The ACLU vs. The Gideons

The American Civil Liberties Union protests when Bibles are distributed at public schools — but Muslim prayer and footbaths in schools doesn't seem to bother them.

July 29, 2009 - by John Stephenson
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In September 2006, the ACLU filed suit against the South Iron School District in St. Louis, Missouri, to stop the Gideons from providing Bibles to public school students. The Gideons are the oldest Christian business and professional men’s association in the U.S. and have made New Testaments available to students for decades.

The American Civil Liberties Union interprets this as a threat to their absolutist ideal of separation of church and state. They believe the First Amendment of the Constitution prohibiting Congress from establishing or promoting a religion implies all government agencies, including public schools. They think that allowing religious expression in school is a type of permissive promotion of religion and violates the spirit of the Constitution. The opponents believe the ACLU’s interpretation turns the Constitution upside down and actually stifles free speech.

The ACLU has built a reputation of hostility towards Christianity in the public sphere. Their agenda of keeping church and state separated when it comes to this particular religion has been consistent. They filed lawsuits against valedictorians mentioning the name of Jesus in their speeches, Ten Commandments displays at court houses, public officials closing their prayers in Jesus’ name, and war memorials in the shape of crosses. Their stance against the Gideons has a long history.

But one thing is not consistent in the ACLU’s quest for separation of church and state. Take a careful look at the ACLU’s cases — double standards are plentiful.

The religion almost exclusively litigated against is Christianity.

The ACLU has actually supported other religions doing the very things they fight against when Christians do them.

The ACLU fought for the installation of footbaths in a public school in Detroit to accommodate Muslims.

Alarms sounded from the ACLU when a coach bowed his head for a student led pre-game prayer, though there was never a peep heard when a school in Michigan taught Muslim prayers and required bowing to Mecca and role playing.

The irony of the ACLU stance on separation of church and state is how it negatively affects free speech.

No one advocates for government to promote a religion, but a line needs to be drawn. Using the Constitution as a tool to silence a valedictorian from expressing religious views surely has our founding fathers rolling in their graves. The same suppression of rights happened to the Gideons.

Instead of the protector of rights, the ACLU is becoming America’s number one opponent of free speech.

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John Stephenson blogs at Stop the ACLU.

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77 Comments

1. Realist:

Yet another ‘libtard’ organisation that confirms its ant Christian pro Mohammedan agenda . Wake up America they already have the Presidency your Military is next then you are gone.

Jul 29, 2009 - 2:43 am 2. Realist:

‘libtards’ always get things backwards for example ‘libtards’ say the actions of what they call ‘BIRTHERS” is a conspiracy when in fact the REAL CONSPIRACY is by the ones who are withholding virtually ALL of Obambi’s historical records from scrutiny including his Long Form Birth Certificate.

Jul 29, 2009 - 2:49 am 3. GA Knight:

Yeah, I’ve found their idea of “Civil Rights” a bit skewed over the years. I could fix their asses if I were president in….30 days.
Honestly, on who’s behalf are they going after bibles in hotels? Could we simply be real here?
Say you’re an atheist you’re traveling, and you’ve forgotten to pack a good book. Well..bam, at your finger tips is a fantasy wonderland.
Or, say you’re someone who needs spiritual uplifting and find succor is the infallible word of God..bam, there it is.
Or…say you’re a Muslim who has doubts about his religions sanity…well..there you are.
See, one size fits all.
Who loves you baby?

Jul 29, 2009 - 3:37 am 4. Sallie:

The ACLU is a communist based organization. They pick and choose who to support.

The goals of the ACLU were clear from the founding of the group. Founder Roger Baldwin stated:

“I am for socialism, disarmament, and ultimately for abolishing the state itself as an instrument of violence and compulsion. I seek social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class… Communism is the goal.”

Remember Madeline O’hare??? how did she happen in our country? Well, the ACLU will continue marching along unless we find a way to stop them, and quit funding them.

How would we go about stopping them?

Jul 29, 2009 - 6:42 am 5. twolaneflash:

God loves you, baby!

Jul 29, 2009 - 6:46 am 6. Blarty Blarckleblart:

4 Sallie

How would we go about stopping them?

Have the government stop violating the Bill of Rights.

Jul 29, 2009 - 7:09 am 7. TennesseeVolunteer:

This is one of the reasons Church based private schools are, for the most part, THRIVING!
Unfortunately, for the families of good faith in the public schools, many of the champions for religious rights don’t have their children in public schools so they haven’t been there to fight this battle on an incremental basis.
The cold wind of freedom is blowing and becoming a gale, those people who were taking care of their families, school, churches and communities now see that their country is being hijacked. Check out the town hall meeting in Missouri with Claire McCaskills aides, the silent majority is shrugging off its patience and good will and will not be quieted down. FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!

