Patriots' Border Alliance

The continuing storm enveloping our movement bears much watching and some commentary. One would think the whole movement is coming apart judging from the e-mails and condemnations going around. Well-established leaders are making decisions and statements that seem to fly in the face of all we have worked for these past 3 yrs. To make matters worse other leaders are attacking these individuals savagely for their strange decisions and comments. Some of the vitriol coming out of these groups is stunning in its viciousness and latent malignancy.

Rudyard Kipling once said something like this: “If you can keep your head while others are running around in panic and blaming you then, my son, you will be a man”.

Let’s follow that advice and keep our heads and give a calm look to the tempest that is roiling the waters of our movement. In my recollection the first foul wind in the latest storm to interfere with the steady course of our movement was Jim Gilchrest’s endorsement of Mike Huckabee for the nomination of the Republican Party. Given Huckabee’s record as an open borders, pro illegal alien advocate, many felt betrayed by so august a personage as Jim Gilchrist endorsing a politician who has long been part of the problem rather than part of the solution. In a movement where most participants feel betrayed by their government, churches, schools, and employers, it is not surprising that the first emotional response to this puzzling endorsement was a suspicion of betrayal. When it comes to illegal immigration, betrayal of those institutions we trust to protect us and look out for the welfare of the Republic has been the norm. In the grip of emotion regarding that betrayal, the e-mails flew hot and heavy with each one seeming to incite a higher level of indignation, suspicion and accusation. My first public reaction to this endorsement was posted on the Patriots’ Border Alliance Forum (First private reaction was unprintable.)

This is what I said then:

I would like to hear from Jim his reasons. Gheen has been vicious toward Ghilchrist for some time. But I think all are missing the important part of this story. It is something that all Minutemen should take great pride in. Huckabee is the new "fair haired boy" in Republican circles. He is in the ascendancy. This is generally a time for candidates to play it safe, to not be controversial. So, in my mind, the people who handle Huckabee have decided that an endorsement from "The Minutemen" is powerful enough to overcome whatever criticism from the open borders folks this endorsement will bring. Further it indicates to me that they believe that a "MINUTEMAN" endorsement is something that can solidify and increase his ascendancy.

In addition, this should comfort all of us that we have made this issue so powerful, that far from being "the third rail of politics", it has become the most important issue, forcing all of these politicians to move over to our side to one degree or another.

I think we should find out Jim's reasons for this endorsement, (though it is still hard to believe). We should give him a fair listen and then decide if he had some good reasons for what he has done. But in the mean time take heart for our efforts and our cause. The "show" accompanying this endorsement tells you how your efforts have affected politics in America.

Some time thereafter I became aware of a press release from Alipac and was stunned at the verbiage applied to Gilchrist’s endorsement. The first line of this release stated

As many of you are aware, Jim Gilchrist, has endorsed Mike Huckabee for President, which pretty much erases any good he has ever done for our cause.

I realize that emotion all too often plays a disproportionate role in communications within our movement, but to declare all of Gilchrist’s contributions to our movement forfeit I thought was overly dramatic, and somewhat presumptuous on Alipac’s part. Gilchrist’s foresight and courage to bring what was an essentially local phenomenon onto the national stage can never be erased and should never be forgotten. That phenomena morphed into the Minuteman Movement and accomplished more in one month than all of the other groups had in twenty years. Does Gilchrist’s endorsement of Huckabee erase that? Not in my mind. I may disagree with Gilchrist’s endorsement but neither the endorsement nor any thing else can erase Jim’s prescience in bringing the Minutemen onto the national stage.

While taken aback by the opening line of Alipac’s statement I was willing to over look it given the magnitude of the potential damage possible in Gilchrist’s endorsement. Further reading of the Alipac statement brought a deep disappointment that nearly bordered on despair. What should have been a clear statement of why Huckabee should not be endorsed and an inducement to counter that endorsement, devolved into an incredibly vicious attack on Jim Gilchrest the man as opposed to the man’s endorsement. While it did mention the so called “touch back” plan, it was, for the most part, an unprecedented attack on Gilchrist. Using phrases such as

“Many of you are already aware that the vast majority of groups and leaders in our movement have distanced themselves from Mr. Gilchrist over the past year due to his increased egomaniacal, destructive, and increasingly bizarre behavior.”

