ACLU addresses Trump

[kenny]

http://bipartisanreport.com/2016/11/18/just-in-aclu-makes-full-page-donald-trump-announcement-via-new-york-times-image/

ACLU Makes FULL PAGE Donald Trump Announcement Via New York Times

The ACLU has got a few words for America’s newest elected “leader,” and the letter they just published through the NY Times, is probably the most amazing jab in the history of politics.
It doesn’t hurt that the jab came from the American Civil Liberties Union, because the power behind the letter is what makes it so ominous to the president-elect.

“Dear President-Elect Trump,

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has stood as this nation’s premier defender of freedom and justice for all.

As you assume the nation’s highest office, we must ask you now as president-elect to reconsider and change course on certain campaign promises you have made.

Specifically, you promised to:
* amass deportation force to remove 11 million undocumented immigrants
* ban the entry of Muslims and institute aggressive surveillance programs targeting them
* restrict a woman’s right to abortion services
* reauthorize waterboarding and other forms of torture
* change our nation’s libel laws and restrict freedom of expression”

As if this statement alone wasn’t enough of a threat, the ACLU continues:

“These proposals are not simply un-American and wrong-headed.
They are unlawful and unconstitutional, and would violate the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution, as well as other statutes and international treaties.”

“Many of our country’s most cherished rights are the result of ACLU litigation and advocacy.
They include:
* the Scopes trial (the right to teach evolution in public science classrooms)
* the following Supreme Court cases:
* Korematsu (challenging Japanese American internment)
* Miranda (the right to remain silent)
* Griswold (the right to contraception)
* Loving (the right of interracial couples to marry)
* Gideon (the right to a court-appointed attorney if you can’t afford one)
* Windsor (striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act)
* Obergefell (the right of same-sex couples to marry) and others.

We have worked with and battled American presidents of both parties to ensure that our country makes good on it’s founding premise as the land of the free.”hell.
They say Trump will have the full firepower of the ACLU to deal with if he doesn’t wise up.

In the end of the open letter, the ACLU promises to make Trump’s life a nightmare if he continues to pave his road to concentration camp
The letter concludes:

“If you do not reverse course and endeavor to make these campaign promises a reality, you will have to contend with the full firepower of the ACLU at your every step.
Our staff of litigators and activists in every state, thousands of volunteers, and millions of supporters stand ready to fight against any encroachment on our cherished freedoms and rights.”

“One thing is certain: We will be vigilant every day of your tenure as president.
And when you ultimately vacate the Oval Office, we will do likewise with your successor.”

 

[kenny]

Without the ACLU America would really suck!

 

[ruby59]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

 

[katharath]

Without the ACLU America would really suck!

So thankful that they are out there, helping when needed, fighting the small minded in America.

 

[AdaBeta27]

Specifically, you promised to:
* amass deportation force to remove 11 million undocumented immigrants
* ban the entry of Muslims and institute aggressive surveillance programs targeting them
Theodore Roosevelt on immigration: http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/troosevelt.asp

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American ... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

* restrict a woman’s right to abortion services
Trump said he is pro-life and will appoint pro-life justices. But, if those SC justices are correctly doing their jobs, they will be focused on the U.S. laws and not necessarily "doing what the President wants." IF the R vs W ruling were overturned, it would, as Trump said, correctly, per the law, go back to the states to decide. And the states may very well be forced to give up the pipedream of making abortions illegal again just because of how much it's going to COST to deal with all of the unwanted children that will be created and dumped if there are no abortions. And this COST is not just a short-term problem, it's 17-18 years per child, and possibly lifelong for some that are handicapped or special needs. Or incarcerated. If you think Trump will do anything more than superficial pandering to the anti-abortion people who voted for him. I think you are delusional. All you have to do is follow the money on this issue. Maybe after we watch the Republicans finally trot out every ridiculous antiabortion proposal, the anti-choicers will finally have to either sit down and shut up, or start adopting all of those babies they keep insisting that it's okay to saddle everyone else with.

* reauthorize waterboarding and other forms of torture
* change our nation’s libel laws and restrict freedom of expression”

I don't know enough about those last two to make any statement. But, I correctly predicted that same-sex marriage would be safe because it's already established.

