The Minutemen have admirers--Gov. Schwarzenegger, the writers on this blog, and about 57% of the American people--and now they have imitators:

An organization of citizens in California, created last year to support the U.S. Border Patrol, will begin its own Minuteman-style vigil in August, using volunteers to spot illegal aliens in areas around San Diego, organizers said yesterday.

The Friends of the Border Patrol, led by Chairman Andy Ramirez, said 300 retired police officers, military personnel, pilots and other citizens have offered their services for the "FBP Border Watch," which the organization hopes to expand eventually from the Pacific Ocean to the Arizona state line.

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Minuteman founder James T. Gilchrist, a retired California certified public accountant and combat-wounded Vietnam veteran, endorsed the California effort, offering his support and advice -- including the need for law enforcement and military personnel to participate to help "weed people out who do not belong."

I think the Minutemen and FBP are but the beginning of a much larger citizens' movement to finally bring some sanity to the borders. In fact, the MM are already planning to put thousands on the sprawling border from Texas to California in October.