"Everything old is new again"

Download PDF version of this letter

-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Klunder
Sent: Thu 9/28/2006 1:47 AM
To: (ACLU internal list)
Subject: Everything old is new again

Let's look at some quotes from a media article:

"The ACLU is at war again - this time, with itself"
"The internal fighting has already hurt the ACLU's reputation, earned since its founding in 1920, for standing up for what it thinks is right - public opinion be damned."
"The ACLU is ready today to sacrifice principle for political expediency."

Sounds much like what we've been reading lately. But these quotes are actually from an article in USA Today more than 13 years ago. Just as now, at that time some long-time ACLU advocates thought the organization had lost its way. And there was much gnashing of teeth when those -- including Nat Hentoff and Alan Dershowitz -- accused the ACLU of selling out.

But you know what? That was a tempest in a teapot, and very few today remember or care. I'm sure there have been many other episodes in our history when people left the organization angrily -- always thinking that it was the ACLU heading down the wrong path, and desperately wanting just to "save" the organization.

I firmly believe that all the angst about recent actions belongs in the same camp. And I also believe the ACLU will continue to grow and become more and more effective at fighting for civil liberties. I don't think we've lost our way. Nor do I believe we've sold out. Even though I don't always vote in the majority. I recognize and respect differences of opinion about what our principles are. Even though I know in my heart you're all wrong if you don't see it my way. :)

Let's move on, and keep up our effective work, and not worry too much about the self-styled saviors -- either today's, yesterday's, or tomorrow's.

Doug Klunder ACLU-WA Affiliate Board Representative

 

[ back to top]