 

[distracts]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

 

[kenny]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

Good!
Just because many people, even the vast majority, want something ... uhm ...
People in lots of states wanted slavery to continue.

Thank humans that our Constitutuion was written to protect minorities against the tyrany of the majority!

 

[ruby59]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

To be more specific I am talking about panhandling.

In our state panhandlers stand on every street corner and near busy intersections with signs.

Many in our state do not like that. So we have no rights not to be intimidated when we pull up near one and have to stop because of a red light? I hate having to be a captive audience until it turns green.

 

[distracts]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

To be more specific I am talking about panhandling.

In our state panhandlers stand on every street corner and near busy intersections with signs.

Many in our state do not like that. So we have no rights not to be intimidated when we pull up near one and have to stop because of a red light? I hate having to be a captive audience until it turns green.

Intimidated by poverty-stricken people holding cardboard signs? How low is your threshold for intimidation?

 

[distracts]

Also there is a difference between feelings and actions - while the panhandlers may make you FEEL a certain way, the bill was likely addressed at either restricting their freedom of movement or freedom of speech which are basic constitutional rights. Those are not apples to apples comparisons. That's... like... basic civics.

 

[ruby59]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

To be more specific I am talking about panhandling.

In our state panhandlers stand on every street corner and near busy intersections with signs.

Many in our state do not like that. So we have no rights not to be intimidated when we pull up near one and have to stop because of a red light? I hate having to be a captive audience until it turns green.

Intimidated by poverty-stricken people holding cardboard signs? How low is your threshold for intimidation?

Yes, especially when they give you the middle finger when you do not give them anything.

Or scream at you when you drive away from them .

 

[kenny]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

To be more specific I am talking about panhandling.

In our state panhandlers stand on every street corner and near busy intersections with signs.

Many in our state do not like that. So we have no rights not to be intimidated when we pull up near one and have to stop because of a red light? I hate having to be a captive audience until it turns green.

Intimidated by poverty-stricken people holding cardboard signs? How low is your threshold for intimidation?

Yes, especially when they give you the middle finger when you do not give them anything.

Or scream at you when you drive away from them .

How nice, you have a car.

 

[ruby59]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

To be more specific I am talking about panhandling.

In our state panhandlers stand on every street corner and near busy intersections with signs.

Many in our state do not like that. So we have no rights not to be intimidated when we pull up near one and have to stop because of a red light? I hate having to be a captive audience until it turns green.

Intimidated by poverty-stricken people holding cardboard signs? How low is your threshold for intimidation?

Yes, especially when they give you the middle finger when you do not give them anything.

Or scream at you when you drive away from them .

How nice, you have a car.

It is one of the perks of working since I was 15 and living below my means.

Should I feel guilty for the fact that my husband and I worked hard all our lives and can afford a comfortable life?

Because frankly I do not.

 

[ruby59]

Also there is a difference between feelings and actions - while the panhandlers may make you FEEL a certain way, the bill was likely addressed at either restricting their freedom of movement or freedom of speech which are basic constitutional rights. Those are not apples to apples comparisons. That's... like... basic civics.

And what about people's rights to be able to walk around down city without being accosted by over zealous panhandles on every corner?

Where do their rights end and mine begin?

 

[ruby59]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

And what about these people's rights?

Property owners and business managers said in the meeting that they've had enough. Customers were afraid to visit their businesses, and employees were afraid to walk by throngs of people, asking for change and openly dealing drugs.

People sleep on the loading dock at 10 Dorrance St., and one man sets up a blanket out front and panhandles all day, threatening to call police on the business owners who complain, according to property owners.

There are people throwing trash and hanging out on the stairs, despite no loitering signs at Dr. Deepak Saluja's dental office on Fulton Street. "It's a combat zone," Saluja said. "I don't understand why it's being allowed."

 

[House Cat]

Most homeless people suffer from severe mental illness. The very nature of untreated, severe mental illness keeps a person from getting medical help. There are little to no medical facilities for these people.

They are doing their best to survive.

 

[AGBF]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

And what about these people's rights?

Property owners and business managers said in the meeting that they've had enough. Customers were afraid to visit their businesses, and employees were afraid to walk by throngs of people, asking for change and openly dealing drugs.

