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Aug. 19, 2008
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JOHN L. SMITH: Readers take issue with praising the ACLU for defending religious freedoms

JOHN L. SMITH
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I'm glad we're all in agreement on Sunday's column that simply noted the growing number of cases in which local American Civil Liberties Union lawyers have defended religious freedoms.

It wasn't a political point to ponder, just a fact. And that fact runs contrary to the image of the ACLU projected by some media pit bulls who stoke the fires of fear and intolerance.

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    • It's good to know we're all holding hands around the campfire on this one.

    Well, there was one guy, who wrote, "We should not listen to the 'pit bulls of talk radio' in lieu of reading the pit bulls of newspaper print? You got the ACLU side of your article, but not the pit bulls' side. Typical!"

    He must have been talking to this man, who said in part, "The ACLU (American Criminal Liberties Union) takes on a religious case here and there for the same reason the Nevada Legislature instituted an 'ethics commission:' window dressing. It's for show and nothing more. The ACLU's agenda is crystal clear, to me. To aid and abet almost anything that erodes the values that I grew up with and to protect the worst that society has to offer including child molesters, the criminal element, and the butt-banger agenda."

    From there, his letter got slightly more descriptive.

    A self-described "proud American, Veteran, and taxpaying, law-biding citizen" writes, "I enjoy reading your opinions for many years and agree with you most of the time ..."

    Stop right there. Have I ever said you have excellent taste in writing?

    But, alas, he continued:

    "There is an old saying 'one bad word is worth a thousand good.' You have omitted a pertinent fact in regards to the ACLU. They represent and fight for the rights of pedophiles and child molesters (North American Man Boy Love Association.) That doesn't seem to bother you. How about writing an opinion on that, and let's hear the response from Mr. Peck. Is it a Constitutional right to molest children, John? According to the ACLU it is.

    "My opinion has always been death for convicted child molesters. I hope to God that your children will never, ever come in contact with any of these scumbags in our society. I wonder how your opinion piece would have read if a child of yours were molested and the ACLU got the scumbag off?

    "I don't believe you would be giving the ACLU accolades for anything, or, would you? Obviously the right-wing radio pit bulls are right in condemning this radical organization in the name of all of our children. ...

    "Gary Peck states that the ACLU is 'the biggest misconception is that we are somehow anti-religion or anti-Christian. We are not.' John, try erecting a manger scene in front of the R-J at Christmastime. Gary Peck will be there like stink on poop, removing it. Freedom of religion? Why must we Americans assimilate to the foreigners who bring their extremist religions to our great country when they should be assimilating into our society. How does freedom of religion offend anyone? During the 'Holiday Season' (Christmas never offended anyone until recent times), I have never walked by a religious symbol of any denomination and been offended. Who are these radicals who get their undies in a knot when a manger is erected at Christmastime?"

    He'll be getting a Christmas card from this fellow:

    "Citing a handful of cases in which the ACLU accomplished or is attempting to accomplish something worthwhile is an incredibly simplistic approach to the question of whether the organization as a whole is accomplishing something worthwhile. No one sane is going to argue that EVERYTHING the organization does is hurtful to our society. But the fact is the ACLU has defended such principles as: civil rights for LGBT people, affirmative action, decriminalization of heroin and cocaine, abolition of capital punishment.

    "For heaven's sake, the ACLU defended the North American Man/Boy Love Association, and that alone ought to qualify it for any reasonable person's disdain.

    "It was difficult to determine what you were trying to accomplish with that column."

    Right now I'm wondering the same thing. Perhaps it's this: In a country that claims to offer civil rights to everyone, the ACLU does difficult, at times malodorous and enormously unpopular work.

    Not that I know anything about being enormously unpopular.

    Or malodorous, for that matter.

    John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.

