What are your views on the aclu, where do you agree & disagree with them?

[actsnoblemartin]

If im gonna bash them, i might as well give them a chance to defend themselves.

I spoke with rebecca, communications director of aclu, a truly nice, respectful individual. We had a very pleasant, peaceful conversation, she let me calmly, and in a dignified manor express myself. And I know i agree with aclu on some points, so i will do a little more investigating, before i form my complete opinion on them.

http://www.aclu.com/

 

[actsnoblemartin]

http://www.aclufightsforchristians.com/

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/216760.htm

 

[Paulie]

The ACLU fights for the constitutionally granted freedoms of Americans.

There's absolutely NOTHING wrong with that.

How could there possibly be?

Remember when we were kids, and it was cool to say "mind your own bees wax"?

Well how did that somehow lose it's appeal as we got older?

Mind your own fucking business, and there should never be a problem with anything the ACLU stands for. And i'm not even a card carrying member, for christ's sake.

 

[Paulie]

I will say this, however.

They have big lobbying power. If they lobby bills by bribing people, or using otherwise coercive techniques, then i have a problem.

 

[hjmick]

While I believe in much of what the ACLU stands for, I do take umbrage with some of the causes they choose to take on, one example would be their defense of NAMBLA. At the same time, the causes the seemingly ignore are interesting, the most recent example being their apparent silence concerning the Muslim prayer time in the San Diego school.

I am not a member of the ACLU, but then again, I am a gun owner who will not join the NRA.

 

[Gem]

My issue with the ACLU emerges when they take on cases that seem to defy common sense.

Removing the tiny, tiny cross from the seal of the city of Los Angeles because it might offend non-Christians, or make them feel unwelcome in the city? Give me a break.

It is these sort of political stunts the put the ACLU in the limelight for stupidity...when they really should be carrying on in the important work of defending the rights and liberties of the American people.

 

[hjmick]

Removing the tiny, tiny cross from the seal of the city of Los Angeles because it might offend non-Christians, or make them feel unwelcome in the city? Give me a break.

I live near L.A. and had forgotten about that. Hell, the cross wasn't even in the seal for religious reasons, rather it was there for historic reasons. A reminder that the city was founded when the mission was established. There are cities up and down the state that exist for no other reason than missionaries stopped there and built a church.

 

[ReillyT]

I think that the civil liberties litigation activities of the ACLU are wonderful. I also think that the litigation activities of the NRA are wonderful. It doesn't matter whether I agree with their views, or the particular cases that they choose to pursue. They both attempt to protect our civil liberties in the areas in which they choose to operate, and in doing so, force discussion of our national principles and help clarify the law, which can at times, be a bit hazy. They may not pursue every issue that I am interested in, or may not pursue it in the manner which I would prefer, but at least they are doing something, and a half a loaf is better than no loaf at all.

 

[Annie]

As many here, I have no problem with the ideals, for nearly 15 years I was a dues paying member. They changed, I didn't.

 

[maineman]

the greatness of the ACLU lies precisely in the fact that they do NOT discriminate about whom they represent.

They represent the interests of anyone or any organization whose constitutional rights may have been violated.

They represent NAMBLA (not, by the way, on their purported right to DO what they do, but only on their right to SPEAK about what they do) They represent the American Nazi Party....they represent Rush Limbaugh... and everyone and every organization in between.

By looking out for the rights of anyone, they look out for the rights of everyone.

 

[Annie]

the greatness of the ACLU lies precisely in the fact that they do NOT discriminate about whom they represent.

They represent the interests of anyone or any organization whose constitutional rights may have been violated.

They represent NAMBLA (not, by the way, on their purported right to DO what they do, but only on their right to SPEAK about what they do) They represent the American Nazi Party....they represent Rush Limbaugh... and everyone and every organization in between.

By looking out for the rights of anyone, they look out for the rights of everyone.

BS. The U of M is just the latest of a long list of them going with the flavor of the week.

 

[maineman]

so...let me get this right: you are completely supportive of the ACLU protecting someone's constitutional rights as long as you like them or agree with them?

how magnanimous.

 

[Annie]

so...let me get this right: you are completely supportive of the ACLU protecting someone's constitutional rights as long as you like them or agree with them?

how magnanimous.

Hardly. I understood the neo-Nazis in Skokie, did not agree, but understood. They are no longer doing such and you are smart enough to know it. So, you may agree with their playbook, fine, send them $$. No for me.

 

[maineman]

Hardly. I understood the neo-Nazis in Skokie, did not agree, but understood. They are no longer doing such and you are smart enough to know it. So, you may agree with their playbook, fine, send them $$. No for me.

I agree with their charter...and I am glad that some organization has that charter and acts upon it. I may not agree with the politics of every one of their cases or clients, but that IS the point. I agree with the idea of what they are supposed to do and I know going in that they WILL represent people and organizations that I find repugnant. I do not find the idea of standing up for the bill of rights to be repugnant.

 

[Annie]

I agree with their charter...and I am glad that some organization has that charter and acts upon it. I may not agree with the politics of every one of their cases or clients, but that IS the point. I agree with the idea of what they are supposed to do and I know going in that they WILL represent people and organizations that I find repugnant. I do not find the idea of standing up for the bill of rights to be repugnant.

But they are acting outside their charter, which is why they are having financial difficulties, losing me and a whole lot more. Have been, for years. Actually, I'm surprised you still pay.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

TOP TEN reasons to STOP THE ACLU (aka the American Communist Lawyers Union)


10. The ACLU was founded by Communists.

9. The ACLU does not believe in the Second Amendment.

8. The ACLU has outright hatred of the Boy Scouts.

7. The ACLU are pro-death.

6. The ACLU advocates open borders.

5. The ACLU is anti-Christian

4. The ACLU opposes National Security.

3. The ACLU defends the enemy.

2. The ACLU supports child porn and child molesters like NAMBLA

1. The ACLU fulfills its agenda using my TAX money.


http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2005/11/10/top-ten-reasons-to-stop-the-aclu/

 

[mattskramer]

5. The ACLU is anti-Christian

If the ACLU is anti-Christian, why does it try to help Christians?
See the following web site.

http://www.aclufightsforchristians.com/

 

[maineman]

But they are acting outside their charter, which is why they are having financial difficulties, losing me and a whole lot more. Have been, for years. Actually, I'm surprised you still pay.

I disagree with your assertion as to their actinmg outside their charter....and I still believe that they serve a useful purpose in our society and I am glad that they try to do what they try to do.

I guess I am not willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater

 

[Annie]

I disagree with your assertion as to their actinmg outside their charter....and I still believe that they serve a useful purpose in our society and I am glad that they try to do what they try to do.

I guess I am not willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater

My tolerance is quite high, like I said I kept up with beyond Skokie, then it became too much. We agree to disagree.

I still agree with the ideas of Bill of Rights being of paramount to our freedoms, just don't think the ACLU is on board, despite their charter.

 

[Angel Heart]

The thought of "actions speak louder than words" comes to mind.