ACLU President Silent on Chief Aide's Conviction

ACLU President, Nadine Strossen, is not talking about her Chief Aide's criminal conviction on Child Endangerment charges, and subsequent disbarment from the New Jersey Bar. Two calls to Ms. Strossen's office attempting to confirm that the convicted Steven Cunningham is, indeed, her Chief Aide, yielded this:

"Unfortunately, I cannot confirm or deny that..."

and today...

"I'm not allowed to talk about that."

So much for the ACLU's stance on your right to know. Steven C. Cunningham thought he was chatting online with a 12-year-old boy, but instead was explaining to a police investigator how certain sexual acts could, should and would be performed when the two of them got together in New York. While acknowledgement of Cunningham's position as Chief Aide to the national ACLU President has not been confirmed for the purposes of this post, an article by Michaelango Conte for The Jersey Journal reports that:

"...court papers say he [Steven C. Cunningham] was employed by the American Civil Liberties Union in New York."

The New York Law School's profile of Strossen lists Steven Cunningham as Chief Aide to the President of the ACLU. Nadine Strossen is not involved in Cunningham's complicity, of course, but he is, presumably, her Chief Aide, and Cunningham is presently licensed to practice law in the State of New York - although now disbarred in New Jersey. The position of "Chief Aide" indicates importance, especially when you are "Chief Aide" to an important person, and Ms. Strossen certainly is considered "important." She took the Presidency of the ACLU in 1991 and is the first woman to hold this high office in "the nation's largest and oldest civil liberties organization." She has twice been named one of "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America." She holds other designations by various print magazines: among the 350 Women Who Changed the World, among America's 200 Most Influential Women, included in America's 100 Most Important Women, as well as other professional and academic honors. Now, if the Chief Aide or Executive Assistant to the CEO of Wal-Mart was convicted of Cunningham's charges, we would know about it. Suppose a high-ranking assistant on Dr. Laura Schlessinger's staff was so convicted - we'd know about it. What if a person of influence within Dr. James Dobson's organization was convicted of child endangerment - we know we would know about it - not only from the MSM but Wal-Mart, Dr. Laura and Dr. Dobson would be called upon to explain how this abomination could possibly happen right under their noses. From the ACLU we hear nothing - at least that I can find. Where is the national press on this matter? After spending hours looking into this, there seems to be nothing out there about Cunningham's connection to the ACLU's highest office. And what's the problem with Strossen and her office? A simple yes or no to: "is this the same Steven Cunningham - your Chief Aide, as the convicted Steven Cunningham?" It not really a difficult question. The ACLU's commitment to representing some of the vilest among us, as well as some of the vilest causes assaulting us, should be sufficient for publicly addressing those unsavories among them, when charges have been filed. A former President of the Virginia chapter of the ACLU, Charles Rust-Tierney, was recently arrested on pornography charges. There have been sparse news reports, and even sparser reporting on the long-time, tight connections with the ACLU, and his high-standing within the organization. Here's some of the WashingtonPost.com's reporting on Rust-Tierney.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa C. Buchanan was not swayed, saying the images found on Rust-Tierney's computer were "the most perverted and nauseating and sickening type of child pornography" she has seen in 10 years on the bench.

Rust-Tierney, 51, who is a public defender in the District, is charged with receipt and possession of child pornography. Prosecutors say he downloaded images that included the sexual torture of children, set to a song by the band Nine Inch Nails.

The case has attracted national attention, with some critics and bloggers accusing the media of downplaying the story because of Rust-Tierney's ACLU connection....He resigned from the ACLU's board the day he was arrested.

