Judge Antonin Scalia Debates ACLU President on Morality

A visit to Truth and Consequences brought the wisdom of our founders to mind with a wonderful flash video: Our Leaders on God. There, I found this from John Adams"

"[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty. - John Adams

The following video is Part 2 of a debate between Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and ACLU President Nadine Strossen. This video series, "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick, sheds a bright light on the ACLU's view of morality. Scalia, in Part 1, debates Strossen against looking to international law for guidance in American Law, Judge Scalia argues that the American people, both now and in 1791, are not the same people as the French or the German - either then or now. Strossen believes the Constitution and the Bill of Rights should change with the times and attitudes. Watch Part 2 of this debate below. I find the issue of "morality," and Strossen's view of morality and the Constitution, pertinent to much of what is going on in the ACLU today. Scalia has a firm message for the ACLU and those hoping to change the interpretation of this country's founding documents. To emphasize what seems to me to be Strossen's point: moral judgments should not be a part of criminal law. Scalia's point is: "persuade your fellow Americans" if you want to change things. Using the "incest" example in the video, John Adams words are screaming: We cannot trust decisions, made outside a consideration of morality, to be good judgment, because without morality - "...a pure virtue," and the intention to do good, and not do harm, law is not trustworthy. Guarding our morality is America's biggest challenge, because it is our morality that guards our liberty. For more on the ACLU, and ACLU President Nadine Strossen, in the news today (or not, depending on what you consider news - bloggers vs. MSM) read about Strossen's silence on the conviction of her Chief Aide for child endangerment (online sexual chatting with a 12 year old boy who turned out to be a police investigator). For the original, in-depth article, go here (also includes a video of Bill O'Reilly reporting on the ACLU and sex crimes). Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson's Website, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, A Blog For All, 123beta, Big Dog's Weblog, Adam's Blog, basil's blog, Shadowscope, Leaning Straight Up, Cao's Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, Conservative Thoughts, Pursuing Holiness, Rightlinx, third world county, Faultline USA, Woman Honor Thyself, stikNstein... has no mercy, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, , The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, The Right Nation, and Dumb Ox Daily News, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe. Permalink for this entry: http://maggiesnotebook.blogspot.com/2007/04/judge-antonin-scalia-debates-aclu.html Trackback URL for this entry: http://haloscan.com/tb/maggiesnotebook/7479555473761637249 Technorati Tags: New York Times ACLU Stop the ACLU ACLU President Nadine Strossen Steven C. Cunningham Bill O'Reilly The Factor Fox News Charles rust-Tierney New York Post New York Sun New York Daily News Wall Street Journal