Well, the reason I asked that farcical question is that a LOT of people don;t know what the ACLU does, other than the high profile cases that make Rush or Fox or something similar.
Most people know nothing of things like a series of lawsuits the ACLU files several years ago over religious freedom. Three cases in particular: In one a Jewish student was suspended for wearing a Star of David (the school had labeled it a “gang symbol”). Another case in Indiana or Illinois a student suspended for wearing a Wiccan Pentacle (another alleged “gang symbol”. And the teacher’s aide in PA fired for wearing a Cross. Three cases, three different schools, three different religions (including Christian) and the ACLU filed on behalf of all 3.
Most folks know things like the Sante Fe Independent School case about prayer before a football game froma few years ago. Again, while the ACLU was blasted for their position in the case, they were coming down on the side of INDIVIDUAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. And I am sorry, but I consider that to be a VERY worthy cause.
The ACLU has also been just about the ONLY major group fighting against the excessive confiscation and unwarranted search laws that have been the sad legacy of the War on Drugs… searches conducted and property confiscated until the victim was able to PROVE innocence… a practice that is Bass Ackward for this nation; but none the less has basically only been being fought by the ACLU.
Do they get things whacked out from time to time? Sure. Are they liberal? In terms of social liberties, DAMN SKIPPY they are!
But you know what? This country was FOUNDED on social liberalism… Quakers who could not legally practice their religion in Europe so they came here to be able to be independent and worship as they wished; businessmen who fled the entrenched systems of Old Europe to try new ideas… ideas that made us the best nation on Earth for many decades.
And to be honest, I LIKE knowing that the ACLU is out there fighting for my right to do as I wish in my bedroom, on my land, and in my church. And I think it is sad that a group like the ACLU has to be around to FIGHT that fight, since my government was originally founded to perform that service for me.