“…and hopefully relegate Mr. Gilchrist's endorsement of a pro illegal alien candidate into the past as his final embarrassing act that harms our cause.”

The statement ended with an appeal to commit your organization to a joint release refuting the endorsement. It seems that some 80 leaders around the country, in an effort to make clear that the Minutemen as a whole did not support Huckabee, did so. I must confess that I considered doing the same. But reading the statement again I realized that this was less about Huckabee and the endorsement than it was about destroying Jim Gilchrist.

What was evidenced in the Alipac communication seems to be a common tactic amongst many leaders in our movement. If some one disagrees with your position, destroy him. Don’t explain the failure of his position, or the benefits of your position, just destroy him. Call him names. Attack his honesty, integrity, or sanity. Many of our Patriots’ Border Alliance members have suffered these character assassinations from the leaders of other groups for daring to disagree or question. It was for this reason that Patriots’ Border Alliance put out an independent statement.

I have known Jim Gilchrist since April of 2005. In that time I have vehemently disagreed with many of his decisions and actions. I have been angry with him and have shaken my head many times over various issues. But I will continue to recognize and honor his dedication and courage and hope that I can always call him friend and comrade. I proudly carry the name of Minuteman. But that name would not be there for me to wear with such pride had Jim Gilchrist not retrieved it from the dust bin of history and reintroduced it into the American lexicon.

The next gale to blow through the blue lagoon of the Minuteman community was a news report that quoted another founder of our movement, Chris Simcox, of supporting tax provided benefits to the children of illegal aliens. I suspect the effects of this bombshell were made worse because of two factors. The first was coming so hard on the heels of the Gilchrist endorsement and second by the accompanying headline identifying Simcox and the open borders advocates of being “bed fellows”. (As I write this it dawns on me that Alipac seem silent in regards to this bit of heresy. Surly this is as egregious as Gilchrist’s befuddling endorsement) Again the e-mails flew hot and heavy and the condemnations grew. I did not publicly react to this at first, mostly because I was still wrestling with the Gilchrist situation. Many calls were made for Simcox to explain these statements and I decided to wait until he had spoken before commenting.

Much to my disappointment when he did speak, it was far more an indictment of those who disagreed with his statement than a cogent explanation of those statements. Those who disagreed with providing tax supplied benefits to the children of illegal aliens came to the logical conclusion that those benefits provided tangible monetary awards to the illegals for law breaking. They believed that this provided an inducement to the illegals and was therefore directly opposed to the common understanding of what Minutemen are all about. But in Chris’s reply he claimed that those who disagreed with his position must hate children! The rest of his statement and those that followed was an indictment of much of the movement for being “haters”. Adopting the litany and vernacular of our opponents he attacked much of the movement in a way that would have made the ACLU proud. How very sad for him and all of us in this great struggle.

I have reviewed in my mind and on our website my writings during the formative stages of Patriots’ Border Alliance and believe that with one small exception I only addressed the problems at MCDC and did not attack Simcox directly. If I am under estimating this, I apologize to you the PBA members and to Simcox as well. Much of what I said about Gilchrist applies also to Simcox. The title I proudly carry would not be in use or carry the identity it does without Chris’s contribution at the founding of this movement.

So where does this leave the movement we have dedicated ourselves to? Are we coming apart at the seams? Is it all about to disappear as a minor footnote in history? Of course not. We are all emotionally and intellectually dedicated to the cause of Safety, Security, and Sovereignty for our great Republic. Much history is attached to both of these men and some of that history taints our views of the recent eruptions. But make no mistake; while they were instrumental in founding this movement, they are not the movement.

