Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:Joe Paterno

2010-12-20T21:37:44Z

EdS:

*A legendary figure in the game, he has won numerous coaching awards and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Paterno is also a major philanthropist in central [[Pennsylvania]], having donated more than four million dollars despite drawing a relatively small salary in light of his stature. He is the namesake of a wing of Penn State's main library building.

*Paterno has espoused conservative political positions. He was a close friend of former presidents [[Gerald Ford]] and [[George H.W. Bush]], delivering a spirited endorsement speech for the latter at the 1988 RNC. Paterno stresses conservative values among his players, and his teams regularly boast the highest graduation rates and lowest crime rates in the Big Ten.

All the above needs sources. Did you you write it yourself, or are you quoting? Which values does he stress ... surely not all of them (we don't even have a list at CP). Don't be vague: what's a "spirited endorsement"? Etc. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 16:34, 20 December 2010 (EST)

:Sure, I will cite sources. Of course I wrote it myself, I'm not a plagiarist and it's my understanding that mere quoted text is not appropriate for an article.
:Could you clarify what you mean about improving "spirited endorsement"? I mean he gave an endorsement speech which was quite impassioned. You can find the text online if you're really interested, but I don't see any reason to expand on this... --[[User:EdS|EdS]] 16:37, 20 December 2010 (EST)

User talk:EdS/Bryan Fischer

2010-12-20T21:33:42Z

EdS: To Ed Poor: does Conservapedia have a policy that articles requiring further expansion should not be in main space? I'm not sure why you moved this.

Don't just say he "upheld" values: say what value he upheld, and how. Did he, for example, say that the traditional marriage of one man and one women is (a) better for children or (b) to be preferred because it's in the Bible, or what? --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 16:31, 20 December 2010 (EST)

:Perhaps I will add that in the future, but it was my understanding that short articles requiring expansion are welcome on Conservapedia. Is this not the case? --[[User:EdS|EdS]] 16:33, 20 December 2010 (EST)

Cliff Kincaid

2010-12-20T21:28:52Z

EdS: correct formatting of quote -- not long enough to be a block quote

'''Cliff Kincaid''' is the director of [[Accuracy in Media]]. He criticized recent liberal attempts to overturn the [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]] policy, saying "The revelations of [[Bradley Manning|Manning's]] openly pro-homosexual conduct suggest that a more liberal Department of Defense policy, in deference to the wishes of the Commander-in-Chief, had already been in effect and has now backfired in a big way."<ref>[http://www.usasurvival.org/ck08.01.10.html USA Survival]</ref>

Kincaid has criticized the [[Obama administration]], calling Obama an "agent of influence for the international Marxist movement" and proposing a [[HUAC|House Internal Security Committee]] to investigate the "un-American activities" of the administration.

== References ==
<references/>

Talk:Cliff Kincaid

2010-12-20T21:27:54Z

EdS:

#Say who they are, first, before talking about their politics
#What [[activism]] has Kincaid been involved in

Sounds more like you were trying to smear the guy than describe him. Why call him a "a conservative activist"? --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 16:22, 20 December 2010 (EST)

:I called him a conservative activist because he is a conservative and an activist -- which of these do you take issue with? I'm certainly not trying to smear him; indeed I find most of his positions quite admirable. --[[User:EdS|EdS]] 16:27, 20 December 2010 (EST)

Cliff Kincaid

2010-12-20T21:27:12Z

EdS: added cite for widely-reported quote

'''Cliff Kincaid''' is the director of [[Accuracy in Media]]. He criticized recent liberal attempts to overturn the [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]] policy
* "The revelations of [[Bradley Manning|Manning's]] openly pro-homosexual conduct suggest that a more liberal Department of Defense policy, in deference to the wishes of the Commander-in-Chief, had already been in effect and has now backfired in a big way."<ref>[http://www.usasurvival.org/ck08.01.10.html USA Survival]</ref>

Kincaid has criticized the [[Obama administration]], calling Obama an "agent of influence for the international Marxist movement" and proposing a [[HUAC|House Internal Security Committee]] to investigate the "un-American activities" of the administration.

Eagle Forum Live

2010-12-20T21:24:01Z

EdS: Created page with "'''Eagle Forum Live''' is a [http://www.eagleforum.org/radio/ weekly radio program] hosted by Phyllis Schlafly and hosting a variety of conservative guests. It is sponso..."

'''Eagle Forum Live''' is a [http://www.eagleforum.org/radio/ weekly radio program] hosted by [[Phyllis Schlafly]] and hosting a variety of [[conservative]] guests. It is sponsored by the [[Eagle Forum]].

Brad O'Leary

2010-12-20T21:22:39Z

EdS: the guest on Phyllis Schlafly's show on saturday: '''Brad O'Leary''' is a conservative author, best known for his book ''America's War on Christianity''.

'''Brad O'Leary''' is a conservative author, best known for his books ''The Audacity of [[Deceit]]'' and ''America's War on Christianity''. On [[Phyllis Schlafly]]'s [[Eagle Forum Live]] radio show, he observed that Obama's primary goal is "to replace the power of God with the power of government." He has warned that the [[Hate Crimes Prevention Act]] coupled with the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]'s widely-ridiculed designation of several [[conservative]] organizations as "hate groups" may lead to the government-ordered shutdown of various socially conservative activist organizations.

Court-martial

2010-12-20T21:06:15Z

EdS: This page seems not to exist. A great older entries use the term and should be linked here.

A '''court-martial''' is a military court created to try members of the armed forces under [[military]] [[law]].

User talk:EdS/Bradley Manning

2010-12-20T21:02:58Z

EdS: Bradley Manning, the WikiLeaker

'''Bradley Manning''' was a [[traitor]] who served in the [[United States Army]]. He currently faces a [[court-martial]] for releasing vast amounts of classified documents to [[WikiLeaks]]. He would have faced an early discharge, avoiding these problems, had the [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]] policy actually been enforced.

Cliff Kincaid

2010-12-20T20:59:11Z

EdS: Another in my series of social conservatives: "Cliff Kincaid is a conservative activist employed as a director of Accuracy in Media. "

'''Cliff Kincaid''' is a conservative activist employed as a director of [[Accuracy in Media]]. He is an also a prominent critic of recent liberal attempts to overturn the [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]] policy, writing "The revelations of [[Bradley Manning|Manning's]] openly pro-homosexual conduct suggest that a more liberal Department of Defense policy, in deference to the wishes of the Commander-in-Chief, had already been in effect and has now backfired in a big way."

Kincaid has also been a strong critic of the [[Obama administration]], calling Obama an "agent of influence for the international Marxist movement" and proposing a [[HUAC|House Internal Security Committee]] to investigate the "un-American activities" of the administration.

Cindy Jacobs

2010-12-20T20:36:19Z

EdS: '''Cindy Jacobs''' is a Christian Minister and conservative activist with Generals International

'''Cindy Jacobs''' is a [[Christian]] [[minister]] and [[conservative]] activist with Generals International. She is an advocate for increasing Christian values among government officials (within a democratic system). She envisions a future of "Davidic governmental anointing" in politics.

José Saramago

2010-12-20T03:10:31Z

EdS: '''José Saramago''' (1922-2010) was a Portuguese author who won the 1998 Nobel prize in literature

'''José Saramago''' (1922-2010) was a Portuguese author who won the 1998 Nobel prize in literature. His works generally present on allegorical take on historical events.

