ACLU

* I am used to seeing the ACLU excoriated in print. Some of the criticism even makes sense. But Paul Campos’ jeremiad against the ACLU isn’t even logical (Commentary, June 1). Campos’ convoluted logic is as follows: Giving people (children in this case) procedural rights necessarily causes legalistic rigidity. Thus the ACLU’s attempt to protect students’ rights causes suspension of students for such ridiculous things as being caught with a paring knife in a lunch box. Therefore, presumably, children shouldn’t have or be given any rights.

Applying Campos’ logic, we could discard the entire Bill of Rights in all situations, and simply count on benign governmental (or in this case, administrative) discretion to protect us. His attitude toward the Bill of Rights and toward the ACLU demonstrates why the ACLU follows the motto, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” and why all of us are safer and freer thanks to the ACLU.

MICHAEL S. KLEIN

Los Angeles