Jul 29, 2009 - 7:13 am 8. Thomas L......:

There is actually no double standard here. No enemies on the left. The ACLU and all leftist groups apparently recognize that Islam is an political organization of fellow travellers and not really a religion, at all. If every one could see it as clearly, there would be less of a problem combatting the dangers of Islamism.

Jul 29, 2009 - 7:15 am 9. WhyamInotsurprised?:

“Perry’s ruling legislated that a “private third party (like the ACLU)” had the right to veto the distribution request of the private applicant (in this case, the Gideons).”

Maybe I misread this statement but to my thinking the ACLU cannot veto dick! They can only protest via courts against things as they did in this case the distribution of Gideon Bibles.

Of course if we are talking homosexuals, NAMBLA, communists, athiests, then not a peep will be heard. But let any kind of historically traditional faith or belief or practice in America be spoken and the Anti-Christian Legal Union will be out in full force. And now with the Apollo effort of the current administration combined with the communists of the ACLU, their numbers will be even more pronounced.

But hey, want to distribute condoms, satan worship, marx & engles, porn, pregnancy tests, abortions, ACORN AmeriCORP, go right ahead.

Jul 29, 2009 - 8:57 am 10. WhyamInotsurprised?:

Ha ha, PJM, I have to chuckle at the Scientology.org ad you have on this posting. Trying to get a rise out of folks are you?

Jul 29, 2009 - 8:59 am 11. David W. Lincoln:

Up here in Canada, take a look at the newest entries of Ezra Levant’s blog, http://www.ezralevant.com and you will see
the forces of darkness seeking to combat freedom of speech.

Lawfare is just another weapon by those who conclude they are right, but can’t stand it when others who see life differently, correct them.

They cheat themselves, and ultimately everyone.

Jul 29, 2009 - 9:17 am 12. rickb308:

How do we stop them?

We have 4 ways:

1. Soap Box, 2. Ballot Box, 3. Jury Box, and lastly,
4. Cartridge Box.

We are still at #1.
Pray we never get to #4. (Shades of 1860 all over again)

Jul 29, 2009 - 9:49 am 13. Blarty Blarckleblart:

12. rickb308:

Tough guy, huh? I’m holding my ACLU card in my hand right now. Come and get it.

Jul 29, 2009 - 9:59 am 14. Blarty Blarckleblart:

For anyone interested in reading the Eight Circuit opinion:

http://www.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/09/07/081847P.pdf

As you will see from reading the opinion, Mr. Stephenson does not describe the issue accurately.

As you will also see, the American Jewish Congress was on the ACLU’s side. Which makes me wonder: why are conservatives so anti-semitic?

Jul 29, 2009 - 10:29 am 15. Blarty Blarckleblart:

Remember when the ACLU helped defend Rush Limbaugh?

Those double standards are crazy, aren’t they?

Jul 29, 2009 - 10:38 am 16. Thomas L......:

Yah yah Blarty, crazy alright. As for whatever the AJC actually stands for, if it’s anything like the Canadian JC, you should read some Ezra Levant and Mark Steyn and get a few things clear. You’re guilty of jumping to quite a conclusion there. After all, I can disagree with someone’s politics without being a racist, can’t I? Put down your card and pick up a book, why don’t you?

http://www.amazon.com/Shakedown-Government-Undermining-Democracy-Rights/dp/0771046189

Jul 29, 2009 - 11:26 am 17. Blarty Blarckleblart:

Why, ThomasL, the AJC stands for a secure Israel, religious freedom in the U.S., and free speech, among other things.

http://www.ajcongress.org

Do conservatives only care about Jews (aka “unperfected Christians,” per Ann Coulter) when they’re trying to round them up in Israel to bring about Armageddon? Just curious.

Jul 29, 2009 - 11:48 am 18. WR Jonas:

Hold that ACLU card close to your heart Blarty. Its the same organization supporting the terrorist sponsoring ICNA ( Islamic Council of North America). They love these guy at ACLU.
Keep that card up to date. It could be useful trying to get through the Pearly Gate. YEAH !

Jul 29, 2009 - 12:25 pm 19. LivefromEPTexas:

Awwww,Poor Widdoe boys and girls getting angry at that bad Ole ACLU!!! I hope when you boys and girls grow up and recognize that those mean,mean people ( Whaddya gonna do? Exile them from the USA?)actually fight for the rights that you live by . maybe,just maybe you will accept them! Until then heres your nappy time cookies and grape juice. Afterward, Sleep with your blanky.

