help, please

For a planned new nonfiction book I'm currently researching (more about it later) I'm trying to find out about the Christian Civil Liberties Union, which may more properly be called the American Christian Civil Liberties Union (although the approved acronym seems to be just CCLU).

They're the mob who're seeking the legal right to burn copies of Francesca Lia Block's YA novel Baby Be-Bop on the grounds that it disgustingly doesn't recommend tarring and feathering gays -- why, if you could bear to read the book you might be led to think that teenagers have confusions about their burgeoning sexuality, or something, pshaw!

They're also seeking massive damages from some unfortunate Wisconsin library because members of the public apparently came over all queasy just through seeing the book on the shelves. (I kid you not. This is a genuine summary of their claim.)

I've done a fair amount amount of googling, but all I'm really coming up with are articles about this particular farrago. Oh, and that its HQ appears to be in Olathe, KS. Ideally I'd like to be pointed at a CCLU website/newsletter/similar.

If anyone has tripped over -- or, perhaps more accurately, trodden in -- this organization during their travels and could help out, I'd be ever so grateful.

(Hm. "CCLU": oddly close to "Cthulhu", isn't it?)

spot the difference between this and the Nigerian Scam

Recently, for research purposes, I e-subscribed to Newsmax, the internet news magazine that, er, well, if you think FOX News is a bit deranged, you oughta see . . .

Here's their latest:

 

Their Misfortune Is Your Gain!

Dear Newsmax Reader:

As you most likely already know, last month I put 
$1 million of my own money on the line for the most ambitious initiative in my company’s history.

Dick Morris, after studying my strategy, contacted me to claim his spot: “I’m subscribing so that I can place my own money into the recommendations.”

My goal is bold: to help a small fraternity of investors rake in 50% to 70% returns over the next 12 months.

I am confident we can do this with the guidance of my top financial analyst, David Frazier, who has perfected his stock picking strategy in the program called Your Million Dollar Secret Code.

Simply stated, Your Million Dollar Secret Code gives members such as Dick Morris access to the same investment strategy I am using with my $1 million.

And those fortunate enough to take advantage of my charter membership offer have already been rewarded with quick hit gains.

In fact, one recommendation is already up 24% in only a couple of days.

My $1 million stake already is starting to grow significantly and so is the wealth of my inner circle of members.

But the news isn’t all positive.

It seems as if, when some folks signed up, their credit card information was unfortunately either inaccurate or frankly not approved. My team has attempted to reach out to each of these people and it’s a shame, but we were not able to get in contact with many of them.

My team is tallying the final number of memberships we reserved for these people when they signed up, and I’m going to allow you to take one of their slots tomorrow.

If you want a crack at securing one of these slots, you need to join my V.I.P. Waiting List by Clicking Here Now!

It’s tough luck for them, but an incredibly fortunate opportunity for you.

I’m offering you an exciting second chance to put my $1 million stake to work for you.

So I need you to sign up for the V.I.P. Waiting List and make sure you are keeping a very close eye on your inbox tomorrow because this is a first come-first served basis.

I’m quite positive that, once I open these slots, it will be only a matter of moments before they are all filled, so this is not a time when patience will be rewarded.

I truly hope you are one of the “lucky ones” who can secure entry into this very exclusive club.

To Your Success,

Chris Ruddy
CEO and Editor in Chief
Newsmax and Moneynews

P.S. — If you want to join Dick Morris, a small circle of shrewd investors, and me in the profit taking, make sure you get on the V.I.P. Waiting List and immediately open the e-mail I’ll send you tomorrow.

Click Here Now to Join the V.I.P. Waiting List

Of course, it may all be perfectly above-board. Who am I to judge?