There is a subtle difference, though I'm not sure that I could explain it, or that I understand it. I do know that at work, we talk about defending our "civil liberties" a lot, and wouldn't normally use "civil rights" as a substitute in an action alert.
I think "civil liberties" refers more to rights granted by the constitution, and "civil rights" have more to do with legalities born from judicial decisions or established codes/laws...which themselves are usually rooted in and formed from the constitution.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-01-29 08:22 pm (UTC)I think "civil liberties" refers more to rights granted by the constitution, and "civil rights" have more to do with legalities born from judicial decisions or established codes/laws...which themselves are usually rooted in and formed from the constitution.