Borders/Bush/Vigilantes

I have had a couple of readers comment on my posts in regards to the volunteer border patrols, what effects they may be having, and President Bush's remarks and his calling them vigilantes, and what effect it may have.

Let me share a couple more thoughts. First, what is a vigilante?

(1) vigilantes: members of a vigilance committee; unpaid workers; volunteers; vigilance men

(2) vigilance: the process of paying close and continuous attention; watchfulness; alertness; vigilant attentiveness

While on the surface and by strict definition standards, GW's use of the word "vigilantes" to describe the "Minutemen Project" might seem innocuous.

However, I think any truthful, clear thinking person would agree that the term "vigilantes" usually connotes a much stronger and negative image and is an emotionally charged adjective.

Not only is it unfortunate that President Bush chose to use this word in the first place, but the Bush Administration isn't backing down from the use of the word as can be seen here. How unfortunate - and potentially damaging to the Republicans. They could be driving a wedge between them and many concerned (over border issues) citizens.

The Minutemen Project's original intent was to patrol the border for only ONE month. New York Newsday (via the L.A. Times) posts an article, "Border-Watch Group to Stop Patrols",
"The Minuteman Project says it will focus on protesting businesses that employ illegal migrants and push for immigration reform", whereby they claim they have been successful in making their point and are going to turn their attention now towards businesses that hire illegals.

However, the Minutemen leaders have "promised an encore if there is no progress toward safeguarding the border by October."

"We'll be back. We can put between 10,000 and 21,000 people on the border in all four Southwestern states," Deacon said.

"We will close down the border the way we closed this section. Our message is very clear — we want our government to secure our borders."

One of the Minutemens detractors is MayorRay Borane. "Ray Borane, the mayor of Douglas, said the effort had been 'very superficial and clearly insincere'."

"It doesn't surprise me that they ended it," he said. "As soon as the media packed up and left, they left as well. All they accomplished was being a hindrance to the Border Patrol and creating international hard feelings. Their biggest accomplishment was getting the media's attention. It was, as the Mexicans say, all song and no opera."

Uh, huh. A hindrance to the Boder Patrol. I have seen absolutely no facts to back up this assertion; every thing has been quite the opposite. Oh, well. Facts are minor things. Right?

I have a very strong suspicion that Mayor Borane's most compassionate criticism of the Minutemen Project and most damaging aspect of their mission was "creating international hard feelings."

Damn, I need to be loved!