Thursday, June 26, 2008

BREAKING NEWS Minuteman Founder Jim Gilchrist says some in Minuteman Movement Instigate Violence!

As I recently reported, there are some in the Minuteman Movement that are angry and instigating violence as they patrol the border. Now, Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minutemen, is confirming.

OC Register Reports:
Minutemen leader laments path of anti-illegal immigration groups
Founder of Minuteman Project said he worries about people instigating violence in connection with his group's name.
By AMY TAXIN - The Orange County Register
When Jim Gilchrist headed to the U.S.-Mexico border three years ago to press for tougher immigration enforcement, he carried binoculars.
Today, Gilchrist is worried that a few self-proclaimed patriots might be carrying a gun.
After seeing online videos that encouraged border violence amid calls to crack down on illegal immigration, the 59-year-old Aliso Viejo resident said he feels responsible for what started out as a publicity campaign and has since fallen prey to internal divisions and to influence by people he believed had "Saddam Hussein mentalities." "In retrospect, had I seen this, had I had a crystal ball to see what is going to happen… Am I happy? No," Gilchrist said in a phone conversation late last week. "Am I happy at the outcome of this whole movement? I am very, very sad, very disappointed."
Last year, Gilchrist had a falling out with several of his former Minuteman Project collaborators, who accuse him of mismanaging the organization's funds. The dispute landed the group in court and splintered the anti-illegal immigration movement, which had been gathering steam amid several attempts in Congress to pass an overhaul of the immigration system.
Looking back, Gilchrist said he wished he had done more to root out troublemakers in the organization – both those who opposed him politically and those who instigate violence.
"There's all kinds of organizations that have spawned from the Minuteman Project and I have to say, some of the people who have gotten into this movement have sinister intentions," he said.
"It's an 'invasion'," Gilchrist said of illegal immigration across the border between the United States and Mexico, "but it's not a war. It is a covert 'Trojan Horse invasion'."
THEN AND NOW
That's a marked difference from the Gilchrist who led supporters on a caravan across the country two years ago to President Bush's ranch in Crawford, TX, shouting at critics before leaving from Los Angeles: "Minutemen, stand your ground!… If it's a war he wants, then let it begin here." The year before, just back from the border trip, he told a group of 150 supporters at an anti-illegal immigration group meeting: ``I'm damned proud to be a vigilante.'' Last year, a coalition of human rights and labor groups labeled Gilchrist a "voice of intolerance" in the debate over immigration reform. In 2005, the Montgomery, Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center reported that neo-Nazis had joined the border-watching event led by Gilchrist.
The Minuteman Project was successful at tapping into core concerns among moderate Republicans and galvanizing them on the issue of immigration reform, said Louis DeSipio, a UC Irvine political science professor. But over the last year, immigration reform has slipped from the top of the national agenda, displaced by economic woes such as gas prices and the housing slump.
"At its peak, the group had a range of people," DeSipio said. "The sort of core of the movement was always people who took the metaphor of an invasion seriously and it's those (people) who have the potential to violence and are willing to use the web at least as a way of seeing if they can stir something up."
"As public opinion has moved away from immigration as being a highly salient issue and other things have come to the fore, the suburban patriot has moved in other directions," he said.
Gilchrist readily admits the movement has splintered over the last year. He said he still has ties to about 20 Minuteman Project chapters around the country – but used to have more.
Sometimes, Gilchrist said he thinks about leaving the debate over illegal immigration and taking on a new issue like urban blight or tax reform. For now, he said he will continue to lobby for more border patrol agents but not from a perch on the border, watching for people trying to cross.
"I have found, after four years in this movement (…) I very well may have been fighting for people with less character and less integrity than the 'open border fanatics' I have been fighting against," he said. "And that is a phenomenal indictment of something I have created."

19 comments:

noopenborders said...

Gilchrest- Hummmm Interesting character! Ran for office, LOST! Tried to keep the MMP going, Lost!
Suing previous members of MMP! Loosing again! Support from other citizen watch groups (Zero)! Lost again! Creditability (Zero) lost again!

It now seems that his supports actually see what colors he has on his back! RED, GREEN & WHITE! (Loosing again)

Mr. Gilchrest just wants to be in the political news and run for some other office! He does not want to go down to the border any longer! Last time he was there they had to kick his sorry A** off the hill! He is a bigger trouble maker than anyone! In the last 3 years Gilchrest has been to the border how many times? 2-times, 2-times in 3 YEARS!