Jul 29, 2009 - 1:14 pm 20. BettyBlue:

Blarty, can you tell us why the ACLU cares only about Jews and Christians—when it comes to separation of church and state, and seems to care nothing at all about Islamic enroachments on the same? This article does mention some.

Live from wherever—Awwwwww, poor widdoe Wiv! He just gets angry that those bad ol’ conservatives say things he don’t like! They should just shuts up! The nicens ACLU should make them shut up! Bad, posters, very BAD! Quit pickin’ on wiv! Quit sayin’ bad things! Just shut-UP! Do what Wiv and ACLU say! No talk! No debate! No criticism.

Wiv wants his nappy. And cookies.

Jul 29, 2009 - 1:44 pm 21. BettyBlue:

Blarty, and his fearsome ACLU card. (Sigh).

Jul 29, 2009 - 1:45 pm 22. Patrick of Atlantis:

There is a faction in this country which extols every deviant and dirty thing as good, wholesome, and normal. The goal of that faction is to wage war against Christianity and destroy Christian civilization. The ACLU is the vanguard of that faction. I predict it will fall hard.

Jul 29, 2009 - 2:36 pm 23. Thomas L......:

Why Blarty, I’m speechless. Perhaps because, like you, I have no idea what you’re saying.
Hey EPTexas – Dissent is no longer the highest form of patriotism? Who knew that there were American institutions that were beyond reproach and off limits to rational debate? Your grammar is even more pathetic than your “thought” process, so back to school or just shut up. Okay?

Jul 29, 2009 - 2:41 pm 24. Will:

Tell the ACLU where to go !!!!

Jul 29, 2009 - 4:02 pm 25. BettyBlue:

Thomas L., yeah, I know—”Dissent is the highest form of patriotism”, blahblahblahblah, unless the one doing the dissenting is someone with which tolerant progressives disagree, in which case it’s “SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! SHUT UP, NOW!”

Jul 29, 2009 - 4:11 pm 26. Thomas:

ACLU is one of the countless Marxist front organization which intends to destroy the traditional Western, Judeo-Christian Civilization. This is part of the culture war which started with the ascent of Cultural Marxism invented by A. Gramsci and G. Lukacs during the course of the Bolshevik revolutionary movement in 1917. and further advanced by the Frankfurt School philosophers like Marcuse, Adorno etc. – all Jewish refugees from Hitler’s Germany.

Anyone interested in the History of Political Correctness should read this exquisitely good essay dealing with this topic:

“The Origins of Political Correctness”
An Accuracy in Academia Address by Bill Lind

http://www.academia.org/lectures/lind1.html

It’s interesting to note that the Anglo world (USA, Britain, Can.) are the first to fell to the Cultural Marxism on official level, while the population succumbed to self imposed censorship in which there is a long list of taboo-word that must not be pronounced lest one will be called by names.
Multiculturalism is the “nuclear bomb” of the ACLU/Marxist revolutionaries, the very best tool to obliterate the nation states, (European Union) crush the cohesion of the social fabric, plant the seeds of racial-cultural frictions, so at the end the ultimate goal, the New World Government will born – devoid of organized adversaries.

Jul 29, 2009 - 10:34 pm 27. Bill Perron:

Forty or so years ago I was at a crossroads, greatly depressed, lonely, insecure, fearful, and seriously considering suicide. I was at a skidrow hotel in Portland, Oregon, did not know if I’d see tomorrow, didn’t care, opened the drawer next to my bed looking for some thing to write my farewell to the world. There was a bible in that drawer, I had never read the words of Jesus before, but when I opened the book and started to read, I experienced an inner peace I had never known before. The Gideons placed that bible there. I wonder if I’d be writing this today if instead of a bible there had been an ACLU membership card in that drawer.

Jul 29, 2009 - 10:41 pm 28. TomF:

Why is the Bible singled out? No surprise here. Fear the Bible it is a powerful book. The communists know this quite well. Good, make it “forbidden” literature, than maybe more people will read it.

Jul 29, 2009 - 10:49 pm 29. Caestal:

I can’t help but think that Judges are allowing the Koran, Bhuddist texts etc because they consider them mythology, as opposed to religion. A case could be made that this is discrimination against practioners of Islam et al…

Jul 29, 2009 - 11:01 pm 30. kywrite:

BettyBlue:

“Blarty, and his fearsome ACLU card. (Sigh).”

Careful — I hear those things make some fearsome paper cuts.

Jul 30, 2009 - 5:14 am 31. BettyBlue:

. . . Or, it could be that the judges are just scared of having fatwas issued against them, or threats, or lawsuits, from CAIR, or they don’t want to be accused of racism, or Islamophobia. . .

