PUBLISHED in the Washington Times, 4/17/06.
http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20060416-103031-5287r_page2.htm

see "Mexican aliens seek to retake 'stolen' land" (Washington Times, 4/16/06)
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060416-122222-1672r.htm

Although many Mexican "rights" activists argue that the Aztlan or "reconquista" movement (which aims to reclaim most of the southwestern USA as Mexican territory) is a small fringe movement, one must nevertheless wonder if it is gaining acceptance among Hispanics.

My guess is: Yes and No. Yes, because fringe movements can be effective at capturing wavering minds and becoming more than fringe movements. (Most of the world's best-known 20th century dictators and tyrants started in the fringes.) And No, because many Mexicans are coming here purposely to get away from the politics and economics of Mexico; turning America into what they worked so hard to leave is not appealing to such people.

Still, any group which openly and aggressively claims American territory as theirs is a cause for concern; such claims are dangerously close to a declaration of war.