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From: T3B@psuvm.BITNET
Newsgroups: net.legal
Subject: Re: ACLU
Message-ID: <2178T3B@psuvm>
Date: Sat, 31-Aug-85 10:43:32 EDT
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Posted: Sat Aug 31 10:43:32 1985
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I recently spent three years on the board of directors of my local
ACLU chapter.  I quickly learned that one of the reasons the ACLU
is selective in the application of its very limited influence is that
it is swamped with appeals for help, and that most its work is done
by volunteers.  And, of course, in every case it takes on, the ACLU
is dealing not simply with rights, but with COMPETING rights.  And,
very frequently, it is dealing with cases that, taken out of context,
appear silly because they are the small end of a wedge.  Time after
time, cases would concern some private person who was aggrieved
because a social agency, in the name of some large social good, wanted
to set aside the person's rights (just this once).  As I see it, the
ACLU stands for the notion that we live in a community governed by
a constitution under which competing rights are the norm; that the
dignity of every person matters every day.  So, if you agree with the
general aims of the ACLU (protect constitutional freedoms) but think
they have their priorities mixed up, my suggestion is to join and help
take responsibility for ACLU policy.
     
-- Tom Benson
   Penn State University                        --But these are my opinions,
   227 Sparks Bldg., University Park, PA 16802  --not necessarily Penn State's
   814-238-5277 (ATT)
     
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