'Minutemen' to Patrol Arizona Border'

[jfcjrus]

From this article:
http://www.comcast.net/News/DOMESTIC//XML/1110_AP_Online_Regional___National__US_/9694de61-681a-44a8-bd54-0ddbf25657d5.html

I gather that some folks have had enough of <i>the Government's</i> solution to the problem.
And, perhaps rightly so, the government spokespeople are concerned.
Nearly 500 volunteers have already joined the Minuteman Project, anointing themselves civilian border patrol agents determined to stop the immigration flow that routinely, and easily, seeps past federal authorities.
Officials fear the Minuteman patrols could cause more trouble than they prevent.

I'll submit that this should be a wake-up call to our government.

What do you think?
Are they a bunch of flag-waving, radical extremists, or just a bunch of common citizens that have had enough of inaction by their 'government'?

Regards

(edit - if you read the article, were you as stunned by the statistics as was I?)

[Lovehound]

We should declare war on Mexico, declare a DMZ +/- 500 feet of the border, and then shoot any enemy combattants who attempt to cross the DMZ. Enemy combattant would be defined as anybody who does not have a visa or who attempts to cross anywhere except at an official station of entry. :)

I've been pissed about all the illegal aliens for years, but it looks to me like our government and most of our citizenry do not care.

[Steve]

I think this will attract a mix of isolationist rednecks, bigots, and concerned citizens, jfcjurus. In other words, it'll be a little slice of American life!

Overall, I think this could be a good idea as long as it doesn't cross over into vigilantism. Nothing wrong with Neighborhood Watch patrols, is there? I see this as more of the same. Law enforcement should step up and offer training and support, the same that Neighborhood Watch members receive. There have to be proper protocols for requesting LEO presence, reporting suspected aliens, etc. And law enforcement has a legitimate need to know if armed citizens are running around in the desert confronting people.

It's a not-very-funny joke that private citizens feel the need to step in and perform a job like this that our government can't seem to effectively do on its own.

[Coot]

Oh, I think there will be some shooting. I don't think it will be instigated by these folks though. There's a history of gunfire coming from Mexican interlopers breaking into the country. We've had BP agents killed...we've even had a park ranger killed. I just hope that when the mexicans start shooting at these guys, the return fire is overwhelming.

[jfcjrus]

It's a not-very-funny joke that private citizens feel the need to step in and perform a job like this that our government can't seem to effectively do on its own.
Well, you know what's often forgotten about many private citizens?

The fact that many <i>civilians</i>were once highly trained members of our military.
That fact that many received training equal to, or better than, what <i>some</i> border patrol or police officers have received. The 'officials seem to conviently overlook that many <i>civilians</i> have been quite well trained.
In other words, I often think that statements by 'government' officials suggesting that <i>civilians</i> should leave enforcement of our laws to the <i>professionals</i> to be a bit condesending.

But, I just find it interesting that some <i>civilians</i> seem to find the 'illegal immigrant' situation severe enough to actively spend their time in an effort to do something about it.

I think THAT'S what our officials in our government are overlooking, in their perception of how serious some common <i>citizens</i> think this matter is.
I think this issue will soon come back to haunt any politician that doesn't get aboard with the concept that these illegals are nothing more (or less) than folks that are breaking our laws, and should be treated accordingly (as criminals).

Just my opinion, of course.
Regards,

[Arc]

The minuteman patrol has significant pros and cons. First the pros:

It will bring more attention to a problem that needs addressing by our Federal government.

It will make those who participate feel empowered and to a certain extent satisfied, especially those who are most directly and adversely affected by the illegal crossings.

Well, that is it for the pros.

As for the cons, not enough time and available space to list them.

[Kangaroo]

These guys are there simply to observe. They will pass their observations along to the Border Patrol and ICE. And I imagine, to the press. They'll operate for a month, have their own air support, and have specifically said they are not going to confront of otherwise interfere with the flow of felons from the south. I think this is an excellent idea. To keep and raise the pressure on Bush to do something about his criminal attitude about border security.