He was lying…picking a hot topic to fish for votes. A corrupt old man in the Nixon administration told reporters not to listen to what they were saying but to watch what they were doing. I’ve followed his advice for over 30 yrs, applying it to both parties. He was right. His name was John Mitchell.

As I mentioned in my comment on the first installment posted yesterday, this issue is near and dear to my heart. I wish I could go down there, even if only for a day. Instead, I’ll be up here lighting candles and praying for the safety of all.

Exactly right. Before the 2000 election, Pres. Bush promised to get the Feds to pay the cost of illegal incarcerations among other things. Said he understood because he’d been the governor of Texas. But he has reneged on his promise (or was he lying) so that the states are still being buried with the costs.

My wife and I would very much like to spend a week with the Undocumented Border Agents in AZ, but we can’t get the time away from work. I think that they’ll be able to serve one of the most critical functions in a security operation – observation. While the Border Patrol is pathetically understrength, they certainly can’t watch everywhere and do enforcement as well. The extra eyeballs should be a huge help.

Our family has some land in SW Texas. When I grew up and would visit, most everyone had a .22 or .243 caliber “varmint gun” in their truck, for snakes, coyotes and such. Now, it’s much more common to see heavy pistols and automatic rifles. The varmints have gotten much bigger in the last 15 years, and are better armed. It’s not the folks coming here to make a living that are the problem. It’s the worms that take their money to get them here that will cut your fences and shoot first. Like the 9/11 commission and John point out, some of the illegal visitors are not coming here to work at Taco Bell or frame houses.

Will do.

La Shawn, you should come on out…

I am glad that the project’s volunteers are trying to screen out anti-Hispanic racists.

1) With all due respect, you don’t know anything of whether John is “motivated by patriotism or a genuine sense of righteousness.” He clearly claims to be motivated by protecting this country, and whether he fits your pre-ordained profile of the “Deer Hunter” is utterly irrelevant.

2) I think most of us agree that border patrol is and should be the work of a legitimate paramilitary force. But you would also have to agree that our border defense system (such as it is) has not acquitted itself well in keeping out illegal immigrants. We need a change in how we deal with this problem. Your personal feelings the Minutemen aside, they are at least getting the message out about the seriousness of the problem, and for that, they should definitely be commended.

#1 I want to thank all the people who taken the time to read this, and the kind words most of you have offered.

#2 The ranch where I ‘work’ is in San Diego County (in the El Campo fire district – located in the far east of the county) not in the city limits of San Diego. In this area, the border wall is a simple 10 foot high metal fence. I’ve had a few questions about this, sorry to confuse people familiar with the very effective border fence that exists near the city.

#3 The comments by the ‘3 year SOF vet’ while unfavorable, are not entirely incorrect.

Since I have worked as a US government ‘contractor’ – I suppose that makes me a mercenary. I prefer the term PMC – professional military contractor, but there is nothing wrong in calling things what they are. However, since none of the MinuteMen are paid, the correct derogatory term is “Rambo”, Wanna be”, “Vigilante” or “Redneck Yahoo”, but not “mercenary”. Thank you.

He is also correct when he states that my motives are not national pride or a deep sense of patriotic duty. I’m too cynical to fall for that stuff. (large smile here) My purpose is simple, selfish and as old as humanity itself – self preservation. I have no desire to get blown into the ionosphere by a backpack nuke detonated in downtown LA. Nor am I excited by the already bad LA smog being enriched by a heapin’ helpin’ of VX or Sarin nerve gas. Call me silly, but life in LA is hard enough already.

His best point however, and the one I 1000% agree with, is that the job of border control is one best left to professionals, like the US Border Patrol. Sir – you are totally correct. This is NOT a job for simple citizens. The correct way to handle this is to double or triple the size of the border patrol, not via a group like the MinuteMen. Please inform me of ETA of this relief force, and I can assure you the MinuteMen will cease to exist the moment they arrive to replace us on border watch.

The only point I really take issue with is that I must have a beer gut! While I’m not going to make the centerfold of next month’s VQ (Vigilante Quarterly) I think still I’m in pretty good shape. At least for an ‘old guy’. It is a constant battle, so he is probably correct in saying that one is not too far in my future. I don’t drink, but I am seriously considering taking it up of late. A beer gut could easily follow. (smile)

Overall this gentlemen makes some great points, and it is clear that he is far more qualified, rational, and clear headed then myself to perform this mission. In the interest of doing what is right, I’ll be happy to step aside in April, allow him to perform my patrol flights. I don’t pretend to be the best qualified person to carry out these duties, I’m simply filling an empty seat until a professional arrives.

On a serious note – my experience has been that people who participate in things such as this often are pathetic losers, and want-to-be Rambo’s that would be dangerous if they were not so inept. His bias is well founded.

I invite this gentlemen, and any others, to join us in Arizona and meet me and the other volunteers in person, and observe how we conduct ourselves, and this mission. If you still feel the same way after that, feel free to make whatever judgments or comments you desire.

Respectfully,

John