[Theodore R.]

Although there is an "L" in ACLU, it really stands for "Liberal," not "Liberties." The ACLU has no sympathy for the disabled unless they are strong enough to organize politically.

[phenn]

And that is, indeed, a shame. Liberal was supposed to mean "challenging convention", but it's changed over the years. I suppose that is why I keep political affiliations very low on my priority list and just stick to my own personal convictions and morals. This country - divorced of political thought process - is on a rapid decline. And I do mean RAPID.

I'm no prude, but people (in general) have become raunchy, morbid and untrustable on so many levels - and it really rather saddens me. I'm a firm believer in karma and in the fact that doing for others is our only real and solid purpose in this life. You can measure your existence by what you've accomplished, but it's a richer reward to look upon the things you were able to pass along to someone else. I think the ACLU, NOW and many other established organizations have forgotten those concepts. They are so driven to defend a political bend that they forgot their core purpose.

It would break the hearts of true feminists (I mean from the early 1900s and prior) to see organizations like NOW or ACLU turning their collective back on a young woman like Terri in fear that their political platform could be questioned. Either we care about those without a voice or we don't. Quite frankly, it breaks my heart as well and has rendered me a bit of a cynic.

[syriacus]

The ACLU has no sympathy for the disabled unless they are strong enough to organize politically.

I think you are on to something!

Groups that "matter" somehow (or potentially have some "clout") are the groups that get ACLU representation.

Maybe some other people are not getting involved in Terri's case because they are afraid Terri's parents are going to "lose."

• Some (only some) folks won't risk standing up for a cause that might be lost, because they don't want to be associated with a losing cause. They want nothing but "wins" on their resumes. (They'll wait to jump on the anti-euthanasia bandwagon after it gains steam.)
• Then again some people may hesitate to get involved because they are afraid they will be too depressed if they expend a lot of energy and Terri loses.