2 When I was younger, and worked in an "old HP" test and measurement division,
3 I sometimes sat at lunch in the cafeteria with a group of older co-workers
4 who I grew to have immense respect for. They told great stories. I learned
5 a lot of practical electronics from them... and other things too.
7 Each carried on their person a copy of the US Constitution and Bill of
8 Rights, and most also had a "concealed carry" permit, which they would refer
9 to as their "redneck license". I quickly learned that they weren't *all* gun
10 fanatics... at that time, the vetting process for such a permit was a bit
11 daunting, and having one was their way of "proving" that they were honest,
12 law-abiding citizens. Citizens who knew their rights. Who enjoyed debating
13 boundary conditions in those rights inspired by current events at the lunch
14 table. I miss those guys and those conversations.
16 I mention this because it's one of those things that I realize now had a
17 significant formative impact on my adult values and world view. Freedom
18 matters. That's why, despite my long-standing appreciation for and support
19 of the organization's activities, I'm embarrassed to admit that it wasn't
20 until this week that I personally joined the
21 [American Civil Liberties Union](http://aclu.org)
22 and sent them a donation.