A selection of our reader comments is provided below. While not all of the comments are as on point as others, we believe many of our readers' comments add perspective and flavor to our core question "Is the ACLU good for America?" and this site.
We posted these pro, con, and not clearly pro or con comments in the approximate ratio that we received them. (For example, if 60% of the responses received are "pro," then about 60% of the responses posted below would be "pro").
The comments are arranged in reverse chronological order -- most recent first. We sometimes edit comments for brevity, clarity, and spelling. We may also remove comments posted when we find better comments covering the same issues. To preserve confidentiality, only the writer's first name is noted, unless he/she has waived confidentiality. Respondents are generally notified when we add their comments to this section.
PRO ACLU
CON ACLU
"This country is not now and was designed NEVER to be a theocracy. If your desire is for religion to be the core of our government you are forever destined to be disappointed. The ACLU staunchly defends the unambiguous constitutional separation of church and state. We are ALL safer because of this. Those who whine the loudest would be stunned to know how very much safer they REALLY are due to this protection. What if someone ELSE's god claims superiority and wants to rule the nation? Fighting because 'god is on our side' has decimated many a civilization. Keeping the gods in their places is a very sophisticated concept; elegant in its simplicity and universal value. Thank you founders and thank you ACLU!!" Teri, Sep. 30, 2009
"Yes, yes, yes, yes. The ACLU is absolutely necessary. Without the ACLU, who would stand in the way of all of the internal terrorists ('hitlerites,' power-mad local and non-local 'authorities,' etc.) bent on depriving the common man, ergo, all Americans of their constitutionally guaranteed rights?" Albert, May 31, 2009
"I am amazed at the amount of hate that can be generated simply by a lack of complete information or uncontained passion. The issues at hand should not be decided in the throes of heated emotionalism. Many people who 'hate' the ACLU for what it does are closet bigots. Essentially what they are espousing is due process and equal rights for every person who is like them, but if someone is different, then their rights go out the window.... The ACLU approaches the Constitution pragmatically and UNEMOTIONALLY. The Bill of Rights are the same rights for every American, regardless of race, religion, sex, and as disgusting as it seems - criminal charge." A Retired Soldier, June 22, 2007
"I think that the people condemning the ACLU should realize there are good and bad people in every organization. Also we do need someone to hold people accountable for the things that are against our Bill of Rights. I agree that sometimes they are on the WRONG side of an issue but right now doing away with the ACLU would put us in an Orwellian situation." Suan, June 7, 2007
"Though I've just found this site, I have for fifty years been a student of the U. S. Supreme Court. I've read the full text of dozens of its decisions... Some attorneys say no one knows what a law means until a case is decided. If this is true, the ACLU has given meaning to the Bill of Rights." Tom, Oct. 23, 2006
"The ACLU does not believe the world is flat or that a woman came from a rib. It does protect us from sinking into the mud of religious myth and Stupid-stition." Lionel, Oct. 10, 2006
"For most of my life I was proud for the fact that we had an organization like the ACLU. I joined four years ago, proudly. During that time I have seen Romero [Executive Director of the ACLU] turn us into a mere reflection of what it once was. I told Romero would not renew my membership as long as he is associated with the ACLU. As for those who speak badly about this organization's record, you all need to live in a world without a ACLU to stand up for your rights." Roland, Sep. 26, 2006
"It is notable how rabid the 'con' side is. Thanks to the ACLU there are at least some brakes on such people actually running things." Mason, May 27, 2006
The great thing about the ACLU is that they will fight for your constitutional rights whether or not you like them -- and whether or not they like you. What they defend is not one position or another, but the rights we are all guaranteed under the constitution. If we save the freedom of speech for those speakers we agree with... who decides who gets to speak?" Tara, May 3, 2006
"[I] will say if it was not for the ACLU we would be screwed more than we are now." Ken, Jan. 29, 2006
"You do a marvelous job on all sites I've visited. Keep up the good work. Civil remedies for uncivil wrongs are the pathways for a future of peace. Without justice, there can only be violence. Theocracy is Treason. Hell threats are not made ok with heaven bribes." Larry, Jan. 24, 2006
"Wow...I knew the Christian Right didn't like the ACLU...I didn't realize how vitriolic their disdain could be! That said, I go on record as approving of the ACLU, for many reasons, but primarily because they uphold the rights of all citizens based ONLY on constitutionality."
