Are you a member of the ACLU?

[JanMichael]

From the American President:

President Shepherd, "For the record: Yes, I am a card-
carrying member of the A.C.L.U. But
the more important question is why
aren't you, Bob? This is an
organization whose sole purpose is to
defend the Bill of Rights, so it
naturally begs the questions."

He continues with:

"You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's
gonna put up a fight. It's gonna
say, "You want free speech? Let's
see you acknowledge a man whose words
make your blood boil, who's standing
center stage and advocating, at the
top of his lungs, that which you
would spend a lifetime opposing at the
top of yours. You want to claim
this land as the land of the free,
then the symbol of your country can't
just be a flag; the symbol also has
to be one of its citizens exercising
his right to burn that flag in
protest." Show me that, defend that,
celebrate that in your classrooms.
Then you can stand up and sing about
the land of the free. I've known Bob
Rumson for years. I've been operating
under the assumption that the reason
Bob devotes so much time and energy to
shouting at the rain was that he simply
didn't get it. Well, I was wrong.

Bob's problem isn't that he doesn't
get it. Bob's problem is that he
can't sell it. Nobody has ever won
an election by talking about what I
was just talking about."

How do we DU'ers feel about the ACLU? I know that where I live the local ACLU is one of the main forces opposintg the Patriot Act and other draconian Bushite BS.

[JailBush]

1. No. The Seattle branch of the ACLU is another corporate subsidiary. N/T

[JanMichael]

2. Really?

What do they do, or not do, that is counter to the basic premise behind the organisation?

[JailBush]

12. The Seattle ACLU doesn't do anything.

Seattle is a cesspool of corruption and violation of civil liberties. One could spend a lifetime trying to reform the Seattle School District alone.

Yet the Seattle ACLU is practically invisible. I'm sure they've tackled a few cases and got mentioned in the newspapers a few times, but it's very superficial.

I contacted the ACLU a few years ago when I was fighting the Education Mafia, and they just blew me away. Later, I corresponded with a teacher who was fighting a major battle with a derelict Seattle principal. I suggested that he contact the ACLU - though I also advised him that it would probably be a waste of time. He told me the princpal's husband worked for the Seattle ACLU!

[tnlefty]

3. Yep. Paid my renewal about a month ago. n/t

n/t

[Octafish]

4. Oh, yeah.

Since way back.

[rasputin1952]

5. Proud to be Card carrying member of the ACLU...

I may not agree with everything we do, but I'll be damned if I'd have it any other way!

O8)

[Myra]

6. Yes! Good poll JanMichael. Best one in days.

We gotta support the ACLU...

[durutti]

7. No, for one reason.

They oppose campaign finance reform.

[JanMichael]

10. I agree that it's a ridiculous position.

But on the whole I can't say that I oppose most of their positions.

The whole "Dollar=Speech" bullshit is a pathological US problem I suppose. I don't condemn the whole organisation for that particular stupid snafu.

[prolesunited]

20. And that negates

EVERYHTHING else that they've done? I just don't get purists.

Proud card-carrying member here. :hi: I've even donated to special appeals.

[solinvictus]

8. No

Because they refuse to defend the Second Amendment and they've consistently been against ending soft money contributions.

[BackDoorMan]

11. The ACLU is the absolute best! Freedom to donate soft money to whom

ever one chooses is wonderful ACLU believe is ones right and freedom of speech of course, as well as protection for EVERYONE'S cilvil rights.

CHEERS to the American Civil Liberties Union!!!

[knight_of_the_star]

15. There is a good reason why they don't bother

When you have the NRA taking care of it, does the ACLU really need to do that? That and I don't htink they are opposed to the Second Amendment.

[lfairban]

22. Everyone disagrees with the ACLU about something,

including all of the members, the leaders, staff and board members. This is an old ACLU saying. They take positions on so many issues that it will not only be impossible to please everyone all the time, it is impossible to please anyone all of the time.

Here is something they wrote about the second amendment:
http://www.aclu.org/PolicePractices/PolicePractices.cfm?ID=9621&c=25


If you agree with most of what they do, then you should consider supporting them.

http://www.aclu.org/

[Selwynn]

27. I don't agree with the ACLU on money, but they file 2nd amdt. cases...

..frequently. Just to to their website and review their case history for the last twelve months.

[Fescue4u]

9. Im a member of the NRA and the ACLU

Why some people bash the NRA while supporting the ACLU is beyond me.


The ACLU's sole purpose is to protect the constitution (except of the 2nd ammendment)

The NRA's sole purpose is to protect the 2nd ammendment.

Put'm together and you protect the ENTIRE Constitution.

