--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ACLU is an organization with a long…" description: "\"The ACLU is an organization with a long and distinguished history of fighting to protect freedom of speech. On the other hand, in recent years, it has ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d0/newt-gingrich-792_communication_the-aclu-is-an-organization-with-a-long_386372.jpg" --- # The ACLU is an organization with a long and distinguished… ![“The ACLU is an organization with a long and distinguished history of fighting to protect freedom of speech. On the other hand, in recent years, it has carried its mandate to ever more eccentric and often highly destructive lengths. While is may have been perfectly honorable for Dukakis to belong…” quote by Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d0/newt-gingrich-792_communication_the-aclu-is-an-organization-with-a-long_386372.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d0/newt-gingrich-792_communication_the-aclu-is-an-organization-with-a-long_386372.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d0/newt-gingrich-792_communication_the-aclu-is-an-organization-with-a-long_386372.jpg) > “The ACLU is an organization with a long and distinguished history of fighting to protect freedom of speech. On the other hand, in recent years, it has carried its mandate to ever more eccentric and often highly destructive lengths. While is may have been perfectly honorable for Dukakis to belong to the ACLU, it was equally legitimate for Bush to attack him for it. And with what enormous relish he did the job!” [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The ACLU, historically a defender of free speech, is portrayed as having become overly aggressive and destructive, justifying criticism of its members. **In simple terms:** The ACLU is seen as both a champion and a potential threat to free speech. Key Takeaway Critically assess organizations' evolving tactics. Themes free speech politics civil liberties organization behavior Mood critical skeptical Type political controversial When to use this quote - campaigns - court cases - media commentary Key Concepts legal advocacy political strategy public perception Questions to Reflect On - Is the ACLU’s current approach proportionate? - How do we balance defense and overreach? A Different Perspective Complex issues may be oversimplified into good vs. bad. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Eccentric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eccentric/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-speech/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) ## Related quotes > [There could be some compromise, but I think we have to stick to the provisions of the treaty, and the provisions of the treaty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-santer/there-could-be-some-compromise-but-i-think-we-have-to-stick-to-the/) [Jacques Santer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-santer/) > [The present map of Palestine was drawn by the British mandate. 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It leaves consumers with very little real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/obamacare-mandates-a-largely-uniform-structure-and-set-of-benefits/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [The First Amendment exists to protect our religious liberty--to ensure that all Americans are able to seek out worship God with all our hearts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-first-amendment-exists-to-protect-our-religious-liberty-to-ensure/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [In entirely unrelated news, there's a new proposal to mandate coverage for gay infertility. The problem is that gay infertility is just biology. Two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-horowitz/in-entirely-unrelated-news-there-s-a-new-proposal-to-mandate-coverage/) [David Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-horowitz/) > [Let This Voice Be Heard fulfills the mandate of biography at its best because Maurice Jackson has captured the history of a great moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levering-lewis/let-this-voice-be-heard-fulfills-the-mandate-of-biography-at-its-best/) [David Levering Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levering-lewis/) ## More by Newt Gingrich > [Governor Romney may be running for CEO, I'm running for President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/governor-romney-may-be-running-for-ceo-i-m-running-for-president/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [I want to say unequivocally that while I cherish every person who comes from anywhere, who comes here legally and seeks to pursue happiness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/i-want-to-say-unequivocally-that-while-i-cherish-every-person-who/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [Maybe we need a tax credit for the poorest Americans to buy a laptop. 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