Politics Thread

[SemajParlor]

You can read it however you want but the ACLU also defends the rights of actual Nazis, not just the ones Democrats accuse Republicans of being. The ACLU does do some important things but they also do some really bullshit things. But right now they're being painted as an organization that is performing miracle work. You may disagree with me and approve of everything they do. That's fine, agree to disagree.

I actually agree with you more on points than you probably think. I'm personally in the camp of people who don't like Trump but not a sign waving Lena Dunham lunatic.

My comment was trying to be funny not a knock on your point. It reminded me of "The cast of Hamilton, which I hear is highly overrated"

[Caf]

I'm talking about examples like these https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.a25fb7459f89 that Democrats/liberals lose their minds over.

I'm cool with all of those things. If we want free speech, liberty, etc., they need to apply to everyone. The fact that at times both parties disagree with them is really a testament to their principled approach.

And they are doing really important work right now. Trump's trying to make some very serious changes to this country. With a Republican controlled Congress, courts and organizations like the ACLU are vital to check his power when needed. Just because Dems disagreed with them in the past doesn't make them hypocrites now.

[Juice]

I certainly do not agree with the ACLU on everything, but I've come to appreciate their willingness to stick to their principles even in the face of unpopular causes.

I'll give them that but I don't think a lot of their new supporters have any idea of the work they do besides what they've done the last week or two.

[Juice]

I'm cool with all of those things. If we want free speech, liberty, etc., they need to apply to everyone. The fact that at times both parties disagree with them is really a testament to their principled approach.

And they are doing really important work right now. Trump's trying to make some very serious changes to this country. With a Republican controlled Congress, courts and organizations like the ACLU are vital to check his power when needed. Just because Dems disagreed with them in the past doesn't make them hypocrites now.

I think a lot of them are hypocrites because they use protests/riots as a way to silence those they disagree with whereas the ACLU protects your right to say but disagree.

[X-man]

I copy and pasted a tweet.

Apology offered. I don't read Twitter, and failed to understand that you were just quoting a tweet.

[GoMuskies]

Apology offered.

WTF?!? Don't you know this is the politics thread?

[Juice]

Apology offered. I don't read Twitter, and failed to understand that you were just quoting a tweet.

We're good. I accidentally deleted his twitter handle next to his name so it wasn't obvious anyways.

[LA Muskie]

I'll give them that but I don't think a lot of their new supporters have any idea of the work they do besides what they've done the last week or two.

I'm an unabashed Aaron Sorkin fan. He's (pretty far) left of me, personally, but damn does he have a knack for the art of the monologue. Apropos of the ACLU discussion, this is one of my favorites:

https://youtu.be/OC2jhQ0KAAU

[LA Muskie]

I think a lot of them are hypocrites because they use protests/riots as a way to silence those they disagree with whereas the ACLU protects your right to say but disagree.

I disagree. Free speech works in all directions -- including counter-protests. Free speech protects speakers from government consequences. It does not protect speakers from those of the private ilk. I think "shaming" is an outstanding use of free speech to counter hate. Especially when done in a productive and positive manner and not blatantly hate-filled in response.

[LA Muskie]

We're good. I accidentally deleted his twitter handle next to his name so it wasn't obvious anyways.

Get a room, you two! (Seriously, though, there are few things more heartening to me than an apology and acceptance -- two things we don't see enough, particularly on the internet.)