The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) appears to be a great organization. But is it necessary? Is it even doing its job?
It seems as though everytime I turn around the ACLU is fighting for someone's rights - which is their job; but in the process they often come very close, or even cross over, the line to infringing upon someone else's rights.
For example, there are some that believe the ACLU is out to destroy every thing "Christian" about the United States. Okay, I can understand why they would think that way, lately a lot of Christian references have been taken away for the sanctity of Freedom of Speech and the respect of those Americans that are not Christian (which is a growing number).
Others seem to think the ACLU is bent on getting rid of all sorts of traditional workings, such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Well, I for one do not believe traditions to be imperatives - they are important, yes, but not imperative to society.
Personally, I think, if anything, we need an organization not funded by the government to be working for everyone's rights. I think the close relationship is worrisome altogether.
What do you think? Do we need the ACLU? Or are they simply a "hack and slash machine" for the Democrats and Liberals?
I do not think at all that they are a "hack and slash machine" for the Democrats and Liberals. As someone from a minority religion and as a board member of a religious tolerance organization, I've seen firsthand the good that the ACLU can (and does) do. The ACLU doesn't defend just liberals or democrats. They defend the rights of people, whoever those people may be. They've defended Christians, just as they've defended Pagans. They've defended Republicans, Greens, Independents, people that don't vote, people not old enough to vote. Those of us in the minority need someone to stand up for us when our rights are being ignored or being deemed as less important than the rights or beliefs of others.
"Reality is not for the faint of heart."
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."