Saramago is an [[atheist]] and, yet more bizarrely, a [[Stalinist]]. His work ''The Gospel According to Jesus Christ'' was condemned as blasphemy by the Catholic church.

HTML to CSS

2010-12-20T02:52:47Z

EdS:

The following table is a translation of the features in [[HTML]] and [[CSS]] "coding".

{|border=1
|Feature
|HTML
|CSS
|Comment
|----
|bold
|
|font-weight: bold;
|
|----
|italic
|
|font-style: italic;
|
|----
|underline
|
|text-decoration: underline;
|
|----
|center text
|align=center
|text-align: center
|
|----
|background
|bgcolor=#E6D596
|background-color: #E6D596
|Do not use quotes around hex codes here!
|----
|capitalize words
|
|text-transform:capitalize;
|
|----
|}

[[category:html]]
[[Category:Computer tips]]

HTML to CSS

2010-12-20T02:52:33Z

EdS: Categorization

Ubuntu

2010-12-20T02:50:59Z

EdS: Mark Shuttleworth is probably not a billionaire and certainly didn't "invent" SSL

Ubuntu is a community-developed, free, [[Linux]]-based operating system. The name, which comes from an [[African]] [[philosophy]], means '[[Humanity]] to others', or 'I am what I am because of who we all are'.
[[Image:Gnomesword large.png|right|thumb|250px|Screenshot of Ubuntu [[Christian]] Edition.]]

==Features==
Ubuntu is based on the [[free software|free]] [[Linux]] [[kernel]] and a snapshot of the Debian program tree. It focuses on ease of use.

Ubuntu comes by default with many useful programs, including [[OpenOffice.org|OpenOffice]], [[Bluetooth]], [[Mozilla Firefox]], and (new in version 9.10) [[Ubuntu One]], a free online data backup service. Ubuntu also offers users the Ubuntu Software Center, which allows them to easily download many free programs, ranging from [[solitaire]] games to [[Integrated Development Environments]]. It has an increasing number of device drivers which allow it to run on most computers.

While installing Ubuntu has traditionally required burning the program image to a [[CD-ROM]], a program called [http://wubi-installer.org Wubi] allows people to install it from inside their current operating system, just like a normal program.

Since [[Microsoft Windows]] has the dominant market share, most [[computer virus|computer viruses]] are written for Windows. Therefore, users of [[Linux]] operating systems like Ubuntu do not need [[antivirus]] software.

==History==
Ubuntu is written by Canonical Ltd., a company owned by [[Mark Shuttleworth]], a South African entrepreneur. The first version, called Warty Warthog<ref>https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WartyWarthog</ref>, was released in October 2004. Since then, Canonical has released a new version of Ubuntu every six months. The current version, Karmic Koala, can be downloaded for free from the Ubuntu website<ref>http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download</ref>.

It is difficult to measure how many people use Ubuntu, because anyone can freely redistribute copies. However, it has become very popular for low-cost [[netbook]] computers.

==Ubuntu Christian Edition==
Ubuntu [[Christian]] Edition, an enhanced free version of Ubuntu, offers many features for devout Christians. The Christian Edition includes parental controls and a rich selection of [[Bible]] [[software]]. It also comes with office and productivity software, financial management programs, and inspiring Christian artwork.

The standard version uses the [[GNOME Desktop|GNOME desktop]] environment. Other official versions include "Kubuntu", which uses [[KDE]] and "Xubuntu", which uses [[XFCE]].

This edition may also serve as an alternative who don't want an atheistic Linux distribution, which might leave out Bible software, parental controls, and other moral features. ([[Richard Stallman]], one of the major Linux programmers, is an atheist and suspected communist.)

==References==
{{reflist}}

* [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Official Site]
* [http://ubuntuce.com/ Ubuntu Christian Edition]
* [http://wubi-installer.org/ Wubi installer]

[[Category:Computer Science]] [[Category:Operating Systems]]

Vista (operating system)

2010-12-19T23:49:33Z

EdS: Move to other page, as was discussed at considerable length in the comment which accompanied my Previous Edit.

'''Windows Vista''' is the next-to-latest version of [[Microsoft]]'s flagship operating system, superseded in 2009 by [[Windows 7]]. It comes in 6 different versions: Ultimate, Home Premium, Home Basic, Starter, Business and Enterprise edition. All versions except Starter are available for both 32-bit and 64-bit processor types. Business users are also entitled to downgrade to [[Windows XP]] for compatibility with old applications.
[[Image:Windows vista 006-ig.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Windows Vista's Aero interface with gadgets on the right side.]]
==Features==
All versions of Vista comes with Windows DVD Maker, .NET Framework 3.0, [[DirectX 10]], Windows Sidebar, Backup and Restore Center, Windows Mail, Windows Calendar, Windows Photo Gallery, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Meeting Space, Windows SideShow, Speech recognition, Windows Contacts, Windows Media Player 11.

A new technology called SuperFetch is included in Windows Vista, which analyzes the usage pattern of a user then decides on which content should be loaded into system memory at any given time. A primitive version of SuperFetch called Prefetch is actually included in Windows XP.

Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Vista comes with BitLocker Drive Encryption feature that allows real-time encryption of an entire hard-drive partition using 128-bit [[Advanced Encryption Standard|AES]] encryption. The encryption key itself can be stored in the Trusted Platform Module chip on a computer's motherboard or in a [[USB]] key.

Vista also includes [[Digital Rights Management]] (DRM) software which is designed to prevent [[Copyright Infringement|illegal copying]] of programs. This feature has engendered much controversy as users have reported it prevents legitimate uses.

Vista also pioneered User Account Control, a new feature designed to help prevent [[computer virus]]es and other [[malware]]. When a program tries to perform functions that require [[system administrator]] privileges, the operating system shows the user a confirmation box. If the user himself does not have system administrator privileges, he is required to enter an administrator password; otherwise, he must click an "OK" box. This feature has been criticized for irritating users legitimately trying to perform these operations.

==Hardware Requirements==
According to Microsoft, a computer needs to have at minimum an 800 MHz processor, 512 MB RAM to run Windows Vista. And in order to take advantage of Vista's new Aero graphical user interface, one needs a computer with a 1.0 GHz processor, 1 GB memory, and a DirectX 9 or Directx 10 graphics card with at least 128 MB memory and supports Microsoft's new Windows Display Driver Model.

==External Links==
* [http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.mspx Microsoft Windows Vista Official Website]

[[Category:Operating Systems]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]

Move mysql column

2010-12-19T23:34:23Z

EdS:

alter table tablename modify `columnname` int(10) unsigned NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT first;

==See Also==
[[DBMS]]
[[Category:Computer tips]]

32-bit Windows

2010-12-19T23:33:53Z

EdS:

32-bit Windows is a version of Windows that uses 32 bits of data to be processed in parallel.

'''Am I running 32-bit Windows?'''
* Users ask this question when downloading software, if there are separate versions for 64-bit and 32-bit Windows.
* In Vista, open the System control panel by right-clicking Computer and choosing Properties (either on the Start Menu or in Windows Explorer)

[[Category:Operating Systems]][[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Computer tips]]

Category:Computer tips

2010-12-19T23:33:20Z

EdS: Created page with "'''Computer tips''' are facts that may help ''Conservapedia'' users make more effective use of their machines."

'''Computer tips''' are facts that may help ''Conservapedia'' users make more effective use of their machines.

