As most of you know I have been silent on Jim Gilchrist throughout the whole fiasco of the Minuteman debacle in California. The other day I decided not to be silent after Gilchrist decided to file a defamation lawsuit against those in the grassroots - those doing the heavy lifting on getting the laws enforced.
Many of the patriots he filed the lawsuit against I know personally. These are the people who take the time out of their day for no pay to volunteer to hold rallies, send out information on legislation and take an active step against illegal immigration on a daily basis.
To Jim Gilchrist these people are a "couple dozen internet groupies". That's right, I received a comment at that post from none other than Jim Gilchrist himself. Through the years I have sent Jim Information via email. I have tipped him to stories breaking and things of interest that may help his group the Minuteman Project and may help him move on this information. I have covered an untold number of rallies under the banner of the Minuteman Project - most of which Gilchrist did not attend.
Here is what he thinks of those trying to help him and to the readers of my site and those in the grassroots movement.
The Minuteman Project will not associate with witch hunters, racists, law breakers, or those who make an earnest market in hanging the innocent. The support of Diggers Realm is neither needed nor wanted.
Such an outburst from a man whom I have attempted to help throughout the years is simply appalling. Those who know me know that I try to help out as much as possible and have never really asked for anything in return. Whether it is website design issues, advertising, sponsorships or sending out info on their upcoming rallies. We are all in this fight together, but for the few it seems like they are in it for themselves. All others - in their opinion - are fodder and just stepping stones for them to reach the top. According to Gilchrist, if you don't toe his line, you are a racist. This line sounds similar to that of the opposition to our cause.
I have now firmly come to the conclusion that Jim Gilchrist is a self serving lout who could care less about this country or the enforcement movement and is only in it for himself. Many would say it has taken me too long to come to that conclusion. Now that he has contacts in the Huckabee camp, the grassroots is beneath him. He no longer needs them. In Jim Gilchrist's mind, he's done it all himself and to hell with everyone else.
I do not jump to conclusions as many who read me know. For example I'm still not sold on the NAU. I wait for cold hard proof and facts that push me over the edge on determining something and in this case that cliff has been fallen from when it comes to James Gilchrist.
Digger, keep up the good work on reporting the facts. Regarding the NAU, pleae read the book The late Great USA by Jerome Corsi, Ph.D. He also wrote the swift boat vet's book on John Kerry with John O'Neill. I'm halfway finished reading Dr. Corsi's book, and sadly, I believe it. He is very thorough in his research and it appears much of what he writes has come true already. We must speak out before it's too late as it was with Europeans and the EU!
Posted by: April on April 22, 2008 05:57 PM
I am so sick and tired of all the fighting, Jim was not the only one hurling insults if you have read immigration watchdog’s blog he has been SLANDERING Jim for quite a while.So what if Jim endorsed Huckabee so did Duncan Hunter who is staunchly against illegal immigration. We need Patriot’s in office, if we are ever to be able to change the catastrophic route we are on. Jim asking for donations is not a bad thing,it takes dollars to run a campaign.Jim was not the only MMP member who showed up at the Border, other respected members of MMP were there to show SUPPORT of border watchers, unfortunately some at the border cannot see the value of Jim bringing the media which in turn brings attention to the border and those serving there,if only they had their thinking hats on,they would have welcome Jim who DOES bring the limelight to the border issue and that serves all including those serving at the border. I have witnessed first hand the pettiness of a few border watcher’s and how they fight among each other over the silliest things. One navy man can’t stand another because he was a marine.You only have to watch the vid, it looks like a bunch of kids in a schoolyard brawl!
Jim’s endorsement of Huckabee was all the excuse his enemies needed. Jim is a hothead and that unfortunately has been used against him. I really wish he had kept his cool with those who have laid a snare for him, to me the fact that they continued to harass Jim after he had proven his case is proof enough for me that they are nothing more than vindictive egotistical morons! Why would anyone donate to any org if the man most responsible for bringing national MSM attention to the border can’t be trusted who can. As far as rallies go, I know for a fact attendance is down at our local rallies,Jim brought many dedicated MMP members with him, those who side with on side or the other,will not attend a rally if one side or the other will be there. The list of negative effects from all of the childish behaviour among org.leaders and members has caused a rift more serious than you can imagine. The name calling the lawsuits and whinning about who or who isn't at the border needs to end. When you are through slaughtering each other let me know, in the meantime I refuse to be a witness to the degradation of a Man who put media attention long before anyone else was capable of doing and now is being treated like a pariah. Who will be the next to get a knife in his back! The stress of our fight, with little successes is showing, I wish some of those in the thick of it would take some time off. I respect you Digger and frankly am surprised that you would take sides in this dog and pony show, it detracts from what we all should be focusing on,fighting illegal immigration. The war on illegal immigration is not a popularity contest between org leaders!
Posted by: STOP Fighting on April 29, 2008 11:32 AM
X2 stop fighting
Posted by: Brad on May 10, 2008 09:03 PM
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.
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.
