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> “Project Veritas has engaged in disgraceful deceptions, and reasonable observers might not consider their activities to be journalism at all. Nevertheless, th

> “Project Veritas has engaged in disgraceful deceptions, and reasonable observers might not consider their activities to be journalism at all. Nevertheless, the precedent set in this case could have serious consequences for press freedom. It’s good to see the ACLU stand up for groups that are not “popular”. More and more it seems people only want civil liberties for those they agree with. But since we are all equal under the law (or at least should be), if it can happen to “then” then it can happen to “you”.

0xy 5y ago
The ACLU has vigorously defended the KKK on civil rights grounds, which is admirable. If nobody defends the KKK, the steamroller of censorship and oppression will continue until it reaches something you care about.
- jmeister 5y ago
  Evergreen Mencken quote: “The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one’s time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all.”
  - db65edfc7996 5y ago
    I am also fond of Larry Flynt, "If the First Amendment will protect a scumbag like me, it will protect all of you."
Goety 5y ago
I hate that they have to preface it with "we hate these guys but..."
- pm90 5y ago
  There are very good reasons to find what Project Veritas has been credibly accused of quite distasteful. Institutions do no exist in a perfect vacuum, they consist of people, and people live in civil society. What they're saying here is analogous to “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.
  - throwawaylinux 5y ago
    I hate the phrase "credibly accused of". What were they accused of and why is it credible? Have they done worse than other journalists at major news corporations? Do accusations somehow revoke a person's rights? How on earth are these accusations relevant for the ACLU to weigh in on while commenting about this attack on the press? "She did wear revealing clothing and some observers thought she was leading the man on. Nevertheless, we condemn the sexual assault..."
    - lalaland1125 5y ago
      https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/03/08/james-okeefe-pays-100000-to-acorn-employee-he-smeared-conservative-media-yawns/?sh=180bdd8e14bd https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/03/08/james-okee...
      - throwawaylinux 5y ago
        CNN and the Washington Post were forced to pay millions of dollars for smearing Nick Sandmann.
        lalaland1125 5y ago
        The difference is that the CNN and the Washington Post don't intentionally lie: > The AG’s report highlighted how Mr. O’Keefe edited his videos to appear as if he was engaging in his ACORN hi-jinks wearing “stereotypical 1970’s pimp garb”, the intent being to suggest that ACORN employees would willingly do business with someone dressed in this manner. However, it turns out that O'Keefe was actually wearing a coat and tie when he entered the ACORN offices. The report also stated that ACORN employees "may be able to bring a private suit against O'Keefe and Giles for recording a confidential conversation.” The Washington Post and CNN might be reckless and get things wrong, but that doesn't really compare to the intentional dishonesty from Project Veritas.
        throwawaylinux 5y ago

0xy 5y ago

The ACLU has vigorously defended the KKK on civil rights grounds, which is admirable. If nobody defends the KKK, the steamroller of censorship and oppression will continue until it reaches something you care about.

jmeister 5y ago
Evergreen Mencken quote: “The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one’s time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all.”
- db65edfc7996 5y ago
  I am also fond of Larry Flynt, "If the First Amendment will protect a scumbag like me, it will protect all of you."

Goety 5y ago

I hate that they have to preface it with "we hate these guys but..."

pm90 5y ago
There are very good reasons to find what Project Veritas has been credibly accused of quite distasteful. Institutions do no exist in a perfect vacuum, they consist of people, and people live in civil society. What they're saying here is analogous to “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.
- throwawaylinux 5y ago
  I hate the phrase "credibly accused of". What were they accused of and why is it credible? Have they done worse than other journalists at major news corporations? Do accusations somehow revoke a person's rights? How on earth are these accusations relevant for the ACLU to weigh in on while commenting about this attack on the press? "She did wear revealing clothing and some observers thought she was leading the man on. Nevertheless, we condemn the sexual assault..."
  - lalaland1125 5y ago
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/03/08/james-okeefe-pays-100000-to-acorn-employee-he-smeared-conservative-media-yawns/?sh=180bdd8e14bd https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/03/08/james-okee...
    - throwawaylinux 5y ago
      CNN and the Washington Post were forced to pay millions of dollars for smearing Nick Sandmann.
      - lalaland1125 5y ago
        The difference is that the CNN and the Washington Post don't intentionally lie: > The AG’s report highlighted how Mr. O’Keefe edited his videos to appear as if he was engaging in his ACORN hi-jinks wearing “stereotypical 1970’s pimp garb”, the intent being to suggest that ACORN employees would willingly do business with someone dressed in this manner. However, it turns out that O'Keefe was actually wearing a coat and tie when he entered the ACORN offices. The report also stated that ACORN employees "may be able to bring a private suit against O'Keefe and Giles for recording a confidential conversation.” The Washington Post and CNN might be reckless and get things wrong, but that doesn't really compare to the intentional dishonesty from Project Veritas.
        throwawaylinux 5y ago