abhorrent as it and its members may be, until it and they do something illegal, squelching their outrageous message does as much damage as censoring mohammed cartoons.

Sorry KB but what they stand for is illegal in the first place. "North American Man/Boy Love Association".

"Sorry KB but what they stand for is illegal in the first place. "North American Man/Boy Love Association".

Well, some might say that the NRA stands for illegal activities, too, considering they are fighting to repeal gun ownership laws. The difference to me is that the acts that NAMBLA wants to permit immediately conflict with other people's rights, i.e. the right of children to be free from victimization.

People like MLK condoned breaking the laws to protect people's rights. NAMBLA thinks they are protecting kids rights to have sex with skanky old people. There are times you have to decide that blind fairness might not be the best policy.

Cacto:

if you don't defend the unsavoury ones as much as the PC.

Have you noticed that the most unsavory ones are the ones that are "politically correct"?! ::

Baker:

The ACLU walks a fine line with they represent the rights of people who are trying to rob others of rights.

And I am all for defending the rights of citizens. But when an organization takes a clear and unwelcome social agenda, and does so on the grounds of a mandate from the masses, that organization goes too far.
Does not matter whether the organization in question is the ACLU or the NRA.

And speaking of the NRA...

Well, some might say that the NRA stands for illegal activities, too, considering they are fighting to repeal gun ownership laws.

The NRA's basis for existence is the second amendment to the Constitution.

And speaking of the constitution... (do you like how this all segues together?)
Deference:

The ACLU doesn't have an 'agenda' - but they do have a mission

And thank you very much for finding the mission statement of the ACLU. I appreciate the posting because it illuminates the dialogue.

Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state.

The freedom to burn flags... freedom to piss on Jesus Christ's image... freedom to associate with young boys and have sex with them...

Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.

Unless you happen to belong to a church that tends towards social conservativism. The City of Salt Lake sold a parcel of downtown property to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who wanted to turn it into a park. A park open to the public, but on private property. Since it was on private property, the Church felt it could enforce certain rules, like no public protests, no loud music, no smoking. The ACLU intervened, trying to prevent the Church from banning those activities on its own property. After several appeals on both sides, a few years, and no small amount of money, the courts finally stated that the Church could enforce its rules on its own property.

From KSL.com:
A civil liberties lawyer says a deal giving control of a downtown Salt Lake City plaza to the Mormon church must be overturned -- because it gives church officials police power over a public area, violating the constitution.

American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Mark Lopez told a three-judge appeals court panel in Denver this morning that Salt Lake City retains some authority over the plaza, and must enforce free-speech rights.

A 2003 agreement called for the city to give up a guarantee of public access to the plaza, in exchange for church-owned land elsewhere in the area.

But Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attorney Alan Sullivan claims the agreement guaranteed the church the right to refuse public access, and enforce its own rules.

at very least, they shoulda let rush spend a few nights in the clink before they took his case.

They did not take his case.  The filed an Amicus Curie Brief.

what they stand for is illegal in the first place

it's only illegal when acted upon. i can read & write about using drugs or committing burglaries nonstop for the next year without violating any laws. i can also legally call for the decriminalization of both drug use and burglary. i can legally display images of drug paraphenalia and burglary tools as well. it's totally legal to post first person accounts describing all the pleasures and profits to be had by engaging in both activities.

you--or someone you rob--can attempt have me arrested or file a civil suit to collect for damages by claiming any or all of my actions described above caused you to engage in the use of drugs and/or to commit burglary. to win, you'll have to convince a judge and/or jury danish cartoonists are responsible for causing a mob to burn down an embassy.

Well, some might say that the NRA stands for illegal activities, too, considering they are fighting to repeal gun ownership laws. The difference to me is that the acts that NAMBLA wants to permit immediately conflict with other people's rights, i.e. the right of children to be free from victimization.

Some might say it, but they'd be mightily wrong. What the NRA stands for is ALL about the second amendment. Now "how" is that illegal? Just an FYI baker.....most gun ownership laws are considered unconstitutional. Most of the laws you're referring too limit a constitutional right given to the citizens of the US.

Now what NAMBLA stands for is a perversion and that is something that is "not" guaranteed by the constitution.

Now what NAMBLA stands for is a perversion and that is something that is "not" guaranteed by the constitution.

Aren't NAMBLA's defenders using the 1st Amendment's "freedom of assembly" provision?
That's how the Boy Scouts were able to withstand the ACLU assault.

And thank you very much for finding the mission statement of the ACLU. I appreciate the posting because it illuminates the dialogue. - Singrdave

My pleasure. I always like to add to the dialogue...particularly when it is so tolerably conducted.