That's as close to "doing something" as the ABA will ever get. I may sound dismissive but I'm impressed. The ABA doesn't have political roots like the National Lawyers Guild or the American Civil Liberties Union. It's just a professional association. This is significant - ThreadSky

hazenhammel.bsky.social • 68 days ago

That's as close to "doing something" as the ABA will ever get. I may sound dismissive but I'm impressed. The ABA doesn't have political roots like the National Lawyers Guild or the American Civil Liberties Union. It's just a professional association. This is significant

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winterlightstudios.bsky.social•68 days ago

This would have been significant had the bar released it four years ago, but after seeing the bar stand around with its thumb up its ass for all these years it's just further proof that they're full of shit.

pocketrocks.bsky.social•67 days ago

Exactly.

mdennedy.bsky.social•68 days ago

It really is very meaningful.

sgtfella.bsky.social•68 days ago

True, but I keep hoping one of these legal groups will stand on the steps of the Capitol raise the American flag and shout out for us to follow them.

possiblykim123.bsky.social•68 days ago

I’m sure the threat of violence prevents them from doing so.
Serving at the pleasure and whatever of the president is being taken too seriously at the moment.

wildwoodsgirl.bsky.social•68 days ago

They just did! 😁💙✊

hazenhammel.bsky.social•68 days ago

The NLG and ACLU continue to resist fascism as they have for a hundred years. Unless you are an immigrant in trouble with ICE, you probably just take their work for granted.

flnana.bsky.social•67 days ago

Sadly, I did, but on January 21 I joined and donated to the ACLU.

bettyjane20.bsky.social•68 days ago

I do too.
I have tears streaming down my face.

dahliafrench.bsky.social•67 days ago

The ABA filed lawsuits and is joining other organizations that filed lawsuits. https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2025/02/aba-files-legal-challences-against-federal-govt/. It is doing something.

gpac.bsky.social•67 days ago

It works for me. I appreciate every single display of integrity these days.

lastthird.bsky.social•68 days ago

This strikes me as analogous to when Gen Milley sent the memo in 2020, reminding the armed forces of their oath to the Constitution. It seems bland and unremarkable except when viewed on light of circumstances at the time.

sgtfella.bsky.social•68 days ago

True as well

lastthird.bsky.social•68 days ago

*IN dammit, not "on"

bonchocolat.bsky.social•68 days ago

For the ABA this is strong. But it's not going to take action directly though expect amicus briefs if needed

hazenhammel.bsky.social•68 days ago

I just recently had a discussion about current issues with a typical ABA lawyer here on Bluesky. She meant well but had absolutely no clue how to defend civil rights. Didn't know the statutes or the cases. Lawyers like that help best when they give money to groups who know what they are doing.

bonchocolat.bsky.social•68 days ago

Not sure what a typical ABA attorney is but it covers 50 states, criminal and civil attorneys and if civil rights are not your area, you would not know them.

hazenhammel.bsky.social•68 days ago

I am a retired civil rights lawyer, NLG member and ACLU attorney. I was *not* an ABA member. To the contrary, I lobbied and litigated against ABA positions. It mostly promotes the interests of large law firms (my opponents). All that said, I *sometimes* respect its work. This is one of those times

sgtfella.bsky.social•68 days ago

Good to know.

eruditavanitas.bsky.social•67 days ago

I'm interested in hearing more if you are inclined (new attorney here). It seems like this ABA memo is important for creating a kind of permission structure for its members to recognize and react to *gestures wildly at everything*, instead of rationalizing or ignoring it? What would you hope to see?

progalaskan.bsky.social•67 days ago

There is no such thing as a "typical ABA lawyer." The American Bar Association is not an attorney licensing entity. It is a voluntary national membership group. An attorney who specializes in one area of law may naturally not be an expert in another area.

vpterson.bsky.social•67 days ago

Lawyers without the rule of law are just lackeys for the highest paying or most feared bidder.

rabidbookworm.bsky.social•67 days ago

Can they boot people from their membership though? Blacklist them?

hazenhammel.bsky.social•67 days ago

Don't be confused because they have "Bar Association" in their name. State Bar Associations license lawyers, not the American Bar Association. Being in the ABA is lot like being a member of AARP. They send you a boring magazine and try to get you to buy sponsored products.

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