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Supporting civil rights is not taking a "highly liberal stand". Just because American politics has shifted to the extreme right doesn't mean everyone needs to s

Supporting civil rights is not taking a "highly liberal stand". Just because American politics has shifted to the extreme right doesn't mean everyone needs to shift with it or that people who were moderates yesterday are now extreme liberals. I would be very afraid of anyone who thinks that protecting the rights guaranteed by the Constitution is "highly liberal". You do realize that the ACUL has been known to defend the rights of KKK and Nazi party members too, right? They stand up for everyone's rights, not just liberals.

wtvanhest 10y ago
I'm a supporter of the ACLU, my cousin even worked there for a bit. Regardless of your personal beliefs, it is clear that YC's involvement with the ACLU is a political decision which does not match their business model. They are even referencing the recent election and republican party's decisions as the reason they are doing it. There were lots of civil liberties eroded during Obama's presidency, but YC & Sam Altman at no point in time stood up and said anything or did anything like they are doing now.
- freehunter 10y ago
  YC is a business. They're a tech company, really. And like most tech companies, they employ a lot of immigrants. It's not hard to imagine they've been impacted by the president's recent policies. Apple, Microsoft, Google, Twitter, Reddit, Uber, Lyft, Netflix, Slack, Facebook, and a ton more have directly spoken out against Trump's order. It has a pretty major impact. Are all of those companies shameless liberals, too? Just playing politics? Or are they speaking out against something that will directly hurt their business? Donald Trump's order is not conservative, and opposing it is not liberal. The order is authoritarian. This is not a conservative vs liberal fight in any way and the ACLU is not a liberal organization. If you want to be cynical about it, this is a business move. They didn't stand up in the past because Obama's policies didn't threaten their business model like Trump's do.
  - wtvanhest 10y ago
    YC is a private, early stage investment company that also has an asset management arm. They focus on making technology related investments including everything from web apps to nuclear power. They are not a technology company any more than any VC is. YC is a finance company, more similar to Goldman Saches than Apple. The rest of your comment is too political for me to comment on.

wtvanhest 10y ago

I'm a supporter of the ACLU, my cousin even worked there for a bit. Regardless of your personal beliefs, it is clear that YC's involvement with the ACLU is a political decision which does not match their business model. They are even referencing the recent election and republican party's decisions as the reason they are doing it. There were lots of civil liberties eroded during Obama's presidency, but YC & Sam Altman at no point in time stood up and said anything or did anything like they are doing now.

freehunter 10y ago
YC is a business. They're a tech company, really. And like most tech companies, they employ a lot of immigrants. It's not hard to imagine they've been impacted by the president's recent policies. Apple, Microsoft, Google, Twitter, Reddit, Uber, Lyft, Netflix, Slack, Facebook, and a ton more have directly spoken out against Trump's order. It has a pretty major impact. Are all of those companies shameless liberals, too? Just playing politics? Or are they speaking out against something that will directly hurt their business? Donald Trump's order is not conservative, and opposing it is not liberal. The order is authoritarian. This is not a conservative vs liberal fight in any way and the ACLU is not a liberal organization. If you want to be cynical about it, this is a business move. They didn't stand up in the past because Obama's policies didn't threaten their business model like Trump's do.
- wtvanhest 10y ago
  YC is a private, early stage investment company that also has an asset management arm. They focus on making technology related investments including everything from web apps to nuclear power. They are not a technology company any more than any VC is. YC is a finance company, more similar to Goldman Saches than Apple. The rest of your comment is too political for me to comment on.