This meeting attracts some very big names, besides just TV stars and Nobel laureates. Perhaps the most important person to speak here today was Nadine Strossen, president of the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU may be the most falsely defamed organization in America. These people have devoted their lived to protecting the Constitution. That’s an act that a lot of politicians appear to have forgotten.
Ms. Strossen gave an impassioned talk about how the government is trying to destroy science in this country. She focused on medical laws, including drug laws, sex (mis)education, and Oregon’s Death with Dignity act, but she (of course) talked at length about creationism. There have been some big victories lately (like Dover, Pennsylvania and California), but the fight goes on.
She quoted the ACLU’s first leader, who said: “No fight for civil liberties ever stays won.” That’s so very true, which in turn calls to mind Wendell Phillips: “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”
Between what she was saying, and what we’re seeing happening with school boards across this country, it’s easy to be discouraged. But it’s also good to know that whistleblowers are out there. In the case of Ms. Strossen, she shines a very strong light on some very shady dealings. It’s up to us not to flinch as we look at what she’s saying, to take action to protect our rights, and to protect the truth.