[solinvictus]

13. Good point

But I find the ACLU's position hypocritical in light of their interpretation of the other 9 amendments.

[Guaranteed]

21. Agreed.

If the ACLU was true to its cause, it would protect the 2nd Amendment, too. Of course, I bet they're probably rethinking their position, now, on the issue.

I'm still a member, though.

[Selwynn]

25. No, that's not quite right

The ACLU's sole purpose is to protect the bill of rights, all of em, and they file on behalf of second amendment cases all the time.

The NRA's sole purpose is to protect nothing, and utterly and completely lie about the scope and content of the second ammendment.

A well-regulated militia, people. That's what it says.

[Fescue4u]

32. uh huh

In other words, "gimme your guns"

[lfairban]

14. Perhaps I should give a link . . .

. . . to the National ACLU home page:

http://www.aclu.org/

For more information, check out my collection of ACLU links:

http://home.columbus.rr.com/lfairban/Pages/ACLU.htm

[LeahMira]

16. No, because...

when we (adoptees) were fighting for open records in Oregon, the Oregon ACLU claimed that birthparents had the right to prevent us from receiving a copy of an unamended birth certificate because that would entail knowing birthparents' names. They even went so far as to claim that any parent had a right to prevent his or her offspring from knowing who they are! (Yeah... have a kid, raise it, but don't let on who you are... sure. Maybe use an alias with the kid.)

I've been told that local chapters make their own decisions that don't necessarily reflect the national organization's opinions, but the national organization didn't say that they supported open records, so they haven't assuaged my anger yet.

But, I'm thinking I may get over it one of these days. Maybe.

They are a good organization though, and I do support their goals and their work. Fortunately, they have many donors. I give to the American Indians (and NARF) when I have it to give.

[sleipnir]

29. But that's what makes the ACLU great

It may not be the "right" position, but they've taken a appropriate move with regards to the Constitution and the right to privacy. They aren't out there to defend a "liberal" cause, they're fighting for consitutional rights and in this case, they feel that the natural parents rights are the most important. I don't want to offend you, but I can see the ACLU's point and I think it might be valid.

Though, your post has made me want to research this issue more. It seems like a hotbed of controversy and an interesting cause.

[knight_of_the_star]

17. I wish I could change my vote now

I just joined.

[JanMichael]

19. They owe me $2!

Just kidding. My suggestion is to learn as much about the local issues that they're dealing with as possible and for those stances that you don't agree with attempt to change them.

[Guaranteed]

18. Yes, and I'm a Guardian of Liberty, too.

Which means I give them an extra ten dollars per month.

I'm not sure that's a good thing. But, I know they've got people out there fighting to make sure our voices are heard. No matter the cost, that's what matters to me.

I'm hoping to become a lawyer and to work for them. I would like nothing more in my life.

[knight_of_the_star]

31. Me too

I'm planning on doing some time for a DA's office first, get practice in prosecution, then see if they will take me.

[Isome]

23. I'm a member. n/t

[Selwynn]

24. Yes I am a member of one of the best organizations in America

A proud member of the ACLU.

And you want to hear something really cool? The ACLU of my homestate, Idaho, is very active even in the fact of such extreme conservatism!

[sleipnir]

26. Yes and Damn Proud! I just gave them some more $$$ last week

Go ACLU GO!!

I really love the American President quote, I often relate it to my friends and it's helped to get some new members....

Who says art can't change the world?

[tom_paine]

28. Hell yes!

Just as I would rush out and join the NRA if gun rights were truly threatened...

[sleepyhead]

30. Yes, and....

I have written them into my will - in the event that there's anything to bequeath them!

[rustydog]

33. You can bet your "card-carrying" ass I am a member!

At work last week, one of our Rush-bo's was making a crack about the "freekin'Civil Liberties Union" and told me a Rush story about something that had nothing to do with Civil Liberties and I shut him up by saying I hate Rush Limbaugh and the ignorance he spews on the air, but am proud to be a card-carrying member of the ACLU
and Joined shortly after 9/11 like about 250,000 other patriotic Americans when no one BUT the ACLU was trying to do something about the erosion of our rights to free speach/assembly and protest against Bush, the hypocrisy of holding American Citizens without charge, without contacting friends, family or employers EVER. Being held without judicial review, possibly until the day they die without being found guilty of any crime.
I asked what he has done about these abuses and he sat there with his mouth open and said nothing!!!

[guajira]

34. Absolutely NOT!!!!

Not until they support my right to travel to Cuba. I have questioned them about this for years, but like our pandering politicians, they refuse to address this fundamental issue of freedom to travel!!