The ACLU is changing. As in, Republicans are taking part in it. The group's newfound popularity post-Sept. 11, 2001, suggests a change in the conventional dividing lines between conservative Republicans and civil libertarians. A couple of interesting articles are recently out about it.
The St. Petersburg Times has an interesting question and answer session with the Florida ACLU's treasurer.
From an Associated Press story today: WASHINGTON (AP) … Whether protecting the disenfranchised or standing up for the right to offend, the American Civil Liberties Union has sided with those claiming they were wronged, even if it meant a distinctly minority stand.
But since Sept. 11 and the government's expansive campaign of monitoring and detention, people are turning to the 82-year-old organization to help safeguard their liberties. Among them are conservatives who made the phrase "card-carrying member of the ACLU'' a political insult, but who now are signing up.
"Larger numbers of American people have realized that the ACLU is fundamentally a patriotic organization.'' executive director Anthony Romero said. There are now 330,000 dues-paying members, 50,000 of whom joined after the attacks.