Published: 09.05.2007
Guest Opinion: A Minuteman speaks out

DON SEVERE
Tucson Citizen

MINUTEMAN: (def.) "… the requirement to be ready at minute's notice." Its genesis is from the Revolutionary War period describing an American militiaman.

In 2002 the organization began and in 2005, the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps developed to assist law enforcement agencies in the observation and apprehension of illegal immigrants.

This is accomplished by the objective: observe and report illegal activity.
The reason for the formation was that the U.S. administrative and legislative branches of government refused to take appropriate action to secure our borders with Canada and Mexico.

MCDC is not to be confused with any other organization using the word "minuteman" in its title, such as the Minuteman Project. That project is not affiliated with or related to the MCDC.

The MCDC was founded by Chris Simcox, an Arizona resident, with the participation of several other self-described patriots. In rapid succession many citizens joined to support the cause. The organization began functioning immediately.

The need was obvious. The federal government was not acting to secure our nation's borders. The Border Patrol was overwhelmed, trying to do the best job possible with the resources available.
But that wasn't enough.

Illegal immigrants from other nations around the world were crossing our borders unchecked at the rate of thousands per day. In particular, the U.S. Border with Mexico had become extremely porous while U.S. politicians and bureaucrats "puzzled" over what to do about the situation.

The MCDC and its volunteers knew what to do. Frankly, it was elementary. Provide manpower or barriers or both.

While the presidential administration and Congress fiddled, the U.S. was burning. In addition to prospective farm laborers, there were OTMs (other than Mexicans). The border crossers include unskilled and skilled workers, drug transporters, coyotes (people smugglers, people infected with serious third-world diseases, criminals of all sorts, prospective terrorists and others with questionable motives.

The MCDC was the first to begin building impenetrable fence sections on private land in Arizona with privately donated funds. Its fence project is modeled after the border fence barriers designed by the Israelis and built to deter both vehicle and foot traffic.

And it is a success. Illegal traffic along the fence sectors has, essentially, evaporated. MCDC was hopeful that the U.S. government would follow the lead. But it didn't.

Good old American ingenuity was put to work. There is a time to talk and a time to act. MCDC acted. The organization has been doing so ever since.
The mission of MCDC is "to secure United States borders and coastal boundaries against unlawful and unauthorized entry of all individuals, contraband and foreign military." The objective is to observe and report illegal activity to the appropriate law enforcement agencies
MCDC volunteers do not apprehend suspected illegal immigrants or illegal contraband. That is the job of sworn law enforcement personnel.

The organization is guided by competent national and local leaders who follow a strict set of rules and regulations. These include a comprehensive training manual, a pledge to follow the rules and regulations and standard operating procedures. Any infraction of such, by any MCDC volunteer, will be grounds for immediate termination of membership.

The leaders are well-trained and well-versed in procedure.
There are close to 9,000 background-checked, active MCDC volunteers throughout the United States and tens of thousands of contributing supporters. MCDC is in regular communication with a half-million e-mail addresses. Chapters exist in most states.

The MCDC is represented by a cross section of America. Volunteers of both genders, many races, religions and creeds make up the rolls of this organization. The common denominator is their feeling of patriotism toward the United States. Theirs is a common cause - secure borders, public safety, American sovereignty.

There are people from all walks of life. Many are military veterans and retired law enforcement personnel.

The MCDC is, truly, a reflection of Americana. All those contributing to the MCDC mission have the pride of knowing that they are patriotic citizens helping their fellow citizen and their nation.

Some uninformed people have referred to the MCDC volunteers as "vigilantes." In a sense, that is true. MCDC volunteers are ever vigilant to illegal activity and report such to the appropriate law enforcement personnel.

The president of the United States of America has asked all citizens to be vigilant. MCDC volunteers do so in a well-organized and disciplined fashion.

Others have "worried" over the fact that some volunteers of the MCDC carry sidearms when in the field. Often such critics do not understand weapons and do not feel comfortable with them under any circumstances. They have a phobia or irrational fear of guns.

Unfortunately, the naysayers have this prejudice based on personal biases, incomplete information or misinformation and their inability to step outside of their paradigm. Some of these people allow the modern elite media to sway their opinions with distorted information.

The MCDC does not require any of its volunteers to possess and/or carry guns. However, since many states, including Arizona, allow, eligible citizens to carry sidearms under certain conditions, MCDC does not prohibit its volunteers from carrying these weapons for personal defense.
But MCDC has very strict rules governing those volunteers who are on border watch and elect to carry sidearms. There is strict adherence to gun safety rules and regulations, without exceptions.

To date, the MCDC operations have a perfect record for gun safety. Also, the organization is responsible for more than 30,000 sightings of illegal activity and 15,000 apprehension assists with law enforcement personnel.
In these troubled and dangerous times, all U.S. citizens need to get involved with the safety and security of our nation.

To protect and serve America is not a partisan issue. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to leave this country as a safe and sovereign place to for them to live. We are the current stewards of the American way.

As President John F. Kennedy so eloquently stated: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country."
You can do your part as a volunteer with the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.

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