False error messages

2010-12-19T23:32:36Z

EdS: Categorization

'''False error messages''' in Microsoft software cause distress and confusion for its users, but Microsoft has no plans to correct any of these.

For example, when you try to send an email with attached files, and a Microsoft application (like Word or Excel) has any of the attached files open, Microsoft Mail will say that it "cannot locate" the open files. This is false, because is not having trouble locating the files; it has simply been told that the files are in use. The false message causes distress, because the user might think the file has been deleted or misplaced. It causes confusion, because it implies that the files need to be found. To remedy this error, they need only be closed (in whatever application has them open); then the email can be sent.

[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Computer tips]]

Windows bugs

2010-12-19T23:32:13Z

EdS: cat

'''Windows bugs''' prevent users from completing several ordinary tasks in the Windows operating system.
Large numbers of these are encountered by users in the field, due to inadequate quality control and [[beta testing]]. A list of outstanding bugs follows this introduction.

[[Microsoft]] has periodically released bug fixes via [[hotfix]]es (see [[patch (computing)]]) and [[service pack]]s. It is a byword in the software industry that no Microsoft product is considered stable until the third service pack.

==Bug list==


#Taskbar flashing:
#:Try exiting one of the icons on the right end of the taskbar (see [[Notification area]])
#Text tool is grayed out in MS Paint
#:Workaround: If you set magnification other than 100%, the text tool is grayed out. Change magnification back to 100% and the text tool will be unlocked. [http://www.eggheadcafe.com/conversation.aspx?messageid=32411212&threadid=32057568]
#In [[Windows Vista]] SP1 or [[Windows Server 2008]], when you try to play a video by using embedded RealNetworks [[RealPlayer]] 11 in [[Internet Explorer]] 8 Beta, you are prompted to download RealPlayer even though RealPlayer is successfully installed. [http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd335033.aspx]
#While moving desktop objects in Windows XP, they will sometimes leave half-greyed "ghost icons" on the screen, which can only be removed by moving the original icon again.

==Security in general==
Numerous security holes in every version of Windows have allowed the spread of [[computer virus|viruses]], trojans, and other malware, including massive "botnets" of infected computers.

==Comparisons==
Estimates of the number, severity, and response times to bugs in different operating systems are a frequent source of debate among advocates for those systems, particularly [[Windows]], [[Mac OS X]], and [[GNU/Linux]]. Fans of Windows maintain that Microsoft's operating system has the fewest bugs and most effective response because of its corporate backing and huge force of professional developers. On the other hand, supporters of Linux argue that because of Linux's [[open source]] nature, critical security bugs are corrected more quickly, and the vast majority of bugs are quickly dealt with by interested programmers. Independent studies have generally upheld the view that Linux's developers respond more quickly to security problems, while the situation is much less clear for bugs related to individual programs.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Computer tips]]

CSS underline

2010-12-19T23:31:23Z

EdS: Categorize, Again For Ease of Navigation

The '''CSS underline''' property is defined by text-decoration: underline;

[[Category:Computer tips]]

User:EdS/Bryan Fischer

2010-12-19T23:28:02Z

EdS: /* Homosexuality */ Add New Hyperlink To Ease User Navigation

'''Bryan Fischer''' is the Director of Issues Analysis for the [[American Family Association]], hosting a talk radio program and posting on the AFA-run blog Rightly Concerned. Although a product of [[Stanford University|Stanford university]], he has become a leading but occasionally controversial spokesman for socially [[conservative values]]. Fischer has consistently and unapologetically upheld conservative values and is an advocate of a consistent [[Biblical worldview]] in all aspects of life. He is also active in politics at the local level in his home state of [[Idaho]].

== Positions ==

=== Homosexuality ===
Fischer strongly opposes the [[homosexual agenda]], taking positions that many more prominent politicians are afraid to vocalize for fear of falling afoul of liberal [[political correctness]]. Fischer has joined ''Conservapedia'' among the few prominent conservative outlets to discuss the connection between [[Homosexuality in Nazi Germany|homosexuality and the rise of Adolf Hitler]].

=== The Ten Commandments ===
Fischer founded the ''Keep the Commandments Coalition'' dedicated to preserving a monument to the ten commandments on public land in [[Boise]]. He was opposed by the [[ACLU]] and other liberal groups.

=== Life ===
Fischer strongly supports a [[culture of life]] in all its aspects. He opposes abortionists and all forms of death panels.

=== Environmentalism ===
Fischer has attacked environmentalist claims head-on. He promotes the documentary [[Resisting the Green Dragon]] and places human and societal welfare as the most important issues. After a grizzly bear killed in a visitor in [[Yellowstone National Park]], Fischer called for an "open season" on these animals.

=== Islam ===
Fischer is a sometimes outspoken critic of Islam and its adherents and has regularly been dismissed as a bigot by advocates of [[multiculturalism]]. He has argued that Islamic values are incompatible with a democratic state, saying that "simple Judeo-Christian compassion dictates a restriction and repatriation policy with regard to Muslim immigration into the U.S."

Joe Paterno

2010-12-19T23:21:36Z

EdS: "has been the coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions football team since 1966"

'''Joe Paterno''' has been the coach of the [[Penn State]] Nittany Lions football team since 1966, compiling a 401-143-3 record and winning two national championships. A legendary figure in the game, he has won numerous coaching awards and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Paterno is also a major philanthropist in central [[Pennsylvania]], having donated more than four million dollars despite drawing a relatively small salary in light of his stature. He is the namesake of a wing of Penn State's main library building.

Paterno has espoused conservative political positions. He was a close friend of former presidents [[Gerald Ford]] and [[George H.W. Bush]], delivering a spirited endorsement speech for the latter at the 1988 RNC. Paterno stresses conservative values among his players, and his teams regularly boast the highest graduation rates and lowest crime rates in the Big Ten.

User:EdS/Bryan Fischer

2010-12-19T23:06:31Z

EdS: Edit; re-order list

'''Bryan Fischer''' is the Director of Issues Analysis for the [[American Family Association]], hosting a talk radio program and posting on the AFA-run blog Rightly Concerned. Although a product of [[Stanford University|Stanford university]], he has become a leading but occasionally controversial spokesman for socially [[conservative values]]. Fischer has consistently and unapologetically upheld conservative values and is an advocate of a consistent [[Biblical worldview]] in all aspects of life. He is also active in politics at the local level in his home state of [[Idaho]].

== Positions ==

=== Homosexuality ===
Fischer strongly opposes the homosexual agenda, taking positions that many more prominent politicians are afraid to vocalize for fear of falling afoul of liberal [[political correctness]]. Fischer has joined ''Conservapedia'' among the few prominent conservative outlets to discuss the connection between [[Homosexuality in Nazi Germany|homosexuality and the rise of Adolf Hitler]].

=== The Ten Commandments ===
Fischer founded the ''Keep the Commandments Coalition'' dedicated to preserving a monument to the ten commandments on public land in [[Boise]]. He was opposed by the [[ACLU]] and other liberal groups.

=== Life ===
Fischer strongly supports a [[culture of life]] in all its aspects. He opposes abortionists and all forms of death panels.

=== Environmentalism ===
Fischer has attacked environmentalist claims head-on. He promotes the documentary [[Resisting the Green Dragon]] and places human and societal welfare as the most important issues. After a grizzly bear killed in a visitor in [[Yellowstone National Park]], Fischer called for an "open season" on these animals.

