“As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan in accordance with local laws and ordinances.’’
– President Barack Obama
The words seem innocuous enough. To the reasonable individual it would equate to an endorsement of the Constitution and its First Amendment which guaranteed freedom of religion. Yet when those same words are juxtaposed to the construction of a mosque approximately two blocks from ground zero of 9/11 in New York, they are perceived by some as instead an endorsement of Islam.
When that “perceived” endorsement of Islam is also attributed to President Barack Obama, it unpacks all of the old racist baggage of the election campaign of 2008 for use against the Democrats in 2010. Some would have you believe that a mosque two blocks from the site of the deadliest terrorist act on American soil sends a message of disrespect to the memory of slain Americans and is an endorsement of Islam.
It’s neither…but let’s pause right there.
This is for both Democrats and Republicans. This is for the Tea Party members, moderates and even the most ardent fans of Keith Olbermann. All of you need to hear this and be dispassionately reminded of some inarguable truths. Even the loyal followers of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity are in 
need of this reality check.
Freedom is working when it is most “uncomfortable,” and the U.S. Constitution is at its best when it’s tremendously inconvenient.
Freedom of religion does not come with a “Christian” caveat or an implied anti-Muslim clause. There is no fine print at the bottom of the Constitution detailing commercial zoning laws of “controversial” houses of worship in proximity to monuments. Either America is a country with unfettered religious expression or it is not. It is one or the other.
You know freedom is working in times like these because it is uncomfortable…very uncomfortable. Don’t confuse something being uncomfortable with something being unfair. It’s in its fairness that we find the most discomfort. When you feel uncomfortable, it’s at that moment you know the Constitution and the freedom it protects is doing its job.
The 1954 Brown V. Board of Education decision paved the way for the “uncomfortable” process of public school integration.
The Little Rock 9 exemplified the nation’s subsequent discomfort and history has proven that this nation was ultimately better for it.
The Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Acts of the 60s were uncomfortable for Americans, both Black and White. Neither legislation was written specifically to solely protect African-Americans nor to condemn Whites. They were specifically to ensure that the U.S. Constitution protect the rights of all American citizens at all times, without deference to race.
Historically it has been shown that freedom comes with an uncomfortable price tag; the Constitution equally inconvenient and their sometimes unpleasant natures remind us they’re still doing their jobs.
Proposition 8 was recently ruled unconstitutional…the discomfort now being experienced by some would just be freedom and the Constitution again doing their jobs. It’s the included cost of being a “free” country.
Back to the top…
“As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan in accordance with local laws and ordinances.’’
– President Barack Obama
The construction of a mosque in the general vicinity of what was once the World Trade Center is not an affront to memories of the victims of 9/11, it’s an affirmation of the American ideals which guide this country and aren’t 
subject to convenience or compromise. Its construction would by all means be uncomfortable and this country stands to gain more by overcoming our petty differences. Islam did not attack America, terrorists did and we should not ever lose sight of that distinction. Terrorism is neither a sovereign nation nor an identifiable religion. It’s an ideology with ties to both Christianity (KKK) as well as Islam.
Americans should be concerned any time a president would disregard the Constitution to suit the mood of the moment or cave into the pressure of a political election cycle. President Obama did the right thing. It wasn’t the popular thing to do and surely did not win his party votes in November, but it was the right thing to do and the Constitution agrees.
The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, https://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at [email protected].
7 responses to “The Constitution is Often Times Inconvenient, Freedom…Uncomfortable”
“Dr. Laura’s radio career ended in disgrace tonight because of the bigoted, ugly and hateful remarks made on her show. Americans have had enough,” the group’s president, Eric Burns, said in the statement. “Listeners are now holding hosts, affiliates, and sponsors accountable for the offensive and inexcusable content on the airwaves.”
The above quote appeared in the NY Times story about Dr. Laura's announcement that she is ending her show.
I'm much more concerned about Burns' comments than with anything Dr. Laura has ever said on the air.
She gives what we in the business call "opinions".
Have we outlawed those, now?
I guess my date with the executioner draws near…
Walt, you don't have a constitutional right to a radio show. Radio is a private entity, responsible to advertisers and sponsors. No advertisers, no sponsors…no show. That has nothing to do with "opinions." If Dr. Laura was willing to bankroll her show, pay her advertisers for the bad press that would be coming their way, etc…she'd be on the air.
It's misleading to allege she lost her show because of "opinions."
I just WISH that President Obama would have stuck to his guns on this one. It was a local issue-he should not have commented. Since he did though, he should have stood behind what he originally said-there was no need to clean up anything. This Dr. Laura insults this poor woman, then goes on to make herself the victim? She holds a responsibility as a doctor to hurt those she is attempting to help. Who cares what she says black people are saying on HBO, etc? It matters what she said! The buck stops at her. Personally, I felt she was just letting this woman know how she truly felt about blacks in general.
I agree with "Onemom", Obama should have stuck to what he said on the Friday. Trying to nuance everything and walk the fence is BS. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
As for Dr. Laura, I didn't even know how she was until this "N" word flap!! You reap what you sow!!!
Great Post Morris. When I was a kid, they taught us in school that America was founded on freedom of religious worship. Somewhere over the last 30-40 years it morphed into being founded on Christianity. I'll be doing my thing with the Praise team at church after work today cause I loves me some Jesus. But I have held onto the distinction that our country separated church and state for the protection of both. As an American, I believe we should not distinguish between which "huddled masses" get to be respected under our flag. AS a Christian, I believe that if Christians love people like Christ did, they will follow us like they did him. Christ didn't do "us vs. them".
As for homegirl and her TV show, I think that she had a temporary case of "fed up" that got out of control. I don't think she was fed up with "Black People", but just morphed some issues together and it came out crazy. But like we used to say back in college, you never get a second chance at a first impression or a fatal error. She'll be an example to someone else in the future though. Church and state, attitudes and advice.. both sets should be kept separate.
@Dwane T. – Well said! I echo your sentiment. @Mo, You never fail to bring the heat. Great piece. I'm a Christian by choice. I don't want anyone to infringe on my Constitutional right to worship… and I believe that right has been extended to everyone including Muslims, Jews, and Atheists too. It is uncomfortable at times. However, I don't see anyone rushing to expel those members of the military who practice various religions and protect the freedom we relish. We have to tear down the walls of hate and build walls of tolerance.
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