What kind of EXPERIENCE does this man have with border security? NONE!

I am sorry to say, but Jim, it is time for you to pack your bags and go home, go back to being a CPA, you did a great job to start out with, but the "Power Trip" went to your head!

You tried to make the movement ALL ABOUT JIM, it is NOT! sorry to tell you..... It is ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION Jim, NOT Racist comments that you now make about your former MMP people who you were very proud of!

Sorry, Jim, time for you to sit back and "OBSERVE" from your lawn chair! (Again).

Anonymous said...

Agreed! Gilchrist was never the man he claimed to be and it is a good thing he has distanced himself from the MM organization and vice versa. Anyone who chooses to believe what he says now is grasping at straws to paint a tainted picture of the MM organization in general. We all know who they are...the pro-illegal sympathizers!

Any MM that carry guns at the border carry them in self-defense not because they use them to shoot illegals crossing the border. It is very dangerous at the border with all the drug cartels that will shoot you to get their booty into our country.

Not one MM has been convicted of anything illegal. NOT ONE! There are always bad apples in every barrel but that doesn't mean the whole barrel is spoiled.

zeezil said...

Gilchrist has become so unstable and unhinged that EVERYONE and ALL groups in the anti-illegal immigration movement cut any ties and completely distanced themselves from him a couple years ago.

He has no credibility so by using his comments to push your agenda doesn't speak very well of your associations.

Dee said...

Zeezil,
I am merely reporting what the Leader and Founder of the Minutemen said about his group.

Anonymous said...

Of course, because Gilchrist made negative remarks about the MM. If he had made positive remarks, it wouln't have been posted. Gilchrist is no longer affiliated with the original MM organization for all the reasons that zeezil stated and that is a good thing.

Dee said...

What is interesting about Gilchrist is, he is the founder of the national Minutemen group. He has a view from the inside, the political side. He was there when they came to national prominance. He was the ONLY national MM leader that was asked to support a famous Presidential candidate. He has more clout than any other MM Leader, including Simcox.

It is interesting he is making such claims. That is why his message is now receiving national coverage.

Anonymous said...

You are assuming of course that he is telling the truth? He is disgruntled and accused of stealing funds from the MM organization. That wouldn't have set very well with him. The need to strike back? As I said, I am sure there are rotten apples in every barrel but for the most part the MM are a bunch of volunteers who have never been convicted of any wrong doing. When and if they are, get back to us Ok?

No convictions so far of setting fires in Calif. No arrests so far of any MM involved in the recent shootings of three Mexicans on their side of the border. Just wishful thinking by the pro-illegal side to demonize any anti's that they can.

Dee said...

Simcox IS accused of stealing funds for the fake fence too! There have been several articles about this. There were also several key leaders of the MMs that left because of Simcox´tactics. Go back and look!

Like Gilchrist said, the whole group is infiltrated with bad guys!

Anonymous said...

That is your opinion. The majority of the MM are not bad guys and the basic concept that the organization was started on is still admirable.

Again get back with us when these "bad guys" are convicted of any wrongdoing.

Anonymous said...

By the way, we have bad leaders in our goverment also, like Bush for example but that doesn't make all Americans bad because of him.

Jim Gilchrist said...

Dear Americans,

Dee appears to be the only poster with an intelligent and world view approach to this issue.

Most of the postings on this blog are from a handful of scoundrels who I was referring to when I lamented about some of the "undesirables" who have infiltrated the MM movement.

The Minuteman Project and I are here to stay, so get used to it.
The self-policing will continue until all the anti-rule of law troublemakers and propagandists who make an earnest market in disruption and disorder are gone.

While I am an avid supporter of the right to bear arms, I am averse to the mountain minutemen groups portrayal of minutemen as "Mexican killers," as depicted in the YouTube video they produced showing how to shoot to death an illegal alien crossing our border. I am also averse to stringing up lethal concertina razor-wire which they have on site at Patriot Point in Campo, Ca. This is not a conventional war. It is a contest to bring about enforcement of our immigration laws.

Either we will resolve the illegal alien invasion crisis in a respectable, peaceful way, within the rules of law, or the entire movement will fade into obscurity the same way Ranch Rescue and other hostile anti-illegal immigration activist groups have.

