Looks like trouble’s brewing among the Minutemen:
A growing number of Minuteman Civil Defense Corps leaders and volunteers are questioning the whereabouts of hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of dollars in donations collected in the past 15 months, challenging the organization’s leadership over financial accountability.
Gary Cole, the Minutemen’s former national director of operations, was chief liaison to the national press corps during the group’s April 2005 border watch in Arizona. He was one of the first to raise questions about MCDC finances. He personally collected "tens of thousands of dollars" in donations during the 30-day border vigil. But despite numerous requests — many directly to Mr. Simcox — he was never told how much money had been collected or where it went.
Even Mr. Simcox’s much-ballyhooed fence project on the Arizona-Mexico border has come under fire, from both within and outside the MCDC organization. Critics said vast sums of money are being collected to build what has been described as an Israeli-style fence to keep out illegal aliens, but all that has been constructed is three miles of a five-strand barb-wired range fence on 2-inch metal poles.
It’ll be interesting to see how this develops.
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49 Responses to “Some Minutemen question group’s finances”Search
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The members of the Minutemen heart’s may be in the right place, but who knows about the leadership. Maybe DJ can weigh in.
On the flipside, is this a political move designed to discredit the group? It could happen for a number of reasons and come from a number of sources. Who is this Gary Cole guy? What’s his story? Why is he the former director of operations, and is it possible he’s a disgruntled former director of operations?
Just playing devil’s advocate here.
Oh, I agree, JimB. That’s why I didn’t really comment on the story…just throwing it out there.
It was a WashTimes story, which leans conservative, for what that’s worth.
But yeah, my first impression was that it might be a personal thing between Cole and Simcox. Who knows? Even in the best organizations, you’ve got battles among personalities.
Sounds like a government-run snafu.
It looks like we can’t trust anybody anymore, What a shame!
Kraut
#4
This may or may not be true. I certainly hope its not true, but time will tell.
lol I brought this story up a long time ago! It is several people who have made the accusations! One is an old elderly couple who doesn’t seek any gain from this. I told you guys not to get your hopes up on the minutemen! The leaders can care less, they are just in it for the money and political gain!
Actually, Tejano, it’s a few leaders of the organization who’ve brought this up.
I’m curious about the “political gain” you think Simcox will get. How? He’s shunned by both parties.
There are many that would like to take down the MM. I saw it first hand…it was ugly and I may add I never heard nor seen Chris Simcox respond or talk negatively about anyone! Not on the forums or elsewhere. The back biting by others was constant.
Chris Simcox has been on the front lines long before there was any donations. He is solid and in my estimation a stand up guy.
http://www.abc15.com/news/investigators/index_story.asp?did=26456#
#7. What about Jim Gilchrist? He got some support from the Republican party! Although he lost the election!
So I dont agree with your statement about he being shunned!
I am sending $100 as we type!
Sour grapes is a bitch!
#8. There are people who are smooth talkers and maybe he knew the money would roll in if he made enough noise! In other words he took advantage of peoples feelings and emotions.
#10
Why dont you join up so you can know first hand?
Cause flapping the key board takes no effort.
#11. Good for you! You must enjoy being taken advantage of!
Please donate to the poor people of New Orleans! lol
Im sure they need a new playstation!
#10. Sorry I don’t join racist organizations!
This group should not be party-affiliated. It should, however, be citizen affiliated. They need to have some accountability of the funds received and spent so as not to cause anyone to question the validity of the spending, etc. so they can FOCUS on the mission - assist in securing the borders!
#16. Exactly! If they have nothing to fear they should have opened the books! But Simcox refuses to do so.
Daniel,
Since you are in a giving mood, could you send me a $100.00 ?
I could really use the money and you can trust me it will go to a good cause.
Simple
#18
How many years did he spend on the border with no pay?
Read Jon Doughterys book “Illegals”. The CS they speak of is Simcox. I was in Falfurrias with Chris. The man never sleeps. He eats and breaths closing the border.
