From the In Box

Below is the text of an email from the ACLU asking to sign their "I refuse to surrender my freedom" petition. And why not do that, huh? If you're skeptical or still nursing a grudge from Skokie, check out their Lost Liberty pages. It's really a good time to be an ACLU member (though don't make the mistake of thinking it will get you out of jury duty.)

Dear Friend,

Something extraordinary is happening.

In the last two weeks, thousands of people - deeply concerned about the
direction our country has taken - have spontaneously joined the ACLU. They've added their names to those of over 400,000 other Americans committed to defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Today our most fundamental freedoms are in jeopardy. Only a bold, spirited
movement of people like you who refuse to surrender your freedoms can protect our civil liberties.

On January 20th, George Bush will pledge to uphold the Constitution. Our
goal is to recruit 100,000 new ACLU supporters by that day to proclaim "I REFUSE TO SURRENDER MY FREEDOM."

Let's make it clear to those who seek to take away our freedoms that they
are on the wrong side of the law...the wrong side of core American values...and the wrong side of history.

The more forcefully we speak out and the more voices that join us the more
effective we can be -- in the courts, in the press, in Congress - in protecting our freedoms against those who would trample them.

Your active participation has been so important to our work, and we hope
you will help launch this campaign by doing two things right now:

1. Sign the "I Refuse to Surrender my Freedom" pledge.

2. After you sign, ask three of your friends to take the pledge too.

Right-wing extremists are more than ready to expand the Patriot Act,
attack the separation of church and state, expand their efforts to institutionalize discrimination against same-sex couples, and limit a woman's right to make her own decisions about her body.

Some of the most powerful politicians in America are determined to undermine our fundamental freedoms and the basic constitutional principles that define our democracy.

Please stand up, sign the pledge -- and defend the principles and values
that represent the best of America.

Sincerely,

Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director