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Really agonizing about re-joining the ACLU

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PlanetBev Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 04:40 PM
Original message
Really agonizing about re-joining the ACLU
I've been gettng "Where are You?" appeal after appeal from the ACLU. I'm balking because it's my understanding that the ACLU supported the Citizens United ruling. Is that true? In spite of all they're great work, I don't know if I can justify giving money to an organization that supported that ruling. I consider Citizens United to be the final nail in Democracy's coffin.

I don't have much money and would rather support Planned Parenhood and other orginizations with what little I have.
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joeunderdog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 04:42 PM
Response to Original message
1. They will STALK and harrass you until you die.
I gave $50 during BushCo years and have not stopped receiving mail from them. Unbelievable.
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ReggieVeggie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 04:42 PM
Response to Original message
2. If you believe in the ACLU, it's probable they'll do something you'll disagree with
the question is, do you believe in their overall efforts?
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hlthe2b Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 04:59 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. On balance they do a lot more that I am supremely grateful for...
than defend issues that cause me heartache. I'd hate to think of NOT having them around, so whenever I have the $$, I will give.
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Ezlivin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 04:48 PM
Response to Original message
3. After your first waterboarding, you'll reconsider
Although I can understand the constraints of a budget.
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elleng Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 04:58 PM
Response to Original message
4. I wouldn't say they supported the ruling, but rather the principle
behind it, that government should not hamper any 'speech.' I agree with your conclusion about the effect of Citizens United. First Amendment has NEVER been easy. Your choice.
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Bucky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 05:29 PM
Response to Original message
6. They fight for your freedom. But as they say in the ACLU... "Freedom isn't free"
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mdmc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 05:30 PM
Response to Original message
7. re-join yo
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DavidDvorkin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 05:33 PM
Response to Original message
8. Yes, the ACLU did support that ruling
But as another poster said, you're bound to disagree with some of what the ACLU does. So for, for me, the good they do outweighs this one thing.
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Rabblevox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 05:44 PM
Response to Original message
9. Here's their statement on Citizens United. I disagree, but on the balance...
they have done far more for good than ill, IMO.

http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/citizens-united-v-federal-election-commission
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Upton Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 05:49 PM
Response to Original message
10. .I get my share of mailings from the ACLU..
I assume because I subscribe to Mother Jones, but until they get off their hypocritical high horse and support the ENTIRE Bill of Rights..they can stick it.
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Puregonzo1188 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 05:53 PM
Response to Original message
11. I will always give to the ACLU, because they are one of the few groups where I can see the effects
of what they've done. The list of important cases that have set precedents expanding and defending civil liberties. Our world would be very different without them. I can't say that about very many groups.

That being said the Citizens United stuff pisses me off, but I agree with them overwhelming more than I disagree with them (I can only think of one or two cases that after almost a 100 years as an organization that bother me) and like I said they do have some degree of efficacy--despite what some anarchist told me once.
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PlanetBev Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 05:54 PM
Response to Original message
12. It's a tough call
I support their overall mission, but CU was hell to swallow. They're about to file a lawsuit against that horrible anti-choice bill that the governor just signed in South Dakota, so I'll probably end up throwing a few sheckles their way.
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Dollface Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 06:07 PM
Response to Original message
13. Here is a link to their Amicus Brief which offers a more in-depth explanantion of their position.
http://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/scotus/citizensunited_v_fec_acluamicus.pdf

"Section 203 was a poorly conceived effort to restrict political speech..."

The ACLU has consistently taken the position that section 203 (of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002) is facially unconstitutional under the First Amendment because it permits the suppression of core political speech.

And yes, I am a card-carrying member. Whenever I disagree with one of their positions I look for a more in depth explanation. It is very educational.
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Puregonzo1188 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 06:12 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. Yeah, it a very specific issue they had--not the broad sweeping ruling made by
the Court or even argued by Citizens United.

While I deplore the ruling I can kind of see the ACLU's argument.

They were concerned about advocacy groups (like themselves) running issue ads during an election. Under Nixon the FEC went after the ACLU for publishing an ad in favor of busing during an election year, saying it was campaigning. Stuff like that is very clearly a threat to free speech. Citizens United on the other hand...
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rustydog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-22-11 06:47 PM
Response to Original message
15. I will always support the ACLU. I may not always agree with them
Like when they defended and won for Rush limbaugh. As much as I hate him, he has the same rights as me and the ACLU is consistent in that respect.
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