aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South

Monday, March 27, 2006

The Minuteman & the Mexican

In the midst of all the inflammatory talk about immigration, along comes Gustavo Arellano with a piece on Latino USA [MP3 Real] explaining why he genuinely likes Minuteman Project co-founder Jim Gilchrist:

I was one of the first reporters to interview Gilchrist. When I talked to him last February, I expected a frothy jerk. Now, Gilchrist did say some far out stuff. He thinks, for instance, that this country will devolve into warring tribes in about 20 years. And that Mexican immigrants can’t assimilate. Ever.

What a dope!

But, at the same time, I thought Gilchrist was one of the nicest people I’ve ever interviewed. He graciously answered all of my questions and when it was published he called and said it was tough but fair. Gilchrist, whose a Purple Heart veteran, even defended me when conservatives attacked my article. That was going beyond the call of duty.

You HAVE to listen to this. This is a model for all of us on the Left and Right - or those battling factions (bloggers take heed) within and without - on how to agree to disagree. And, most importantly, respect the people with whom we disagree, no matter how vehemently.

As to Gilchrist, his son-in-law is Mexican American and he likes fajitas. How bad could he be? Listen, too, for his views on the “capitalist pigs” (his words) that he calls “professional slave traders.”