I leave you with my comments to the original gathering of minuteman/woman volunteers at Camp Deputy David March (aka the Bible College) in Cochise County, Arizona on April 1, 2005:

"Minutemen and women, stand your ground! By the powers vested in us by our Founding Fathers we have an irrevocable right to 'PEACEFULLY' assemble on U.S. territory.

If it's a war our political governors want, then we will fight them WITH THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND WITHIN THE RULE OF LAW."

Click on the FAQ button on the minutemanproject.com home page for details of events that have led to the systematic breakdown of the MM movement over the past 18 months.

Jim Gilchrist, founder and president, the Minuteman Project

Jim Gilchrist said...

Dear Americans,

Dee appears to be the only poster with an intelligent and world view approach to this issue.

Most of the postings on this blog are from a handful of scoundrels who I was referring to when I lamented about some of the "undesirables" who have infiltrated the MM movement.

The Minuteman Project and I are here to stay, so get used to it.
The self-policing will continue until all the anti-rule of law troublemakers and propagandists who make an earnest market in disruption and disorder are gone.

While I am an avid supporter of the right to bear arms, I am averse to the mountain minutemen organization's portrayal of minutemen as "Mexican killers," as depicted in the YouTube video they produced showing how to shoot to death an illegal alien crossing our border. I am also averse to stringing up lethal concertina razor-wire which they have on site at Patriot Point in Campo, Ca. This is not a conventional war. It is a contest to bring about enforcement of our immigration laws.

Either we will resolve the illegal alien invasion crisis in a respectable, peaceful way, within the rules of law, or the entire movement will fade into obscurity the same way Ranch Rescue and other hostile anti-illegal immigration activist groups have.

I leave you with my comments to the original gathering of minuteman/woman volunteers at Camp Deputy David March (aka the Bible College) in Cochise County, Arizona on April 1, 2005:

"Minutemen and women, stand your ground! By the powers vested in us by our Founding Fathers we have an irrevocable right to 'PEACEFULLY' assemble on U.S. territory.

If it's a war our political governors want, then we will fight them WITH THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND WITHIN THE RULE OF LAW."

Click on the FAQ button on the minutemanproject.com home page for details of events that have led to the systematic breakdown of the MM movement over the past 18 months.

Jim Gilchrist, founder and president, the Minuteman Project

Anonymous said...

Not that I really believe that you are Jim Gilchrist but not one of us anti's in here have advocated any violence against illegal aliens. Speaking for myself, I am not a member of the MM organization anyway and I don't believe that any of the other members of this blog are either. Where do you come off calling us "scoundrils"? Based on what? I admire the MM organization for what it stands for and the loyal Americans who go down to the border to help the BP and operate within our laws. As I said, I do not condone unlawfullness nor violence. You have read nothing in this blog by anyone in here that has stated otherwise so you can take your false accusations of us and stick it!

Dee said...

Jim Gilchrist

Jim,

Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate the kind words.

I know I have disagreed with you many times in the past. However, I do want to say I think you were very brave for speaking out. The violence and anger has to stop. If we are ever to solve the immigration issues we face today, both sides have to come together, discuss this civilly, and develop a mutually agreed upon plan.

For now, I just want to say thank you for being brave and standing up to those in your ranks that are not advocating peaceful resolution. I know many of the sites like Immigration Watchdog, Alipac, Jeff Schwilk, Hal Turner, Chris Simcox and others are giving you a very hard time.

I will leave you with words my father often said, "the true measure of a man is not based on how many times they are knocked down, but on how many times they are able to get up afterwards!"

zeezil said...

Jim Gilchrist Uses Death of Border Volunteer To Attack Other Minutemen
http://www.immigrationwatchdog.com/?p=6846#more-6846

Jim Gilchrist has been whining to the media lately about infighting and how “this entire movement will fizzle to nothing by the end of the year.” [Daily Herald]

The truth is that Jim Gilchrist is an out of control megalomaniac. He believes everything should revolve around him, and if it doesn’t, he would rather it not exist at all.

