I just joined the ACLU.

[STAGE 2]

So I joined. Within the next few days my wallet will simultaneously contain membership cards from the ACLU and the NRA. I hope it doesn't catch fire.

I doubt it will catch fire. Of course thats the beautiful thing about America. You as a citizen of this nation get to support groups that you think are worthwhile. Of course as a citizen myself, I get to exercise my freedom and point out your shortsightedness and ignorance of the decision you have just made.

Of course it is your decision, and I respect that. Much like so many who are "against the war" but "support the troops" or who "voted for the resolution before they voted against it" you have committed youself to a logically incompatible position.

Of course there is no law against being illogical, so you are free and clear to do as you wish, and I suppose its for the best, since at the end of the day I would much rather know who the "summer soldiers" are in advance than have to discover such things when help is needed.

No, I'm not questioning your character or your moral code or anything of that nature. I have no idea who you are, whether you are good or bad, or pretend to know anything about you. What I do question however is your judgment. The fact that you cannot grasp the difference between the NRA and the ACLU is incredibly frightening to me. So much so that I begin to wonder about your judgment with other things not the least of which is the responsibility that comes with owning firearms. Such a person is not someone that I would care to share a range with.

 

[Trip20]

The ACLU, by definition, is an oxymoron – they will squash the liberty of others in order to further their political piracy. Under the semblance of "civil liberty," they have become more and more radical...

With liberty, also comes responsibility. When our society is ready to go back to taking responsibility for what we do (or fail to do), then maybe we can do as the ACLU wishes and live with out any lines to cross - utterly unrestricted...

But, until then, there are certain things that need restriction because people do not exercise personal (or collective) responsibility as vehemently as they purport to exercise a particular "freedom.”

In the mean time, the key, is to check or govern within context, and with out disdain, especially when you do not agree with a freedom.

The ACLU protecting the right to privacy with NAMBLA as it's poster child... makes me sick. But that's another ball of wax.