[Tax-chick]

I suspect you're right, since "vigilante" has a totally negative connotation, in spite of it's having sometimes been a pretty good idea. However, to me, the historical meaning of "Minutemen" (not to mention the Minuteman missile :-) is clearly suggestive of violence. I think that people engaged in standing around in the way and phoning the cops should have chosen a different term.

[F.J. Mitchell]

I see your point and have to agree. I suspect though, that even if they had chosen a name like, "Gentle greeters of our visiting neighbors", they would still have been demonized. Remember what they did to the terms, Compassionate Conservatism, No child left behind, Contract with America, etc?

[brazzaville]

Good afternoon.
"..."vigilante' has a negative connotation..."

Macho used to mean "possessing manly virtues". Being gay used to mean one was lighthearted. The left has managed to pervert much of what used to be considered good.

Vigilance is a virtue that our enemies would prefer Americans don't maintain.

Michael Frazier

[JimRed]

I think that people engaged in standing around in the way and phoning the cops should have chosen a different term.

I thought that they did; "undocumented border agent", wasn't it?