Now he’s bashing the entire movement, making outrageous statements to the press, saying that Minutemen are violent and sinister with Saddam Hussein mentalities! [OC Register]

These days, he seems to spend much of his time viciously attacking other Patriots in the movement in emails and on his website forum. Many times he uses phony names like “Perry Emerson” and “Jack Sharpe” to hide behind.

Ever since Jim Gilchrist was kicked off the border [watch video: http://www.immigrationwatchdog.com/?p=6209 ] by the Mountain Minutemen, he’s been at war with Robert Crooks, the groups leader.

Gilchrist is so sick and immoral that he’s even using the death of a great Patriot to slander and attack those who knew him.

On March 30th, 2008, Robert M. Baker died of natural causes while watching the border with the Mountain Minutemen near Campo, CA.

The following email exchange is one example of how sick Jim Gilchrist really is. And why Jim Gilchrist has lost all respect from those close to him. The movement hasn’t fizzled out. Jim Gilchrist has.
--------------------------------------


Another WW11 Veteran and loyal patriot gone
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008

I was saddened to hear that our friend and fellow minuteman patriot Bob Baker (the “Judge”) passed away early last evening while standing guard at Patriot Point near Campo Calif. He had traveled 1,400 miles to do what he considered his “DUTY”, to this nation, by defending our borders from the illegal and drug invasion currently going on.

Bob was a patriot of the highest order, serving his nation in many different capacities. He was a Paratrooper in Europe during WW2, he was a police officer, he was a Judge in his town, he served as Circuit Judge, he was Fire Chief in his home town, a Lawyer, and much more. He traveled the world with his first wife shooting Trap, he was also a big game hunter traveling the world. He was always doing and going and to his last day wanted to give back to and defend his beloved country. He felt that he owed everything to this nation that allowed him, and gave him, the opportunity to become the man that he was.

I met Bob in Fabens Texas in 06 and we worked together with other volunteers supporting the Texas Minutemen on the border where Border Patrol Agents Compean and Ramos worked. Bob had a great personality and made friends fast and gained their respect wherever he went.

I again had the honor and pleasure to work with this great man in Three Points, AZ during the entire month of Oct. 07, doing Operations north of Sasabe, AZ, with the group Minuteman Of One. We put over 1000 miles on my Rhino 4X4, together, doing recons, brooming trails, standing post, and regular patrols. I got to know him very well after many hours together. We bonded well during that time and our friendship grew, even though it was short lived.

His health was failing fast but he would not give up, and against all advice from family and friends, he headed out again to do his DUTY with all his last bit of strength. He had several disappointments on the way which took a toll on his spirit, I’m sure, but he continued on until he reached Campo, Cal. “Lil Dog”, another great patriot in this battle to save our nation, at Patriots Point, welcomed him into the group and treated this old but great man, warrior, and patriot with the respect he deserved. He served his final days and hours doing what he wanted and loved to do, defending his country on the border, sitting in his pickup, and quietly passing on to a much better place.

For those of us who were fortunate enough to know Bob and to be his friend, our lives have changed for the better I believe.

We will miss you Bob, we salute you, rest in peace.

Al Davies
-------------------------------------

From: Century21Minuteman
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 9:19 AM
To: ‘robert crooks’
Subject: What happened to the $2500 that went missing from the guy who died at your camp last moth? Who took it? How did you spend it?

I will investigate this further.

Cheers,
Jim Gilchrist, BAJ, BSBA, MBA, CPA - Founder and President
Jim Gilchrist’s MINUTEMAN PROJECT, INC. (DBA The Minuteman Project)
--------------------------------------------

From: Albert Davies
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 10:57 PM
To: ‘Century21Minuteman’
Subject: RE: What happened to the $2500 that went missing from the guy who died at your camp last moth? Who took it? How did you spend it?

For your information,

My name is Al Davies (SeaBee), I am a personal friend of Bob Baker (the deceased man mentioned here) and his wife Jo.

I personally went to San Diego, at Mrs. Bakers request, to retrieve Bob’s vehicle, ATV, trailer and personal items in the truck, and delivered them to her home in Ashland, KS.

Contrary to your accusation, as stated here, the money (which was actually $3,000.00) was found in his personal items,
by his wife when they were returned to her, by me.