Your god is not necessarily my god, however, the Constitution unequivacably declares my right to worship, or not worship, as I choose. With that, I am allowed to practice my religion, or lack thereof, by whatever law-abiding manner I choose. So, if I want to erect a statue of Dick Cheney in my front yard, a la the Virgin Mary, I can do so; and, worship him at a public meeting by drinking beer and smoking cigars, I can do that, too. That doesn't make me an evil person, nor does it undermine anyone else's ability to live and/or worship as they choose. Haven't our forefathers fought these battles to ensure our freedoms to think and lawfully act as we choose?" G.P., Jan. 23, 2006
"The ACLU is necessary as their mission is to protect all citizens. Using the Bill of Rights as Rule of Law, the ACLU has stood by ultra conservativs as it has stood by ultra liberals. The right of free speech has stretched from Skokie, Illinois to Miami, Florida, from Williamsburg (Brooklyn) NY to Berkeley, CA." Judith, Aug. 18, 2005
"I think the ACLU is good and bad - like unions...they are good and bad....I think we need the ACLU - and not everybody will ever agree with all it does....same with unions." John, Apr. 18, 2005
"Whatever good the ACLU started out to give Americans has now resulted in a very suspect organization. Just as lawyers are no longer respected by a large percent of Americans, so to has the ACLU shot itself in the foot. This country has enough problems as it is and the ACLU is doing its best to make matters worse. The ACLU and Obama have something in common, namely tear down the institutions of America so we can rebuild it. Both the ACLU and Obama are failing in their efforts!" Bill, Nov. 18, 2009
"I think the ACLU has done more damage to this country than I have seen in the 65 years I've been on this earth. They interfere with our justice system and, even though people are guilty, they manage to set them free. Pedophiles must love this organization. When I was growing up this country ran fine. What happened to make us need an organization like this?
They want to have the cross ripped down from the desert. That cross wasn't bothering anybody and now the cross issue is in front of the Supreme Court. You have got to be kidding me! Sleazy lawyers are chomping at the bit for this job!! The ACLU should disbanded!" Ann Marie, Oct. 7, 2009
"The ACLU is the most dangerous organization in America. They make safe havens for our most feared enemies. Criminals love the ACLU. They are not for the rights of the average American citizen. This organization should be abolished." Merlin, Feb. 12, 2009
"You people [ACLU not ACLU.ProCon.org] are the most un-American bunch of idiots. The war on terror requires us to fight fire with fire. The terrorists don't care about freedom. You should be going after them not on the freedom loving people that protect our country. You have no idea about our history. You have to use fire to fight fire. You take advantage of all the illiterate people in this country that are uninformed!! Go to Hell you bunch of whackos." Neil, Feb. 12, 2009
"The ACLU is a joke! Another Liberal organization that is out to make matters worse for everyone. They are so stupid that they do not even realize what they stand for or are fighting for. They are a ridiculous entity that should have been stopped when they started! Name one thing that has helped anybody, really." Tom, Jan. 6, 2009
"This liberal hating organization should be convicted of treason, and unamerican activities. Any contributor to their purpose should be carefully analyzed and if it is a business we should stop all trade or purchases with them." Howard, June 16, 2008
"[The] ACLU has caused more toward the destruction of the United States than any one other factor. It has destroyed any kind of morality or patriotism to what was the greatest country in the world." Paul, Mar. 17. 2008
"There is one simple question I would ask of the ACLU. If they have fought for the separation of church and state for these many decades, why have they not filed one single suit, or made one outcry over the use of tax payers money to install foot washing stations in Minnesota airports for Muslims? Where is their concern over the separation of church and state when it does not apply to Christians? The ACLU can pretend all it wants about being for civil liberties, it's all smoke and mirrors. The true goal of the ACLU is to remove Christian/Judean values and any notion of morality from the public square." Victor, July 28, 2007
