ACLU Pleased/Displeased With Stimulus Amendments. Sounds About Right.
Here in Washington it’s hard to escape the stimulus package debate. Especially if the TV in your office is set to C-SPAN. It’s an important debate and it turns out there are a few amendments that might be affecting those civil liberties we here at the ACLU Washington Legislative Office strive so hard to protect for you.
Last week, in the House version of the stimulus package, there was an amendment passed that secured privacy protections as a part of funding for health IT implementation. Nice, right?
Tonight’s round of votes in the Senate, however, will include an amendment to remove a provision of the bill that preserves constitutional safeguards by prohibiting federal funds for construction or repair of buildings used for worship and other religious purposes. In order to protect religious freedom, the Senate should vote down Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-S.C.) amendment in order to protect the religious freedom of all those whose religious buildings aren’t eligible for federal funds. Here’s a Supreme Court decision that echoes our argument.
We’ve written a letter to the Senate urging a vote against the amendment. Cross your fingers for religious freedom, readers.
In other religious news, the Obama administration released a troubling Executive Order on the White House’s Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. From our release:
President Barack Obama announced today that he is taking the unprecedented and troubling step of forming a federal advisory committee to be made up mostly of religious leaders. Also of great concern, President Obama will increase federal funds going to religious organizations without first changing the Bush-era rules allowing federally-funded religious organizations to apply religious hiring tests to employees.
Big day in religion, kids. Check this space for updates on the DeMint amendment vote.
UPDATE: DeMint amendment failed!
Feb 5th, 2009 at 10:44pm
you are un american. period !!!!!
Feb 5th, 2009 at 10:45pm
cant take the truth?????
Feb 6th, 2009 at 4:36am
Please help the hard working women of Lafayette College. Six women have come forth to stop sexual harassment at the college. The pervert responsible for sexually harassing these women was sentenced to 18 months probation in a plea bargain. How could such a plea bargain be available this scares me. The man accused of the harassment is basically walking away untouched. He got his rocks off for years at these women’s expense. This man was put in a position to protect the college, its employees, and its students. Below are the local newspapers links to the articles. Please help these women return to there jobs. These women were scared to come forth because the man responsible carried a gun and must have had some kind of connection with college considering he worked there for 20 years. Lafayette is trying to sweep this under the rug and its working. I hope the ACLU can help these women and make it known that these type of actions will not just be swept under the table.
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b4_3lafayette.676928 1feb04,0,2728419.story
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/i ndex.ssf/2009/02/sixth_woman_files_civil_lawsui.html
Feb 6th, 2009 at 2:56pm
Justice4ALL - Why don't you call, write, e-mail, or visit the closest ACLU office rather than hope they will read the blog and take it upon themselves to act?
david - what are you trying to say? Please add a comment with more information to get your point across.
Feb 6th, 2009 at 6:29pm
Im trying to say that Lafayette College is doing everything possible to keep this hush hush. I believe the college supported this officer for a reason that has yet to be uncovered. Im new to this so I emailed everyone I possibly could. I figured if i posted this in a few blogs i could get a little help bringing the college under fire.
Nov 25th, 2009 at 7:26am
http://www.picktorrent.com
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