Though if a case can possibly be made that this is discrimination against Islam (nobody really cares about the “et als”), such a case will be made, and CAIR will show up, and fatwas will be issued and maybe there will even be a riot or two, or three, or four, because that’s the way it works these days.

Jul 30, 2009 - 6:12 am 32. BettyBlue:

kywrite, LOL, that’s a good one!

Jul 30, 2009 - 6:14 am 33. Blarty Blarckleblart:

Why is the Bible singled out?

It isn’t. It just happens to be the religious text that was being passed out to a captive audience (including Jews) during class time, with teachers present, at a public school. It wasn’t part of a lesson about religion – it was to promote Christianity, with the imprimatur of the state. If the Gideons were allowed to continue, then a Muslim association would be able to demand the right to pass out Korans to public schoolchildren and there’d be no legal way to stop them. I assume you don’t want that.

Jul 30, 2009 - 6:53 am 34. Blarty Blarckleblart:

Though if a case can possibly be made that this is discrimination against Islam (nobody really cares about the “et als”), such a case will be made, and CAIR will show up, and fatwas will be issued and maybe there will even be a riot or two, or three, or four, because that’s the way it works these days.

Really? When is the last time any of that happened in America?

Jul 30, 2009 - 6:54 am 35. Thomas:

@34. Blarty Blarckleblart:
Are you really that doltish? Are you completely blinded by your cultist adulation of this Kenyan guy and his Marxist propaganda?
Can’t you see the daily mayhem in Europe where Muslims riots, burn cars and cities anytime when they feel offended.

Do you follow the news abroad, can’t you see the images of Muslims rioting in Denmark because of cartoons, blow up buses in London, Madrid, Stockholm, Brussels?

In London you go to jail if you verbally offend a Muslim for the entire British society trembling in fear from the Muslim rage.

Not in America? Come on pal!
Because the Muslim immigration has not reached the critical mass like did in Europe. A mere 10%-15% concentration enough to burn down a city like Rosengard near Malmö, Sweden.

They are still only a couple thousand Somalians in Minn. but many already returned to Jihad for it’s embedded in their congenital culture.
I bet your bros and sistas are training and inculcating the new Jihadist crop in the prison system while we are discussing this topic.

We are at an estimated 2-3% Muslim saturation now, so 8-10% more to go and Allah will launch the Caliphate under the protection of Khalifa Hussein Obama.

Jul 30, 2009 - 10:04 am 36. Bill Perron:

If you want to test the real meaningful power of the ACLU vs the bible, I suggest you go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting sometime and just quietly ask around who had their life and sanity turned around by the bible, and who had it turned around by the ACLU.

Jul 30, 2009 - 10:05 am 37. Blarty Blarckleblart:

35 Thomas

So you admit it hasn’t happened in America. Thanks.

36 Bill Perron

There is no “ACLU vs. the Bible.” They are not combatants in a wrestling match.

But while you’re asking questions, why not ask Rush Limbaugh which came to his aid when the State of Florida wanted to invade his privacy: ACLU or the Bible?

Jul 30, 2009 - 10:58 am 38. BettyBlue:

Happens all the time, Blarty. Didn’t you read the article? Are you unfamiliar with CAIR?

By the way, are you going to answer the question of why the ACLU is so soft on Islam, while so tough on Christianity, even when the former violates separation of church and state?

Jul 30, 2009 - 12:08 pm 39. BettyBlue:

Here’s one where CAIR is actually counter-suing the ACLU! The latter finally got off their backsides, but doesn’t look like they’re gonna be real effective here; (go to the website, scroll down): http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/07r-sues-the-aclu-for-defamation.html

Jul 30, 2009 - 12:16 pm 40. BettyBlue:

And here’s another case where CAIR is inserting itelf: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-306521

Jul 30, 2009 - 12:22 pm 41. BettyBlue:

Meh, bad link above; go here, scroll down to the article about CAIR counter-suing the ACLU. Honestly, if the ACLU is going after this Islamic school, I’m on their side, this time! But my guess is, given their history, they’ll back off, and go after nativity scenes, or veterans’ crosses, once more: http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/

Jul 30, 2009 - 12:25 pm 42. Blarty Blarckleblart:

BettyBlue, what are you going on about? When did CAIR riot? Also, you assert in one post that the ACLU is “soft on Islam” and then, in the next post, link to a story that (I’m guessing, because I’m not giving Pammycakes the hits) says that the ACLU and CAIR are on opposite sides of a court case.

Tell you what: give me an example of the government promoting Islam in the U.S. in violation of the Establishment Clause and we can have a nice discussion about it. (And I’ll need a source other than “Stop the ACLU.”)