=== Islam ===
Fischer is a sometimes outspoken critic of Islam and its adherents and has regularly been dismissed as a bigot by advocates of [[multiculturalism]]. He has argued that Islamic values are incompatible with a democratic state, saying that "simple Judeo-Christian compassion dictates a restriction and repatriation policy with regard to Muslim immigration into the U.S."

User:EdS/Bryan Fischer

2010-12-19T23:04:02Z

EdS: "he has become a leading but occasionally controversial spokesman for socially conservative values"

'''Bryan Fischer''' is the Director of Issues Analysis for the [[American Family Association]], hosting a talk radio program and posting on the AFA-run blog Rightly Concerned. Although a product of a Stanford university, he has become a leading but occasionally controversial spokesman for socially [[conservative values]]. Fischer has consistently and unapologetically upheld conservative values and is an advocate of a consistent [[Biblical worldview]] in all aspects of life. He is also active in politics at the local level in his home state of [[Idaho]].

== Positions ==

=== The Ten Commandments ===
Fischer founded the ''Keep the Commandments Coalition'' dedicated to preserving a monument to the ten commandments on public land in [[Boise]]. He was opposed by the [[ACLU]] and other liberal groups.

=== Islam ===
Fischer is a sometimes outspoken critic of Islam and its adherents and has regularly been dismissed as a bigot by advocates of [[multiculturalism]]. He has argued that Islamic values are incompatible with a democratic state, saying that "simple Judeo-Christian compassion dictates a restriction and repatriation policy with regard to Muslim immigration into the U.S."

=== Homosexuality ===
Fischer strongly opposes the homosexual agenda, taking positions that many more prominent politicians are afraid to vocalize for fear of falling afoul of liberal [[political correctness]]. Fischer has joined ''Conservapedia'' among the few prominent conservative outlets to discuss the connection between [[Homosexuality in Nazi Germany|homosexuality and the rise of Adolf Hitler]].

=== Life ===
Fischer strongly supports a [[culture of life]] in all its aspects. He opposes abortionists and all forms of death panels.

=== Environmentalism ===
Fischer has attacked environmentalist claims head-on. He promotes the documentary [[Resisting the Green Dragon]] and places human and societal welfare as the most important issues. After a grizzly bear killed in a visitor in [[Yellowstone National Park]], Fischer called for an "open season" on these animals.

ACLU

2010-12-19T22:57:23Z

EdS: /* Pornography */ creating link to page i am about to create

[[Image:Nghfuyr.png|right|thumb|Current logo of the ACLU.]]

The '''American Civil Liberties Union''' ('''ACLU''') is a [[leftist]], [[secular]]-[[Progressivism|progressive]] [[organization]]. It was run for its first 30 years by an [[United States of America|American]] named [[Roger Baldwin]], who helped found it in 1920. Baldwin supported communism, but later denounced it in his book, ''A New Slavery'', which condemned "the inhuman communist police state tyranny" [http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/unitarians/baldwin.html]). This organization pursues a [[leftist]] agenda that includes [[censoring]] [[prayer]] and recognition of [[God]] in public institutions, such as [[public schools]]. Currently, Anthony Romero is the first openly gay CEO to run the organization.

==Illegal Immigration==

The [[ACLU]] demanded $2.3 million in fees for challenging a law against [[illegal immigration]]. This demand "illustrates the circus the ACLU brought to this case," the Mayor of Hazelton, Pennsylvania said. "They had 20 attorneys sitting in the courtroom at a time, 16 of them doing nothing but running up the bill."<ref>http://www.centredaily.com/news/state/story/194756.html]</ref>

In the Hazleton case the ACLU persuaded a [[federal]] [[court]] to declare a municipal ordinance to be unconstitutional, even though other federal courts have upheld similar laws since then. The Hazleton case is on appeal.

The ordinance defines "illegal aliens", fines property owners for renting to them, fines business owners for hiring them, and bars businesses from selling them merchandise. It also requires government documents to be in English only, and requires documents from residents to city officials to be in English. <ref>ACLU Press Release: Hazleton Residents Sue to Halt Harsh Anti-Immigrant Law, August 15, 2006, retrieved 10/14/08 [http://www.aclupa.org/pressroom/hazletonresidentssuetohalt.htm]</ref>

==Censoring God==
The ACLU often insists that the [[Establishment Clause]] of the [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]] requires censorship of religious expression. In 2007, for example, the [[ACLU]] of [[Tennessee]] sought to stop prayer and prayer-related activities by the volunteer [[Praying Parents]]. ''Doe v. Wilson County Sch. Sys.'', 524 F. Supp. 2d 964 (M.D. Tenn. Nov. 9, 2007).
[[Image:ACLU and Islam.jpg|left|300px|It All Depends On Whose Church Is Being Separated]]

ACLU chapters frequently sue to compel removal displays of the [[Ten Commandments]] from public property. For example, in ''McCreary County v. ACLU'', 545 U.S. 844 (2005), the ACLU of Kentucky forced two counties to remove displays of the Ten Commandments from their courthouses. In another case ''Glassroth v. Moore'', 229 F. Supp. 2d 1290 (2002) the Alabama chapter sued [[Alabama]] [[Supreme Court]] [[Chief Justice]] Roy Moore to remove a Ten Commandments Monument, with Moore remarking "fearing that I would not obey his order, decided to threaten other state officials and force them to remove the monument if I did not do so". A threat of heavy fines was his way of coercing obedience to that order". In Utah, the ACLU even announced a scavenger hunt for anyone who could find a display of the Ten Commandments monument that the ACLU could demand be removed. The ACLU typically receives substantial legal fees from the government in each of these cases.

In 1994, the ACLU of New Jersey sued Jersey City, New Jersey to challenge a menorah and a Christmas tree at [[City Hall|city hall]]. A federal district judge declared the display to be unconstitutional, but the appellate court, in a 2-1 opinion written by now-Justice [[Samuel Alito]], found a modified display to be constitutional. ''ACLU of New Jersey v. Schundler'' (1999). Then-Judge Alito wrote, "government may celebrate Christmas in some manner and form, but not in a way that endorses Christian doctrine."

In 2007, the ACLU Foundation of Texas filed an [[amicus brief]] for removal of a longstanding monument to William Mosher outside Harris County Civil Courthouse because the statute contained a depiction of an open Bible. ''Staley v. Harris County'', 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 9296 (5th Cir. 2007). The court ruled that Harris County must pay attorneys fees to the [[Americans United For Separation of Church & State]], which often appears along with the ACLU in demanding removal of religious symbols from government property and censoring criticism of evolution in public school.

The ACLU demanded that Los Angeles County remove a tiny cross from the Los Angeles County seal, even though the seal contained nearly a dozen symbols including the Greek goddess Pomona standing on the shore of the Pacific Ocean -- about which the ACLU did not complain. The seal also displayed other California motifs, including the Spanish galleon San Salvador, a tuna fish, a cow, stars representing the movie and television industries, the Hollywood Bowl, oil derricks, and a pair of engineering instruments to represent Los Angeles' contributions to industrial construction and space exploration. The cross was a tiny part of the seal. But Los Angeles County gave into the ACLU's demands and spent $700,000 to censor the cross and replace it on all official government documents, publications and signage.

The ACLU of Louisiana demanded that a school board stop allowing an invocation to be said at the beginning of its meetings. In ''[[Doe v. Tangipahoa Parish School Bd.]]'' (2007), an [[en banc]] [[Fifth Circuit]] dismissed the claim for lack of proof that anyone had been injured or even offended by hearing these invocations.

