General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This message was self-deleted by its author [View all]Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)Of course, DUers are human. Our view of a complex situation is necessarily influenced to some extent by our sympathies for the different actors. I think you're too cynical, though, in implying that no one would raise an issue of violation of rights if the victim were a despised right-winger.
You might take note of the famous incident of the Nazi march in Skokie. The ACLU defended the Nazis' rights under the First Amendment. I and many other liberals agreed with the ACLU position. We believe that an individual's rights are violated when the government prevents him or her from expressing an opinion simply because its content is unwelcome, and we hold that view regardless of whether the person is denouncing Muslims or police racism or "non-Aryans".
Admittedly, your cynicism isn't totally without foundation. The ACLU lost members over the Skokie battle, because many people who had professed adherence to the rule of law turned out not to believe in it for right-wingers.