moonies are out to get me!

"The leadership of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and its officers continue to have full faith and confidence in American Caging, Inc."

[Anti-Bubba182]

ping

[ansel12]

Please don't anyone call the Washington Times a liberal newspaper.

I don't know what the truth is here, but when the Wash. Times says it, my ears perk up.

I'm a long time subscriber to their national edition and it is very, very good.

[Anti-Bubba182]

The Washington Times is not a liberal newspaper.

[Howlin]

The whole world is lying, except Simcox, of course.


I'll say this for him: he must be really worried; his response time is shorter.

[Anti-Bubba182]

"The whole world is lying, except Simcox, of course. "

It has been that way from the beginning. Gilchrist and many others have gotten away from him. He has to do what he can to rescue fundraising. American Caging and the rest don't work for free.

[Anti-Bubba182]

I bet American caging is getting a lot more attention than it wants.

[unsycophant]

CERTIFICATE OF ACCOUNT STATUS

This is in response to your inquiry about the status of
AMERICAN CAGING INC

This corporation is not in good standing as it has not satisfied all state tax requirements.

If you need any additional information or assistance, please contact the Texas State Comptroller's field office in your area or call 1-800-252-1381, toll free, nationwide. The Austin number is 512-463-4600. If you are calling from a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), the toll-free number is 1-800-248-4099, or in Austin, 512/463-4621.

Taxpayer number: 30114634063
File number: 0118826500

Form 05-342 (Rev. 1-03/12)

(In case anyone was wondering.)

[Anti-Bubba182]

Lol!

[Nick Danger]

I doubt that anyone is actually embezzling the funds. That's not the issue. The issue is: where's the fence?

People sent their money in expecting to get a fence. But there is no fence. Instead there's "aggressive advertising and outreach [read: direct-mail fundraising] to people across the country."

If this were just getting started, we could have some sympathy for all these protestations of innocence. But now that they've raised a million dollars, it's reasonable to ask, "Hey, what about the fence?"

MCDC appears to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of a large advertising, PR, and fundraising firm. Perhaps it should not surprise us that what they appear to be doing with the money is advertising, PR, and fundraising. But somewhere along the line, they owe the people who donated a fence. And not that stupid barbed-wire livestock fence they put up for some rancher.

Freepers know from experience (whose name was Larry Klayman) that these outfits can chew up 85 or 90 cents of every donation dollar on salaries, overhead, and fundraising, leaving very little for the actual cause that people were donating to.

It's true that Simcox doesn't have to show anybody his books until the 990 is due, but until he does, people have to wonder — given the advertising-to-fence ratio we've seen so far — what the deal is here. People thought they were getting a fence, not the next Judicial Watch.

[nopardons]

bttt

[unsycophant]

Oops, forgot the link to Carole Keeton Strayhorn, TX Comptroller of Public Accounts (Window on State Government site):

http://ecpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/servlet/cpa.app.coa.CoaSearch?Button=search&Pg=tpid&Search_Nm=american%20caging%20

[Anti-Bubba182]

You are right Simcox needs to give an accounting, not a dodge.
In any event his evasions will damage fundraising so he will
pay that way.

[Pelham]

Nah, Howler, the whole world is lying except for you. You rule.

[GeronL]

The WALL STREET JOURNAL hates them too and believes in open borders.

Open borders means no country.

[Howlin]

Nah, Howler, the whole world is lying except for you. You rule.

That's it; when you have nothing to offer, a personal insult will do.

It's not my fault Simcox is being by questioned by everybody, including honest Minutemen.

[perspicacitypalmer]

Open borders means no country.

Absolutely!!!

[AmericaUnited]

Freepers know from experience (whose name was Larry Klayman) that these outfits can chew up 85 or 90 cents of every donation dollar on salaries, overhead, and fundraising, leaving very little for the actual cause that people were donating to.

These groups can only "prosper" when people act as nonthinking dupes, reacting "Pavlovian" like to the red meat that they typically spew out, just barking/donating on que.

[Spiff]

ping

[dirtboy]

Thanks for the ping. I think there is a key difference between Judicial Watch and Simcox - namely, that many current Simcox supporters on FR and elsewhere have said that if Simcox does not meet the November 15th deadline, there will be hell to pay. But apparently waiting less than four months is too much to ask for some. Nor is bothering to deal with inconvenient facts such as the current heat along the border and the regulatory obstacles fencing has faced, such as that by Cochise County. Best to get the attacks in now, lest Simcox produce the reports in November and take away the hammer before they can use it on him.

[catholicfreeper]

You would think American Laundering/Fencing would have got this paid by now. I suspect that Mrs Otis/and or who really owns this outfit is pleased at the exposure they are getting on the net.

