Today, the ACLU has asked all Americans to sign a simple pledge stating that we refuse to surrender our freedom. In the face of the Bush administration's history of disregard for civil rights, as well as the anticipated increase in civil rights attacks, the ACLU is gathering all the strength they can. The message is attached below in its entirety.

We at the Two Percent Company wholeheartedly urge you to sign the pledge.

[Editor's note: From time to time, the ACLU link to sign the pledge has experienced some minor delays. We'll take this as a good sign, presumably meaning that so many people are eager to sign that they are slowing down the connection and/or the server. If you experience any problems, keep trying!]

		Dear Friend, Something extraordinary is happening. In the last two weeks, thousands of people - deeply concerned about the direction our country has taken - have spontaneously joined the ACLU. They've added their names to those of over 400,000 other Americans committed to defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Today our most fundamental freedoms are in jeopardy. Only a bold, spirited movement of people like you who refuse to surrender your freedoms can protect our civil liberties. On January 20th, George Bush will pledge to uphold the Constitution. Our goal is to recruit 100,000 new ACLU supporters by that day to proclaim "I REFUSE TO SURRENDER MY FREEDOM." Let's make it clear to those who seek to take away our freedoms that they are on the wrong side of the law...the wrong side of core American values...and the wrong side of history. The more forcefully we speak out and the more voices that join us the more effective we can be -- in the courts, in the press, in Congress - in protecting our freedoms against those who would trample them. Your active participation has been so important to our work, and we hope you will help launch this campaign by doing two things right now: 1. Sign the "I Refuse to Surrender my Freedom" pledge. 2. After you sign, ask three of your friends to take the pledge too. Right-wing extremists are more than ready to expand the Patriot Act, attack the separation of church and state, expand their efforts to institutionalize discrimination against same-sex couples, and limit a woman's right to make her own decisions about her body. Some of the most powerful politicians in America are determined to undermine our fundamental freedoms and the basic constitutional principles that define our democracy. Please stand up, sign the pledge, join the ACLU -- and defend the principles and values that represent the best of America. Sincerely, Anthony D. Romero Executive Director

Thank you for your time.