In the ACLU's quest to attack the Christian religion any chance it gets, they are suing in Alaska courts to remove the property tax exemption from church owned properties. <ref>[http://www.theacru.org/acru/aclu_doesnt_want_to_pay_taxes_expects_churches_to_pay_them/ ACLU Doesn't Want to Pay Taxes; Expects Churches to Pay Them] The American Civil Rights Union</ref>

An Indiana judge has upheld the issuance of license plates bearing the message "In God We Trust," dismissing a constitutional challenge by the ACLU. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351721,00.html Indiana Judge Dismisses ACLU Challenge, Upholds 'God' License Plate] AP, April 18, 2008</ref>

The ACLU persuaded the Ninth Circuit to forbid Congress from transferring a cross to private owners who would preserve it in the Mojave Desert, in Buono v. Kempthorne <ref>[http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/5E8062E92D0210668825734D007E25AA/$file/0555852.pdf?openelement UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT] USCOURTS.GOV</ref>

The ACLU enlisted the Courts to have banned the private distribution of Bibles in public school. The federal Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued this ruling for the ACLU. Doe v. S. Iron R-1 Sch. Dist., 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 19818 (8th Cir. Aug. 21, 2007).

The Seventh Circuit ruled against the ACLU by overturning "a lower court's decision that sectarian prayers on the floor of the (Indiana) House violated the constitutional separation of church and state."

The ACLU offers "talking points" in case someone asks why the ACLU hates Christmas so much: Their official response, "We work year-round to ensure that everyone in America has the freedom to practice their own religion (or no religion) and to keep the government out of religion." <ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1686800,00.html No Ho Ho.] Time, November 21, 2007</ref>

A rural school district's long-standing practice of allowing the distribution of Bibles to grade school students is unconstitutional, a federal judge has ruled. For more than three decades, the South Iron School District in Annapolis, 120 miles southwest of St. Louis. The ACLU filed suit two years ago on behalf of four sets of parents. <ref>[http://www.wwrn.org/article.php?idd=27416&sec=36&cont=all Court Ends Bible Distribution in School] AP, January 9, 2008</ref>

==Censoring [[intelligent design|Intelligent Design]]==
In 2004, the ACLU filed [[Selman v. Cobb County School District]].<ref>ACLU: Parents Challenge Evolution Disclaimer In Georgia Textbooks [http://www.aclu.org/religion/schools/16381prs20041112.html]</ref> If the plaintiffs, five parents in the Georgia district, won the case, the school district would have to pay their lawyers. The ACLU argued <ref>ACLU Pretrial Brief in Selman et al v. Cobb County, 11/12/2004 [http://www.aclu.org/FilesPDFs/ACFB940.pdf]</ref> that the district had violated the [[Establishment clause]] of the [[U.S. Constitution]] by putting stickers in biology textbooks that said, "This textbook contains material on [[evolution]]. Evolution is a [[theory]], not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."<ref>Judge's Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District[http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/religion/selmancobb11305ord.pdf]</ref> The trial judge ruled in favor of the ACLU <ref>Judge's Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District[http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/religion/selmancobb11305ord.pdf]</ref>, but his ruling was vacated on appeal.<ref>Appeal Decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District[http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200510341.pdf]</ref> The case was eventually settled. The school district agreed to remove the stickers, to avoid altering science textbooks or making "any disclaimers regarding evolution", and to teach the state Board of Education's [[core curriculum]], which includes evolution, although that wasn't under dispute in the original suit. In addition, they paid $166,669.12 to Atlanta law firm Bondurant, Mixon & Elmore.<ref>"Agreement Ends Textbook Sticker Case", press release from Cobb County School District including settlement agreement [http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/news/2006/20061219_StickerAgreement.pdf]</ref> <ref>ACLU: Georgia School Board Drops Defense of Anti-Evolution Stickers[http://www.aclu.org/religion/intelligentdesign/27745prs20061219.html]</ref>

Another example of ACLU litigation was ''[[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District]].''<ref>Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District:
Decision of the Court, 400 F.Supp.2d 707 (M.D. Pa. 2005) [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dover/kitzmiller_v_dover_decision.html]</ref>, also known as the [[intelligent design]] case. The ACLU prevailed in prohibiting administrators from reading a short statement that mentions [[intelligent design]] to students, and forbade the school board from issuing a warning that Darwin's theory has gaps.<ref>''Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District,'' 400 F.Supp.2d 707.</ref> In his opinion, Judge [[John E. Jones III]] heavily relied on the later-vacated ruling in ''[[Selman v. Cobb County School District]]'', and on ACLU briefs.<ref>90% of the section on intelligent design was from the ACLU's briefs. A Comparison of Judge Jonesâ€™ Opinion in Kitzmiller v. Dover with Plaintiffsâ€™ Proposed â€œFindings of Fact and Conclusions of Lawâ€, by David DeWolf & John West, [[Discovery Institute]], December 12, 2006
[http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=3829&program=CSC - Views and News]</ref> He also cited the [[Establishment test]], the [[Lemon test]], and the [[reasonable student standard]].<ref>''Kitzmiller,'' 400 F. Supp. 2d at 725 (coming to the conclusion reached in ''Selman'' by the Court's own reasoning), ''compare'' Selman v. Cobb County Sch. Dist, 2006 U.S. App. LEXIS 13005 (11th Cir. May 25, 2006) at *pincite needed*.</ref> The judge also ordered fees paid to the ACLU and its lawyers, totaling $2,067,000.<ref>''See'' 42 U.S.C. s 1988 (describing relief afforded victorious plaintiff of a 1983 action as including attorney fees).</ref>

==Harming the Boy Scouts==

The ACLU filed a lawsuit to prohibit the federal government from continuing to allow the [[Boy Scouts]], a charitable organization for teenagers, to use an Army base in Virginia for a quadrennial gathering known as the Boy Scout Jamboree; in 2005, more than 40,000 Boy Scouts attended this event.

Although the Boy Scouts have been conducting this Jamboree on government property for 70 years, this lawsuit was not filed until 1999, after the Boy Scouts enforced its policy against having openly homosexual Scout leaders. The theory of the lawsuit was that because Scouts swear an oath of "duty to God," it violates the Establishment Clause for the government to allow this joint project.

A federal district court ruled for the ACLU, but the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit overturned the lower court ruling that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the suit which will allow the government to continue to sponsor this event for the Boy Scouts.<ref>See [[Essay:Boy Scouts Rout ACLU]]</ref>

== Pornography ==

In [[Ashcroft v. ACLU]] (2004), the ACLU challenged and invalidated the [[Child Online Protection Act]], which would have required pornographers to take reasonable steps to restrict access by minors to pornography on the Internet. The Act, which the Supreme Court struck down at the request of the ACLU, did not censor a single word or picture. It merely required the pornographers to screen their websites from minors, which can be done by credit card or other verification.

The ACLU often argues in favor of pornography before courts and administrative boards. Charles Rust-Tierney was an executive for the ACLU of Virginia who argued against the use of Internet filters on the computers at the Loudoun County Library Board:<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55983</ref>

:"The ACLU of Virginia urges the board to carefully consider a new Internet Use Policy that allows for maximum Internet access ...."

