Chris is-Free-to-Think - Chris's Blog

Chris is-Free-to-Think - Chris's Blog - Tehachapi News http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/Chris en-us This is our city. This our city council. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/Chris/1624 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/Chris/1624 <div class="blogcommentbody"> I heard that the blatant robbery of Circle K recently was done as a "statement" by a gang member, a very dangerous gang.  This concerns me.  I've been told that many people that have moved to Tehachapi in the last 2 years are disillusioned because there's "nothing to do".  The employment situation is still difficult.  There are not enough positions that pay wages sufficient to support the lifestyles the new homeowners want to have.  As the gasoline prices have increased the concept of commuting to work "off the mountain" is  making these folks reconsider their choices to move here.  How much complaining would happen if there were a true moratorium on new construction in Tehachapi?   ...or a mandated building style?  I admire the efforts the city has made to require rocks on the facades of our big box stores.  I am truly pleased with all the improvements the city has made to the appearance of downtown.  And what about the fact that they put up windmills to power the sewer treatment plant, which I'm told is fairly advanced for the size the city was when it was built.  It's easy to complain, but how about coming up with some good ideas of your own to improve our town.  I've always felt that the city has been very responsive to my requests and ideas.  What changes have you suggested to the council?  They (our elected officials)  are ultimately working for us.  Act like their bosses.  Stand up in the council meetings and tell them what you do and do not like.     This is a government of the people - we make it work or not.   </div> ACLU http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/Chris/979 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/Chris/979 This is the ACLU's own description of itself.  Granted they have championed ideas I don't agree with, but evidently our constitution gave some individuals the right to believe those ways and these people at the ACLU are just trying to protect the rights of those individuals to think that way. Despite what the majority thinks. I give thanks daily that I still have the freedom to think what I want.  But evidently by the ostracism of the Dixie Chick's over their words shows we really don't understand what freedoms we are allegedly fighting for in Iraq and it's usually best to keep your mouth shut. .  I was raised by parents who spoke the words ACLU as a disgusting taste in their mouth.  They were also openly prejudiced against anyone who wasn't just like them.  I'm sick of bigotry.  Give it the weight in your mind that you wish.  From their home page:  "The American system of government is founded on two counterbalancing principles: that the majority of the people governs, through democratically elected representatives; and that the power even of a democratic majority must be limited, to ensure individual rights. Majority power is limited by the Constitution's Bill of Rights, which consists of the original ten amendments ratified in 1791, plus the three post-Civil War amendments (the 13th, 14th and 15th) and the 19th Amendment (women's suffrage), adopted in 1920. The mission of the ACLU is to preserve all of these protections and guarantees: <ul> <li class="text">Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state. </li> <li class="text">Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin. </li> <li class="text">Your right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake. </li> <li class="text">Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.</li> </ul> We work also to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including Native Americans and other people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor. If the rights of society's most vulnerable members are denied, everybody's rights are imperiled. The ACLU was founded by Roger Baldwin, Crystal Eastman, Albert DeSilver and others in 1920. We are nonprofit and nonpartisan and have grown from a roomful of civil liberties activists to an organization of more than 500,000 members and supporters. We handle nearly 6,000 court cases annually from our offices in almost every state. The ACLU has maintained the position that civil liberties must be respected, even in times of national emergency. The ACLU is supported by annual dues and contributions from its members, plus grants from private foundations and individuals. We do not receive any government funding.  <a class="noline_blue" href="http://www.aclu.org/supportaclu/index.html">Learn more about joining the ACLU</a>." from <a href="http://www.aclu.org/about/index.html">ttp://www.aclu.org/about/index.html</a> .