[Amelia]

the November 15th deadline

Please note that November 15 is the deadline only after requesting TWO three-month extensions to the reporting deadline.

In other words, the reports are not actually due 4 months from now, they were due over two months ago.

Please also note that this will be the report for 2005, and it's quite unlikely that any of the 2006 donations or expenditures, including those for the fence, will be included in the report.

Expecting MCDC to file reports on time and without multiple extensions of the filing deadline does not constitute holding them "to a different and improperly applied fiduciary standard than any other non-profit in the country"; it is expecting them to comply with the same standards others do, which is not unreasonable.

[dirtboy]

Once again, please note that MCDC is not in violation of federal law at this point. But that does not stop unprincipled critics of accusing Simcox of criminal activity with absolutely no evidence whatsoever other than their own insinuations.

[HiJinx]

and it's quite unlikely that any of the 2006 donations or expenditures, including those for the fence, will be included in the report.

Very interesting. I have yet to make a comment on this thread, and yet you begin your post to me. I'm flattered.

Anyway, if you look at the comment I made on another thread, to which you must obviously be referring, I said the exact same thing you've quoted. Thank you for reinforcing my point.

As to deadlines? I'll let that debate go unanswered.

[Amelia]

Once again, please note that MCDC is not in violation of federal law at this point.

To my knowledge, no one has said they are violating a law. Do you expect them to be found in violation of the law at some later date?

Just because something is technically legal doesn't necessarily mean it's moral or right.

[Amelia]

Very interesting. I have yet to make a comment on this thread, and yet you begin your post to me. I'm flattered.

I was pinging the people who seemed to have an interest in the subject.

Anyway, if you look at the comment I made on another thread, to which you must obviously be referring, I said the exact same thing you've quoted. Thank you for reinforcing my point.

Apparently you do have an interest, and I'm glad we agree.

[stephenjohnbanker]

what left wing liberals do..........

"But that does not stop unprincipled critics of accusing Simcox of criminal activity with absolutely no evidence whatsoever other than their own insinuations."

[catholicfreeper]

You know watching these threads is amazing. Whya are people upset is beyond me.

We are simply exposing something that takes 80 cents out of a Donars dollar and spends it on nothing relating to any cause. We have shown some ,unethical in my view, companies that are that are owned by the same people and use these issues to make a buck over the greater good of conservative causes. We now have seen that someone who is very involved in all this in his prior life operated a Diploma mill scam. We have seen that people are abusing the greatest thing this Country has. That is our Free and open Election process to make money for themselves and others. That being their true and only purpose. We haven' even got into yet how they be controlling or influencing huge facets of the internet media that gives us news.

I am mystyfied why people think this a bad thing.

[dirtboy]

To my knowledge, no one has said they are violating a law.

Like hell. He has been accused often on FR of stealing because he has asked for extensions. Try at least to be honest with the debate here - I've seen you on just about every Simcox thread, you HAVE to have seen those posts.

[dirtboy]

We are simply exposing something that takes 80 cents out of a Donars dollar and spends it on nothing relating to any cause.

Liar. Since Simcox has not submitted reports yet, any such statements you make now is pure insinuation.

[Invisible Gorilla]

In other words, the reports are not actually due 4 months from now, they were due over two months ago.

Simcox says: "We will continue to meet every federal and state regulatory and reporting deadline before us."

Does that mean a timely request for an extension equals meeting a deadline?

[Invisible Gorilla]

He has been accused often on FR of stealing because he has asked for extensions.

When Simcox says that his group will "continue to meet" every state and federal reporting deadline, when in fact he's asked for extensions of those deadlines, is he telling the truth, or asking for an extension of it?

[dirtboy]

When Simcox says that his group will "continue to meet" every state and federal reporting deadline, when in fact he's asked for extensions of those deadlines, is he telling the truth, or asking for an extension of it?

Question - if you ask for an extension to pay your income taxes, are you late? No.

[catholicfreeper]

I think if you look at my post I was referring to something more than Simcox or the "fence". Even though if the ususal suspects didn't take 80 percent of the procceds it would be the first time we have seen it since reviewing these reports.

This is much bigger than just this particular incident.

[Amelia]

Question - if you ask for an extension to pay your income taxes, are you late? No.

Last I looked, you still have to pay what appears to be due at that time by April 15, however.

[Invisible Gorilla]

That wasn't a very deft dodge. If you ask for an extension then you haven't met the deadline even if you've had the extension granted. The deadline was moved, not met.

[Amelia]

Liar. Since Simcox has not submitted reports yet, any such statements you make now is pure insinuation.

However, MCDC is now part of the Declaration Alliance, which according to its latest publicly posted reports, spends 80-95 cents of every dollar on fundraising, rather than on its stated mission.