Rust-Tierney, who served as the Virginia ACLU president until 2005, was serving on its board of directors when he was arrested in February 2007 for possession of child pornography that a U.S. magistrate described as "the most perverted and nauseating and sickening type of child pornography" she ever had seen. The former Virginia ACLU president later entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to eight years in jail.<ref>''Ibid.''</ref>

The ACLU also recently forced a Nampa, Idaho public library to return two books to the shelves that many parents have found objectionable. ''The Joy of Sex'' and ''The Joy of Gay Sex'' were the subjects of a two-year legal battle to get them removed after a teenager found one in his home within reach of young children. "''The Joy of Gay Sex'' contains very graphic, leave[s] nothing to the imagination [with] depictions of every variety of homosexual sex imaginable", said [[Bryan Fischer]], one of the litigants to get the books removed. "It even has a chapter in it entitled 'Daddy/Son Fantasies.'" Other chapter titles include "Exhibitionism and Voyeurism," "Fisting," "Sex with Animals," and "Tearooms and Back Rooms." Referring to the ACLU's bullying tactics against the library, Fischer said "It's an abysmal state of affairs when a single letter from cultural thugs can undo two years of patient and pain-staking work." [http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=244332]

==Same-sex Marriage==

The ACLU of New Jersey filed an amicus curiae brief in favor of same-sex marriage and therefore the [[homosexual agenda]] in ''Lewis v. Harris'', 188 N.J. 415 (1006). The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in favor of civil unions, but by a 4-3 margin did not require same-sex marriage.

The ACLU sues schools when a student alleges encountering "anti-gay peer harassment and bullying based on his perceived sexual orientation." <ref>http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/28618prs20070221.html</ref> The ACLU holds the school (and hence the taxpayers) liable for actions based on conduct by some students towards others.

The ACLU of Minnesota sued to force the Osseo Area School District to grant equal access to the schools public address (PA) system, yearbook, fundraising and field trips by a pro-homosexual school club named the Straights and Gays for Equality (â€œSAGEâ€).<ref>''Straights & Gays for Equality v. Osseo Area Schs.'', 471 F.3d 908 (8th Cir. 2006).</ref> The school district already had a club entitled "Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Trans-gender, Questioning and Allies," and already had a SAGE club, but SAGE was designated as non-curricular and wanted the additional rights of communication.

The ACLU invoked the Equal Access Act to argue that as long as the school district granted these rights to other clubs, such as cheerleading and synchronized swimming, it must grant these rights to SAGE also. No, the school district argued in defending its action, cheerleading is related to physical education while SAGE is not, and thus SAGE should not have the same rights. However, there were other non phys-ed sports that got funding.

The district court ruled in favor of the ACLU, and the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit unanimously affirmed. The Court ordered the school district to give SAGE the same rights as the cheerleading club. The ACLU will be able to demand substantial attorneys' fees at taxpayer expense.

Similarly, the ACLU of Florida sued the Okeechobee School Board to force it to allow a Gay-Straight Alliance club at Okeechobee High School. Though the school objected to this club as a "sex-based" club, the ACLU persuaded a federal judge to rule in its favor, and it will likely recover substantial attorneys fees at taxpayer expense. See ''Gay-Straight Alliance of Okeechobee High Sch. v. School Board of Okeechobee County'', 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 25729 (S.D. Fla. Apr. 6, 2007).

==Conspicuously Absent==

The ACLU is known for going after the [[U.S.]] government with absolutely no evidence to prove otherwise, ACLU v. [[AT&T]] 2007. Though when it comes to actual data breaches and data abuse against a U.S. citizen, '''the ACLU is missing.''' Joe Wurzelbacher, a.k.a. ''Joe the Plumber'', had his personal and confidential records investigated without reason, by Democratic officials in Ohio, "[[Big Brother]]". <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov21/0,4670,JoeThePlumberRecords,00.html 4 more punished over 'Joe the Plumber' searches] Fox News, November 21, 2008</ref> Honest speculation is that the ACLU consists of partisan Democrats and ''Joe the Plumber'' was a [[Republican]], during a presidential election season. Questions remain and we can only guess as to their reasoning, their silence is deafening.

Also, the ACLU is absent from hate speech attacks against [[Carrie Prejean]]. Her right and her freedom of speech was violated. The ACLU is hiding fearful of Conservatives.

==Abortion==

The ACLU is generally against laws that restrict access to [[abortion]], such as parental notification when a minor seeks an abortion and informed consent for the woman herself. ACLU attorneys have argued several cases in support of abortion. For example, the woman called "Jane Doe" in the [[abortion]] case of ''[[Doe v. Bolton]]'' (1973) says "she was pressured by ACLU attorneys to opt for [[abortion]] and that the case was based on fraud."<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52210</ref>

==Polygamy==

The ACLU has defended [[polygamy|polygamists]].<ref>During a question-and-answer session after a speech at Yale University, ACLU president Nadine Strossen stated that her organization has "defended the right of individuals to engage in polygamy," [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44977 World Net Daily] June 25, 2005</ref><ref>
The ACLU views freedom of religion and the establishment clause as inseparable: In order for people to have religious freedom, their government must neither endorse nor prohibit any religious position.[http://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/16163prs19990716.html ACLU press release July 16 1999].</ref>

==Free Speech==

The ACLU is the single biggest legal advocate for pornography (see above), claiming that it is a form of [[free speech]]. Less significantly, the ACLU has also helped—or not helped—in the following cases:

*The ACLU rarely defends Christian speech, and virtually never defends speech that is critical of homosexuality. The ACLU was silent with respect to the widely publicized censorship of a T-shirt critical of homosexuality that was worn by student Tyler Chase Harper at his public school. "It's hard to explain the ACLU's apparent equanimity about the violation of Mr. Harper's First Amendment rights—unless you consider the content of his speech. This case does not appear to be anomalous. Despite its professed commitment to religious liberty, for example, the ACLU tends to absent itself from cases on college campuses involving the associational rights of Christian student groups to discriminate against gay students, in accordance with their religious beliefs."<ref>Wendy Kaminer, "The American Liberal Liberties Union," Wall Street Journal (May 23, 2007).</ref> Months ''after'' that stinging criticism, the ACLU filed a carefully worded [[amicus curiae]] brief in subsequent litigation in this case that defended Harper because he "neither substantially disrupted the school nor invaded the rights of other students."<ref>http://www.aclusandiego.org/article_downloads/000293/HarperAmicusDistrictCourtFinal.pdf . Buried in the brief near the end of an argument is the statement that "and because "to allow a [[Day of silence|Day of Silence]] one day while banning Mr. Harper's shirt the next day may give rise to an inference of viewpoint discrimination rather than justified regulation of student speech regardless of viewpoint"—but note that it does not argue that inference of viewpoint discrimination would be correct.</ref>

*In 1978, the ACLU defended the right of the National Socialist Party of America (neo-Nazi) to march through Skokie, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago that is a community of a large number of Jewish people and Holocaust survivors. The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the village to issue a permit for demonstration to the Nazi Party, which was never used, that was later upheld by the Supreme Court. The ACLU experienced a severe backlash over this case when membership dropped by 25% and plunged the organization $500,000 in debt. <ref> http://openweb.tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/1978-2/1978-02-23-NBC-6.html </ref> <ref> http://www.acluprocon.org/ACLUHistory/HistoryTable.html</ref>