People sleep on the loading dock at 10 Dorrance St., and one man sets up a blanket out front and panhandles all day, threatening to call police on the business owners who complain, according to property owners.

There are people throwing trash and hanging out on the stairs, despite no loitering signs at Dr. Deepak Saluja's dental office on Fulton Street. "It's a combat zone," Saluja said. "I don't understand why it's being allowed."

Kill all the homeless.

 

[ruby59]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

And what about these people's rights?

Property owners and business managers said in the meeting that they've had enough. Customers were afraid to visit their businesses, and employees were afraid to walk by throngs of people, asking for change and openly dealing drugs.

People sleep on the loading dock at 10 Dorrance St., and one man sets up a blanket out front and panhandles all day, threatening to call police on the business owners who complain, according to property owners.

There are people throwing trash and hanging out on the stairs, despite no loitering signs at Dr. Deepak Saluja's dental office on Fulton Street. "It's a combat zone," Saluja said. "I don't understand why it's being allowed."

Kill all the homeless.

From the articles I am reading, actually many are not even homeless and they also collect SSI.

 

[Dancing Fire]

It is one of the perks of working since I was 15 and living below my means.

Should I feel guilty for the fact that my husband and I worked hard all our lives and can afford a comfortable life?

Because frankly I do not.

Yes you should, b/c according to the liberals that would consider as "white privilege"...

 

[House Cat]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

And what about these people's rights?

Property owners and business managers said in the meeting that they've had enough. Customers were afraid to visit their businesses, and employees were afraid to walk by throngs of people, asking for change and openly dealing drugs.

People sleep on the loading dock at 10 Dorrance St., and one man sets up a blanket out front and panhandles all day, threatening to call police on the business owners who complain, according to property owners.

There are people throwing trash and hanging out on the stairs, despite no loitering signs at Dr. Deepak Saluja's dental office on Fulton Street. "It's a combat zone," Saluja said. "I don't understand why it's being allowed."

Kill all the homeless.

From the articles I am reading, actually many are not even homeless and they also collect SSI.

Oh, so they should be able to afford TWO houses! The deadbeats!

 

[ruby59]

Oh, so they should be able to afford TWO houses! The deadbeats!

_______________________________________________

They should not be out there on the pretense that they are homeless.

 

[kenny]

And in my small state I have seen them bulldoze their way through threatening lawsuits and demanding the rescinding of ordinances that many in our state wanted.

It doesn't matter if many wanted them if they infringed on people's rights. That's... pretty much the basic premise of America.

To be more specific I am talking about panhandling.

In our state panhandlers stand on every street corner and near busy intersections with signs.

Many in our state do not like that. So we have no rights not to be intimidated when we pull up near one and have to stop because of a red light? I hate having to be a captive audience until it turns green.

Intimidated by poverty-stricken people holding cardboard signs? How low is your threshold for intimidation?

Yes, especially when they give you the middle finger when you do not give them anything.

Or scream at you when you drive away from them .

How nice, you have a car.

It is one of the perks of working since I was 15 and living below my means.

Should I feel guilty for the fact that my husband and I worked hard all our lives and can afford a comfortable life?

Because frankly I do not.

Huh?
Who said you should feel guilty?

 

[kenny]

Also there is a difference between feelings and actions - while the panhandlers may make you FEEL a certain way, the bill was likely addressed at either restricting their freedom of movement or freedom of speech which are basic constitutional rights. Those are not apples to apples comparisons. That's... like... basic civics.

And what about people's rights to be able to walk around down city without being accosted by over zealous panhandles on every corner?

Where do their rights end and mine begin?

If someone commits a crime call 911.

 

[House Cat]

Oh, so they should be able to afford TWO houses! The deadbeats!

_______________________________________________

They should not be out there on the pretense that they are homeless.

I see. They showed you their official "I am homeless identification" but it was fake.


I hate it when that happens.

 

[ruby59]

Oh, so they should be able to afford TWO houses! The deadbeats!

_______________________________________________

They should not be out there on the pretense that they are homeless.

I see. They showed you their official "I am homeless identification" but it was fake.


I hate it when that happens.[/quote

______________________________________________________


"I drive down North Main Street. I walk through downtown. I see the signs that say they're homeless and I know they're not homeless."

Santilli, who runs the state's leading agency for the homeless, has one piece of advice: Don't pay them.

