Spokesman confronted with border-agent anger:McClellan defends GWB, won't rescind 'vigilante'

WORLD NET DAILY.COM ^ | APRIL 21, 2005 | LES KINSOLVING

[EternalVigilance]

Watch what they do, not what they say.

[Dog Gone]

The Minutemen are vigilantes, aren't they? President Bush didn't describe them incorrectly.

Perhaps he was concerned that they'd be misbehaving vigilantes when he was first asked that question, but that hasn't turned out to be the case.

But if they're not vigilantes, I don't know the definition.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

The powers that be continue to refuse to admit how hugely embarressed they were by the success of the Minuteman project. They are in huge denial over how big the illegal immigration problem really is.

[holymoly]

But if they're not vigilantes, I don't know the definition.

Vigilante
Main Entry: vig·i·lan·te
Pronunciation: "vi-j&-'lan-tE
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish, watchman, guard, from vigilante vigilant, from Latin vigilant-, vigilans
: a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law appear inadequate); broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice
- vig·i·lan·tism /-'lan-"ti-z&m/ noun

[EternalVigilance]

But if they're not vigilantes, I don't know the definition.

Militia.

If the elected government won't keep intruders out of our house, citizens have a right and a responsiblity to do so.

[Txsleuth]

Blech....

You know, I have seen the press conference with Fox and Bush a few times and Bush wasn't asked explicitely about the Minuteman Project, he was asked what he thought of the vigalantes.

Bush then answered that he didn't want vigilantes along the border. HE (Bush) never called the Minutemen vigilantes, the reporter just said vigilantes, not even mentioning the word Minutemen---Bush was having a worldwide press conference with he, Fox and Martin and I am sure ya'll can imagine what must be going on in his head---he could have not even realized the guy was referring to the Minutemen.

Having said all that--NOW, he should come out and state just what I said above, that he didn't consider them vigilantes and he appreciates their concern and he should do with THEM that he did with the families of 9/11, and includes a few of them in future planning sessions for immigration reform--

If the families of 9/11, who had no more qualifications for intelligence reform than I do, should have input into intelligence reform--

the minutemen, who have walked the border, peacefully, and SUCCESSFULLY, should be considered to have enough qualifications for immigration reform.

I nominate Spiff to be one of the committee!

[combat_boots]

If the government of this country will not defend its borders, and permit strains of all kinds on us citizens, national agencies, and law enforcement; health concerns from hitherto eradicated diseases such as leprosy, TB, or worse; and horrendous waits for health care, education, and law enforcement from system overload by illegals, what does it expect citizens to do?

It is the primary purpose of government to defend and protect its citizenry. All else is extra. Anything less presents the citizenry with cause.

[Mears]

Thanks for that definition.

Why does everyone assume that the word "vigilante" is negative,the definition is a positive.

[holymoly]

Why does everyone assume that the word "vigilante" is negative,the definition is a positive.

Not entirely positive, since the definition includes: "and punish crime summarily".

It is important to note that the Minutmen are not punsishing illegals. They are not executing them, lynching them, etc.

What the Minutemen are doing is what a member of a neighborhood watch might do - i.e. reporting illegal activity to the authorities.

If the Minutemen are "vigilantes", then so too are members of a neighborhood watch.

[dagnabbit]

Even if Bush's overt amnesties are slapped down by Congress, he still has his ace-in-the-hole, the stealth amnesty-by-matricula-card, in which the Feds allow and encourage the growing U.S. acceptance of this proof-of-illegal-status document, issued at Mexican diplomatic offices in the USA.

With his Matricula card amnesty, Bush basically gets to circumvent US law, deputizing Mexican diplomats to decide who can live and work in the USA. Yet, at the same time, he condemns American citizens who want to be take a small role in actually upholding U.S. law.

Bush to the Minutemen: "Mexican diplomats get to decide who's in the USA, not you!"

[Moose Dung]

Vigilantes takes law enforcement into their own hands. The minutemen simply did a classic "neigborhood watch" -- which BTW is endorsed by law enforcement across the country.

The idea is the more eyes and ears on the street, the easier it is to catch the bad guys.

Bottom line: The Minuteman Project in no way represents a vigilante approach to board security.

dung.

[Dog Gone]

My interpretation of the term may be more broad than that of the average person. I think of a vigilante as a citizen who assumes a law enforcement function because of a perceived lack of adequate law enforcement.

I don't think of vigilante as citizen cop, judge, jury, and executioner.

Maybe I need to rethink my definition.

[Logical me]

Take a couple of aspirin and get a good night sleep.

[Dog Gone]

I'd prefer to get drunk and come over to beat up your family, vigilante-style.

[ASTM36]

GWB calling the Minutemen "vigilantes" is a hoot.

I would contend that invading Iraq was discernably more "vigilante" than the patrol activities of few citizens on the southern border.

[dalereed]

impeach Bush!

[Czar]

Deeper and deeper...

[itsahoot]

what does it expect citizens to do?

Shut up and take it, comes to mind.

[Sender]

They are just what the term vigilante really means in Spanish; they are being vigilant and watching the border.