American Border Patrol Corrects the Los Angeles Times
By Glenn Spencer - President, American Border Patrol
See American Border Patrol letter
to the L.A. Times dated March 17, 2003
The following are quotes from the March 15, 2003 Dan Baum, L.A. Times Sunday Magazine story, with my response.
BAUM:
"Perhaps predictably,
two other border militias are edging into his spotlight."
Stealing Spotlights?
The plan for American Border Patrol was launched on May
13, 2000 at a meeting in Sierra Vista called "Illegal
Immigration: What Can Citizens Do?" At the meeting,
flyers were handed out that showed how the Internet could be
used to report on border activities. The meeting also featured
a video clip where Glenn Spencer discusses the idea of using
the Internet to "Light
Up the Border" with Muriel Watson.
The concept of using the Internet was further tested by American Patrol by running a contest to get the best video of persons invading the United States. $1,000 in prizes were awarded and the winners were posted on the American Patrol Web page.
In April, 2002, I made the decision to move to Arizona and
devote myself full-time to the creation of American Border Patrol.
I recruited two former Chief U.S. Border Patrol Agents to join
my board of directors. On June 19, 2002, the Articles of Incorporation
were filed with the State of Arizona. At about the same time,
I produced a DVD called "The
American Border Patrol Story."
From June through November, 2002, American Border Patrol was
featured in a number of newspaper and TV reports, including the
News Hour with Jim Lehrer.(See Who
is Stealing Whose Spotlight?) It was not until November 15
that a media report appeared on Simcox's militia scheme. Had
Baum done any kind of descent spade work, he would have known
that American Border Patrol did not try to steal Simcox's spotlight
- it was the other way around.
Militia Group?
Militia:1. An army composed of ordinary citizens rather
than professional soldiers.
American Border Patrol is not a militia group and Baum knows
it. We have never advocated the use of weapons or any type of
military tactics. Two of our board members are former Chief U.S.
Border Patrol Agents and would never lend their good names to
a militia organization. Moreover, American Border Patrol has
been granted tax-exempt status (501 C 3) by the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) following a three-month investigation. We know
of no known militia organization that has been granted such a
non-profit status.
Baum: "None of these organizations can produce more
than a handful of supporters"
Spencer: More than three thousand
people have asked to be put on American Border Patrol's mailing
list and hundreds have donated money to the organization, allowing
it to continue in operation.
Baum: "his gigantic house has hardly any furniture."
Spencer: What? Our headquarters
facility is fully furnished - and beautifully so.
Baum: "I'm not prejudiced!" he shouts. "I
have a lot of Mexican friends!"
Spencer: I never said that.
