Nat Hentoff

Nat Hentoff (born June 10, 1925) is a civil libertarian, free speech absolutist, pro-life advocate, anti-death penalty advocate, jazz critic, historian, biographer and anecdotist, and columnist for the Village Voice, Legal Times, Washington Times, The Progressive, Editor & Publisher, Free Inquiry and Jewish World Review. He was named as one of six 2004 NEA Jazz Masters, the first non-musician to win this prestigious award.

Related Topics:
June 10 - 1925 - Civil libertarian - Pro-life - Death penalty - Jazz - Village Voice - Washington Times - The Progressive - Free Inquiry - NEA Jazz Masters

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In recent years, he has become a vocal critic of the organization he once supported, the American Civil Liberties Union, for its support of government-enforced campus and workplace speech codes 1 and affirmative action, which he considers to be state-sponsored racial and ethnic discrimination.

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He is strongly criticial of Bush Administration policies such as the Patriot Act and the civil liberties implications of the recent push for homeland security. He was also strongly critical of Clinton Administration policies such as the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. His non-partisan stance and consistent position in defense of civil liberties no matter which party is in power has won him admirers and critics on both sides of the aisle.

Related Topics:
Bush Administration - Patriot Act - Homeland security - Clinton Administration - Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act

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