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.