Jul 30, 2009 - 12:47 pm 43. BettyBlue:

Blarty, did you even read the article that this thread is based on? It has links to articles exposing the ACLUS’s double standard on Islam-Christianity, Church/state.

And did you even read the links that I posted above? Surely you, the fearless owner of the ACLU card, should want to know what’s up with your own organization being counter-sued by CAIR. If you will actually read the link, you’ll see that, in the ACLU case, there was the issue of Federal (government) money being used to support Islamic schools. That certainly violates separation of church and state.

Also, as I previously stated, there are links in this very article, vis-a-vis footbaths, Islam taught in schools, etc., which you seem to be determindly ignoring. To quote Thomas, I’m beginning to think you are that dense. Or you just don’t want to see. As for riots, etc., I was speaking of Islam in general, all over the world, not just CAIR—are you claiming that there were no riots during the Mo’toons foofarah?

As I said in my earlier post, if the ACLU wins this particular case against this Islamic school, I’m all for them! Problem is, up until now, they’ve been more interested in going after the Gideons, school Christmas pageants and anything that has a cross in it. The Islamic enroachments on church and state have been going on for years. I’m afraid it’s too much, too little, too late, and there’s no guarantee they’ll stay the course. I suspect like “Brave Sir Robin” from Money Python, they’ll bravely run away, and go back to suing anyone who says, “In God (not Allah) we trust.”

Jul 30, 2009 - 4:34 pm 44. BettyBlue:

And, while CAIR hasn’t rioted in the US (not yet, at least), they do have a way of insinuating themselves into any, and every, case involving Moslems, always claiming “Islamophobia” and “Discrimination!” (i.e., the Flying imams and the recent arrest of terrorists in North Carolina, among others.)

Jul 30, 2009 - 4:43 pm 45. BettyBlue:

As for fatwas—think they can’t reach here? I remember during the Rushdie/”Satanic Verses” scandal, a lot of bookstores pulled “Verses” off their shelves, fearing confrontations with angry Moslems.

Jul 30, 2009 - 4:46 pm 46. Thomas:

There are a number of astute, informative books out there like these:

“Unholy Alliance: Radical Islam and the American Left
“United in Hate: The Left’s Romance with Tyranny and Terror”
by Jamie Glazov

All our resident Commie posters adore the worst of the worst like Chavez, Ahmad*jad, CAIR, Castro, whitewash the Jihad and Islam, rationalize the suicide bombers etc.

It’s meaningless to argue with these radicals like Blarty; ACLU forced to remove a cross from California’s composite logo, starting from the state stationary and cars all the way to the smallest rubber stamp in an obscure office. The tiny cross in the logo violated the Constitution

But plans to construct two foot-washing stations continue at the University of Michigan at Dearborn amid concerns that such action would constitute an establishment of religion by the public university.
ACLU had no objection.
Hogwash the whole discussion with Leftist.

Jul 30, 2009 - 5:20 pm 47. WhyamInotsurprised?:

#15 Farty Blarty – As if Rush needs the Anti-Christian Legal Union defending him about anything. It’s all part of their agit prop having the ability to claim they have a “balanced” record. ha ha ha ha

Jul 30, 2009 - 7:48 pm 48. BrainTrust:

The Jews now run the ACLU and are still taught to be fearful of Christians, hence the attacks on Christian religious symbols. Yet, the Jews are compliant and complicit when it comes to the Muslim faith which teaches that Jews are sewer rats and should be destroyed.

Sound illogical?

Now, if we look at world history, and add a dash of psychiatry, we will see that those of the Jewish faith are fatalistic in searching for and encouraging persecution and prosecution of their religious bretheren. Did Hitler whip the Jews to get into the trains to the extermination camps? Did the Jews ever call to arms and defend themselves? Do Jews now join nationalistic armies and fight to defend their countries other than Israel?

It is an interesting psychological and biblical tale… as if they are disinterested travelers in a foreign land, never feeling the deep patriotic tugs of the heart.

Jews believe they are the “chosen people”. They would be wise to deeply ponder that for which they may have been chosen.

Those of good will wish them no harm … unfortunately, they do a great deal of it to themselves. Perhaps the self-destruction is that for which they have been chosen.

Jul 30, 2009 - 9:50 pm 49. Thomas:

@48. BrainTrust:
You have a good insight and comprehending about the makeup and ethnic composition of the ACLU. Be warned however, similar revelations got my posts banned and deleted many times. One is free to complain about everybody else but “them”.

Jul 31, 2009 - 5:58 am 50. BettyBlue:

Oh, great, now the anti-semites show up; “Don’t you understand? Everything is the Jooooooos’ fault!”

heh.

