Thread: WI:The ACLU Has Lost Its Way in Civil Rights Battle

I-94 reconstruction opposition shows ACLU has lost its way

By The Journal Times Editorial Board
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 6:06 PM CST

There must be a cease-fire in the battle over civil rights.

Why else would the American Civil Liberties Union marshal its forces against the Interstate 94 reconstruction project? Even for an organization whose client list ranges from religious groups to terrorism suspects, this is a bit outside the usual scope.

The ACLU of Wisconsin filed complaints with two federal agencies, seeking an investigation that could halt the $1.9 billion expansion. It contends that the project, which features adding two lanes to I-94, is discriminatory against minorities in Milwaukee.

The rambling, 14-page letter raises concerns about planned changes to various freeway exits and interchanges that could hurt Latino businesses. It also charges that the reconstruction accommodates white suburban drivers at the expense of minorities who are more apt to use public transportation.

Its intentions are genuine, but the ACLU forgets this affects other communities besides Milwaukee. The reconstruction will run south of the city through Racine and Kenosha counties.

Racine has a significant minority population, too, and its employment outlook is even gloomier than the neighbor’s to the north. Notice, then, that the man who constantly reminds local officials to include minority workers in their plans is practically pleading for the roadwork to begin.

Alfonso Gardner of the Racine-Kenosha Economic Inclusion Coalition was among those quoted earlier this year asking Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett not to get in the way. State officials have pledged to hire as many local workers as possible for the construction.

Broadly, what the ACLU argues about mass transit is true. It needs to become a heftier slice of the state’s transportation pie.

However, as we have stated before, the region’s reliance on cars won’t dissipate overnight. Simply rebuilding the existing six lanes of highway would trim only a fraction of the project’s total cost and provide a nice, smooth place for gridlock.

Nor should suburban jobs be considered exclusive to suburbanites. One of the stated goals for the proposed commuter rail extension through Racine is to transport urban workers to wherever positions are available.

At recent briefings, project leaders said Racine County will likely be the last portion to begin, in 2011. It took a strong and public lobbying effort to persuade Gov. Jim Doyle to move this section of I-94 ahead of the road west of Milwaukee on the timetable. If an investigation were to put the work on hold, it could jeopardize that spot in line.

By the time the state reopened its wallet, the congestion problems on the freeway would be more than just future predictions. They’d be reality. How many employers will want to add jobs in Milwaukee’s inner city if it takes forever to get there?

This has the look of an organization that has lost its way. The ACLU should pull off this road and ask for directions back to its original mission.

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/20 ... 923817.txt

WHAT! The ACLU really has flipped!

My son goes to school in Milwaukee so we have driven that route “a lotâ€

Originally Posted by Texas2step

This has the look of an organization that has lost its way. The ACLU should pull off this road and ask for directions back to its original mission.

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/20 ... 923817.txt

OMG this is too funny, here is what the founder said the original mission of the ACLU is.

The ACLU's founder, Roger Baldwin, stated: "We are for SOCIALISM, disarmament, and ultimately for abolishing the state itself... We seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class, and the SOLE CONTROL of those who produce wealth. COMMUNISM is the goal." (Source: Trial and Error, by Geo. Grant)

From the looks of it, they have been fairly successful.

In fairness, the Editorial Board of "The Journal Times" wrote that; I did not. However, I think they have good things to say here.

Originally Posted by Texas2step

In fairness, the Editorial Board of "The Journal Times" wrote that; I did not. However, I think they have good things to say here.

If you are referring to my reply, I never thought you wrote this. I followed the link I just found it to be another good opportunity to educate people on the ACLU, I do it as often as I can.

Originally Posted by MadInChicago

So what dose the ACLU want?

I think the ACLU wants "white suburban drivers" to sell their cars and houses and move into the inner city and take a bus.

Keep in mind that these loops of cities are also built to allow National Guard quick access to all areas of those cities. Maybe you can see why socialists object?

As a user of this road I can share -it dearly needs improvement.

The ACLU continues to pick a fight where none is needed...

My estimation of them is now, oh wait, I never did think anything of this organization.