"There's not too many things in this world that I despise more than the ACLU. Critical thought by anyone with even a partial brain can see that the ACLU's mission is to topple this country of ours. The crumbling of the USA has begun thanks to this ignorant organization that somehow works to impose the beliefs of 5-10% of the population onto the entire society. The organization has been successful at making a mockery of the ideals of this country. While ACLU attorneys get rich, we all lose in the end. The ACLU should be ashamed of themselves and so should those that support its cause." Terry, June 27, 2007
"The ACLU is nothing but an organization dedicated to the forced secularization of America. It, and its cohorts, have been purging religion on a massive scale in this country for decades. The ACLU is nothing but a group of religion regulators, deciding when and where religion shall be allowed to exist. Anyone interested in true religious liberty should fight for all public displays of religion (teacher/student religion in the public schools, for example) while telling the ACLU thought police to go to hell." Joe, June 8, 2007
"The ACLU is nothing but a bunch of communists whose goal is to destroy America and Christianity. They are on the same level as terrorists. Separation of church and state was formed so that a government could not dictate one specific religion to it's people. The ACLU have twisted it's meaning and use every opportunity to destroy anything to do with God. They should join up with Bin Laden, or have they already?" Pam, Apr. 30, 2007
"Why should Gonzales resign? He's just getting his feet wet. I think both houses of each party should resign, after all, they are the ones the people elect to protect our so called civil liberty. I respect the ACLU as far as the concept but not on the merits of many of the cases you represent, try to defend the majority occasionally. We like the Easter Bunny." Mar. 9, 2007
"The ACLU must and will be eliminated. The ACLU serves no purpose other than to spread hate and discontent against Mainstream America. Their views on Religion and their interpretation of the constitution are completely against mainstream America. They are Athiests with no regard what so ever for the wishes of the American People." Ken, Feb. 20, 2007
"I hope the people of the USA will wake up & realize before it's too late that the ACLU is trying to destroy our Country. I am supporting the fight against the ACLU before it's too late to save what Rights we have left in this God fearing country. I'm waking up my friends to the fact that the ACLU is out to destroy the USA by trying to remove God in which our country was founded. I hope we can remove the ACLU before it's too late." Sheila, Dec. 19, 2006
"I think that what you [ACLU] do is undermining what we, as in our country, where founded on and that is 'GOD'. When you try to take GOD out of everything the only thing you will have left is the DEVIL but I am guessing that is what you are, the DEVIL is disguise. Where you born and raised in the USA? Because we pray before we eat, the money we pass around and that you choose to use has 'in GOD we trust' on it, and don't for get the pledge to our flag states 'one nation under GOD' as well. If you do not like these saying or are offended by them feel free not to pray before your meal or at anytime, don't use our money, and certainly do not say our pledge; feel free to leave our country and live some where that others feel the same as you." Kindra, Oct. 26, 2006
"...[W]hen I heard in my US Government class about ACLU I was astonished. I couldn't believe that people in this country thought like this. They have no morals and are taking things a bit too far. They use big fancy words trying to makes it seem like what they think is a positive thing for the country when they're going to destroy us if we don't do something about it to stop it. I know it's freedom of speech but the ACLU is taking things to far. Especially with supporting pedophiles. How can people with common sense think these things are ok?