*On January 16, 2008, the ACLU issued a statement supporting Sen. Larry Craig(R-ID) to have his guilty plea to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct in a Minnesota airport restroom withdrawn on the basis that a closed bathroom stall is a private location. While not advocating sex in public bathrooms, the ACLU suggested the police have better means of enforcing laws instead of using entrapment. <ref>http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/33697prs20080116.html</ref>

*In September 2000, the ACLU represented the North American Man/Boy Love Association when the parents of Jeffrey Curley, who was raped, tortured and murdered by two men, filed a $200 million federal lawsuit for wrongful death. John Roberts, the executive director of the Massachusetts ACLU stated, ''It's not a real popular case, but the First Amendment issues are clear.'' The case was dismissed on a technicality. A subsequent lawsuit filed against the murderers, who were not represented by the ACLU, was successful. Jeffrey Curley's father, Robert Curley, was sympathetic to the ACLU's opposition to his lawsuit. "I really do have a lot of respect for them, they are very consistent in who they defend. It takes a lot of nerve to defend the groups they have over the years. They have a lot of courage." <ref>http://sidesplitters.catastrophe.net/arch/2002/www.ageofconsent.com/comments/numberfortytwo.htm</ref> <ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0DE0D91530F932A3575AC0A9669C8B63</ref>

*The ACLU has been involved with lawsuits filed against Attorney Generals Reno, Ashcroft and Gonzales when fighting the enforcement of the Child Online Protection Act (COPA). Federal courts have consistently ruled COPA violates the constitutional protection of free speech and have forbidden enforcement by the federal government. The most current ruling on March 22, 2007 is being appealed.<ref> http://www.mediacoalition.org/legal/copa/index.htm </ref>

*In 1949, the ACLU defended Father Arthur Terminiello, an ex-Catholic priest, who gave a speech at a rally in Chicago that was laced with racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Communist comments. Father Terminiello was fined $100 for violating Chicago's breach of peace ordinance. This fine was later reversed by the Supreme Court. <ref> http://www.comm.unt.edu/faculty/terminiello_v.htm</ref> <ref> http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12808pub19941231.html</ref>

*The ACLU of Nevada successfully defended the right of a street preacher, Jim Webber, to proselytize his pro-Jesus, anti-sin, and occasional anti-homosexual messages on the Las Vegas strip. The unsuccessful campaign conducted by the casinos failed and allowed Webber and others to stay. Webber is quoted as saying, "the ACLU has been my guardian angel. They have been the ones that have provided the ability for me to stand on the street and talk with people about Jesus Christ." <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=548951&page=1</ref> <ref>http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-05-Sun-2006/news/6197557.html</ref>

*A pro-Israel student at Columbia University was intimidated by a professor who silenced her rebuttal in class of his claim that the Israelis committed a massacre in Jenin, the ACLU refused to help defend her free speech. Apparently, the ACLU fevorishly defends the free speech for Islam, but Jewish and Christian free speech is irrelevant. <ref>[http://www.conservativetruth.org/article.php?id=449 ACLU Is AWOL On Free Speech] Conservativetruth.org, April 7, 2008</ref>

==Free Exercise Clause==

The ACLU at times defends the religious rights of American citizens and residents. See 'ACLU Defense of Freedom of Religious Practice and Expression' at the ACLU's website for 60 examples of Christians and 45 examples of non-Christians represented by the ACLU to protect their religious rights. <ref> http://www.aclu.org/religion/govtfunding/26526res20060824.html </ref>

On March 14, 2008, the ACLU sent a letter to the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy of Inver Grove Heights Minnesota expressing their disapproval of alleged school sponsored prayer during school hours. Concerns were raised about alleged violations of the establishment clause and the 'Lemon Test' because 'â€¦ the school is improperly involved in promoting and facilitating after-school religious studies conducted under the auspices of the Mosque that is housed in the same building as the school.' Further inquiries are on-going. <ref> http://www.aclu-mn.org/downloads/LettertoTarekAcademy.pdf </ref> <ref> http://www.aclu-mn.org/home/news/aclumnopensinvestigationof.htm </ref>

==Prisoner and student rights==

In the 2007 case ''Spratt v. Rhode Island Department of Corrections'', the ACLU brought suit against the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institute following the prison's decision to bar Christian prisoner and lay minister Wesley Spratt from preaching to other inmates during weekly services. The ACLU won the case on appeal, securing the right for Spratt to hold religious services for other inmates so long as these do not conflict with prison security.<ref>ACLU: Appeals Court Overturns Ban on Christian Preacher in Rhode Island Prison (4/9/2007)[http://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/29578prs20070409.html]</ref>

In 2004, student Abbey Moler selected a bible verse to accompany her picture in a school yearbook. The school subsequently removed this text before publication. The ACLU filed suit against the Utica Community School District, on the grounds that this censorship violated Moler's first-amendment rights to free expression and freedom of religion. The case was settled out of court, with the school district agreeing to replace the verse in following prints of the yearbook and correct it by means of a sticker in copies still in its possession.<ref>ACLU: After ACLU Intervention on Behalf of Christian Valedictorian, Michigan High School Agrees to Stop Censoring Religious Yearbook Entries (5/11/2004)
[http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12845prs20040511.html]</ref><ref> The settlement between the ALCU and the school district stated:
* The district will place a sticker with Moler's original entry in the copies of the yearbook on file with the school.
* The district has instructed the Stevenson High School yearbook staff not to censor students' yearbook entries solely because they contain religious or political speech that others might find offensive.
* The district recently provided and will continue to provide in-service training and advice to school staff on free speech and religious freedom issues that arise in school.
* The district will write a letter of regret to Moler apologizing for the failure to include her entry in the yearbook.</ref>

==Medical Records==

The ACLU filed a friend-of-the-court brief in favor of the privacy of Rush Limbaugh in his medical records when he was under investigation for 'doctor shopping.' The ACLU argued that the privacy rights of a patient were being violated.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,108140,00.html</ref>

==Terrorism==

The ACLU has challenged the authority of the President to authorize wireless wiretaps of overseas communications without submitting to judicial oversight. In ''[[ACLU v. NSA]]'', the Court of Appeals for the [[Sixth Circuit]] rejected the ACLU's challenge. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288381,00.html U.S. Appeals Court in Ohio Dismisses Challenge of Bush Administration's Domestic Surveillance Program] AP, July 06, 2007</ref> Then the ACLU appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which was also rejected. <ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2008/02/19/america-1-aclu-0/ America, 1. ACLU, 0.] Michelle Malkin, February 19, 2008</ref> <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,331203,00.html Supreme Court Rejects ACLU Challenge to Warrantless Surveillance Program] AP, February 19, 2008</ref> In addition, the following describes the measures the ACLU has taken to weaken America in its fight with terrorists.

* Urging city councils across the United States to be non-compliant with the provisions of the [[Patriot Act]], which is an important tool to keep America safe from terrorism. <ref>[http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6145 ACLU] DiscoverTheNetworks.org</ref>

* Endorsed the Civil Liberties Restoration Act of 2004. Introduced by liberal Democrats in Congress, it is to roll back vital national-security policies that had been adopted after 9/11.