Fox News' Bill O'Reilly definitely "factored-in" Charles Rust-Tierney. Here's his report card on the mainstream press and what they DID NOT REPORT: Video courtesy of SlashGordon And here's O'Reilly's initial reporting, as the story was breaking from Homeland Security [that's right: Homeland Security]: Video courtesy of Techvids052006 If you care about civil liberties, but are shocked and dismayed at the ACLU's defense of, and protection of, those who mock our Constitution, and put our children and our most beloved traditions at risk, visit the Stop the ACLU for constant breaking news, updates and commentary. Permalink for this entry: http://maggiesnotebook.blogspot.com/2007/04/aclu-president-silent-on-chief-aides.html Trackback URL for this entry: http://haloscan.com/tb/maggiesnotebook/8668761094944920241 Trackposted to Perri Nelson's Website, The Pet Haven Blog, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, Pursuing Holiness, Rightlinx, third world county, Woman Honor Thyself, , Pirate's Cove, The Right Nation, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, 123beta, Adam's Blog, basil's blog, MONICA, Phastidio.net, The Bullwinkle Blog, Cao's Blog, , Jo's Cafe, Conservative Thoughts, Allie Is Wired, stikNstein... has no mercy, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, The World According to Carl, CORSARI D'ITALIA, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe. Tracked back by: Open Trackback Weekend #50 from 123beta. Excerpt: What a week it was... This open trackback post dedicated to those who lost their lives this past week at Virginia Tech. al Qaeda Regrouping from The Amboy Times Excerpt: While the left pressures Bush to end the War on Terror, AQ is plotting future attacks. We can't keep the troops in Iraq forever. But this article lends credence to the idea that when we do withdraw, we can count Weekend Podcast: VA Tech Aftermath from Adam's Blog Excerpt: Tonight, we talk about the aftermath of the Virginia Tech. Support, gun control, honor and what's at stake in Iraq, Bill Maher's deceit at the Creation Musuem, and discuss the need for revival with special guest caller Brian Bonner of the Uncooperati.. The Knucklehead of the Day award from The Florida Masochist Excerpt: Today's winner is Yale Dean of Student Affairs Betty Trachtenberg. Caves, Mountains, Waterfalls, Parks and What Matte Star Chronicles. Excerpt: We watched the Tennessee version of surfer dudes hang gliding off the highest point in the area. It made the granddaughter and myself squeal and giggle. There was a gasp that came with the rush of excitement when the glider caught the wind as it plun... Ar-abs Want New Attacks...Surprised? from Woman Honor Thyself. Excerpt: GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Ham–as militants called Sunday for a fresh wave of attacks against Israel after troops killed nine Pa–lestinians in weekend fighting, straining a five-month-old cease-fire. Democratic Party and Netroots from blog@MoreWhat. Excerpt:This was one of the better articles I have read on liberal activism commonly referred to as ‘netroots’. I must add that the author’s use of the term ‘rightroots’ is a term I rarely see used. O'Donnell, keeping it in the family from Mark My Words. Excerpt: Ok, they're not related, but they might as well be with the flippin' idiocy that issues forth from their orifices. Japan's Pacifist uture Open to DebateThe Yankee Sailor. VA Tech Shootings: an interim perspective from third world county. Excerpt: When I first heard of the VA Tech shootings, my response was sadness tinged with horror. Knowing full well the tendency of the Mass Media Podpeople’s Hivemind and politicians *spit* to descend on such events as packs of jackals and hyenas (you choose which class is characterized by which animal–I’ve made my choices *sigh*), Wake Up Replubicans: Speak Clearly and Plainly on Border Security from Conservative Culture, Excerpt: The Bush Administration is certainly receiving unfair attacks from the left. What is problematic is that conservatives have also been concerned about some disturbing trends from the Attorney General on down. I happened over the Ramos and Compean case Sopranos Episode 80 Remember When from Planck's Constant. The Executive Game from The Conservative Cat. Excerpt: We now have a new Flash game on our Fun and Games page. In The Executive Game, you play the role of a manager who is presented with a series of transactions. Technorati Tags: ACLU Stop the ACLU ACLU President Nadine Strossen Steven C. Cunningham Bill O'Reilly The Factor Fox News Charles rust-Tierney