Yesterday I posted Part I of an interview with John Smallberries, a volunteer pilot for the Minuteman Project. Several people pointed out that his last name is an alias. His response:
Yes – Buckaroo Banzai is my all time favorite movie, and while my name really is John – it’s not Smallberries. The reason for this “nome de guerre” is simple: There are no lack of bad guys out here, and while I’m very able to protect myself, my family is not. I dislike subterfuge in general, but this seems like a reasonable security precaution. I’m sorry if this sours folks on my message, but I won’t place them in danger for no good reason.
For further reading on this subject, see this post.
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Me: This problem is not limited to Mexicans sneaking across the border. What other nationalities are represented? For example, I’ve read that Middle Eastern men have been caught, too.
JS: The question should be who has NOT been popped down there! Have not seen anyone from Norway, Sweden or Canada that I can recall. Other then that – hey – it’s like taking the “small world” ride at Disney. What is scary is that in the last 2 years there has been a distinct rise in OTM’s (other then Mexican) collars. In San Diego we have popped groups from China, Jordan and Chile. Reports from AZ indicate a number of other nationalities. The multi-cultural aspect of this would be heart warming they were not wandering in with automatic weapons and large bags filled with who-knows-what?
Two things to consider:
1) I laugh when folks call this a “racial” issue – i.e. we must be racists because we are trying to keep Mexicans out. Let me assure your readers – if the only folks drifting across the border were Mexican migrant workers – I’d be in Hawaii this April – not Arizona. The average Mexican is coming over the border to escape the deplorable conditions in their own country – they don’t have an ounce of malice in them, and they are not a threat to our security, in and of themselves.
2) Remember – for every person that is caught, the Border Patrol estimates 2 -3 get past them into the interior. You can bet that people who are serious about doing us harm are NOT using the $500 guides, they are paying top dollar and going in with the dope loads, which are seldom caught. Who are these people? Shouldn’t we be stopping them? Does anyone else think this is really scary when people from literally anywhere can simply walk into the USA, carrying whatever they please?
Me: As you may know, the Mexican government plans to sue to try and stop the Project, and the ACLU says it will monitor the Minutemen to make sure they don’t violate aliens’ rights. Does this make you as angry as it makes me?
JS: Well – of course the Mexican government wants to stop this. Their number one export is their own people. Anything that stops that export is bad for business – so it is only logical that they would do anything they could to put the kabosh on this.
What makes me angry at the Mexican government is how they exploit their own people. Rather then educating them, and creating jobs and futures for their own people, the Mexican government tells them to leave their homes and families, take a dangerous trip though the desert, live like a criminal, work for slave wages in the USA, and oh yes – don’t forget to send money to your family back home – they have taxes to pay!
In other times, we would call what they are doing to these poor people slavery. I know that is a harsh word, but really – their lives are little better then that. Since the only choice they have is to either starve, or risk coming here, I don’t see it as much of a choice. They might not come in chains, but given the choice – how many Mexican’s really would risk the journey to come to the USA? Wouldn’t they rather stay at home?
Can you imagine if we were in a similar situation, with a corrupt government, and no choices? How would you feel if the government told you “Sorry – if you want to keep from starving, you need to slip into Canada, where you will toil for 16 hours a day, and get paid sub-human wages” – I think there would be a second American revolution very shortly after that. This is *exactly* the situation the Mexican government needs to avoid – thus – they *must* keep the border open, or all these hungry folks are going to be marching to Mexico City again.
Seeing how these people are exploited, first by the Mexican government, then by us, in pursuit higher profits via cheap labor, disgusts me. So yes I’m angry. As for the ACLU – I’m not sure you have the story correct. I would hope they are coming down to ensure OUR rights to assemble and protest(lawfully). But even if they are not, and are coming to watchdog the Minuteman – I could care less. There is absolutely nothing illegal, immoral or unethical to reporting a crime you witness to the police, and since that is all we intend to do, however large the scale, I don’t see how any rights are going to get violated.
In any group – there are always a few clowns. And while we have worked hard to keep the kooks out – no doubt a few have slipped by. So I can’t promise that everyone will be well behaved. However – if someone does try something stupid – the ACLU will be the least of their worries. We intend to police ourselves far more rigorously then any outside group could. There is zero tolerance for idiots here.
Me: What can the rest of us do to assist? Can people donate or volunteer?
The single best thing folks can do is to get down to Arizona for a few days and check out the situation themselves! *Everyone* is welcome. Even if you don’t want to sit on top of a hill with a radio and binoculars, you can come down and check out the scene for yourself. Spend a day walking around with me, spend a night (dress warmly) watching the “tonga line” of hundreds of people crossing the border, then sprinting to waiting trucks. Listen to the crackle of gunfire in the still desert air. Smell the stench of garbage and human waste left in the fields.
What we most need is people who have not witnessed the utter chaos in Arizona to see it, report it, and take it back home to tell their friends about. I can’t say it enough – come down to Arizona. No matter how crazy you think the situation is – you will find it far worse then you imagine. The first time you see a drive though, or a broad daylight dope run, or 100 people rush the fence, jump it, and then haul buns to waiting trucks, you will say… it is that powerful of a moment. Guaranteed.
Barring that – donations are welcome. We are running this on a shoestring budget, most of the costs have come out of our own pockets, and that’s OK. (the original minutemen had to buy their own equipment too, so I guess we are in good company) If your readers would like to support us, there is a “donate” button on the web site. Again – donations are great, and appreciated, but we really need eyes and ears to see what is going on. Spend the money on gas and a sleeping bag, and get out to Arizona!
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John Smallberries can be reached at berryhunter@gmail.com.
Needless to say, the whole idea of Americans trying to enforce law invokes charges of vigilantism. From reader Jim S. :
Ms. Barber:I don’t want to invest too much of my time nor take from yours with this observation…..
However, I was in Army Special Forces for three years. I know the psychological profile that fits the individuals for that special niche in life. John Smallberries (lmao with that irony) is not motivated by patriotism or a genuine sense of righteousness. He is just a “Deer Hunter” soon to have a beer belly if not already in possession of such.
He is simply a low level mercenary seeking entertainment and action. This policing the Borders for America gig is merely a ruse that he can us to be in some action, and live an illusion that he is in control. I pity the people he encounters on the border.
Border patrol is the work of a legitimate paramilitary force. Not a collection of survivalists looking for purpose in their purposeless lives.
Beware the Smallberries of the world.
Regards,
Jim S.
Speaking of vigilantism, check out Gringo Unleashed.