Jul 31, 2009 - 6:35 am 51. Blarty Blarckleblart:

BettyBlue, I told you: sources other than Pam Atlas and “Stop the ACLU.” Find me a legitimate news article, a court document, something like that. Note that when I pointed out that Mr. Stephenson was misinterpreting the 8th Circuit’s opinion, I linked to the 8th Circuit’s opinion, not to Kos or the like. And when I said that the ACLU came to Rush’s aid I linked to FOX News because I knew nobody here would doubt that.

You might extend the same courtesy.

Thanks.

Jul 31, 2009 - 7:38 am 52. BettyBlue:

Blarty, you told me no such thing.

You really don’t read articles, or links, do you? You just skim, then think of all the clever things you can say.

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:06 am 53. Blarty Blarckleblart:

BettyBlue:

Please refer to post 42.

I’m not going to sift through the chaff at Pam Atlas’ and “Stop the ACLU” in the probably vain hope of finding a grain of wheat.

You got some wheat, bring it and we’ll talk.

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:10 am 54. BettyBlue:

Here’s something from Daniel Pipes, on CAIR’s habit of filing lawsuits, and claiming discrimination: http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2004/09/cairs-growing-litigiousness

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:14 am 55. BettyBlue:

And here’s one from an Islamic forum, criticizing CAIR in the Flying Imams case; neither Pipes nor this forum being dangrous bigots, I would say: (actually, as a card carrying memebr of ACLU, ou ought to be grateful to Pam, as one of the few who’se spotlighted the story of the ACLU going after the Moslem school): http://www.aifdemocracy.org/news.php?id=2988

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:17 am 56. BettyBlue:

And here’s one about CAIR’s involvement in a Canadian case, from a pretty staid seeming French Canadian paper: http://www.pointdebasculecanada.ca/article/1141-cair-can-assault-on-free-expression.php

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:22 am 57. BettyBlue:

Took a look at post #42, and you don’t mention any sites by name that you will refuse to look at. You don’t say, “I’ll refuse to look at anything from Atlas Shrugs.”

And, as for CAIR “rioting”, strawman, I answer that one in #43 and #44. Seriously, you really don’t read these threads, or their articles, do you?

(By the way, I don’t see why you’d be down on Pam; she’s one of the few bloggers who’se pointed out this one case, where the ACLU is actually going after an Islamic school, for the church/state separation. I would think that would vindicate the ACLU, a least a little bit, from charges that they have double-standards, and only go after Christians; as a card carrying member of the ACLU, doesn’t this please you?)

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:29 am 58. BettyBlue:

Here’s one from the New York Sun, about CAIR and a libel case: http://www.nysun.com/national/court-throws-out-lawsuit-by-cair/30845/

And, if you go to google, and type in CAIR and the North Carolina Terrorists, you’re going to get a lot, from all sides of the spectrum, about their legal involvement in that.

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:34 am 59. Blarty Blarckleblart:

BettyBlue:

Those are very informative articles about CAIR, but I fail to see what they have to do with the ACLU or the government promoting Islam. Let me copy and paste my original question:

“Tell you what: give me an example of the government promoting Islam in the U.S. in violation of the Establishment Clause and we can have a nice discussion about it.”

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:37 am 60. BettyBlue:

Somewhat off topic, but an article about some of CAIR’s other activities: http://www.nysun.com/national/islamic-groups-named-in-hamas-funding-case/55778/

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:44 am 61. BettyBlue:

Blarty, examples were given in links in the article this whole thread is about. Scroll up, back to the article. You can start with the blue letters that have the words, “Islamic Footbaths” in them; then click on some of those other links, highlighted in blue.

Furthermore, I answer you about the whole government thing in #43, and Thomas takes it up in #46. Federal money may have been used to teach religion, which the government is not supposed to do; this is the reason that your own ACLU is going after the Islamic school which Pam talks about.

You really don’t read this stuff, do you? You just skim, then start spouting leftist talking points.

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:52 am 62. Blarty Blarckleblart:

Strawman, Betty?

31. BettyBlue:

“Though if a case can possibly be made that this is discrimination against Islam (nobody really cares about the “et als”), such a case will be made, and CAIR will show up, and fatwas will be issued and maybe there will even be a riot or two, or three, or four, because that’s the way it works these days.

34. Blarty Blarckleblart:

“Really? When is the last time any of that happened in America?”

38. BettyBlue:

“Happens all the time, Blarty. Didn’t you read the article? Are you unfamiliar with CAIR?”

42. Blarty Blarckleblart:

“BettyBlue, what are you going on about? When did CAIR riot?”

44. BettyBlue:

“…CAIR hasn’t rioted in the US (not yet, at least)…”

I’ll grant you that “CAIR rioting” is a strawman, but I think you’re mistaken about who erected it.

