Jim Gilchrist regrets...
Is there a July Fools Day I'm not aware of? First, there's a too-good-to-be-true Tunguska anniversary fireball over Southern California. Now the O.C. Register's A section has a look back in sorrow from Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist, who laments the "Saddam Hussein mentalities" of his cohorts and pronounces himself "very, very sad, very disappointed" about the project's results:
"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'"....
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."
(On closer inspection, I see the story came out a few days ago, but just made it into the paper today. Interestingly, the single-scare-quotes around the word invasion above have disappeared in the print version.)
Last time Opinion L.A. caught up with Gilchrist, he was opining for our "Forty on 40" feature (and whatever you may think of his attitudes, he was the very soul of graciousness on the phone):
The most expedient way to dismantle domestic terrorism in the United States is to repeal all the Special Order 40s around the country. If you repeal Special Order 40 you'll allow law enforcement to protect the citizens of those communities. This rule smacks of special treatment for people who don't deserve any special treatment other than being arrested and deported. I don't blame the police department; I blame the City Council which does nothing but aid and abet the criminal mentality.
From Jim Gilchrist, President of the Minuteman Project, Inc.
"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."
For complete details of the infighting within the Minuteman Project, please visit www.minutemanproject.com and click on the FAQ button.
Pay particular attention to the possible nexus between what appears to be a "snuff" film producing renegade minuteman group known as the Mountain Minutemen, and its association with the persons I sued and their defending law firm (Payne & Fears of Irvine, Ca) and the Orange County Linclon Club. Attorney Lula seems to have some bizarre fetish with painting me and the Minuteman Project in a bad light in the eyes of the Orange County Lincoln Club. I am still waiting for my invitation from the OC Linclon Club to present a respectable (and embarrassing to Lula) rebuttal to Lula's bogus and disparaging comments about me. I have asked attorney Lula for the reasoning behind his apparent hatred of me, but he refuses to discuss it. I have also queried about any affiliation he, his law firm, or the OC Lincoln Club, might have with LA Raza, MALDEF, or pro-illegal alien invasion journalist Frank Mickadeit of the OC Register, and still no substantive results.
Although my claim of malicious defamation against the defendants was valid, the judge apparently ruled that I was not entitled to protection from the kind of vicious and hateful lies beig spread through the internet and the media by the defendants...simply because I am considered a "public figure". If I were considered Joe Average, apparently I would have won the cases without question.
And yes, the rulings are still in "abeyance". While the defendants and couselor Lula have failed to completely obliterate the Minuteman Project, and the national minuteman movement in general, they have accomplished at least a few other goals: (1) The assurance that the next President of the USA will be a pro-illegal alien invasion fanatic; (2) Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean will remain imprisoned for the next decade; and (3) amnesty, dual citizenship and dual voting rights for the approximately 30+ million illegal aliens currently occupying US territory will become a reality.
These accomplishments are nothing to be proud of.
Jim Gilchrist, President of the Minuteman Project, Inc.
Posted by: Jim Gilchrist, President - The Minuteman Project | October 27, 2008 at 08:31 AM
The pro-illegal immigration side of the argument couldn't have had more effective activists than Courtney-Sielski-Coe, Gilchrist, and the Simcox-Keyes conglom, all of whom are responsible for marginalizing the issue of tighter monitoring and controls of immigration to the sidelines with their self-glorifying greed and in-fighting. Especially Courtney and Simcox if you do the research. These people aren't activists for any kind of workable change, but leeches, for all they rage and threaten to sue people who talk about them publicly.
Posted by: N.S. | September 24, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Minuteman Project Patriots win 3 times against Jim Gilchrist in Orange County Court Today!
News from the MINUTEMAN PROJECT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.MinutemenForTruth.com
Contact: Marvin L. Stewart, President
(562) 221-1820
Daniel F. Lula, Esq.
(949) 851-1100
Jim Gilchrist Ordered to Pay Over $18,000 in Attorneys’ Fees to
the Patriots He Sued, Bringing Total to Over $27,000;
Main Case Against Gilchrist Will Proceed in Superior Court
Santa Ana, Calif. – August 27, 2008 – Judge Randell Wilkinson of the Orange County Superior Court today handed down double blows against Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist.
