COURT HOUSE – John Picinich and Jimmy Collins organized a Feb. 21 meeting to form a local chapter of the national, non-partisan group Oath Keepers. After introducing himself, Picinich posed a question: “If you want to wear a tee shirt that reads ‘NSA – the only government agency that listens’ should you be subjected to arrest or fine by the U.S. Department of Justice?”
That query concerning free speech was one of many asked by Picinich as he explained the mission of Oath Keepers and referenced a recent incident in which a tee shirt wearer was subject to threat of arrest for its ironic inscription.
The Oath Keepers was founded by Yale Law School graduate Stewart Rhodes in 2009. Its logo reads ‘Guardians of the Republic – Not on our watch.’ It is made up of those who are currently serving in the military, reserves and National Guard, veterans, peace officers and firefighters who pledge to keep the oath they swore to defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Picinich and Collins have been increasingly frustrated by what they see as the negative direction of the country, especially the assault on civil rights and encroachment of global corporatists into the lives of Americans.
Picinich and Collins asked each other, “What can we do?” when they stumbled upon the Oath Keepers. In December, they drove to a meeting in northern New Jersey. Soon they were given the task of forming a chapter in South Jersey.
This was the first attempt at recruiting in Cape May County. About two dozen, mostly men, sat for two hours, listened and discussed the most pressing issues facing the country.
“Monsanto is the most evil corporation out there,” declared Picinich, as he expounded on the health risks of the food supply being grown by industrial farms. He encouraged everyone to “promote local and buy local.”
Picinich and others in the audience also raised the issue of protecting the Second Amendment and noting the increasing legislative and executive branch assaults against it. There was also great concern about the NSA spying on citizens and violating the Fourth Amendment by gathering information in warrantless searches. One of the “10 Orders We Will Not Obey” deals with this issue. It states, “We will not obey orders to conduct warrantless searches of the American people.”
Returning to the goal of both national and state Oath Keepers, which is to preserve the Constitution, Picinich asked, “What can we do in Cape May County to make a difference?” There were lots of suggestions. Including: know your neighbors/be a good neighbor, support politicians who defend the Constitution, elect Constitutionally-minded officials.
Middle Township Committeeman Michael Clark, a Democrat, and county GOP Chairman Michael Donohue were in attendance.
Collins mentioned that he had reached out to Sheriff Gary Schaffer several times but had not yet received a reply. “But we’ll keep trying. Because it is important that we get to know our public officials and their stand on the Constitution,” Collins said, and also noted that many sheriffs from northern New Jersey were members of the Oath Keepers.
By the evening’s end, the group appeared energized and promised to come back next month and to bring someone with them. They left pledging that the Constitution would not fail on their watch.
The next meeting of the Oath Keepers will be held March 21 at 7 p.m. in the Old Court House on Main Street.
Those seeking information may contact Picinich or Collins at capemayoathkeepers@hotmail.com or visit the web site at www.njoathkeepers.org.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.
Villas – Don't kid yourself. Those "Nobel" prize people are as political as you can get. Wise up!
