Help defend the ACLU

I know a few people that like to bash the ACLU. Most recently I heard it refered to it as the "Democratic ACLU" and blamed for protecting pedophile's right to look at child porn on tax payer funded computers in public libraries.

I view the ACLU as protecting the rights of everyone and accept the fact that sometimes people will use their rights to do things we'd rather tham not do. Occasionally the ACLU takes a case that makes for juicy news like protecting the rights of Nazis to March or preventing a Christian group from misusing school property to promote religion. The media uses these case for viewers and it leaves average people with a distorted view of what the ACLU is about.

I remember a case where Scientific American wanted to fire a writer because he was a creationist. The ACLU went to bat for him on religious freedom grounds. And of course we all know how the ACLU supported Rush Limbaugh to keep his medical records private.

I assume that somewhere, someone has compiled a list of such cases taken by the ACLU. Cases where they helped those that you would not expect from an organization if you assume they're liberal.

Anyone have pointerst to such a list?

by the ACLU. http://www.aclu.org/interactive/100greatest/interface.html

Everyone should be aware of the ACLU's long history in defending the Constitution!

... but while I would cheer these cases many of them are exactly what people expect from the ACLU. Not many expect them to support a creationist who wants a job at a science magazine.

Cases like that would have more impact on a detractor.

but in WV the ACLU defended the KKK's right to march in Fayetteville, WV a few years ago. The ACLU attorney handling the case just happened to be black. The big question was whether or not the Grand Whatever was going to shake his hand when introduced. He did.

http://www.aclusandiego.org/100_greatest_hits/

Now let me describe how I think an ACLU basher sees these cases:



The ACLU sides with the criminals against law enforcement



ACLU sides with lazy welfare recipients over the rights of states



ACLU supports the gay agenda



The ACLU protects pr0n and perverts.




The ACLU promotes drug use

and so on.

That's why I'm looking for, I guess they'd be smaller cases, like the Rush Limbaugh case. Where the ACLU takes cases some liberals secretly wish they wouldn't take. You know, some case that preserves gun rights, or protects Christians from persecution from atheists.

I'm assuming such a list must exist

Lovell v. Griffin
In this case on behalf of Jehovah's Witnesses, a Georgia ordinance prohibiting the distribution of "literature of any kind" without a City Manager's permit, was deemed a violation of religious liberty.

They are free to put their literature anywhere.

Terminiello v. Chicago
In this exoneration of a priest convicted of disorderly conduct for giving a racist, anti-semitic speech, Justice William O. Douglas stated, "the function of free speech under our system of government is to invite dispute."

They are free to spout their hate.

Organization for Better Austin v. Keefe
An injunction against the distribution of leaflets in an entire residential suburb was struck down on the grounds that the privacy interests of the residents did not justify such a sweeping restraint.

Same as above: free to distribute literature.

McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission
A state prohibition against the anonymous distribution of political campaign literature violated the right to anonymous free speech.

Allows 'swift-boating'.

Hurley v. Irish American Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Group of Boston
Upheld the right of private groups to exclude participants from their parades who do not share the values and message the parade sponsors wish to communicate.

Allows their bigotry to show.

So, it's about equal in what the ACLU does. It's simply there to defend our freedoms and Constitutional rights.

... I'm a "card carrying member". They get my money every year.

I thought I could put together a list of cases that don't make the news to counter the media's portrayal of the ACLU as a liberal attack dog.

Thanks for your help.