Arghhh

"The New York Civil Liberties Union is considering a federal lawsuit over New York’s new policy of randomly searching the backpacks of subway passengers. "

From last paragraph of http://www.townhall.com/columnists/richlowry/rl20050726.shtml

Incidentally, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) quite frequently represents the plaintiff -- almost always an "atheist" -- in anti-religious "separation of church and state" lawsuits.

The First Ammendment of the United States Consitution reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. (emphasis added)

The United States Supreme Court has established precedent that provides "shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion" greater weight than "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This was largely due to the efforts of the ACLU, acting as representing counsel to vocal atheists over the years.

Can you tell this is a hot-button with me?