Calling The ACLU
I called my local ACLU office and the National ACLU Office today to request a copy of their official policy guide.
National ACLU Phone Call: Of course we’ll skip over the ….ring, ring! I choose zero for operator after the electronic menu….
ACLU Operator: National ACLU Office, can I help you?
Me: Yes, I was wondering if there was a way I could view, or obtain a copy of your official policy guide?
ACLU Operator: Well, actually sir, the policy guide is for internal purposes only, and not available to the public.
Me: What? Well, maam, why is that? I don’t understand why it wouldn’t be available for the public. I’ve searched your website, and I was somewhat interested in joining your organization, but before I join or give my money to anything, I like to know exactly what I’m jumping into!
ACLU Operator: Ummm…well…what positions are you wondering about?
Me: Well, I would like to know All the positions. I’d really like to see the actual policy guide…I really don’t understand why that wouldn’t be available! Is there someone you could refer me to, that might know how to help me?
ACLU Operator: Well…ummm…uh..Perhaps, sir, you should put your request in writing.
Me: Sure! And where and to whom would I send this?
ACLU Operator: Send it to Nadine Strossen, President of the ACLU at 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004.
Me: OK, I will do that…thanks!
And I shall send that letter of request! Believe me, I shall.
Now when I called my local ACLU, they were even more ignorant. After getting shuffled around, and put on hold several times…I finally left a message to the public relations operator who was “away from the desk”. She called me back a little later. Very nice lady, and very mislead and misinformed.
ACLU of PA
ACLU: Yes, you were inquiring about a policy guide?
Me: Yes, I was wondering if I could somehow view or obtain a copy of the ACLU’s policy guide.
ACLU: Well, um, sir…I’m not sure if there is an actual policy guide per say…but you can see our positions at our website.
Me: Yes, I’ve seen your website, and there seems to be some interesting positions, but before I join something I really want to know what I’m getting into completely. Can you understand, what I mean?
ACLU: Well, yes, of course sir…what policies were you concerned with in particular?
Me: Well, actually, all of them. But, I read somewhere that you opposed tax exemptions for all Churches! I wouldn’t agree with a position such as this, but I searched the website and didn’t see your position on this. That is why I would really like to see the official policy guide.
ACLU: Well, sir, I can tell you straight up that the ACLU does not oppose tax exemptions for Churches! (She was very misinformed, as I will show you in a future post…I’ve gotten my hands on quite a few of their official policy statements. She didn’t even know they had an official policy guide.) She went on…”The only way we would oppose any tax exempt status for a Church is if they would be in reference to the seperation of church and state.
Me: Well, I could understand that, but what I read went on to say that while the ACLU opposed tax exemptions for Churches that it helped get a tax exemption for a Wiccan.
ACLU: She went on to regurgitate some seperation of church and state garbage again.
Me: So, is there someone you could direct me to so that I could get the official policy guide?
ACLU: Well, sir…I could send you some pamphlets on our different positions and stuff. Or, if you give me your email address I could send you links to where you could find them on the internet.
Me: OK, that sounds great…lets do that.
ACLU: Is there any other concerns besides Church and State issues that you are interested in?
Me: Well, ummm….yes, I would also like to know the ACLU’s position on the Second Amendment.
ACLU: Well, what in particular would you like to know on that?
Me: Well, you know? Like, …just how many times you guys have defended it (NONE), and just what your actual position is on it….See it here
So, I went on to give her my email address…she was obviously ignorant of many of the ACLU’s policies, and didn’t even know they had an official policy…AND SHE WORKS FOR THEM!
That the ACLU is misinforming its own employees, or at the least not informing them with their policies…is pretty ridiculous.
And as for what I was told at the National ACLU…that their policies are not for the public, and only for internal purposes…Quiet a few red flags went up! Now, I knew going into this the run around I would recieve. In the 1988 presidential campaign, the ACLU were brought into the spotlight when Dukakis announced that he was a proud card carrying member. Bush took advantage of this and quoted several of the ACLU’s positions that he disagreed with, including their policy to get rid of movie ratings, legalizing the distribution and possession of Kiddy Porn, and their opposition to tax exemptions for Churches.