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    rak wrote on August 25, 2008 01:00 AM: Do all adults fully understand their relationships?Are they act as responsible people?Relationship with a person without understanding is wrong if due to age its crime in every society.Born in a very strict family i was shy and feared to think about sex from early age.After the illness of my father,As a school boy i got some freedom and worked in auto repair shop,And got my first aprenticship from one old bechlor when he asked me first time to fix a big vehicle alone without help and it leaked during this.I repeated this procedure several times on his request and on mine sometimes. He tried to park his vehicle when i alone with him at work sometimes but without success.His home was far away so i met him only three times and got parked his vehicle in my backyard four times.Its the devlpoment of my sexulity which i enjoyed with my girlfriend later


    bahhh hunbug wrote on August 20, 2008 12:08 AM: Mangers and big lite-up santa's will make a comeback just like colored christmas tree lights.

    It's a holiday, not a tattoo. And there fricking temporary decorations. Why don't you all get over yourselves, and go take a little more magic out of kids lives. You might want to point out the cables that make the rides run at Disneyland.


    Jim Tucker wrote on August 19, 2008 11:10 PM: The ACLU cannot pick and choose. The constitution and our civil right are for all our citizens. It's not a perfect organization but it's ideals are sound. Don't go waving the flag at me or saying" I'm a vet,tax payer ect. I'm a disabled veteran. I'm 38 right now and I know I won't see 50 because I choose to be a soldier. Thats Ok, I wouldn't change it because I believe in America and most of all our Ideals. Freedom for all with prejudice towards none. For those who would mix church and religion I say give to god what is gods. All else falls under our laws.


    Nobama08 wrote on August 19, 2008 09:45 PM: The ACLU are a bunch of hyprocrites that only help black people. They are anti-police and they think murderers deserve 2nd chances.


    Tim wrote on August 19, 2008 04:40 PM: if you believe in god or religion the cowards come out.don't want to print their name,because we all know it's the same loser,different fake name,same lame excuse.they all resort to the (a.m.radio devils),and you thought they just hated god.it's obvious they believe in the devil,if only in their writings.so they believe in the devil, anyone who listens to people who speak for millions of americans,but somehow think there is no god.Darn Those Liberals and Supporting Your Manger are one in the same.hey,loser how do believe in the devil,but not god?the reason those radio personalities are so popular is because they speak for the average american.you are just bitter because no one will listen to your assi-nine point of view.it's in the ratings,you just can't stand it.tsk,tsk.


    Mark Peterson wrote on August 19, 2008 04:39 PM: The ACLU defends the rights of all americans, not just the popular ones. If memory serves, the NAMBLA case wasn't about molesting anyone, it was about freedom of the press, and freedom of speech. It is necessary to protect the freedoms of people we don't agree with, even NAMBLA, because without protecting unpopular speech, there is no free speech at all.
    Think people. Think.


    vegasute wrote on August 19, 2008 04:13 PM: Next time you liberal-bashing, ACLU haters have a moment, pick up your bible and see if you can identify with the main protagonist who taught love, tolerance, peace, church vs. state (render unto Caesar...), charity to the less fortunate, detachment from worldly goods. My guess is that if Jesus came to earth today, he'd be a liberal, card-carrying member of the ACLU.


    TERRY L. HINTON wrote on August 19, 2008 01:19 PM: I dissagree with Cris in his opinion that it is.... "Freedom of religion, not freedom from religion". The people who conceived, wrote and signed the "Declaration of Independence" surely did so with the knowledge that each person should have the right to be religious or not.... to have faith or not.... Why must religion consume humanity's individuality. Is it not possible for humans to be humane without religious beliefs, crutches and fear of retaliation from a God? In the United States each "human being" has the inalienable "right" to their own beliefs and choices as long as they do not negate another's right to do the same.


    wildbill wrote on August 19, 2008 12:49 PM: Seperation of church an state. Enough said. Don't even get me started on how churches are able to rent space in public funded schools.


    politik wrote on August 19, 2008 12:39 PM: Supporting Your Manger,

    My God, you're uptight.

    In the context of 'tax dollars', it would be interesting to see what you approve your tax dollars to go to... and to see if any of the rest of us approve.

    The bitterness seething out of your directive would make one wonder if you are unstable.


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