There are no words strong enough to praise these two men for their part in forming this great movement. But I believe the question that must now be asked, is whether that honor is enough to require unconditional loyalty and dedication to them forever. History is replete with movements that were led by different leaders at different stages of the evolution of those movements. Each played a part in the success or failure of those movements. Each had his time, and for many that time ended because of their inability to adapt to the changes of the movements they founded.

It is the belief of Patriots Border Alliance that our movement is an evolving dynamic. We have initiated a policy of cooperation and joint effort that is proving successful. This is a new evolution. We seek a result favorable to our cause and subordinate any exclusive recognition or honor in favor of successful efforts shared by many groups. We believe that our movement has out grown the “Us and Them” mentality with regard to other groups engaged in similar activities. As has been clearly demonstrated with the protests in Phoenix, this is a winning strategy that has already forced the Mayor to begin dismantling the ‘Sanctuary City” structure of his administration. We believe that this innovation is a result of a long overdue maturing of the movement that has been held back by that “Us and Them” mentality that sadly was started by the founders on the opening day of the Original Minuteman Project in 2005.

Now is the time for all of us to grow this movement into its rightful place on the American stage. We are changing. Part of that change will be the abandonment of empires and kingdoms. Gone will be the old strategies that ensured leaders comfort but minimized the effectiveness of the patriots’ efforts. No longer will patriots serve the princes and dictators of the early days of this movement, but unite as a patriot army under the banner of a cause dedicated to the Safety, Security, and Sovereignty of our Nation. No longer dare we tolerate the petty jealousies and vindictiveness that has been the dark secret of our cause. We will embrace those patriot brothers and sisters who share our vision. No longer will we judge success by inflated membership numbers or bad interviews. We will work together, tirelessly for real victories like that in Phoenix, like the Patriots’ Border Alliance border operations that welcomed fellow Minutemen from many groups and began the process of uniting a movement.

Again, Kipling's paraphrased words come to mind: "If you can keep your head while others are running around in panic and blaming you then, my son, you will be a man”.

PBA has every intention of keeping its head, not panicking, not assigning blame and moving on with our ever-present goal: THE MISSION.

Bob Wright
PBA Chairman
wrightstuff505@yahoo.com
http://www.patriotsborderalliance.com

Being only 7 months old now, we are enjoying success beyond our imagination, and it is fully credited to the PBA Minuteman Volunteer. Without your support and dedication to our mission, our efforts would go without notice. Since being asked by many Minutemen this past Spring to form a border watch group, we have performed one weekend and one 30 Day Muster in Palominas Arizona and New Mexico. We have stood in protest and supported the ongoing events at Pruitts Furniture Store in Phoenix, and we continue to be active and help stop illegal immigration across the land.

Welcome to the first PBA border operation for 2008! PBA requests your participation to help observe and report to US Border Patrol, while standing new posts for PBA in the Three Points area. While the rest of the Nation is digging out of snow drifts, and deciding who to support for President; the Minutemen of PBA will be once again back on post.

WHAT: Operation Ice Storm

WHEN: Start January 11th at 3PM. First shift to depart at 5:30PM.
Saturday January 12th, 8AM-4PM Shift, 4PM-midnight shift
Sunday January 13th, 8AM-1PM shift
*Please arrive no later than 1 hour prior to the shift you will attend for briefing and processing.

WHERE: Caballo Loco RV Ranch Directions: From Tucson, take Hwy 86 West to Three Points. Take Rt 286 South. Make a left turn at the Caballo Loco RV sign onto a dirt road. Follow this road aprox 8 miles as it ends at the RV/camping resort. This is a well graded dirt road, cars will do fine on it.

PBA has made arrangements with the management of this fine camping facility to host our 2008 operations. There, you have all the amenities of home with WiFi Internet, full hook ups with water, sewer and electric camp sites, dry camp sites for tents and self contained campers, hot showers, laundry facilities, warm lodge for meetings & private time, and will host dogs that are leashed. They also provide propane and dump-out facilities. Your ATV is welcome. Site electricity is available from 7:30AM-10:30PM only. Generators are welcome. Cell phone coverage is great with Alltell service, and variable with Verizon.

