Posted on 04/03/2007 11:22:41 AM PDT by TheBethsterNH
WPTZ.com Minutemen To Patrol N.H.-Canadian Border Group Says It Only Has Number To Patrol On Weekends
POSTED: 11:26 am EDT April 3, 2007
PITTSBURG, N.H. -- A group that has patrolled for illegal immigrants along the nation's borders with Mexico and parts of Canada is planning extended operations this month in New Hampshire.
The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps wants to patrol starting this weekend, but it needs more volunteers and contributions, organizers said.
Volunteer Marty Hewson, of Pittsburg, is a retired border patrolman who worked in Texas and Vermont. When he was contacted by the group's state chapter, he agreed to help.
"I'm used to line watching," he said. "I can't say as we see very many people, but we're in a spot where there is a possibility. It's just like my old duty when I was in the Border Patrol."
Ron Oplinus, director of the state chapter, said the Minutemen do not welcome vigilantes or racists, although some members carry guns, which they are instructed to keep holstered. Participants are instructed to bring hiking-type equipment: binoculars, flashlights, cameras, lawn chairs, comfortable and warm clothing, rain gear and food.
The state chapter was established a year ago and has 36 members who have visited the Canadian border to "establish an operating post," he said. Some of them have also trained and patrolled with chapters in the Southwest, he said.
If members see anything suspicious, they are supposed to report it to the Border Patrol, he said.
"There are several thousand people coming across the New England border with Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Maine," he said. "One of the neighbors near where we are says she sees the Border Patrol coming by any time of the day or night and she sees the search lights. There are a lot of sensors embedded in the ground, so they know when there is a lot of activity."
The national group recently named April and October as month-long events, but the New Hampshire chapter only has the resources to operate on weekends, Oplinus said.
The group had hoped to go out last weekend, but snow, rain and mud made it too difficult for them to reach their staging area, both men said.
Oplinus said the group is trying to combat a stereotype that they are gun-toting racists. They are just ordinary citizens concerned that the government is not doing enough to combat illegal immigration, he said.
"People nationally are very concerned about the illegal immigration problem, or invasion, as I call it -- and that's indeed what is happening: We are being invaded by people from throughout the world," he said. "It's all ethnicities. It's all countries. The southern border has apprehended people from all countries. It's not just poor Mexicans coming in to do the work that we choose not to do -- it's not that at all."
Where have you been!! The ones in quebec require that everyone everywhere speaks french to accommodate them. And in canada they get away with it.
funny
Last time I went across the Pittsburgh border I was with my dad. We’d gone up from southern NH (where we live)for a week of fishing and decided to hit moose alley (this was in June) where they’re thicker than black flies. The Moose just stand around in the road by the dozens.
Anyway we decided to cross the border to get a case of canadian beer. The crossing was wide open. On the right the canadian guardhouse looked empty. The American one on the left did appear to show signs of life.
We parked, we waited. Nothing happened. Finally I got out and went into the guardhouse cautiously. “Hello?”
Nothing.
“Hey, uh, we’re coming into your country...?
Nothing.
So we drove into canada and paid way too much for a case of molson.
LOL....yeah they’re tricky that way....lure you in and then wham!!! Overcharged for beer.
These days our beer is cheaper on the American side of the border :-(
When is Candia Day?
that’s funny!!!
Yep. The counter chick was a cute little Kebekker who shot us a sunny smile till we spoke English. The she went flatter than cher's bustline. We paid in real money and I am certain she screwed us on the transfer rates. However after a week in the puckerbrush it was nice to see a real live girl.
At least you didn’t get flipped the bird. I was motoring along and had that happen and the only reason I could figure was my vehicle was sportin eeeeevil Ontario license plates. A good chunk of em don’t like les anglais.
1. Maple Syrup.
2. Withered elderly tourists in marblebag speedoes.
3. Strippers.
1 & 3 are just great, but 2 I could live without.
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