You said the ACLU is “soft on Islam” – that is, that they handle Establishment Clause cases differently depending on which religion the state is promoting. I’m still waiting on some evidence of that.

Jul 31, 2009 - 8:54 am 63. Rob Crawford:

“Have the government stop violating the Bill of Rights.”

Yay! No more gun bans!

Jul 31, 2009 - 9:00 am 64. Blarty Blarckleblart:

61. BettyBlue:

First, all the links in the article go to stoptheaclu dot whatever. I’m not going there – those guys are nuts. They can’t even read a legal opinion correctly, as Mr. Stephenson has shown.

Federal money may have been used to teach religion, which the government is not supposed to do; this is the reason that your own ACLU is going after the Islamic school which Pam talks about.

So you admit that the ACLU isn’t “soft on Islam.” Thank you.

Jul 31, 2009 - 9:04 am 65. Blarty Blarckleblart:

63. Rob Crawford:

Are you unable to obtain a gun?

Jul 31, 2009 - 9:06 am 66. Blarty Blarckleblart:

For those who are interested:

ACLU of Minnesota statement on suing public charter school (TIZA) for violating the Establishment Clause by promoting Islam

Article from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune about the case.

I hope this clears up some misconceptions about the ACLU playing favorites among religions.

Jul 31, 2009 - 10:10 am 67. Thomas:

Here is an excerpt from the Islamic Society of America website:

“ISNA Commends the ACLU for Report on the Negative Impact of Government Policies on Muslim Charitable Giving”

“The ACLU documents the Treasury Department’s use of secret evidence and non-transparent procedures in dealing with American Muslim charities, and describes how terrorism financing laws developed in recent years have inhibited American Muslims’ ability to freely and fully practice their religion.”

The whole sewer is gushing from here:
http://www.isna.net/articles/Press-Releases/ISNA-Commend-ACLU-for-its-Excellent-Report.aspx
=============================================================
Let’s not take each other for complete idiots.
The ACLU is huge, multimillion dollar hardcore Leftist organization with tentacles going into every aspect of the American society; – this is web of various leftist foundations and any attempt to map this anti-American, anti-Christian group intricate inner workings is beyond the scope of this topic.

But as I stated, we perfectly know each other’s goals and we are engaged in a “civil-cold war” and the election of Barry Soetro yielded a considerable victory for the Bolsheviks.

My hunch feeling is that the collapse of America is under way as it happened in Eastern Europe and Russia until people kicked out the Dead Fish and Soros types who now ensconced in the driver seat in the States.

Jul 31, 2009 - 11:35 am 68. Blarty Blarckleblart:

67 Thomas

“The ACLU documents the Treasury Department’s use of secret evidence and non-transparent procedures in dealing with American Muslim charities, and describes how terrorism financing laws developed in recent years have inhibited American Muslims’ ability to freely and fully practice their religion.”

Indeed, the ACLU supports and defends the Free Exercise Clause as well as the Establishment Clause. This is ominous… why?

Jul 31, 2009 - 11:46 am 69. Thomas:

@68. Blarty Blarckleblart:
We have nothing in common to argue about: you are a radical leftist -I, as an Eastern European at birth – I am well versed in every aspect of Marxism-Leninism, from the deep red to the light pink and in between…
from Antonio Gramsci all the way to the Chomskystas and Zinn.

Americans were protected until now from these descendants of the 1917. Bolshevik revolution so they have a largely naive, bona fide attitude toward the likes of the ACLU.
But listen up, Alinsky, Soros, Dead Fish, Axelrod, ACLU pres. Suzanne Hermann, etc. are all second or third generation immigrants from the very same geographical area (the clue!) where I had once lived so we know them from inside out based on what they did over there.

After when they destroyed 100 million souls, The Black Book of Communism they came to America and most became respected university profs. “Human Rights Advocates”, “Community Organizers” etc. and kept on working on the projects they were the best at: destroying the Western Civilization.

Christianity must go first as belief system.
Destruction of the family by promoting feminism, homosex. etc.
Multiculturalism to destroy nationhood, history, culture, ethnic cohesion.

Listen buddy, you cannot feed us with lefty crap, refugees from Communism like Cubans, Vietnamese, E.Europeans, Russians etc. will laugh at you when you are pontificating about the beauty of Barry Soetero and Suzanne Hermann of ACLU.

Jul 31, 2009 - 2:27 pm 70. Juliet:

Hey here’s an idea. Have the ACLU change the word bible to koran , Christmas for Hanukku, or Jesus for Mohammad then let’s see how many cases the ACLU would take. Me thinks not many.

