American Civil Liberties Union

I've never understood the basis for the hatred of the ACLU by conservatives. I'm not a card carrying member because I'm too cheap to pay $20 to join. But why would you be opposed to an organization whose purpose is to defend the 'Bill of Rights'?

The mission of the ACLU is to preserve all of these protections and guarantees:
Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state.
Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.
Your right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.
Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.

Alot of opposition to the ACLU comes from so called 'Christians'. The ACLU opposes Christian values. They say Christians are losing their Constitutionally protected rights to practice their religion. I don't see it. I was brought up a Catholic and as far as I can see I can still practice Catholicism if I wish. How does the ACLU stop me? Another argument made by conservatives is that the ACLU is funded by taxpayers. This is partially true but it's because of the Civil Rights Attorneys Fees Awards Act of 1976.

b) Attorney's fees

In any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of sections 1981, 1981a, 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1986 of this title, title IX of Public Law 92-318 [20 U.S.C.A. § 1681 et seq.], the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 [42 U.S.C.A. § 2000bb et seq.], title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C.A. § 2000d et seq.], or section 13981 of this title,, [FN1] the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer's judicial capacity such officer shall not be held liable for any costs, including attorney's fees, unless such action was clearly in excess of such officer's jurisdiction.

Of course 'activist judges' are on the side of the ACLU unless they aren't and then they aren't 'activist judges'. Here is a seemingly non-partisan website that discusses the pros and cons of the ACLU. Here is a list of 75 years of ACLU highlights.

And then there is the speech in 'An American President', one of my favorites.

For the record, yes, I am a card carrying member of the ACLU, but the more important question is "Why aren't you, Bob?" Now this is an organization whose sole purpose is to defend the Bill of Rights, so it naturally begs the question, why would a senator, his party's most powerful spokesman and a candidate for President, choose to reject upholding the constitution?