Reservations should be made, refer to the following rates and contact information:

CABALLO LOCO RV RANCH
Reservations: (520) 449-0615 Office

Weekend Rates: Full Hook Ups: $15 daily
"Boondock" tent/dry camping: $10 daily
Shower: $5 each
Sewer Dump: $5 each

*All prices include tax and surcharges. Payment can be made via credit card over the phone. * Campers may be available for rent, please inquire by calling the office.

Closest hotels are available in Tucson AZ, about 40 miles away. Please feel free to reserve your hotel room should you not be staying at the camp facilities.

SECTOR CHIEF: Pineapple 6
COMMS CHIEF: Stacey O'Connell
LINE LEADERS: To be considered for Line Leader Duty, please email P6 at joycenbuffalo@commspeed.net to get on schedule.

RVSP to OPS: Please email your RSVP for the ops to Bill Irwin at wirvin2@cox.net or you may RSVP online at http://www.patriotsborderalliance.com/opsregister.html The past $1 per night camping donation request does not apply to this operation.

There is a $15 membership fee to join PBA. If a background check is required, that fee is $20. You may join online , or at the operational events. No prior felons or racist accepted. All PBA Minutemen are required to abide by the PBA Code Of Conduct available for review at http://www.patriotsborderalliance.com/sop.html

The Phoenix Police Department arrested a demonstrator at today's immigration protests outside of M.D. Pruitt's Home Furnishings store near 35th Street and Thomas Road.

Kristina Yeo, a 20-year-old pregnant woman, yanked a microphone cord from a 40-year old female protester before pushing the woman in the chest, according to police reports.

Yeo was cited for misdemeanor assault.

Due to aggressive protesting on both sides, Phoenix police were on hand to keep the peace.

This week, many of the same faces lined the sidewalks on both sides of Thomas Road. Maricopa County sheriff's deputies said one new addition was a man dressed as Santa Claus carrying a sign that described himself as the "undocumented Santa." The deputies were there to ensure day laborers did not trespass onto Pruitt's property.

Weekly protests at the store, with crowds on both sides of the immigration debate, picked up about two months ago after the store's owners hired off-duty sheriff's deputies to ward off day laborers.

Today's demonstration tapered off around noon.

PRESS RELEASE
DECEMBER 12th 2007
PHOENIX AZ

PATRIOTS BORDER ALLIANCE:

The time has come for an official statement regarding the recent developments involving two of the real icons of the Minuteman movement. Developments of the last couple of days have left all Minutemen of all groups confused and angry. While we at Patriots Border Alliance cannot explain or defend the actions by Jim Gilchrist and Chris Simcox we can CLEARLY define our position on these issues.

First is Jim Gilchrist’s endorsement of Mike Huckabee. PBA does not support this endorsement nor does it support Mike Huckabee’s candidacy. Mike Huckabee has a clear record as an open borders, amnesty advocate. In addition to his support for those things we believe will be the destruction of the Republic, he also was vicious in his attacks on both the Minutemen and those legislators who tried to fulfill their constitutional responsibility. He has loudly denounced us as “racist” and “xenophobic”. No off the cuff throw away apology at a press conference can erase that. PBA believes that this issue is one that we cannot compromise on. To compromise on any aspect of this issue is to destroy the legitimacy of law in our Republic. One of the side effects of this whole illegal immigration problem is how it has degraded the respect for the law, and our entire political landscape. Mike Huckabee was an active player in this degradation, and Jim’s endorsement of this man is hurtful, and incomprehensible.