Jul 31, 2009 - 6:43 pm 71. Bill Perron:

NO.37 BLARTY: You can not be so ignorant to actually believe the ACLU doesn’t hate and fear the bible. You totally ignored my question, why did you even reply?

Jul 31, 2009 - 7:50 pm 72. Blarty Blarckleblart:

69. Thomas:

Your post is just a bunch of wingnut jibber-jabber. No facts about the ACLU, or anything else for that matter. But I guarantee you this: I know more about the Constitution than you do, and probably care more about America.

71. Bill Perron:

NO.37 BLARTY: You can not be so ignorant to actually believe the ACLU doesn’t hate and fear the bible.

It doesn’t. You are an idiot.

70. Juliet:

Hey here’s an idea. Have the ACLU change the word bible to koran , Christmas for Hanukku, or Jesus for Mohammad then let’s see how many cases the ACLU would take. Me thinks not many.

You are mistaken. The reason that most (but not all, as BettyBlue helpfully pointed out) of the ACLU’s Establishment Clause cases involve promotion of Christianity is because Christianity is the dominant religion in the U.S. Think about it: what would it take for a representative government body to promote Islam? It would require a majority-Islam community. There are very few of those. One, apparently, is in Minnesota. AND THE ACLU IS SUING FOR PROMOTING ISLAM IN VIOLATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE.

Seriously, you people need to learn to think for yourselves and stop believing everything O’Reilly spoon-feeds you.

Aug 1, 2009 - 8:50 am 73. Blarty Blarckleblart:

Also, who is “Dead Fish”?

Aug 1, 2009 - 9:19 am 74. Thomas:

@73. Blarty Blarckleblart:

From the Time magazine:

“2-min. Bio: Rahm Emanuel – TIME”
Nov 6, 2008 … When Barack Obama asked Congressman Rahm Emanuel to be his White … Once, when a pollster made him angry, Emanuel sent him a dead fish. …”
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1856965,00.html
========================================================================
LA County’s Capitulation to ACLU Demand to Remove Cross Goes to U. S. Supreme Court. October 02, 2007. California – LA County Seal – Arrow to Cross …
http://www.thomasmore.org/qry/page.taf?id=19…detail
========================================================================
The ACLU vs. the Boy Scouts
As settlement of an ACLU lawsuit against the City of San Diego and the Scouts, … The ACLU simply wants to destroy the Boy Scouts of America. …
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/zeiger/040114
========================================================================
Dec 16, 2005 … The ACLU – Their War Against Christmas and You. … The ACLU – Their War Against Christmas and You. 16 Dec. 2005. EzineArticles.com. …
ezinearticles.com/?The-ACLU…Against-Christmas-and.
========================================================================
Veterans Call on Americans to Save Mojave Desert Cross
May 24, 2009 … Congress in 2002 officially designated the Mojave cross and its … Supreme Court Urged to Reject ACLU Attack on Mojave Desert Memorial · American Legion Stands Against Secularist Assault · ACLU Demands Desert Memorial …
http://www.dakotavoice.com/…/veterans-call-on-americans-to-save-mojave-desert-cross/

These are the “bunch of wingnut jibber-jabber”

Cut the crap darling, this is what your God, the Kenyan street organizer said on youtube:

“Obama In Turkey “We Do Not Consider Ourselves A Christian Nation”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIVd7YT0oWA

Aug 1, 2009 - 12:54 pm 75. Blarty Blarckleblart:

Thomas:

A bunch of wingnut sites are your sources?

RenewAmerica? Really?

You are a fool.

Aug 1, 2009 - 1:45 pm 76. Blarty Blarckleblart:

Not that I’m saying the cases aren’t real – they are. I’m saying only that wingnuts lack the ability to understand what they’re actually about.

If you so badly want to live in a country where the government pushes a religion, perhaps you’d enjoy Saudi Arabia.

Aug 1, 2009 - 1:47 pm 77. Thomas:

@76. Blarty Blarckleblart:

What this case has got to do with pushing religion or Saudi Arabia?
Isn’t the Saudi king your street God genuflecting at?

Are you taking yourself seriously?

“The American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, threatened to sue the Los Angeles county if the board did not redesign the seal. The law group claimed the small cross violated the First Amendment of the Constitution.

An agreement with the ACLU states seals on clothes and other items that will wear out can be replaced with the item. Larger versions of the seal, such as those on buildings, would have to be replaced immediately. Janssen says the entire project will cost something less than $1 million.

You radical Communists are getting worse than Genrikh Yagoda** of the Soviet Union.

**Joseph Stalin appointed Yagoda “People’s Commissar for Internal Affairs,” a position that included oversight of regular as well as secret police, the NKVD.

Aug 1, 2009 - 5:11 pm

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