 

[AGBF]

I once posted about this on Pricescope. My brother, who until January of of 2017 will be working for HUD, participated in the annual homeless survey done by the government last year. Some of you should try the exercise. I did a search and found the old posting. Trekkie and I were talking.

On the other side of the spectrum is poverty. Just as people are reluctant to classify themselves as wealthy, I don't know a single poor person who thinks of themselves as poor. There is always someone worse off. For instance, my colleague who earns around US$300 a month, collects glass bottles at work to give to her cousin so that she can sell them for cash. The cousin, whose only income is this income from bottle selling, doesn't think of herself as poor and uses some of her bottle selling income to buy bread for "the poor". Through the Aids centre I volunteer at, I know several child headed households. One which stands out is a 16 year old girl who is caring for her 13 and 8 year old siblings and does so with an income of $60 per month, a $10 food parcel a month and some help with school stationery and school uniforms. Believe it or not, she doesn't think they're poor either! She feels she's fortunate because she lives in a brick house and she and her siblings go to school. To her, poverty is living in a tin shack and not being able to go to school.

Everything is, indeed, relative. I began reading this thread not with shame about my wealth, but with envy about the relative wealth of some others who were posting. Because ten years ago I was in an higher income bracket than I am now and, although I rarely think about it and rarely miss the money, threads like this do make me think about it! And it is stupid of me to be envious. There is really nothing in my life that I want. I just like the idea of being wealthier!

The day before yesterday my brother came down from northern Connecticut to give me a hand with the household here after the snowstorm. Before he left he mentioned he was taking part in a homeless survey. I asked how he did that. He said it was interesting and started to explain it to me. As he started to speak I realized that it might be part of his job since he works for HUD (The Department of Housing and Urban Development). I don't know whether it is part of his job or not. It may be a volunteer position; he does a lot of community, volunteer, work.

At any rate, people-like my brother-go to shelters and some go and look under bridges and places where the homeless sleep. It all done on one specific day in January throughout the country. There is an interview that the person must go through in order to get a $5.00 (I believe he said $5.00) CVS card. It includes questions such as: Were you ever incarcerated? Were ever in jail? Were you ever in prison? Were you ever on drugs? Are you on drugs? etc.

My brother said that the CVS card is a huge incentive to these people who have absolutely nothing.

I have to say that not only did I come away feeling grateful for what I had, but feeling proud of my brother. He graduated from college with honors and Phi Beta Kappa. He became a lawyer. He didn't have to go into housing law to help the poor or get an MSW at the same time. He is a good guy.

 

[House Cat]

Oh, so they should be able to afford TWO houses! The deadbeats!

_______________________________________________

They should not be out there on the pretense that they are homeless.

I see. They showed you their official "I am homeless identification" but it was fake.


I hate it when that happens.[/quote

______________________________________________________


"I drive down North Main Street. I walk through downtown. I see the signs that say they're homeless and I know they're not homeless."

Santilli, who runs the state's leading agency for the homeless, has one piece of advice: Don't pay them.

Do you honestly believe that the majority of panhandlers are con artists who live in comfortable homes

Or is this something you tell yourself so that you can continue to judge harshly one of the weakest groups in our society?

 

[cmd2014]

Ruby,

The number of homeless people is one of the things that I find the most striking and sad every time I visit a US city. What it highlights to me is how your social saftety nets have failed huge numbers of people. The majority of homeless have mental health issues. Many are veterans. Some can't access shelters because they have pets that they refuse to abandon when they lost their homes. Most look very poor, unhealthy, and hungry to me (it's a level of desperation that I do not see at home). So, it seems to me, if you get sick enough, you lose your job, and your access to health care to treat the very issue that makes you unable to work. Here, we collect and treat our mentally ill. It's not perfect, but there is access to treatment, medication, shelters and temporary housing (paid for by the government) until they are able to manage on their own (or more permanent aid for those who aren't). Many families aren't equipped to deal with mental illness. Plus, it's easy to say to get a job when you are clean, fed, healthy, and have been taught how. Not so easy if you grew up being abused, illiterate, exposed to addictions and mental health issues, or when you are dirty, smelly, and sick.