Take your own $100 and keep it. I trust you will spend it on yourself.
If my hunch is correct, after November Mr. Simcox will have more money and volunteers than he knows what to do with!
Daniel, I could only do $50.00 today but I will match your hundred on payday and I hope others here will do the same.
The minute men are doing what our government refuses to do.
We need to pull our military out of Germany, and France (yes we have bases there too) and bring them home and put them on the border. We need to build the fence (razor wire on top) and make sure our federal congress is on the other side as we close the gate.
It is not rasist to PROTECT our borders
Daniel,
I’d have a lot more fun spending your money! It would be used on a good cause, but I just could not give you a detailed accounting of it.
You can trust me.
Simple
Once again, I point out that Tejano only posts on border control issues, and shows racist tendencies.
Tejano, do you have any opinions other than support for lawbreakers from Mexico?
Note, as well, that he calls everyone else racist everytime he is challenged.
I’m fed up with your posts, Tejano. You are, henceforth NWOR. You can redeem yourself (not that you or I really care) by posting, occasionally, about issues other than illegal aliens and the Mexican border.
This is some of the things the money helps make happen. Simple you are simple. Too bad you bought the lies.
Dear MCDC volunteers,
This message is to thank all of you who participated in our April Border Watch Operation, I realize the sacrifice all of you made in expenses and time but it is paying off!
From April 1st through noon May 1st, 1323 illegal aliens were reported to the Border Patrol. Plus or minus 400 were apprehended along with many vehicles being impounded and confiscated. Our scouting and reporting of illegal alien traffic in isolated areas of our deployment to the SRT (Special Response Team) was a BIG PLUS to our credibility, They responded to our GPS coordinates and captured 82 out of 120 the first night out.
Our representation in Washington were interested in the results of our efforts. Specific details of our April ‘06 Border Watch, October ‘05 Border Watch and monthly mini watches were given to Senator Cornyns Legislative Director and staff, Senator Hutchinson Legislative aid and Rep. Ruben Hinojosas legislative assistant.
Due to the success of our operation here in Falfurrias more ranch property has opened up for MCDC in other areas up the Rio Grande River. Our Border Watch Operations will always be important until the Border is sealed!
I appreciate everyone’s patriotism and dedication as we are bringing more national attention to this invasion of our country.
Hope to see you at the future mini ops through out Texas!
For America First,
Dr. Mike Vickers
MCDC State Leader of Texas
#23. FYI, I do post on other issues occasionally!
Try again my friend!
Tejano, the MM may be many things, but I have not seen any racist remarks or opinions come from them. Securing our borders is not abour racism, it is about national sovereignty and security. If you don’t agree with the MM’s methods, fine. IF you think that they’re not sufficiently accountable to their donors for how they spend the funds the receive, fine. Address those issues.
It’s lazy and weak, however, to sling accusations of racism about like you do.
Jimb
#26
Very well said! Does Tejano just not get it?
I suspect Tejano is a member in good standing with The Metropolitan Organization (TMO). The TMO is pro-illegal immigration and fights tooth and nail every effort to curb it.
#26. Its not lazy and weak when you have actual video tape evidence of members making racial remarks! Also members have left the minute men because they felt the Minute men had a racist agenda and were not really there to secure the border! Dont come at me trying to make me look bad!
#28. WTF? lol I told you guys I am not a member of any group other than the Republican Party! And http://www.latinorepublican.com
thats it!
#29
Cause a few bad apples say something racist…are we all painted with that same brush.
Get real.
And it isnt your money so fo get about it!
Go do something useful!
DanielJames
#31
Spot on! Something Tejano will never do. Like Tejano, the hispanic, latino, mexican, or whatever they call themselves, will always be racists. To them, controlling our borders will always be racist. They continue to ignore that 70% of all illegals are Mexicans. That is because Mexicans are crossing the borders in record numbers. Never in the history of the world has any migration matched the migration from Mexico! I really don’t give a sh*t what Tejano says.
