On Apr 3, 2005 10:02 PM, Robert Brockway rbrockway@opentrend.net wrote:
On Sun, 3 Apr 2005, Robert Brockway wrote:
I think the term "Minutemen (vigilantes)" is POV as the term vigilantes has negative overtones in English. I think it would be better to list the article under the title "The MinuteMan Project".
Excuse me following up to myself.
dictionary.com gives the following definitions for vigilante:
One who takes or advocates the taking of law enforcement into one's own hands.
A member of a vigilance committee.
I don't see how the MinuteMan Project members could qualify as vigilantes since all they are doing, as directed by the group, is to observe and advise legitimate authorities. In this regard the group is acting in a manner similar to a Neighbourhood Watch.
This is not to say that individuals in the group could not act as vigilantes but I don't see any evidence the group is advocating this.
Thoughts, comments, flames, rebuttal?
Rob
I suppose if we allow definition 2 above, then members of a Neighborhood Watch group would be vigilantes. However, I've never heard the word used that way. Of course, that's just me, and maybe others have heard the other usage. Still, I think the name change is in order. Make sure we disambiguate Minutemen as appropriate.
-- Rich Holton
en.wikipedia:User:Rholton