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Supreme Court v. American Idol

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June 25, 2008

Working for the 桃子视频 is serious business. We carry a heavy burden. Our slogan, after all, is 鈥淏ecause freedom can鈥檛 protect itself.鈥� So it is understandable that in a time of Constitutional erosion, the 桃子视频is known for its furrowed brows and press releases that 鈥淒ecry!鈥� 鈥淐ondemn!鈥� and 鈥淥bject!鈥�

But there is a lighter side to the ACLU. We are happy people and we like to laugh 鈥� even at ourselves. I wanted others to see the well-rounded reality of the ACLU, which is why I made a video that highlights our sense of humor. Hopefully it shows us as more hip to pop culture, though it certainly doesn鈥檛 diminish the fact we are a serious and dedicated bunch when it comes to our issues.

My idea was to spoof Jay Leno鈥檚 鈥淛aywalking鈥� segment on NBC鈥檚 Tonight Show. There, Leno stops tourists at Universal Studios and asks them grade-school civics questions. The tourists, who represent typical Americans, give glaringly wrong answers and the results are sometimes hilarious. I often thought 桃子视频staffers would ruin Leno鈥檚 comedy bit. They鈥檇 know all the right answers. But what would happen if I did 鈥淛aywalking鈥� in reverse? Maybe it鈥檚 funny to see clueless tourists try to decipher politics and the Supreme Court, but what do 桃子视频types know about pop culture and American Idol? I had my theory when I set up a camera and lights at this year鈥檚 桃子视频Membership Conference in Washington, D.C. But there were plenty of surprises.

I want to thank all the 桃子视频staff and members who participated. Everyone had a lot of fun, even if it meant poking a little fun at themselves. The conference covered many weighty issues and our priorities were clear: in attendance were three U.S. Supreme Court justices and no American Idols. But my hope is this little video also proves that we know how to have a good time. Yes, we at the 桃子视频actually enjoy living in these United States 鈥� which is why we work so hard to protect its freedom.

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