Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Phil Declares Public Support of the Minutemen Project
"Five people were arrested in a deliberate attempt to protest these people planning to hunt and trap immigrants," said Kara K. Norlander, 23. [courtesy Daily Southtown]
"The Bay Area Coalition to Fight the Minutemen is mobilizing an action to oppose the Minutemen Project's rally to gather public support for their attempts to harass poor, undocumented border-crossers" [courtesy indybay.org]
"I call on President Bush … to call on extremist members of his own party to end their anti-immigrant rhetoric and support for the Minutemen vigilante group, both of which are helping spread fear and hatred in America,” said Dean, chairman of the DNC. [courtesy Vermont Guardian]
"They are outsiders, and we don't want them here," said David Van Deusen of Moretown, Vt., who helped to organize the protest. "We don't want their racist policies in Vermont." [courtesy sciencedaily.com]
Phil's Observations
There's even a website to stop the minutemen project ... http://swarmtheminutemen.com/ ... They even have a page entitled "Why We Remain Anonymous". Funny, isn't it? The minutemen are proud of their action and don't hide behind the curtain.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of Americans have a favorable opinion of the volunteers who patrolled portions of the Mexican border earlier this year. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 22% have an unfavorable view of the "Minutemen" volunteers. Check out out for yourself at rasmussenreports.com
The bottom line is really this: The government is not doing enough to stop terrorists from getting though. The government is not doing enough to reduce illegal immigration. Some citizens have stepped up to fill the lack of action. This is not a racial issue. This is not a vigilante issue. This is not a rent-a-cop issue. No one is getting hurt. No one is getting trapped. No one is getting harrassed - except the courageous volunteers themselves. There is no extremism issue here. The Minutemen are strictly nonconfrontational and use "observe and report" methods. To join the Minuteman Project, people must submit to a criminal background check. Anyone who has committed a crime is prohibited from joining or remaining in the group. What the hell is wrong with that?
I'm looking forward to your comments.
Here is the website of the minuteman project: Minuteman Project
The Minuteman Pledge
I. A Minuteman upholds the Constitution of the United States of America, and reveres the American Creed that unites us as one people, our Declaration of Independence.
II. A Minuteman knows well America is a nation of immigrants, and realization of our national promise has always relied upon those who come to America from other countries to participate fully, with their children and descendants, as loyal and law-abiding U.S. citizens.
III. A Minuteman believes that just as ethnicity, race, religion and all such factors are incidental and do not affect our God-given, constitutional equality as American citizens, such factors are also irrelevant in the debate over illegal immigration. There is no tolerance among Minutemen for racism or bigotry — E Pluribus Unum — Out of Many, One.
IV. A Minuteman believes in a strong, safe and secure America that begins with borders open only to those who have a legal right to enter, and who have met all the lawful criteria to cross into our territory established by the sovereign American people.
V. Minutemen vow to use every legal means at our disposal to assist law enforcement authorities in identifying and apprehending those who violate our borders, whether they are illegally trafficking people, weapons, arms, property, sexual slaves or any other contraband.
VI. Minutemen vow to report to the proper authorities any business entity which knowingly recruits, facilitates or employs people who have entered America illegally, or which cooperates in any commercial activity which involves contraband smuggling or marketing of persons, products or materiel.
VII. Minutemen promise to raise our voices — on cellular phones along the borders of America and in the halls of Congress — in the defense of the rule of law. The American people are firm but fair, and we share their great compassion for the many powerless victims of cruel, illegal human trafficking and labor exploitation. But we also support our citizens' adamant rejection of the blatant disregard for our laws and ordered liberty represented by the U.S. government's failure to secure our borders, enforce our nation's sovereignty and end the flood of illegal trafficking into American territory.
I vow before God and my fellow Americans that these principles guide my actions as a Minuteman. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty..." And so I will stand watch on America's borders and in her sovereign interest until relieved from duty by my fellow countrymen.S
Standard Operating Procedure for Minuteman Project
- Minutemen are courteous to everyone with whom they come into contact, and never discriminate against anyone for any reason.
- Minutemen do not respond to any taunts or harassment from outside agitators, and must never be present for duty or serve in any capacity if intoxicated.
- Minutemen Observe, Report and Direct Border Patrol or other appropriate emergency or law enforcement agencies to suspected Illegal Aliens or Illegal Activities.
- Minutemen do not verbally contact, physically gesture to or have any form of communications with suspected Illegal Aliens.
- Minutemen follow the Standard Operating Procedures to the letter and spirit.
- Minutemen follow all federal, state and local laws, understanding that we are being held to a higher standard by all.
- Minutemen understand that, while our actions cannot stop illegal activities along the boarder, we can change world perception and national thought concerning Homeland and Border Security.
- Minutemen monitor their behavior, the behavior of the people around them and the group as a whole to ensure compliance with the SOP and any instruction given by Minuteman Corps Leadership.
- Minutemen leave no garbage behind and follow strict pack-in / pack-out procedures.
- Minutemen respect the property rights of everyone, start no fires, never drive off road, and follow the directions of all law enforcement personnel.
