If the national ACLU really respected civil rights in principle when why would it matter where your average gun owner stood on the following issues? Also if you read the thread regarding Heller and the ACLU's position on it on the ACLU's website (which is basically - no matter what the court says we don't believe that it is an individual right), you will read hundreds of posts from members asking them to change their position and people who state they would be members and support the ACLU if only they would also support the 2nd.
In regards to the list I would seriously doubt that even most people who are ACLU members and supporters agree with every item as defined by the ACLU.
My personal views
1. State-sponsored religion;
Agree I don't want the government involved with establishing a state religion - since some things are too important to allow government involvement. However I do not support the idea that that federal, local, or state government must prohibit all displays or references of a traditional religious nature from it's property - in particular when said display is not supported by public money and no discrimination is made in regards to a particular faith whether it is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic, etc...
2. Discrimination against homosexuals;
Agree, though don't agree with the marriage issue, but that is because I don't think the state should be involved in any type of marriage at all - that should be a matter for church or other similar organizations - if individuals want to enter into contracts - visa via a legal agreement - then let them do that - but don't call legal agreements marriage.
3. Keeping Guantanamo Bay open and not extending civil rights to the prisoners held there;
Don't see how Guantanamo Bay being open is specifically a civil rights issue by itself - seems more like a political decision. As far as civil rights for prisoners - they were captured by the military and not arrested by the police - so if the government wants to keep them under the umbrella of military justice - again I think that is a political decision.
4. Invasions of privacy under the "War on Terror;"
Agree
5. Keeping drugs illegal;
While I don't use drugs or alcohol, and while I think people who believe that legalizing drugs won't cause major problems in terms or increased drug use in our society are naive, I also think that the war on drugs has created more lethal violence and problems than it benefits. So I would reluctantly agree with legalization.
6. Joe Arpaio's prisoner abuse;
I don't see this as a major civil rights issue - and I don't think that his so called abuse is really abuse.
7. Allowing the military to recruit young people aggressively;
This is total crap - no one is being shanghaied or pressed into military service.
8. Allowing police to use Tasers;
While I think some cases of real abuse need to be addressed - I also think police need to have this tool as it is generally less than lethal and offers a real alternative to people being shot.
9. Banning flag burning;
Agree, is some jerk wants to burn a flag that is his choice - and I can use my first amendment right to tell him what I think of what he/she is doing.
10. Capital punishment;
Disagree - some people should be put to death for their crimes - if the system needs reform then reform it - but it is a reasonable punishment for people like John Wayne Gacy, Adolf Hitler, Ted Bundy, Saddam Hussein, and individuals who are in prison for murder and continue to kill fellow inmates and guards.
11. etc.,
Agree - in terms of the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Or does the civil right to defend my life not come under ect... Guess that isn't important enough when you compare it to issues 3, 6, 7, and 8.