So yeah, it's not pleasant seeing this, or being exposed to people at the worst times of their lives, but maybe it would help to try to have some compassion for how they might have ended up there rather than assuming it's their fault for being lazy. No one would choose to be homeless. And respectfully, you have no way of knowing who is or isn't unless you personally have seen where they sleep.

Also, be reassured that the shatter proof glass in your car windows cannot be broken by a fist, so they have no way to harm you at intersections. Also, most cities have anti loitering laws to protect businesses. But maybe the answer is to help each other rather than judge. I can't imagine how terrible it must be to have nothing, no one, and nowhere to go. May it never happen to any of us or anyone we love.

 

[House Cat]

I once posted about this on Pricescope. My brother, who until January of of 2017 will be working for HUD, participated in the annual homeless survey done by the government last year. Some of you should try the exercise. I did a search and found the old posting. Trekkie and I were talking.

On the other side of the spectrum is poverty. Just as people are reluctant to classify themselves as wealthy, I don't know a single poor person who thinks of themselves as poor. There is always someone worse off. For instance, my colleague who earns around US$300 a month, collects glass bottles at work to give to her cousin so that she can sell them for cash. The cousin, whose only income is this income from bottle selling, doesn't think of herself as poor and uses some of her bottle selling income to buy bread for "the poor". Through the Aids centre I volunteer at, I know several child headed households. One which stands out is a 16 year old girl who is caring for her 13 and 8 year old siblings and does so with an income of $60 per month, a $10 food parcel a month and some help with school stationery and school uniforms. Believe it or not, she doesn't think they're poor either! She feels she's fortunate because she lives in a brick house and she and her siblings go to school. To her, poverty is living in a tin shack and not being able to go to school.

Everything is, indeed, relative. I began reading this thread not with shame about my wealth, but with envy about the relative wealth of some others who were posting. Because ten years ago I was in an higher income bracket than I am now and, although I rarely think about it and rarely miss the money, threads like this do make me think about it! And it is stupid of me to be envious. There is really nothing in my life that I want. I just like the idea of being wealthier!

The day before yesterday my brother came down from northern Connecticut to give me a hand with the household here after the snowstorm. Before he left he mentioned he was taking part in a homeless survey. I asked how he did that. He said it was interesting and started to explain it to me. As he started to speak I realized that it might be part of his job since he works for HUD (The Department of Housing and Urban Development). I don't know whether it is part of his job or not. It may be a volunteer position; he does a lot of community, volunteer, work.

At any rate, people-like my brother-go to shelters and some go and look under bridges and places where the homeless sleep. It all done on one specific day in January throughout the country. There is an interview that the person must go through in order to get a $5.00 (I believe he said $5.00) CVS card. It includes questions such as: Were you ever incarcerated? Were ever in jail? Were you ever in prison? Were you ever on drugs? Are you on drugs? etc.

My brother said that the CVS card is a huge incentive to these people who have absolutely nothing.

I have to say that not only did I come away feeling grateful for what I had, but feeling proud of my brother. He graduated from college with honors and Phi Beta Kappa. He became a lawyer. He didn't have to go into housing law to help the poor or get an MSW at the same time. He is a good guy.

I have a very soft spot for the homeless. I see them as mentally ill people + very sad stories. I can't help but think that many mentally ill people who are living halfway normal lives are only doing so because their families loved them and stayed committed to them. The homeless people I see didn't have it so good. I can't imagine what it would be like to have to live with the incredible psychic pain of mental illness AND to have to deal with the physical challenges of homelessness. What gives them the will to survive? I get teary just thinking of it.

So I give them money whenever I have cash. My kids do too. I don't care if I've been conned a time or two if it means that I am helping one person who needs it at some point because that is a person in pain.

 

[redwood66]

I have a very close friend whose son has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The boy was in the military but was discharged due to physical and mental instability. He has been to VA doctors and lived at home for a time but he does not want help - refuses it and runs away. He chose to get on a plane to Hawaii and lives in an abandoned car near the beach. My friend is in contact with the local law enforcement and they check on him every so often. He goes to food kitchens to eat and smokes pot most of the day. There are many like him where he is and they do not want help. They choose to be homeless and do not want their life to change even though they have had access to all kinds of assistance. You cannot put all homeless into a category of helpless. There are many like these in other cities around the US.