Public pressure was enormous on the ACLU to release its official policy after this. They refused for a long time. They finally made it available under certain restrictions. Anyone could “view” their policies if they came to the National Office, but they could not obtain a copy, and of course there was a “nominal” fee! So, you have to pay them to see them. Apparantly, from the conversations I had with them…they have put them back behind closed doors!
Now, the ACLU has a non-profit status, and they push their agenda on each and every one of us through the Court system daily. Shouldn’t they be accountable to us?
One question to ask yourself…why shouldn’t the public be able to see the Official ACLU Policy Guide? I think public pressure like that of 1988 needs to be put back on the ACLU! What does the ACLU have to hide? Well, I know…very radical and extreme policies. Let’s put the pressure on the ACLU to release its Official Policy Guide to the public!
Join me in my letter of request to Nadine. Write to the ACLU and demand that its policy guide be opened to the public. We have the right to know.
ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004
Or just call: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) 212-549-2500
To find your local ACLU go here
On a funny note…Kender called his local ACLU too, and after much runaround got hung up on when he told them he was with Stop The ACLU.Org! LOL! To see his conversation go HERE!
SIGN THE “EXPOSE THE ACLU’S AGENDA” PETITION
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Posted by Jay on July 23, 2005 11:08 am
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12 Responses to “Calling The ACLU”
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Syndicate Me
Well to start the ACLU is being very hypocritical here. They strictly oppose all forms of government secrecy and believe that most, if not all, of the covert operations involved with the government should be shared with the public. While they do this at the same time they refuse to release a policy form that wouldn’t do any harm, other then exposing the ACLU’s radical agenda.
Jay,The petition has been signed. Guess we can forget about calling the ACLU (Anti-Christ Legions United) if we ever need help protecting our Second Amendment Rights.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic
Great job Jay. this winch is likely ‘Ignorant like a fox’. The ACLU is one of the leading aggressors against Liberty and equality, two sacraments they cling to and claim to promote. Your mission to out them as the liars they are is vital and appreciated ! Keep up the good fight.
Great stuff Jay!!!
Did you hear that the ACLU will be protecting your first ammendment right to run this website (JK)?
Great post Jay, and I can’t wait to give them a call here in South Carolina.
Jay, what part of Pa.?
BRAVO!!!!!
“[T]he ACLU is being very hypocritical here. They strictly oppose all forms of government secrecy….”
You think the ACLU is a government? No wonder you’re upset.
The ACLU is a private organization. The ACLU believes in, among other things, maintaining the distinction between public and private spheres. The ACLU regularly defends the rights of privacy against government intrusion, including the rights of private organizations. The ACLU defends the rights of individuals against government surveillance of their religious and political affiliations, their money, and their medical records, among other things.
So there is no hypocrisy in the ACLU maintaining its right not to disclose private documents. That said, have you looked at their web site? Honestly, there’s a lot of stuff on it, and a search engine to help you sift through it.
It is encouraging to see so many people concerned about secrecy, however. I’m sure you share my concern about the White House’s refusal to talk about their meetings with lobbyists in crafting the current energy bill. And the fact that the Pentagon is withholding information about the Abu Graibe prison situation, in violation of court orders. And the fact that Bush refused to speak on the record with the 9/11 investigators, and insisted on having Cheney at his side the whole time. But if we maintain our vigilance, I am hopeful that the government will relent eventually. The right of the people to control their government cannot be thwarted forever.
Good blog
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Hey, I just called the ACLU and got through to one lady. She was very nice, and helpfull. However she said that she could not give me the policy guide because, A-it was to big (2000 pages), B-It was for internal use only “we are not hiding it from the public though”. She did though give me her email so I could ask her questions about specific policies. I wanted it so I could do a research paper of religious freedom. She said she might be able to email me the section of religious freedom. I think I might not get much, but who knows???
–Jered