On the heels of the dismissal of his defamation suit against Minutemen Deborah Courtney, Marvin Stewart and Paul Sielski last month, the Court ordered Gilchrist to pay the Patriots he sued $18,888.13 in attorneys’ fees.
“We are elated,” said their attorney, Daniel F. Lula of Payne & Fears LLP in Irvine. “Recently Gilchrist has claimed that his defamation suit is only ‘in abeyance’ and he ‘can bring it back.’ The Court’s ruling today puts the lie to Gilchrist’s wishful thinking,” Lula added.
Barbara Coe of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, who is represented by attorney David Klehm of Santa Ana, was previously awarded $9,100 in attorneys’ fees. This brings the total awards against Gilchrist to over $27,000.
Chelene Nightingale of Save Our State and Brook Young of Immigration Watchdog, who were also sued by Gilchrist, currently have motions to strike set for hearing later in September. If successful, Nightingale and Young will also be awarded attorneys’ fees.
Judge Wilkinson also rejected Gilchrist’s motion to dismiss the main case against him, Minuteman Project, Inc. v. Gilchrist. That suit alleges that Gilchrist breached his fiduciary duty by transferring Minuteman Project funds and property to his new corporation, “Jim Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project, Inc.” without board approval. This case will now proceed against Gilchrist in Superior Court, where he will finally be forced to disclose how much the Minuteman Project received and where the money went.
Gilchrist’s vindictive and retributive behavior against fellow patriots has deeply disturbed many in the anti-illegal immigration movement. The recent rulings against Gilchrist and his associate Stephen Eichler should be heeded as a warning to engage others on the issues, not attempt to use litigation to squelch dissent.
The Minuteman Project was founded in early 2005 to secure America’s borders by means of civilian volunteer observers. Incorporated in mid-2005 as a Delaware nonprofit corporation, the Minuteman Project is governed by a board of directors under applicable law.
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Posted by: MinutemenForTruth.com | August 27, 2008 at 11:08 PM
MMP IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE Gilchrist Camp Looses 2nd Case in 1 week to Deborah Courtney & Paul Sielski in Gilchrist v Stewart
News from the MINUTEMAN PROJECT
www.immigrationwatchdog.com/?p=7050
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Marvin L. Stewart
President
(562) 221-1820
Daniel F. Lula, Esq.
(949) 851-1100
Second Frivolous Defamation Suit Against Patriots Deborah Courtney, Marvin Stewart and Paul Sielski Stricken; Jim Gilchrist’s Suit Follows the Same Path As That Of His Associate Stephen Eichler
Santa Ana, Calif. – July 29, 2008 – Judge Randell Wilkinson of the Orange County Superior Court today struck Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist’s defamation suit against Minutemen Deborah Courtney, Marvin Stewart and Paul Sielski as a “strategic lawsuit against public participation.” Gilchrist’s suit against Barbara Coe, head of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, was also stricken on the same basis.
Marvin Stewart and Deborah Courtney are members of the board of directors of Minuteman Project, Inc., and Paul Sielski is executive director of the corporation. Both have been embroiled in a dispute with Gilchrist regarding alleged financial irregularities within this high-profile nonprofit corporation.
On April 16, 2008, Gilchrist filed his defamation suit against these patriots, as well as Chelene Nightingale of Save Our State and Brook Young of Immigration Watchdog. Gilchrist claimed that the defendants had “defamed” him by speaking out about his transfer of the assets of the Minuteman Project corporation to a new corporation titled, “Jim Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project,” without board knowledge or approval.
Under the relevant law, defendants Stewart, Courtney and Sielski are entitled to an award of the attorneys’ fees and costs they incurred in defending themselves against Gilchrist’s meritless suit. Gilchrist has already been ordered by the Court to reimburse Ms. Coe over $9,100 in attorneys’ fees.
