Scared Straight

Here's an important comment on a post from The Root.com in regards to Jon Stewart discussing one of Fox News' muslim shareholders.  This was done by a commenter named Rev Matt, I can't take credit for it at all. (The article link is here):

Fear.

America thrives on it.

Fear drives them to the polls, fear connects them to their favorite candidates, fear causes them to overlook the one thing that will set them free from fear:

The truth.

The truth is, America was founded by men seeking to worship freely, without fear of governmental interference.

The truth is, what and how other countries treat minority religions is irrelevant; we are the land of the free.

The truth is, there is a Shinto chapel less than five miles from Pearl Harbor.

The truth is, the Muslim mosque being built is NOT on "Ground Zero." It is two blocks away. City blocks. And, it is also around the corner, not on the same street.

The truth is, even if it were on the exact same spot, it is private property. You conservatives (of which I am one) who squawk so much about "property rights" and "governmental takeover," need to chill out on this issue. You can't have your apple pie, and eat it, too. Or do property rights only apply to White men?

The truth is, religious freedom in America applies equally to all faiths. The Muslim's right to build a mosque is the Christian's right to build a church. Or to display a Nativity scene. Or to plant a cross. (Don't burn them, though. We like our crosses non-flammable.)

The truth is, the NYC mosque is the political soup du jour, served by politicians who see it as an opportunity to galvanize their base, at the cost of furthering the racial and spiritual divide that exists in this country. The politicians who participate in this have no shame. Voters who swallow this have no sense.
 
The truth is, the NYC mosque sends a message to the world that America is the one place in the world that you may practice your faith without fear of reprisal.

The truth is, the Constitution of the United States is not, nor will ever be, based on taste, preference, race, creed, or color. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. For those of you who think Muslims are excluded from this, the truth is, you are sadly mistaken.

"We, the people," means exactly that. All of us. The truth is, anytime you deny the rights of one group, you have denied the rights of all. For those of you flag-waving conservatives who hold your American rights of property ownership near and dear to your hearts, keep in mind this one simple truth: the same government you demand block the building of the Muslim mosque on private property is the same government that has been given (by you) the right to prevent you from enjoying the legal use of your property.

The truth is, America, if she is to be America, must insist that the rights of all faiths be recognized; otherwise, America simply becomes just another place where the loudest bear rule.

And if that happens, America will no longer be "the land of the free, and the home of the brave."