I feel an apology is in order from you, to Robert Crooks (Lil Dog), for your slander upon his good name. I don’t know what your problem is with Mr. Crooks, but I’ve spent time with the man at Patriots Point, on my way back with Bob’s equipment. I found the man to be a loyal, patriotic American, doing what 300 million other Americans WILL NOT DO, and that is taking years out of his personal life to defend his country, on the border, in harms way. That Sir, is something you,
and others of your ilk will not do, except for the occasional press showing, for fund raising purposes of course. It takes more than a few minutes in front of the cameras on the border to become a Real Minuteman and to prove you really care about Border Security.

As far as I know, the Mountain Minutemen are the “ONLY” group in the United States that maintain a full time presents on the border, (just feet from the border), working with the US Border Patrol, 24/7. Until you can show that kind of dedication, and patriotism, you have no right to criticize these people in any way, period. You should be ashamed of yourself for spreading such lies and slander upon such loyal Americans. I am personally proud to say that I’ve had the opportunity to meet and spend some time with this fine American.

Sincerely,

Al Davies (SeaBee)
-----------------------------------------

From: Century21Minuteman
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:15 AM
To: ‘Albert Davies’
Subject: RE: What happened to the $2500 that went missing from the guy who died at your camp last moth? Who took it? How did you spend it?

The problem with infighting is that it never stops. It grows and festers like a rotting flesh wound.

Stop drinking the kool aid, sailor. Apparently, you do not know the same Robert Crooks as I do. By the way, my query was between Mr Crooked and me. He just made it a public discourse by forwarding that email to others on the internet. Until a thorough investigation is complete, I will reserve my own judgment as to where the $3,000 may have gone.

Crooks is a complete idiot and a whiner who seems to pick fights with everyone he comes into contact with. The list of those who complain about him could fill a telephone book.

Furthermore, Crooks is not the only person who ever went to the border to have a BBQ. He is a Johnny Come Lately to the immigration movement who demands that everyone pay homage to his presence. Reminds me of “The Emperor Has No Clothes”. ?

Thanks for your service drinking beer in the Seabees. Next time join the Marines and do a combat tour in Nam, like I did. Now, go worship and pay homage to your master Lil Mutt.

Cheers,
Jim Gilchrist, BAJ, BSBA, MBA, CPA - Founder and President
Jim Gilchrist’s MINUTEMAN PROJECT, INC. (DBA The Minuteman Project)
------------------------------------------

From: Albert Davies
To: century21minuteman@sbcglobal.net
Subject: RE: What happened to the $2500 that went missing from the guy who died at your camp last moth? Who took it? How did you spend it?
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:47:41 -0500

Mr. Gilchrist,

I’m not trying to start any shit with you , Mr. The fact remains that the money was recovered by Bob’s wife, I personally delivered all property held by the San Diego County Public Administrations Office, to Mrs. Baker, and the Money in question was included in that property. END OF THAT STORY!!! You can spread all the lies you want, but those of us who know the truth, know who the liers and trouble makers are. That kind of BS is never going to help the issue or our country. I suggest that you and the other trouble makers burry this crap and move on to trying to save this nation, and quit fighting each other. Fight the damn enemy for Christs sake, not each other!

As far as my service, I had 22 years in the BEEs supporting the Marines, and still do here in MO by supporting the local Marine team at my shooting Club. I support the Marines in any way I can. I have never ran into a Marine I didn’t like, don’t make YOU the first one. As far as S.E. Asia goes, I was probably over there before you were in 1962/63 getting ready for the war, before you and most of America even heard of Vietnam, so get off your damn high horse now.

Sincerely,

Al Davies

zeezil said...

Gilchrist:
Meglomaniac, egomaniac, unstable. Therefore, no credibility.

DinTN said...

"zeezil said...
Gilchrist has become so unstable and unhinged that EVERYONE and ALL groups in the anti-illegal immigration movement cut any ties and completely distanced themselves from him a couple years ago.

He has no credibility so by using his comments to push your agenda doesn't speak very well of your associations."

If Dee was as well informed and up-to-date on illegal immigration issues as she claims to be, she would already know this.

Anonymous said...

Awesome web site, I had not noticed immigrationmexicanamerican.blogspot.com before during my searches!
Continue the excellent work!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the link, but unfortunately it seems to be down... Does anybody have a mirror or another source? Please answer to my post if you do!

I would appreciate if a staff member here at immigrationmexicanamerican.blogspot.com could post it.

Thanks,
Charlie

Page Hits