Losing my conservative street cred
I have been reading in some of the conservative blogs and listening on the radio and am hearing/reading a new wave of attacks on the ACLU.
Here I confess that I like the American Civil Liberties Union. It is good that there is an organization out there that will challenge the government on things that are not very popular. I am impressed that they will defend the civil rights of just about any group. ( I do note with disappointment that they seem to push for every constitutional right except those granted by the Second Amendment, but no one is perfect.)
There needs to be an organization like them that will call to question things the government does. Now, am a glad that they are continually going after things like nativites in courthouses? NO. But they also defend the rights of student free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.
I am not a card carrying member of the ACLU, but I will be once I get a real (or pseudo real) job or at least some source of income that actually exceeds my bills by some reasonable amount.
The American Civil Liberties Union
Here I confess that I like the American Civil Liberties Union. It is good that there is an organization out there that will challenge the government on things that are not very popular. I am impressed that they will defend the civil rights of just about any group. ( I do note with disappointment that they seem to push for every constitutional right except those granted by the Second Amendment, but no one is perfect.)
There needs to be an organization like them that will call to question things the government does. Now, am a glad that they are continually going after things like nativites in courthouses? NO. But they also defend the rights of student free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.
I am not a card carrying member of the ACLU, but I will be once I get a real (or pseudo real) job or at least some source of income that actually exceeds my bills by some reasonable amount.
The American Civil Liberties Union
posted by exMI | 12:36
8 Comments:
I agree with you concerning the ACLU. They are over the top with some issues but I dont think they are all bad.
I realize this is off topic and you dont have to answer if you dont want to. But since you did mention the nativity thing in courthouses. How do you feel about this..Do you think its a violation of the whole separation of church and state issue? Or do you think it infringes on the rights of other religious groups. How do you feel about prayer in schools?
I do not feel that a nativity on the courthouse lawn is a violation of church and state. As long as the government isn't paying for it. And as long as other groups are allowed to put up equivalent displays for their religious holidays.
As for prayer in school it should be allowed, but not required. And not done at the begining of class so everyone can look at the ones who aren't participating and wonder about them. Of course if you allow chirstian prayer in school then you really have to allow other groups the same opportunity. Moslems, Tibbetan Budhists, Wiccans, Satanists, everyone. so it might be easier to say no one.
As an aside to that, if a student decides to mention God, Yahweh, JVH1, Allah, or whoever in a talk or presentation thta is perfectly allright IMO. (for example the valedictorian at graduation.)
People say it might offend someone who has different beliefs. I say show me the Constitutional Amendment that guarantees the right not to be offended.
11 15 05
Thx EXMI:
Well at least you are honest. And in principle the ACLU is a check to possible governmental abuses. However, their communist philosphies ar disturbing to me. It seems as though they wanna erase all symbols of God from our society. Now here is the kicker; I DO believe in the Establishment Clause. But according to local customs and culture, religious SYMBOLS are the norm and can even be viewed independently from ritual. That being said, I do think it distasteful at best that they sued the City of Redland for having a cross in the city seal. For goodness sakes; Redland is the City of Churches! Geesh! Then, the ten commandments case in KY was disturbing, for rational basis test reasons and that the ten commandments really can be looked at as ancient legal documents. Many of our laws are based upon those principles. I think the plm is too many religious conservatives disagree with the ACLU's decisions without understanding the logic behind them. I have done some research and really think that they have gone over the top and need to regroup or be stopped and or reshaped into something that really protects all of our liberties and protects local traditions and cultural institutions. I don't see that happening. And you saw the article about how quick they were to defend the Satanist, but anything Christian they stay away from! I think they are suffering from a lack of balance. Now I have given myself to the sharks of criticism. Engage if you will:)
Good post EXMI:)
For sure they do do a few good things. But, I agree with the ladies to a great extent. They take up for everyone but Christians, on Religous issues. Where were they when the Branch Davidians were burned alive? I don't remember much of them. There is Christianity and the Second Amendmant in one.
I saw a recent questionare from the ACLU that asked points on Gay Mariage. Nothing against Homosexuals...but why just them? Why not Polygamist too? Are they standing up for the Mormon Judge in Utah being raked over the coals becuase he loves three women? Consenting women?
They pick and choose issues. We all do. But, it appears to me, siteing the issues above, that they are tainted with Cultural Marxism, AKA Political Correctmess.
Yes, we need a group like them, but, one that stands up for people. Not just a few.
I do remember some involvement in the Branch Davidian case by the ACLU the more I think about it. But, I beleive it was not a strong involvement. I may stand to be corrected.
When I was young and energetic I liked the ACLU too. I think it was Winston Churchil who said if one is not a liberal when young he has not heart, if one is not conservative when he gains maturity he has no brain. I think my feelings about the ACLU follow that same philosophy, only I have gained maturity and thus a brain. Don't look for me at any meetings.
Exmi - The ACLU has pissed me off time and time again. But then again, they've done some things that are absolutely wonderful, like defend pornography and extremists Right to speech.
I hate the Klan as much as anyone, and as you know, I'm not white (well, part, but don't look it), but I've always feared if they silence one group, they'll silence others, and it's the ACLU that defends their Right to speech. Of course if the Klan burned a cross on my property, they'll get a lot of lead in their direction, and I rarely miss.
You are an interesting fellow. You don't fit cheap labels.
Basically, the ACLU lives by the credo put forth by Voltaire: "I may not agree with say, but I will defend until my death your right to say it."
And I find that to be an admirable cause, even if I do not believe everyone should have totally free ownership of guns. Then again, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who fits into every niche the ACLU creates because many of them are contradictory. For instance, I'd bet that statistically, most card-carrying members of the NRA do not support the decision made by Roe v. Wade. But the ACLU stands up for the rights of both groups. Pobody's nerfect.
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