# Minuteman controversy **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 18, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minuteman-controversy/419625 "2007-09-18T16:54:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minuteman-controversy/419625/1 "2007-09-18T16:54:01Z")
A follow-up to [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=436818) in GQ. I hope this is IMHO material rather than GD, I guess we’ll see. A little background, then my question for you. In Kansas City, MO, [Frances Semler](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22frances+semler%22&btnG=Search) is a member of the Board of Parks and Recreations. She is also a member of the [Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.](http://www.minutemanhq.com/) This has stirred quite a controversy. In the face of threats by the [National Council of La Raza](http://www.nclr.org/) and the [NAACP](http://www.naacp.org/home/index.htm) to withdraw national conventions from Kansas City, cries for her to resign or be removed from the post have increased. Some see the MCDC as a racist vigilante organization. Others see it as a benign group of concerned citizens performing a function analogous to Neighborhood Watch campaigns. The MCDC’s official procedures are outlined [here.](http://www.minutemanhq.com/hq/borderops_sop.php) Note that there are any number of groups with the word Minuteman or Minutemen in their names which are NOT affiliated with MCDC. Some of them (or their members) have done some pretty nasty things. So far, however, I have not found on Google any actual instances of vigilantism, lawbreaking, or obvious hatred attributed to MCDC or its members. The thread in GQ hasn’t brought any to light, either. Nevertheless, it’s easy to see why there’s at least a perception of the MCDC as undesirable and/or dangerous in some minds. So, in your opinion, does her membership in this organization coupled with her position in city government constitute a valid reason for her to lose said position? ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minuteman-controversy/419625/2 "2007-09-18T17:32:37Z")
I live in KC also, and IMO her membership has zip to do with her ability to serve on the Parks and Rec board. I do feel for Funkhouser, although his lack of political experience probably helped make this brouhaha. I’m guessing a more seasoned politician would have looked at things like memberships. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minuteman-controversy/419625/3 "2007-09-18T17:38:23Z")
[QUOTE=Gary T] Some see the MCDC as a racist vigilante organization. Others see it as a benign group of concerned citizens performing a function analogous to Neighborhood Watch campaigns. [/QUOTE] La Raza is most definitely a racist organization. Their ultimate goal is to expel whites from North America entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minuteman-controversy/419625/4 "2007-09-18T17:47:08Z")
[QUOTE=LonesomePolecat] La Raza is most definitely a racist organization. Their ultimate goal is to expel whites from North America entirely. [/QUOTE] I don’t know much about them, but looking at their website I saw this: > [@La Raza website](#): > > Norwood Condition 3: Repudiate all claims that any current American territory rightfully belongs to Mexico. > > NCLR Response: NCLR has not made and does not make any such claim. NCLR is an American institution focused on advancing opportunities for Hispanic Americans in the U.S. [Link.](http://www.nclr.org/content/viewpoints/detail/42500/) ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minuteman-controversy/419625/5 "2007-09-18T19:47:53Z")
[QUOTE=Ravenman] I don’t know much about them, but looking at their website I saw this: [Link.](http://www.nclr.org/content/viewpoints/detail/42500/) [/QUOTE] You’re right. I had confused them with Mecha. However, an organization called the National Council for **the Race** strikes as something less than perfectly innocuous. Shouldn’t a political thread be in Great Debates? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minuteman-controversy/419625/6 "2007-09-18T20:05:44Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minuteman-controversy/419625/7 "2007-09-18T20:52:53Z")
I will point out that “la raza” can be translated/interpreted in different ways. “The people” is one of them. Using the word “race,” with the connotations it has acquired in the U.S., may not be the fairest choice. But that’s a tangential matter. I’m more interested in viewpoints on the MCDC, and the perception of membership in it _vis a vis_ holding an office that could be considered a representation of the city. Concern with, and dismay over, Semler’s appointment did not begin with and is not limited to La Raza.