As for Simcox’s statements about supporting benefits for the children of illegal aliens, this is a worse betrayal of what we as Minutemen stand for. It cheapens our efforts all those dark, cold, lonely nights on the border as we stood post over a country already betrayed by the politicians we had elected. Two seconds of logical reasoning brings us to the realization that in order for the children of illegal aliens to collect those benefits, then the illegal alien parents must be allowed to stay in the country. Can you say amnesty? There is no other conclusion to be drawn. How can he explain these statements? None of us signed up, spent thousands of dollars of our own money, turned our lives over to this cause to see one of its primary leaders support what is in effect an amnesty. Even if it is “for the children”.

Broken down to its basics the current crisis regarding uncontrolled immigration can fairly be called the largest and longest crime wave in the history of this nation, if not the world itself. Each illegal has broken the law on entry. Each broke many Federal Laws (including many that are felonies), in procuring false federal documents in order to work in this country. Every day they remain illegally in this country is another day of lawlessness. The goal of their lawlessness is to gain the benefits of American citizenship without the legal vetting process. Without having to forsake all other allegiances, and loyalties. To steal the benefits of the American family without becoming a member of that family. To take the treasure of that American family and send it beyond our borders to promote more lawlessness and support one of the most corrupt regimes in the world today.

Simcox’s statement indicates that if we pass these benefits on to the children of these illegal aliens it some how mitigates the looting of our national treasure, the destruction of our infrastructure, and the compromise of our security. The children of a swindler are innocent as well, but no one suggests that their innocence entitles them to the proceeds of their parent’s illegal activity. How many would advocate that the innocent children of a bank robber be allowed to keep the loot of their parent’s lawless activity? There is no difference in the ridiculous example above than the ridiculous endorsement of providing the innocent children of illegal aliens the proceeds of their parent’s illegal activities.

While we all honor the part that these two figures have played in this movement, we cannot accept or excuse these ill advised and destructive stands. We must stand strong, united, and uncompromising in our commitment to see the restoration of secure borders, and the guarantee of the Safety, Security, and Sovereignty of our Republic.

PBA will not compromise, will not retreat, and will not sell out.

We would also like to address Simcox’s assertion that the highly successful effort at Pruitt’s Furniture is “not the way to go”. Not the way to go?? These protests have been the tipping point that has brought the days of Operational Order 1.4.3 to an end. These protests have sent a clear uncompromising message to Phoenix and the nation that we will not surrender a street in Phoenix, a state in the southwest, or a nation in North America. That message is clear, it is our homeland, and we will fight for it. PBA is proud to have been part of these efforts and proud to have stood a line with the Patriots of other groups.

Bob Wright
Board Member, Chairman
Patriots Border Alliance
wrightstuff505@yahoo.com

Read more about the statements made by Mr. Simcox and Mr. Gilchrist's endorsement of Mike Huckabee in these locations:

The announcement below is the 2nd notice of our First Annual Meeting. We hope you are all planning to attend. The attached notice gives information on special PBA hotel rates in St. Louis and meeting place/time. We are planning a Friday evening get-together - more information on that event will be sent in the near future.

The current five-person Board of Directors was elected for a period of 6 months. That 6 months will be up at this Annual Meeting. It is imperative to the success of this organization that our volunteers step forward to run for the new Board. If you are willing and able to commit your time and effort to being a member of the Board, please contact me by phone (520) 885-6553 and I will put your name on the candidate list. You will then be contacted by the Nominating Committee.

Bill Irwin
Patriots Border Alliance
Board Member

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

The first Annual Meeting of PBA is being held on
Saturday, February 16, 2008, 8:00 A.M. at
American Equity Mortgage
11933 Westline Industrial Dr.
West Port Plaza
St. Louis, MO. 63146

Agenda items for this meeting will include reports on activities during our first six months, discussion among members regarding the future direction of PBA, and election of Board members.

A Friday evening no-host get-together is being planned and more information on that event will follow.

Hotel is 9/10th of a mile from the meeting location. Airport shuttle is available. Special PBA rates (be sure to tell the hotel you are with Patriots’ Border Alliance) are: