Should protests and dissent be considered "anti-American?"

[GotZoom]

Let's see what this tiny, fringe, merely an organization has done for the United States:

1920's and 1930's

--Founded by Roger Baldwin, 1920
--Several crucial leaders of the ACLU were members of the Communist Party. Earl Browder, then General Secretary of the Communist Party, said the ACLU functioned as "a transmission belt" for the party.

1940's and 1950's

--In 1945 the ACLU opposed laws requiring prostitutes to submit to examinations or vaccinations, saying these violated the women's rights to "medical liberty."
--In 1957 the board of directors declared that it was not the business of the ACLU "to evaluate the social validity of laws aimed at the suppression or elimination of homosexuals."


1960's

--The ACLU's increasing success in the courtroom brings it a growing notoriety and increasing access to powerful financial and political resources.
--In the late 60's American culture's increasing hostility toward Christian values frees the ACLU to make aggressive legal assaults on organized religions.
--In 1967 the ACLU adopted a "pro-choice" position on abortion.


1970's

--In 1975 the ACLU came out in favor of special rights for homosexuals.
--In 1977 the ACLU initiated its "Reproductive Freedom Project" that, over the next 16 years, utilized 17 full-time employees and a budget of $2 million.


1980's

--In 1986 the ACLU created its "Lesbian and Gay Rights" project.
--September 1986 - The ACLU successfully sues fifth grade public school teacher Kenneth Roberts, forcing him to remove his personal Bible from his classroom desk. Roberts kept the Bible on top of his desk, and he read from it during his class' silent reading time. He never read it to his students or told them they had to read it. (Contrast this to the ACLU's actions in February and March, 2001, in Anaheim, California. This time, the ACLU threatened to sue the public school board if they did not put pro-homosexual propaganda on the shelves of the high school library.)
--In 1988 the ACLU barred a doctor from telling a Kansas man's former wife that her ex-husband had tested positive for AIDS. In the words of the director of the ACLU's Privacy and Technology Project, "The benefits of confidentiality outweigh the possibility that somebody may be injured."
--In 1989 the government granted tax exemptions for Satanists - a position the ACLU has supported.


1990's

--In 1992 the ACLU persuaded a judge to approve adoption of a young boy by his mother's lesbian partner.
--In 1993 in Pennsylvania the ACLU successfully opposed parental approval for teaching about substance abuse or human reproduction and forbade any discussion of morality and violence.
--In 1995 the ACLU spoke out against the Flag Amendment which would have banned burnings and desecrations of the American flag.
--March 1995 - The ACLU files a lawsuit against Alabama Circuit Judge Roy Moore to force him to discontinue prayer in his courtroom and remove a Ten Commandments plaque from the wall behind his bench. Judge Moore countersued, asking a state court to resolve the constitutionality of official acknowledgements of God. This was the beginning of an ongoing, on-again off-again series of legal battles between the ACLU and Judge Moore.
--In 1996 the ACLU convinced the Supreme Court to overturn Colorado's "Amendment Two," regarding homosexual special rights.
--In 1996 the ACLU worked with senators to defeat legislation providing federally-funded cash vouchers to students in Washington D.C.'s religious schools.
--In 1997 the ACLU successfully beseeched the Supreme Court to protect the rights of pornographers on the Internet - including the right to show their images to children.


2000 - Present

--May 2000 - Arizona Governor Jane Hull issues a proclamation celebrating the birth of Buddha. An ACLU spokesperson said, "Although we may think proclamations are inappropriate, they may not violate the Constitution." (In 1998, when Governor Hull issued a proclamation declaring a "Bible Week," the ACLU sued, claiming a violation of the so-called "separation of church and state.")
--Janurary 2001 - At a press conference co-hosted by Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt, ACLU President Nadine Strossen lambasted Attorney General nominee John Ashcroft. Strossen claimed he had a "fundamental disdain for the Constitution," simply because he is pro-life, pro-family, favors common-sense restrictions on virtual (Internet) child pornography, and questions the notion of the so-called "separation of church and state."
--April 2002 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit struck down a Colorado law requiring parents be notified when their underage daughters sought abortions. The ACLU supported the suit to have the law struck down.
--April 2002 - The U.S. Supreme Court struck down major portions of the Child Pornography Protection Act, which prohibited Internet porn hawkers from making "virtual" child pornography. The ACLU immediately declared victory, calling it a triumph for "free speech."
--January 2003 - The Hawaii branch of the ACLU filed suit to remove a requirement from a public school honor code that students pledge their "love for God." Without going to court, the school backed down.
--February 2003 - A federal district judge prohibited Florida officials from blocking an anti-war demonstration at a public park that featured a peace symbol at a public park, comprised of nude bodies. Said an ACLU attorney, "For these demonstrators, nudity is an essential part of their political expression."

Yes. Quite the legacy.


Sources: Donohue, William A. Twilight of Liberty: The Legacy of the ACLU. Transaction Publishers, 1994.

 

[archangel]

Let's see what this tiny, fringe, merely an organization has done for the United States:

1920's and 1930's

--Founded by Roger Baldwin, 1920
--Several crucial leaders of the ACLU were members of the Communist Party. Earl Browder, then General Secretary of the Communist Party, said the ACLU functioned as "a transmission belt" for the party.

1940's and 1950's

--In 1945 the ACLU opposed laws requiring prostitutes to submit to examinations or vaccinations, saying these violated the women's rights to "medical liberty."
--In 1957 the board of directors declared that it was not the business of the ACLU "to evaluate the social validity of laws aimed at the suppression or elimination of homosexuals."


1960's

--The ACLU's increasing success in the courtroom brings it a growing notoriety and increasing access to powerful financial and political resources.
--In the late 60's American culture's increasing hostility toward Christian values frees the ACLU to make aggressive legal assaults on organized religions.
--In 1967 the ACLU adopted a "pro-choice" position on abortion.


1970's

--In 1975 the ACLU came out in favor of special rights for homosexuals.
--In 1977 the ACLU initiated its "Reproductive Freedom Project" that, over the next 16 years, utilized 17 full-time employees and a budget of $2 million.


1980's

--In 1986 the ACLU created its "Lesbian and Gay Rights" project.
--September 1986 - The ACLU successfully sues fifth grade public school teacher Kenneth Roberts, forcing him to remove his personal Bible from his classroom desk. Roberts kept the Bible on top of his desk, and he read from it during his class' silent reading time. He never read it to his students or told them they had to read it. (Contrast this to the ACLU's actions in February and March, 2001, in Anaheim, California. This time, the ACLU threatened to sue the public school board if they did not put pro-homosexual propaganda on the shelves of the high school library.)
--In 1988 the ACLU barred a doctor from telling a Kansas man's former wife that her ex-husband had tested positive for AIDS. In the words of the director of the ACLU's Privacy and Technology Project, "The benefits of confidentiality outweigh the possibility that somebody may be injured."
--In 1989 the government granted tax exemptions for Satanists - a position the ACLU has supported.


1990's

--In 1992 the ACLU persuaded a judge to approve adoption of a young boy by his mother's lesbian partner.
--In 1993 in Pennsylvania the ACLU successfully opposed parental approval for teaching about substance abuse or human reproduction and forbade any discussion of morality and violence.
--In 1995 the ACLU spoke out against the Flag Amendment which would have banned burnings and desecrations of the American flag.
--March 1995 - The ACLU files a lawsuit against Alabama Circuit Judge Roy Moore to force him to discontinue prayer in his courtroom and remove a Ten Commandments plaque from the wall behind his bench. Judge Moore countersued, asking a state court to resolve the constitutionality of official acknowledgements of God. This was the beginning of an ongoing, on-again off-again series of legal battles between the ACLU and Judge Moore.
--In 1996 the ACLU convinced the Supreme Court to overturn Colorado's "Amendment Two," regarding homosexual special rights.
--In 1996 the ACLU worked with senators to defeat legislation providing federally-funded cash vouchers to students in Washington D.C.'s religious schools.
--In 1997 the ACLU successfully beseeched the Supreme Court to protect the rights of pornographers on the Internet - including the right to show their images to children.


2000 - Present

--May 2000 - Arizona Governor Jane Hull issues a proclamation celebrating the birth of Buddha. An ACLU spokesperson said, "Although we may think proclamations are inappropriate, they may not violate the Constitution." (In 1998, when Governor Hull issued a proclamation declaring a "Bible Week," the ACLU sued, claiming a violation of the so-called "separation of church and state.")
--Janurary 2001 - At a press conference co-hosted by Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt, ACLU President Nadine Strossen lambasted Attorney General nominee John Ashcroft. Strossen claimed he had a "fundamental disdain for the Constitution," simply because he is pro-life, pro-family, favors common-sense restrictions on virtual (Internet) child pornography, and questions the notion of the so-called "separation of church and state."
--April 2002 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit struck down a Colorado law requiring parents be notified when their underage daughters sought abortions. The ACLU supported the suit to have the law struck down.
--April 2002 - The U.S. Supreme Court struck down major portions of the Child Pornography Protection Act, which prohibited Internet porn hawkers from making "virtual" child pornography. The ACLU immediately declared victory, calling it a triumph for "free speech."
--January 2003 - The Hawaii branch of the ACLU filed suit to remove a requirement from a public school honor code that students pledge their "love for God." Without going to court, the school backed down.
--February 2003 - A federal district judge prohibited Florida officials from blocking an anti-war demonstration at a public park that featured a peace symbol at a public park, comprised of nude bodies. Said an ACLU attorney, "For these demonstrators, nudity is an essential part of their political expression."

Yes. Quite the legacy.


Sources: Donohue, William A. Twilight of Liberty: The Legacy of the ACLU. Transaction Publishers, 1994.

the legacy of "Billy Bob" and "Hillary" it takes a village! now wake up Gabby poo! (not you zoom) just the ilk of gabby et al!

 

[GotZoom]

Let's see what this tiny, fringe, merely an organization has done for the United States:

1920's and 1930's

--Founded by Roger Baldwin, 1920
--Several crucial leaders of the ACLU were members of the Communist Party. Earl Browder, then General Secretary of the Communist Party, said the ACLU functioned as "a transmission belt" for the party.

1940's and 1950's

--In 1945 the ACLU opposed laws requiring prostitutes to submit to examinations or vaccinations, saying these violated the women's rights to "medical liberty."
--In 1957 the board of directors declared that it was not the business of the ACLU "to evaluate the social validity of laws aimed at the suppression or elimination of homosexuals."


1960's

--The ACLU's increasing success in the courtroom brings it a growing notoriety and increasing access to powerful financial and political resources.
--In the late 60's American culture's increasing hostility toward Christian values frees the ACLU to make aggressive legal assaults on organized religions.
--In 1967 the ACLU adopted a "pro-choice" position on abortion.


1970's

--In 1975 the ACLU came out in favor of special rights for homosexuals.
--In 1977 the ACLU initiated its "Reproductive Freedom Project" that, over the next 16 years, utilized 17 full-time employees and a budget of $2 million.


1980's

--In 1986 the ACLU created its "Lesbian and Gay Rights" project.
--September 1986 - The ACLU successfully sues fifth grade public school teacher Kenneth Roberts, forcing him to remove his personal Bible from his classroom desk. Roberts kept the Bible on top of his desk, and he read from it during his class' silent reading time. He never read it to his students or told them they had to read it. (Contrast this to the ACLU's actions in February and March, 2001, in Anaheim, California. This time, the ACLU threatened to sue the public school board if they did not put pro-homosexual propaganda on the shelves of the high school library.)
--In 1988 the ACLU barred a doctor from telling a Kansas man's former wife that her ex-husband had tested positive for AIDS. In the words of the director of the ACLU's Privacy and Technology Project, "The benefits of confidentiality outweigh the possibility that somebody may be injured."
--In 1989 the government granted tax exemptions for Satanists - a position the ACLU has supported.


1990's

--In 1992 the ACLU persuaded a judge to approve adoption of a young boy by his mother's lesbian partner.
--In 1993 in Pennsylvania the ACLU successfully opposed parental approval for teaching about substance abuse or human reproduction and forbade any discussion of morality and violence.
--In 1995 the ACLU spoke out against the Flag Amendment which would have banned burnings and desecrations of the American flag.
--March 1995 - The ACLU files a lawsuit against Alabama Circuit Judge Roy Moore to force him to discontinue prayer in his courtroom and remove a Ten Commandments plaque from the wall behind his bench. Judge Moore countersued, asking a state court to resolve the constitutionality of official acknowledgements of God. This was the beginning of an ongoing, on-again off-again series of legal battles between the ACLU and Judge Moore.
--In 1996 the ACLU convinced the Supreme Court to overturn Colorado's "Amendment Two," regarding homosexual special rights.
--In 1996 the ACLU worked with senators to defeat legislation providing federally-funded cash vouchers to students in Washington D.C.'s religious schools.
--In 1997 the ACLU successfully beseeched the Supreme Court to protect the rights of pornographers on the Internet - including the right to show their images to children.


2000 - Present

--May 2000 - Arizona Governor Jane Hull issues a proclamation celebrating the birth of Buddha. An ACLU spokesperson said, "Although we may think proclamations are inappropriate, they may not violate the Constitution." (In 1998, when Governor Hull issued a proclamation declaring a "Bible Week," the ACLU sued, claiming a violation of the so-called "separation of church and state.")
--Janurary 2001 - At a press conference co-hosted by Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt, ACLU President Nadine Strossen lambasted Attorney General nominee John Ashcroft. Strossen claimed he had a "fundamental disdain for the Constitution," simply because he is pro-life, pro-family, favors common-sense restrictions on virtual (Internet) child pornography, and questions the notion of the so-called "separation of church and state."
--April 2002 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit struck down a Colorado law requiring parents be notified when their underage daughters sought abortions. The ACLU supported the suit to have the law struck down.
--April 2002 - The U.S. Supreme Court struck down major portions of the Child Pornography Protection Act, which prohibited Internet porn hawkers from making "virtual" child pornography. The ACLU immediately declared victory, calling it a triumph for "free speech."
--January 2003 - The Hawaii branch of the ACLU filed suit to remove a requirement from a public school honor code that students pledge their "love for God." Without going to court, the school backed down.
--February 2003 - A federal district judge prohibited Florida officials from blocking an anti-war demonstration at a public park that featured a peace symbol at a public park, comprised of nude bodies. Said an ACLU attorney, "For these demonstrators, nudity is an essential part of their political expression."

Yes. Quite the legacy.


Sources: Donohue, William A. Twilight of Liberty: The Legacy of the ACLU. Transaction Publishers, 1994.

I started a thread with this. I am curious to see everybody's thoughts about this small, uninfluential group.

 

[Gem]

I appreciate when the ACLU takes on issues that need to be taken on. There was something on FOX the other day, I only saw it out of the corner of my eye while working, but a judge recently ruled that a Wiccan man and his ex- wife, also a Wiccan, are not permitted to bring their child to events where their religion is being practiced. I'm sorry...you can agree or disagree with Wicca, but our Consitution allows that people are permitted to raise their children in whatever religion they choose, as long as they are not hurting the child. This father was not harming his child, just bringing him up in a life-style different than the judges...the father needs the support of the ACLU.

What I take issue with, is the ACLU getting involved in issues that it shouldn't be...dictating things that it shouldn't. For example, when it told the city of Los Angeles that unless it removed the minute little cross on the state seal, which symbolically recognized that the city was originally founded by Christian missionaries who named it The Angels...the ACLU would sue the city...numerous members of the board caved and agreed to remove the cross (the ACLU was not offended, however, by the comparitively gigantic depiction of the Godess Pomona...um...RELIGION, anyone?) from the seal, costing the city millions of dollars...just so the ACLU wouldn't hurt them.

This is ridiculous...the city was not "endorsing" a religion by acknowledging that their city had a religious background...the ACLU showed clearly in this case that it was not protecting the Constitution or citizens rights, but rather was actively attempting to erase any traces of Chrisitanity (while leaving other religious symbols untouched and uncommented on).

The entire event reminded me of 1984...if we burn all the pictures, symbols, references to something...we can pretend it never existed.

I appreciate when the ACLU fights the fights that need to be fought (i.e. the Wiccan man, Rush Limbaugh's medical records) however, I do think that in general...they either are deliberately trying to erase Chrisitianity in any form (even those that in no way violate rights) from the public eye...or are so misguided and deluded that they do not see what they are doing...the people on the ACLU are generally well-educated, so therefore I must assume they are doing it deliberately.

 

[GotZoom]

I appreciate when the ACLU takes on issues that need to be taken on. There was something on FOX the other day, I only saw it out of the corner of my eye while working, but a judge recently ruled that a Wiccan man and his ex- wife, also a Wiccan, are not permitted to bring their child to events where their religion is being practiced. I'm sorry...you can agree or disagree with Wicca, but our Consitution allows that people are permitted to raise their children in whatever religion they choose, as long as they are not hurting the child. This father was not harming his child, just bringing him up in a life-style different than the judges...the father needs the support of the ACLU.

What I take issue with, is the ACLU getting involved in issues that it shouldn't be...dictating things that it shouldn't. For example, when it told the city of Los Angeles that unless it removed the minute little cross on the state seal, which symbolically recognized that the city was originally founded by Christian missionaries who named it The Angels...the ACLU would sue the city...numerous members of the board caved and agreed to remove the cross (the ACLU was not offended, however, by the comparitively gigantic depiction of the Godess Pomona...um...RELIGION, anyone?) from the seal, costing the city millions of dollars...just so the ACLU wouldn't hurt them.

This is ridiculous...the city was not "endorsing" a religion by acknowledging that their city had a religious background...the ACLU showed clearly in this case that it was not protecting the Constitution or citizens rights, but rather was actively attempting to erase any traces of Chrisitanity (while leaving other religious symbols untouched and uncommented on).

The entire event reminded me of 1984...if we burn all the pictures, symbols, references to something...we can pretend it never existed.

I appreciate when the ACLU fights the fights that need to be fought (i.e. the Wiccan man, Rush Limbaugh's medical records) however, I do think that in general...they either are deliberately trying to erase Chrisitianity in any form (even those that in no way violate rights) from the public eye...or are so misguided and deluded that they do not see what they are doing...the people on the ACLU are generally well-educated, so therefore I must assume they are doing it deliberately.

It's all about the Benjamins with the ACLU.

When they win, they get attorney's fees.

 

[dilloduck]

I appreciate when the ACLU takes on issues that need to be taken on. There was something on FOX the other day, I only saw it out of the corner of my eye while working, but a judge recently ruled that a Wiccan man and his ex- wife, also a Wiccan, are not permitted to bring their child to events where their religion is being practiced. I'm sorry...you can agree or disagree with Wicca, but our Consitution allows that people are permitted to raise their children in whatever religion they choose, as long as they are not hurting the child. This father was not harming his child, just bringing him up in a life-style different than the judges...the father needs the support of the ACLU.

What I take issue with, is the ACLU getting involved in issues that it shouldn't be...dictating things that it shouldn't. For example, when it told the city of Los Angeles that unless it removed the minute little cross on the state seal, which symbolically recognized that the city was originally founded by Christian missionaries who named it The Angels...the ACLU would sue the city...numerous members of the board caved and agreed to remove the cross (the ACLU was not offended, however, by the comparitively gigantic depiction of the Godess Pomona...um...RELIGION, anyone?) from the seal, costing the city millions of dollars...just so the ACLU wouldn't hurt them.

This is ridiculous...the city was not "endorsing" a religion by acknowledging that their city had a religious background...the ACLU showed clearly in this case that it was not protecting the Constitution or citizens rights, but rather was actively attempting to erase any traces of Chrisitanity (while leaving other religious symbols untouched and uncommented on).

The entire event reminded me of 1984...if we burn all the pictures, symbols, references to something...we can pretend it never existed.

I appreciate when the ACLU fights the fights that need to be fought (i.e. the Wiccan man, Rush Limbaugh's medical records) however, I do think that in general...they either are deliberately trying to erase Chrisitianity in any form (even those that in no way violate rights) from the public eye...or are so misguided and deluded that they do not see what they are doing...the people on the ACLU are generally well-educated, so therefore I must assume they are doing it deliberately.

I bet even a terrorists is nice to someone once in awhile but that sure as hell doesn't excuse the REST of his behavior !

 

[archangel]

you are way to PC...writing a book are we?

 

[Annie]

As long as protestors recognize that the criticism they receive for what they say is free speech too. Too often protestors feel as if they have the right to speak freely WITHOUT RESPONSE. If you try to respond to the CONTENT of what they say, they invariably fall back on the pitiful " you're trying to restrict my free speech" mantra. It's pretty lame to not listen to responses when you "protest".

Now if they would all be smart enough to add 'kill the Jews, without whom there would be no problems with Islam or dust bunnies' we'd be in good shape.

 

[Bonnie]

Protest should be limited to areas where the general public will not be impeded by them, meaning no use of public streets or parks or any other thing funded by taxpayer money and which causes interruption of the daily life of a city or town. Want to have a protest? Find some fucking empty field for your worthless waste of time. And yes protesting the war is un-American, the ragheads see this divisiveness and use it against us, used to be Demos respected the politics stops at the water's edge, unfortunately they have fallen woefully short in protection of America and therefore give comfort and aide to the enemy.

Bravo and would add what Dillo said regarding protesters not being able to handle criticisms coming from the other side is right. Somehow anti-war protesters have labeled themselves as heroes and martyrs for doing a brave thing...I just don't buy into that.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Protests should be allowed so we can all look at the clowns and point and laugh. Then when we get tired, we can use the opportunity to snap their photos, so we can hunt them down later.

 

[Gem]

Archangel Wrote:

you are way to PC...writing a book are we?

Wow! I had no idea that stating that the ACLU was an organization bent on erasing legal representations of Christianity in any and all public venues in the United States had become PC!!! Good to know, thanks Archy!

 

[Gabriella84]

Gem, you need to quit making such good sense. People don't understand it.

 

[Annie]

Gem, you need to quit making such good sense. People don't understand it.

Some do, some don't. I suggest you hold back on the generalizing.

 

[kurtsprincess]

What is all this crap about the ACLU? They are merely an organization, sort of like PETA. They represent such a minute amount of America, it is almost not worth mentioning. Why do so many people get rankled by them?

I would like to think both sides get equal chance to tell their side. I've never attempted to keep anyone from presenting their opinions here. Or out at public. Dissent is a basic American right. Too bad more people don't recognize that.

We do recognize it Gabby. Some of us are working our asses off to effect change in the areas we disagree with, rather than making a nuisance of ourselves by protesting and dissenting.

Perhaps if those who dissent would spend more time on constructive ways of changing our world (rather than protesting), perhaps there would be less to protest about.

 

[kurtsprincess]

Let's see what this tiny, fringe, merely an organization has done for the United States:

1920's and 1930's

--Founded by Roger Baldwin, 1920
--Several crucial leaders of the ACLU were members of the Communist Party. Earl Browder, then General Secretary of the Communist Party, said the ACLU functioned as "a transmission belt" for the party.

1940's and 1950's

--In 1945 the ACLU opposed laws requiring prostitutes to submit to examinations or vaccinations, saying these violated the women's rights to "medical liberty."
--In 1957 the board of directors declared that it was not the business of the ACLU "to evaluate the social validity of laws aimed at the suppression or elimination of homosexuals."


1960's

--The ACLU's increasing success in the courtroom brings it a growing notoriety and increasing access to powerful financial and political resources.
--In the late 60's American culture's increasing hostility toward Christian values frees the ACLU to make aggressive legal assaults on organized religions.
--In 1967 the ACLU adopted a "pro-choice" position on abortion.


1970's

--In 1975 the ACLU came out in favor of special rights for homosexuals.
--In 1977 the ACLU initiated its "Reproductive Freedom Project" that, over the next 16 years, utilized 17 full-time employees and a budget of $2 million.


1980's

--In 1986 the ACLU created its "Lesbian and Gay Rights" project.
--September 1986 - The ACLU successfully sues fifth grade public school teacher Kenneth Roberts, forcing him to remove his personal Bible from his classroom desk. Roberts kept the Bible on top of his desk, and he read from it during his class' silent reading time. He never read it to his students or told them they had to read it. (Contrast this to the ACLU's actions in February and March, 2001, in Anaheim, California. This time, the ACLU threatened to sue the public school board if they did not put pro-homosexual propaganda on the shelves of the high school library.)
--In 1988 the ACLU barred a doctor from telling a Kansas man's former wife that her ex-husband had tested positive for AIDS. In the words of the director of the ACLU's Privacy and Technology Project, "The benefits of confidentiality outweigh the possibility that somebody may be injured."
--In 1989 the government granted tax exemptions for Satanists - a position the ACLU has supported.


1990's

--In 1992 the ACLU persuaded a judge to approve adoption of a young boy by his mother's lesbian partner.
--In 1993 in Pennsylvania the ACLU successfully opposed parental approval for teaching about substance abuse or human reproduction and forbade any discussion of morality and violence.
--In 1995 the ACLU spoke out against the Flag Amendment which would have banned burnings and desecrations of the American flag.
--March 1995 - The ACLU files a lawsuit against Alabama Circuit Judge Roy Moore to force him to discontinue prayer in his courtroom and remove a Ten Commandments plaque from the wall behind his bench. Judge Moore countersued, asking a state court to resolve the constitutionality of official acknowledgements of God. This was the beginning of an ongoing, on-again off-again series of legal battles between the ACLU and Judge Moore.
--In 1996 the ACLU convinced the Supreme Court to overturn Colorado's "Amendment Two," regarding homosexual special rights.
--In 1996 the ACLU worked with senators to defeat legislation providing federally-funded cash vouchers to students in Washington D.C.'s religious schools.
--In 1997 the ACLU successfully beseeched the Supreme Court to protect the rights of pornographers on the Internet - including the right to show their images to children.


2000 - Present

--May 2000 - Arizona Governor Jane Hull issues a proclamation celebrating the birth of Buddha. An ACLU spokesperson said, "Although we may think proclamations are inappropriate, they may not violate the Constitution." (In 1998, when Governor Hull issued a proclamation declaring a "Bible Week," the ACLU sued, claiming a violation of the so-called "separation of church and state.")
--Janurary 2001 - At a press conference co-hosted by Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt, ACLU President Nadine Strossen lambasted Attorney General nominee John Ashcroft. Strossen claimed he had a "fundamental disdain for the Constitution," simply because he is pro-life, pro-family, favors common-sense restrictions on virtual (Internet) child pornography, and questions the notion of the so-called "separation of church and state."
--April 2002 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit struck down a Colorado law requiring parents be notified when their underage daughters sought abortions. The ACLU supported the suit to have the law struck down.
--April 2002 - The U.S. Supreme Court struck down major portions of the Child Pornography Protection Act, which prohibited Internet porn hawkers from making "virtual" child pornography. The ACLU immediately declared victory, calling it a triumph for "free speech."
--January 2003 - The Hawaii branch of the ACLU filed suit to remove a requirement from a public school honor code that students pledge their "love for God." Without going to court, the school backed down.
--February 2003 - A federal district judge prohibited Florida officials from blocking an anti-war demonstration at a public park that featured a peace symbol at a public park, comprised of nude bodies. Said an ACLU attorney, "For these demonstrators, nudity is an essential part of their political expression."

Yes. Quite the legacy.


Sources: Donohue, William A. Twilight of Liberty: The Legacy of the ACLU. Transaction Publishers, 1994.

Thanks for the info zoom; it's quite a history lesson, isn't it?

 

[Annie]

Zoom just saved me a lot of time. Bottom line, the ACLU does represent a small % of America, but it's a very influential and powerful segment thereof.