Tough Times
You might have heard about some tough financial times that have befallen us here at the ACLU after a large donor was forced to greatly reduce his donations. Check out what Glenn Greenwald at Salon had to say about this:
It is not hyperbole to say that, over the past decade, there has been no organization more important to the United States, the Constitution, and basic political liberties than the ACLU. From the start of the Bush/Cheney assault on core civil liberties -- when most organizations and individuals were petrified of opposing any efforts justified by "terrorism" -- the ACLU was one of a small handful of groups which defied that climate of fear by vigorously and fearlessly opposing those erosions. Along with that same small handful of civil liberties and human rights groups, the ACLU since then has been at the center of virtually every fight against government incursions into basic rights. They defend core Constitutional principles regardless of party or ideology, and they continue to lead this fight even now that Bush is gone from office. As I detailed here, their crucial efforts extend far beyond litigating and lobbying, as they have often been forced to fulfill the investigative and oversight role intended for -- but abdicated by -- our national media and Congress. Indeed, most of what we know about the Bush torture regime and other lawbreaking schemes is the result not of newspapers or Congressional investigations but the ACLU.
[...]There is a genuine risk that this loss of funding can curtail vital ACLU activities and force the loss of critical lawyers and other personnel. The need for support is genuine and substantial, and I really encourage anyone who supports the truly indispensable work they do, and who is able to do so, to express that support through membership or donation. That can be done here.
To those of you who are members and have and continue to donate to the ACLU, we can't thank you enough. Your generosity allows us to carry on with this important work.
If you haven't given, we hope you will today.
Dec 11th, 2009 at 9:29pm
Tough on times? Did you not ever heard of 'rainy day' fund ? I thought that the organization after dozens of decades of defending the US Constitution, one would have at least SAVED during times of depression or even during a recession? My what would happened if another major donor decides to bail due to 'financial hardship'? I would never think that the ACLU would be that desperate for donations when the depression LITERALLY began AFTER the credit-housing bubble. Is there anyone in their organization that could even BALANCE their budget?
Dec 11th, 2009 at 11:04pm
The ACLU needs to stay out of American's business and shut the organization down. Bunch of freaks!!
Dec 12th, 2009 at 2:16pm
So you defend our freedoms that are guaranteed under the Amendments to the Constitution? Then why am I no longer guaranteed the free practice of Religion as spelled out in the first amendment? People can shout obsenities and vulgarities from the rooftops because they are afforded the freedom of speech, but no one is allowed to publicly mention Divinity. And, why are Islamic Terrorists, who most definitely not citizens of the United States, protected under our Constitution while unborn children are not?
Dec 12th, 2009 at 6:36pm
I thank the ACU should do something about the 8 trillion bush gave away that don,t have to be payed back. This was robbery of tax payers and a violation of their 5th Amendment right. Tax payers has to pay that money back. That,s not counting the money that was give away under the tarp fund that don,t have to be payed back. I know that bush and his administion can be sued becausethe constitution states twice that no title of nobility shall be granted by the US. I,m no longer a tax payer so I,m not entitle to sue them.I got my FEderal Rule book in 1987 so I know how to litigate. I could territorialize them in Federal court if I could sue.
Dec 13th, 2009 at 2:51pm
How exactly was the ACLU supposed to save money while Civil Liberties were under constant attack?
Dec 15th, 2009 at 2:42am
I read the comments and wonder, "Why bother?"
Dec 15th, 2009 at 10:53am
anon #3...Unless you are a representative of the State, using State facilities and taxpayer money to force others to participate in your religious beliefs, your rights have not been curtailed. I challenge you to give us one example of a freedom you have lost whose exercise did not trample another person's rights even more seriously. The Constitution of the United States describes how it and other faces of the State must behave. That includes limits on how non-citizens, including real terrorists, are treated. That is what makes this country so great.
Dec 15th, 2009 at 12:35pm
Roald, if I remember correctly, the ACLU defended the "rights" of NAMBLA, an organization that taught pedophiles how to rape and murder children and get away with it. If their "exercise" doesn't "trample another person's rights even more seriously" I don't know what does.
Dec 28th, 2009 at 2:41pm
Steve, splitting a hair, NAMBLA is an organization of pedophiles, not murderers.
The ACLU supported NAMBLA's freedom of speech (to push for legislative change), not to commit the crimes. It is easy to support speech with which we agree. It is difficult to support speech with which we disagree. The ACLU would support the Fox News commentators should the government attempt to silence them.
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