In other words, there is some basis for the statement.

[dirtboy]

However, MCDC is now part of the Declaration Alliance, which according to its latest publicly posted reports, spends 80-95 cents of every dollar on fundraising, rather than on its stated mission.

Now, let's see what his reports say, shall we? Once they are submitted in November. If that deadline passes, I'll join in the chorus against him. As will many others. LIkewise if the ratio of fundraising costs to mission costs is 80-20 instead of 20-80 or so.

However, until that point, what I see is a bunch of opportunistic dogs rolling in this story.

[dirtboy]

Last I looked, you still have to pay what appears to be due at that time by April 15, however.

However, you do not have to file the return until August 15th.

[dirtboy]

That wasn't a very deft dodge.

It's not a dodge. Simcox has until November 15th. I will withhold judgement until then, unlike some folks who seek to make as much political hay as possible over this before the facts are out.

[Bernard Marx]

Open borders means no country.

Yup. So does the charade of 'laws' that aren't enforced.

[Amelia]

Does that mean a timely request for an extension equals meeting a deadline?

According to Simcox & Co., yes.

I'm still laughing at the article....it's classic Connie Hair spin, based on the premise that "the best defense is a good offense" -- but not necessarily openness and truth.

In other words, when criticized, accuse your accuser of lying and misrepresentation, but don't actually offer any facts to show they are wrong.

A couple of posters here with ties to that bunch use the same strategy.

[dirtboy]

I think if you look at my post I was referring to something more than Simcox or the "fence".

I know exactly what you are doing. You are trying to slime the anti-illegal-immigration movement. So don't try to pretend otherwise.

[dirtboy]

In other words, when criticized, accuse your accuser of lying and misrepresentation, but don't actually offer any facts to show they are wrong.

I hate to tell you this, but it is incumbent upon the accusers to offer facts. Simcox has offered his own refutations. He is committed to providing reports by November 15th. Until then, certain people with their own agendas are attacking Simcox with innuendo.

[Amelia]

Now, let's see what his reports say, shall we? Once they are submitted in November. If that deadline passes, I'll join in the chorus against him. As will many others. LIkewise if the ratio of fundraising costs to mission costs is 80-20 instead of 20-80 or so.

Let's keep the blinders on until after the election, shall we?

However, until that point, what I see is a bunch of opportunistic dogs rolling in this story.

Surely you aren't so naive that you don't see lots of smoke already. The fire may not be visible yet, but the smoke must be burning your eyes and nostrils.

[Bernard Marx]

if Simcox does not meet the November 15th deadline, there will be hell to pay. But apparently waiting less than four months is too much to ask for some.

I'll wait, it's only fair. But I've put my donations on 'hold' until then too. I think it's significant that the Washington Times took on an advertiser, something that usually doesn't happen unless there's some fire accompanying the smoke.

[Invisible Gorilla]

Simcox implies that his group has been meeting its deadlines when they haven't. He doesn't mention the extensions. Given that his credibility is in question, was that a smart tack to take?

[catholicfreeper]

I am no big fan of the MInutmen or their viewpoint on the solution to current illegal immigration crisis.

Now, think about this for a second. If my true purpose was to slime these people for political gain as to my viewpoint I am going about it in a weird way. In fact it would seem advantageous to keep quiet why quite possibly 80 cents out of every dollar is not going to their cause and beliefs but into outside pockets. Further other groups of minutemen are the ones that did the origial work on exposing this.

Again, my interest in this goes way beyond the fence. I am hoping people see the bigger picture. That being that precious resources are that are needed by Republicans and conservatives are being wasted by being sent to the enterprises we have mentioned. Further, that these organizations might be in the position to influence the media and certain conservative elements that is unhealthy on the whole politically for Conservatives

Again, I think if you look at the contents of these threads lately, the emphasis has been becoming on the big picture not just this fence or Simcox or immigration.

[Invisible Gorilla]

You are trying to slime the anti-illegal-immigration movement.

By his evasivedness and truth shaving Simcox is inviting the slime and hurting the movement, and you're advocating that this status quo should be maintained through the elections? Don't tie the movement to Simcox, cut him loose. He's a worsening liability.

[Amelia]

I hate to tell you this, but it is incumbent upon the accusers to offer facts. Simcox has offered his own refutations. He is committed to providing reports by November 15th. Until then, certain people with their own agendas are attacking Simcox with innuendo.

Apparently his coworkers and the media have been asking him to be accountable for over a year now, and he has refused.

He says he is "committed" to providing reports by November 15th, but as best I can tell he won't be able to put them off any longer than that.

It is not that hard to provide reports, especially since he has the Declaration Alliance's accounting staff to do so. Right now he's refusing to do so, which makes him appear to be hiding something.