* Consistently opposed to all efforts of the US government to obtain information from terrorists it has captured, and to try [[terrorist]]s as "illegal enemy combatants." <ref>[http://www.theacru.org/acru/aclu_wants_the_us_to_lose_the_war_on_terrorism/ ACLU Wants the US to Lose the War on Terrorism] The American Civil Rights Union, March 15, 2008</ref>

* Lobbied against any policy that would authorize security personnel at airports and border checkpoints to scrutinize travelers from terrorism-sponsoring nations

* Opposes the Computer-Assisted Passenger Profiling System (CAPPS) used by airlines to check for various passenger characteristics that have historically been correlated with terrorist activities

* Condemning the detention of immigrants apprehended in connection with post-9/11 terrorism investigations

* Held rallies on behalf of an Intel software engineer named Maher Mofeid Hawash, who U.S. officials were keeping in custody on suspicion that he had given material support to Taliban and al Qaeda forces fighting American troops in Afghanistan

* Passionately defended Sami Al-Arian, the former North American head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). In an effort to thwart the U.S. government's investigation of Al-Arian's role in funding PIJ suicide bombings in Israel

* Came to the defense of radical attorney Lynne Stewart, who in February 2005 was convicted on charges that she had illegally "facilitated and concealed communications" between her client, the incarcerated "blind sheik" Omar Abdel Rahman, and members of his Egyptian terrorist organization, the Islamic Group, which has ties to al Qaeda

* The ACLU has launched a $8.5 million dollar effort to provide what are supposed to be "top notch" private counsel for the illegal enemy combatants facing military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay. Among those to be provided this assistance is the man who has, apparently, confessed to being the mastermind behind the attacks that took place on 9/11. <ref>[http://www.theacru.org/acru/aclu_aiding_americas_enemies_again/ ACLU Aiding America's Enemies, Again] The American Civil Rights Union</ref> <ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2008/04/04/the-aclu-assembles-a-terrorist-legal-defense-force-of-extraordinary-magnitude/ The ACLU assembles a terrorist legal defense force of extraordinary magnitude] Michelle Malkin, April 4, 2008</ref>

* ACLU lawyers had been present during interrogations of captured al Qaeda and Taliban enemy combatants who were being detained in Guantanamo Bay. These attorneys advised the inmates that they were under no obligation to answer military interrogators' questions

* ACLU attorney Noel Saleh "openly stated at a town hall meeting with federal officials that he has financially contributed to Hezbollah."

* The INS and the Justice Department instituted a program requiring males visiting the U.S. from Arab and Muslim nations to register with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The ACLU cried "discriminatory."

* Extremist calls for violent [[jihad]] were not uncommon in America's mosques. An FBI anti-terrorism initiative to count and document all mosques was again met with protests from the ACLU.

The ACLU's affiliations with terrorists are not restricted solely to foreigners. For instance, the organization named unrepentant [[Domestic terrorism|domestic terrorist]] [[Bill Ayers]] to its advisory board along with his wife [[Bernardine Dohrn]].

==Views of the ACLU Founder==

Roger Baldwin, a co-founder of the ACLU and its first leader, was born and raised in Massachusetts. He said that his "social work began in my mind in the Unitarian Church when I was ten or twelve years old, and I started to do things that I thought would help other people."

In the 1920 and 1930s Baldwin was sympathetic to the social goals and aspirations of the emerging communist nations. In 1934, he wrote that his position was "anti-capitalist and pro-revolutionary," adding:
{{cquote|I believe in non-violent methods of struggle as most effective in the long run for building up successful working class power. Where they cannot be followed or where they are not even permitted by the ruling class, obviously only violent tactics remain. I champion civil liberty as the best of the non-violent means of building the power on which workers rule must be based. If I aid the reactionaries to get free speech now and then, if I go outside the class struggle to fight against censorship, it is only because those liberties help to create a more hospitable atmosphere for working class liberties. ''The class struggle is the central conflict of the world; all others are incidental.''

'''Proletarian Liberty in Practice'''

''When that power of the working class is once achieved, as it has been only in the Soviet Union, I am for maintaining it by any means whatever''. Dictatorship is the obvious means in a world of enemies at home and abroad. I dislike it in principle as dangerous to its own objects. ''But the Soviet Union has already created liberties far greater than exist elsewhere in the world.'' They are liberties that most closely affect the lives of the people—power in the trade unions, in peasant organizations, in the cultural life of nationalities, freedom of women in public and private life, and a tremendous development of education for adults and children...<ref>Roger Baldwin, "[http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/blog/baldwin.pdf Freedom in the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R.]," ''Soviet Russia Today'' 3 (September 1934), p. 11 (Italics in original)</ref>}}

The following year, in the 1935 ''Harvard Class Book'', in a feature entitled "Thirty Years Later," spotlighting Baldwin's class of 1905 on its thirtieth anniversary, he wrote:
{{cquote|I am for socialism, disarmament and ultimately for abolishing the state itself as an instrument of violence and compulsion. I seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class and sole control by those who produce wealth. Communism is, of course, the goal.<ref>William H. McIlhany, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=99QUAAAAIAAJ The ACLU on Trial]'' (New Rochelle, N.Y.: Arlington House, 1976) ISBN 0870003372, p. 134</ref>}}

Under threat of being listed by the [[HUAC|Dies committee]] as a [[Communist front]] in the wake of the [[Nazi-Soviet pact]], the ACLU purged open members of the [[Communist Party]] from its board of directors in 1940,<ref>Samuel Walker, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=hdkrBVJ37I4C In Defense of American Liberties: A History of the ACLU]'' (Oxford University Press, 1990) ISBN 0809322706, pp. 129-130</ref> although its continued front activity caused a joint fact-finding committee of the California Legislature to report in 1943:
{{cquote|“The American Civil Liberties Union may be definitely classed as a Communist front or ‘transmission belt’ organization.”<ref>[http://ia331324.us.archive.org/3/items/reportofsenatefa00calirich/reportofsenatefa00calirich.pdf Communist Front Organizations], Fourth Report of the Senate Fact-Finding Committee On Un-American Activities, California Legislature, 1948, p.107 (PDF p. 117)</ref>}}

One member purged from the board was former [[Industrial Workers of the World|Wobbly]] Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, a [[CPUSA]] member. Flynn went on to become national chairman of the [[Communist Party]].<ref>Barbara Sicherman and Carol Hurd Green, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=CfGHM9KU7aEC Notable American Women: The Modern Period: A Biographical Dictionary]'' (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1980) ISBN 0674627334, p. 245</ref> Upon her death in [[Moscow]] in 1964, the [[Soviet Union]] gave her a full-scale state funeral in [[Red Square]].<ref>Rosalyn Fraad Baxandall, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=mqbaAAAAMAAJ Words on Fire: The Life and Writing of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn]'' (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1987) ISBN 0813512409, p. 71</ref> In 1976, the ACLU posthumously "reinstated" her on its board of directors.<ref>Paul Finkelman, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=YoI14vYA8r0C The Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties]'' (New York: Routledge, 2006) ISBN 0415943426, p. 49</ref>

In 1947 General Douglas MacArthur arranged for Baldwin to serve as a civil liberties consultant in Japan.

==See Also==
*[[Anti-Defamation League]]
*[[NAMBLA]]
*[[Fred Phelps]]
*[[Nadine Strossen]]
*[[Previous Breaking News/ACLU|Articles about the '''ACLU''' from previous "Breaking News" ]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External Links==
*[http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/blog/baldwin.pdf Baldwin speaks in defense of communism from 1934]
*http://www.aclu.org
*Anti-ACLU sites:
**http://www.stoptheaclu.com/
**http://www.aclj.org

{{liberalism}}
[[Category:Liberal Organizations]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category: Lunatics]]