I believe 'some' things they have done have benefited about country but they are going to far. As united Americans I don't think people will let this happen for very long, I know I'm not. If we let this go on who knows what kind of things they will try to support in 10 or 20 years. This is madness and I disagree with ACLU and hope anything they try to accomplish, fails." Ruby, Oct. 20, 2006
"ACLU members need to be moved from the US to a deserted island and leave the majority of us God fearing Christians alone. If you don't want to pray, don't because you will not stop us from having our beliefs and freedoms. Where you're going, they don't serve ice water!!!! May God have mercy on your pitiful, sick,souls. Birds of a feather flock together. Fly away!!!!!!!!!" Anonymous, Sep. 29, 2006
"The ACLU is the most dangerous organization in the U.S. It sponsors and advocates positions, which if left unchallenged, would eventually bring down the American way of life as we know it." Wayne, Sep. 26, 2006
"The ACLU is the most terrible organizations I can think of, and should be banned from America completely. It is anti-American, anti-religious, and anti-moral. Every issue that I have read about that the ACLU brings to court I am completely against. I feel very sorry for our future generations. Any organization that tries to force it's will upon the American people should be banned from doing so. It is a terrible terrible organization, at best." Ed, Sep. 11, 2006
"I think an organization who has socialism as a main goal for America is not an organization for America. It is opposed to the American beliefs. My people did not come to this country from England and Ireland to fight for this country to see it socialized. This is not the USSA-United Socialist State of America. It is the USA-United State of America." Kat, July 15, 2006
"If you look at a list of members that have belonged to the ACLU it is very troubling. They were all Communists. Gus Hall, Eugene Dennis, Earl Browder etc. The ACLU is a Communist organization! plain and simple." Mark, June 19, 2006
"In the process of a 'few rights', it seems to me that the rest get trampled! What happened to 'EVERY CITIZEN'S' rights? No one has a right to take 'MY' beliefs & ways of life away from me...period!!!" Linda, Apr. 29, 2006
"You folks need to find a real job,the ACLU is bad for the U.S.A.!!!!!" L., Jan. 29, 2006
"I think the ACLU should keep there noses out of everything including My number one topic Abortion. GOD says Thou shall not MURDER!!!!!! I shall say no more about that commandment. Its not the right of the woman to chose. If they would pray first. God would say have that baby. All i can say is pray that the world would ban the ACLU. They need to go away." Thomas, Dec. 16, 2005
"By the addition of ACLU to the website name, that already shows that you cannot; and, ideologically incapable of entertaining an opposing view. Your ideology is far leftist arrogant social engineering. How can you have both sides (pro/con) when your very statements tell all that you think of your opposition as bumbling idiots that can barely walk and think at the same time..." David, Aug. 16, 2008
"The ACLU is the spawn of SATAN...They continually try to tear down THE PEOPLES CONSTITUTION!!!!!! Are they there for law abiding citizens? NO!! Are they there for criminals, the killing of babies & GAY MARRIAGES? YES..YES.. YES.. I will never acccept the ACLU or what they stand for!!!" Sher, June 6, 2005
"I am furious at the sickening ACLU bullying the boyscouts. They are trying in every way to remove all of our constitutional rights of prayer that the majority approves of. Just because they are atheists it does not mean that 75% of Americans believe as they do. It is a systematic way of removing all of our forefathers beliefs from our society. The ACLU has an obvious agenda of cramming down Americans throats their amoral secular viewpoints.... I feel they should not have tax payers funding to equip them to have the power to tell little children that they can't sing songs about Jesus or write papers in school about Him. Our forefathers prayed [and] mentioned the importance of Godly life in many writings of the time and many were men of the cloth. The ACLU is trying to control the U.S. people and dictate what we can say and think. What an evil organization it is. The few trying to oppress the majority. If they have their way it will not be the land of the free and home of the brave. Maybe more like Communist Russia. No. Korea and Red China. Cruel oppressors and dictators. Locking their people in for total control. Down with ACLU dictatorship and may God always guide and protect our wonderful USA." June 3, 2005
"The Founding Fathers clearly established that they would not want any official allegiance to a specific Religion. We must conclude, however, that the Founders’ expressions of divine belief and gratitude, as were so often written, they were most likely referring to the God worshipped by Christians and Jews. He is the only God whose believers praise Him for granting us our natural liberties and to Whom we owe a duty of "Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other." We do not see much love or forbearance required or even honored by other major religions. The ACLU wants none of this. They want any mention of God removed from all governmental papers, buildings, etc. Their words that they want to "protect" us from mentions of God are really only fomenting their own dogmatic religion, secular humanism, which elevates each person to be his own little god, and that gets people and society into trouble.
The Judeo-Christian ethic, as imperfectly as we practice it, is still the basis of Western civilization and the major force for enlightenment in the world. We should acknowledge the Judeo Christian God as the foundation of our great country and reject those who want to replace it with an inferior ethic, especially one that glorifies anti-spiritual values, such as secular humanism." Clark, Mar. 23, 2005
"ACLU is a terrorist organization, ransom, and intimidation, it should be prosecuted as a criminal organization, wake up people." Thomas, Feb. 9, 2005