Tejano - I come at you because, like DJ said, a few bad apples in the MM does not justify painting the whole group with the same broad brush. The MM, like them or not, are on record repeatedly as expelling members who are overtly racist.
Tejano…what is Latinorepublican?
Isn’t that a separate group from the Republican Party itself?
Daniel,
Mea Culpa! I was yanking your chain, but at the same time I was yanking my own and the rest of us (taxpayers). I apologize if you took offense.
Do we insists on an accurate accounting of our taxes from the folks that we elect? Look at all the money that was “lost” in Iraq? Why should we hold the MM to any higher standard than we hold our own government?
Yes, I am simple, but that is the point. Most things do boil down to something simple, once you separate the facts from the hype.
Simple
#31. No I am not saying that all minutemen are racist but to say that it doesnt exist within the minutemen is a complete lie!
No its not my money! Nor is it yours! It is from people who put their faith into a cause they believe in only to be suckered by smooth talking thieves!
I am doing something useful, please dont be mad if your leader has been exposed!
#32. LMAO I have never said controlling our border is racist! Please point out to me where I say that.
Now i have told you that there have been several stories about racism within the minutemen, rougue groups who are out hunting immigrants, and other groups looking to incite violence!
Also the majority of illegals are not Mexican, and many of the people they catch are from other South American countries. The border patrol has acknowleged it. I know you will never listen…
But at the end of the day you are sh**, nothing but a screen name that means nothing! LMAO
Have a good day Sir!
#33. I am not accusing the entire group, but to say it is racist free is false!
#34. Actually it is not even a group, just a website.
Everyone is welcome there to go and post your opinion. Unlike other websites you comments will not be erased or banned when not in agreement with us! =)
It is just a group of Latino Republicans who are trying to show Latinos that they are Republicans, some just dont know it yet!
Go check it out!
#37 Tejano
I could be wrong, but I believe neocon is a lady, so,.. sir is not applicable in this case.
#40. Either way! It doesn’t matter! Neocon has no importance… how about about we just call it “IT”
Tejano #30
If you are not already a member of TMO, then you should join because you spout the exact same ideology that they do, i.e, illegals should continue to recieve free health care and education on the backs of the legal citizen taxpayers.
#42. Well I have never heard of TMO! I dont really care for joining it or any other group!
As for free education and health care! Well I believe it has been proven time and time again that they do pay into the system, one way or another! It is nearly impossible not to, unless you are homeless.
http://www.kpho.com/iteam/9528678/detail.html#
Racist Border group!
#44
Wow–I kind of like the fact that they burned the Mexican flag. The flag of an invading foriegn nation! Where’s my checkbook!!!
I am not going to respond to tejano, don’t bother trying to get me to, I won’t. He’s a troll and a traitor I refuse to feed him or his lunacy.
That said, I am in full support of what the Minutemen stand for. Whether Mr Simcox is guilty of embezzlement and/or fraud remains to be seen. I am not going to judge him without evidence. I will however say that his refusal to come forward with an accounting of the money does not look good and may very well be illegal in of itself. The Minutemen are a non-profit entity and their financial records are supposed to be public record, no different from the United Way or LULAC or the NAACP.
I do not believe the rest of the organization should be penalized for the actions of one man. There are a large number of people who have no profit motive here and joined because they believed in the movement. If Mr Simcox is found guilty of fraud, I fully expect him to serve out a stretch in substantially substandard state or federally subsidized housing. But until that determination is made, I will reserve judgement on the man.
If this does turn out to be the case, and I am not saying it will, The Minutemen would not be the first organization with admirable motives to fall victim to a leader that is tempted by what initially is a small amount of money but becomes large sums of money passing through the organization. That much money has an ability to warp the perceptions and mores of otherwise truthful and upstanding people.
Test
Test
#45. Yes I am sure you do! An invading country? lol really?
#46. Of course you wont respond, because you can’t. You have weak argument that can be knocked down in a millisecond!