[SSchultz0956]

I want to gather information on what you as ACLU members think the ACLU actually stands for. Please answer without doing research because hopefully you already have as an ACLU member.

[excon]

Hello:

I'm not a member, actually, but I support their goals. Those goals, as I see them, are the protection of my civil liberties, and yours too.

However, I'll bet you disagree. Cool. Tell me why.

excon

[fredg]

Hi,
I am not a member either.
But, will be interesting to see if anyone is!

[SSchultz0956]

The ACLU seems, in my opinion, to do to things I can't stand. 1)They violate others' rights to get their own, 2)they choose certain areas of the country where they know is a radical appelate court so they can then file suit against certain things abnusing judicial activism, violating our ideas of a democracy. The proper order of things is in the congress, not a californian appellate court.

[kp2171]

Generally far left or far right organizations drive me nuts.

Think I heard once a concern about the lawsuits that they help bring forward. Something about they get a percentage if the case wins money, so the person was questioning if the cause was the driving force or if the ties to lawsuit $$ has become the bigger force.

I'm sorry to say I don't know enough to argue either side. Just a comment I heard once. I'm sure others have better ideas and knowledge.

[excon]

Hello again, Schultz and you too, kp:

The ACLU does not file injury lawsuits, and does not sue for damages. They sue for changes in the law. They do this by filing lawsuits on behalf of any citizen, in any jurisdiction, when there is a Constitutional civil liberty question. They win some, they lose some, and they don't pick the groups they represent. They pick the causes. Therefore, they have represented the Ku Klux Klan when they weren't allowed to demonstrate in Skokie, Ill. And, they represent blacks who are denied equal education.

I fail to see how filing a lawsuit violates your rights, Schultz. Oh, I understand that's what O'Reilly and that dude Limprod thinks. But they just aren't in touch with reality.

excon

[kp2171]

Yeah... I just don't know enough.

I cannot remember where I heard that comment about aclu being tied to lawsuit $$. Not saying true or false... just a comment I heard one.

Thanks fot the input.

[ScottGem]

Wow, Excon and I are the same side for a change? Is the world coming to an end?? ;)

I'm not a card carrying member of the ACLU either. I've also said in other threads here, that I feel, they have, at times gone a little overboard in their zeal to protect our civil liberties.

But I would much rather have an overzealous watchdog then one that barks a few times and lays down. If the excesses in the limitations of our liberties by the current administration doesn't convince people that such a watchdog is needed, then your mind is truly closed.

[NeedKarma]

A couple years ago here in Cols, OH, a convenience store clerk complained of sexual harrassment and discrimination. The ACLU and Jesse Jackson swooped into town and made a HUGE issue of it.

The girl later admitted to making it up.

Sad, sad, sad that they jumped on the media face time as fast as they did.

Did we hear an apology from ACLU or JJ? Of course not.

Rick, that happens all the time in the courts - it's certainly not restricted to the ACLU or JJ. The girl is to blame not the people who are willing to help her.

[RickJ]

It didn't even make it to court due to there being no case to begin with. Yes, the girl is to blame first, but shame on the others for jumping on the bandwagon and making such a big issue over nothing.

In this case, both were clearly more interested in media face time than in justice.

[fredg]

Hi,
So far, no ACLU members here, only discussions about cases.
The part about Jessie Jackson isn't surprising. He never misses a camera opportunity.