Gilchrist’s frivolous suit against fellow anti-illegal immigration activists is the second in less than a week to be dismissed. Last week, Gilchrist’s associate, Stephen Eichler, suffered the same ruling from Judge Kirk Nakamura. Eichler had filed a virtually identical defamation suit against the same defendants.
The vindictive and retributive behavior against fellow patriots by Gilchrist and Eichler is deeply disturbing to many in the anti-illegal immigration movement. Today’s ruling should be heeded by them as a warning to engage others on the issues, not attempt to use litigation to squelch freedom and dissent.
The Minuteman Project was founded in early 2005 to secure America’s borders by means of civilian volunteer observers. Incorporated in mid-2005 as a Delaware nonprofit corporation, the Minuteman Project is governed by a board of directors under applicable law.
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Posted by: MinutemenForTruth.com | August 04, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Deborah Courtney & Paul Sielski have VICTORY in court over Gilchrist's sidekick Stephen Eichler.
www.immigrationwatchdog.com/?p=7021
News from the MINUTEMAN PROJECT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Marvin L. Stewart
President
(562) 221-1820
Daniel F. Lula, Esq.
(949) 851-1100
Frivolous Defamation Suit Filed by Steven Eichler Against Patriots Deborah Courtney and Paul Sielski Stricken; Orange County Superior Court Finds Their Special Motion “Meritorious”
Santa Ana, Calif. – July 24, 2008 – The Orange County Superior Court today struck Steven Eichler’s defamation suit against Minutemen Deborah Courtney and Paul Sielski as a “strategic lawsuit against public participation.” Judge Kirk Nakamura permitted ample oral argument by both sides, and then granted the defendants’ motion, putting an end to Eichler’s frivolous suit against them.
Deborah Courtney is a member of the board of directors of Minuteman Project, Inc. and serves as the corporation’s treasurer. Paul Sielski is executive director of the corporation. Both have been embroiled in a dispute with Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist regarding alleged financial irregularities within this high-profile nonprofit corporation.
On April 25, 2008, Gilchrist’s associate Eichler filed this defamation suit against Courtney and Sielski, as well as fellow patriots Barbara Coe, Chelene Nightingale of Save Our State, Brook Young of Immigration Watchdog, and Marvin Stewart of the Minuteman Project. Eichler claimed that the defendants had somehow “defamed” him by speaking out about his role in Gilchrist’s actions – especially Gilchrist’s transfer of the assets of the Minuteman Project corporation to a new corporation titled, “Jim Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project,” without board knowledge or approval.
Under the relevant law, defendants Courtney and Sielski are entitled to an award of the attorneys’ fees and costs they incurred in defending themselves against Eichler’s meritless suit.
The other defendants remain in the case; however, it is anticipated that most if not all will shortly file similar motions to strike. These defendants, too, expect to win and to be awarded their fees and costs.
The vindictive and retributive behavior against fellow patriots by Gilchrist and Eichler is deeply disturbing to many in the anti-illegal immigration movement. Today’s ruling should be heeded by them as a warning to engage others on the issues, not attempt to use litigation to squelch freedom and dissent.
The Minuteman Project was founded in early 2005 to secure America’s borders by means of civilian volunteer observers. Incorporated in mid-2005 as a Delaware nonprofit corporation, the Minuteman Project is governed by a board of directors under applicable law.
###
Posted by: MinutemenForTruth.com | August 04, 2008 at 06:29 AM
Man, off the wagon big time.
But I do have to comment on the way this article conflates 'violence' (no specific incident, but 'potential') and 'less character and integrity'. Seems to me this is a not atypical falling out among people over a voluntary organization. Remember Kissenger's remarks about academic quarrels -- so vicious because the stakes are so small.
Gilchrist certain deserves credit for grass-roots mobilizing. And he himself, I believe, was the victim of violence -- or clear and present danger of such -- at Columbia.
Even the founding generation had fallings out -- Washington and Arnold, Burr and Hamilton, Jefferson and Adams. So, good luck to Gilchrist and Simcox and Coe, hopefully the will reconcile someday.
Posted by: Mitchell Young | July 01, 2008 at 03:35 PM