[June 8, 2022] Move over ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union – you’ve been replaced as a defender of free speech. At one time, American Liberalism was a staunch defender of free speech issues; no longer. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, FIRE for short, is expanding outside the college setting to supplant the ACLU.
What happened to the ACLU? Are they defending free speech any longer? From the outside looking in, it looks like the once-vaunted civil rights “institution” in America has voluntarily departed from its support of civil liberties, especially free speech. They are no longer interested in free speech issues but adhering to a neo-Marxist ideology that has gripped the nation.
Good news! FIRE has stepped into the breach that the ACLU abdicated. FIRE is moving “beyond college campuses to protect free speech – for all Americans.” This was once the purview of the ACLU, but no longer.
According to FIRE CEO Greg Lukianoff, as quoted in a Politico story, the group has already raised over $28 million toward a $75 million “litigation, opinion research and public education campaign aimed at boosting and solidifying support for free-speech values.”1 This means that FIRE is getting a lot bigger. Their $75 million expansion into off-campus programming begins now.
Starting now, people will begin to see ads defending a culture of free expression. At first, these ads will appear on television. Also, there will be billboards across the country in major cities. You will see free speech messaging out there. One of their goals is to create an organization that people can rally around when threats to free speech exist.
“We don’t have a racial justice program. We don’t have a reproductive rights program. We don’t have a trans rights program. We have a free speech program.” – Nico Perrino, FIRE
Freedom of speech is our first right. It’s the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom. American liberals have retreated from the idea of protecting free speech; some say because they are the very ones suppressing it.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
It’s because of leaders within organizations like this that will keep America honest and a great country. Thanks to those in FIRE for doing what our political leaders should be supporting.
Welcome ‘osmodsann’ to my website.
Gen. Satterfield, once again you’ve giving us hope that freedom will reign once again in America. Your patriotism and leadership is well appreciated.
Bernie, many of us read this leadership blog by Gen. Satterfield for entertainment. Others read it to gain insight into leadership and into themselves and why we are here as humans. My reason is the latter and also why I’ve been a long-time reader and write comments. You will find that this website is worthy of your attention and time.
I pray for their success. ❤❤❤❤
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. ” —Ronald Reagan. Kids today have no idea what freedom is or is not.
And the kids never will unless we tell them and enforce US law to make sure the tyrants (like Joe Biden and his ilk) and tyrant wannabes are shown to be charlatans selling the snake oil of totalitarianism.
Great quote, “We don’t have a racial justice program. We don’t have a reproductive rights program. We don’t have a trans rights program. We have a free speech program.” – Nico Perrino, FIRE
From their mission statement:
“FIRE’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought—the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.”
Freedom of speech is a fundamental American freedom and human right. It is essential for democracy, scientific progress, artistic expression, social justice, peace, and our ability to live as authentic individuals.
Thanks Dennis and Frontier Man – this is exactly why I keep coming back to this leadership blog by Gen. Doug Satterfield and reading the comments in his forum. Well done!!!!!!! ✔
The Growing FIRE ….. a great title. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education is a great organization.
A noble cause that FIRE is taking on. Good for them.
There are many noble causes and Gen. Satterfield wrote about that yesterday. I anticipate him coming out with WHY we need noble causes soon. I do believe he has promised us that article. But for now, let’s say thank you for giving us a bit of hope with FIRE expanding outside of academia.
Gen. Satterfield, exposing the ACLU for what degradation that it has voluntarily brought upon itself in their rush to destroy free speech and give up on their mission, is truly appreciate. Thank you. I’m also happy to hear that the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is stepping into the vacuum they created.
Wow, good news of the day.
Got that right, LM. We should all pray for their success. America was built on free speech. Give us your ideas and let’s debate it openly with everyone watching. Important ideas that work are regularly circulated so that all can hear and see for themselves whether it works or not.
Excellent article that highlights an important free speech organization that is willing and able to use the tools of our laws to enforce free speech wherever they find suppression. Their campaign must be given a wide distribution. Let everyone know about it.
Good news of the day! FIRE is about to replace the ACLU. Free speech is for everyone, including those with bad or evil ideas. The purpose is to expose bad ideas to the sanitation of sunlight. Only then will the ugliness wither and die.
Chuck, well said, and I’m in full agreement with you. The ACLU long ago gave up on defending free speech and now only takes on liberal partisan issues that are the opposite of free speech. If they had their way (the ACLU) then we would have no free speech.
Unfortunately, Eric, you are right about the ACLU abdicating its mission.