Mail To Troops Censored
For years, the U.S. Post Office has
subscribed to the philosophy that neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom
of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed
rounds.” But if snow, rain and heat don’t stop your mail from
getting delivered, its supposed anti-Islamic (or overtly Christian or Jewish)
content just might.
According
to “Operation Iraqi Freedom” mailing tips announced by the USPS
on March 25, 2003, the following items are prohibited from being mailed to
troops stationed in the Middle East: obscene articles (prints, paintings,
cards, films, videotapes, etc.); any matter containing religious materials
contrary to the Islamic faith or depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic
or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials; and pork or pork by-products.
So
when Jack Moody of Lenoir, N.C., recently attempted to mail a care package
containing a Bible study and other Christian religious materials, including
a book entitled “God’s Promises for Your Every Need” and
various Christian comic books to his son Daniel, imagine his dismay at being
prevented from doing so because of postal bulletin PB22097.
In
a recent letter home, Moody’s son, a 21-year-old National Guardsman
serving alongside thousands of U.S. troops in the Middle East as part of Operation
Iraqi Freedom, mentioned that he was experiencing a rekindling of his faith
and requested additional Christian reading materials-a request his father
was only too happy to fulfill.
But when Jack Moody telephoned his local
post office to inquire about the procedure for mailing his care package to
Daniel, he was told that there was a prohibition on “any matter containing
religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith.” And according to
the postal clerk, Daniel’s package, with its Christian contents, might
just be considered offensive to some Muslims overseas. To a father whose son
is risking his life to fight for Iraqi freedom, the prohibition made no sense.
Equally alarming, however, was the fact that the few U.S. government officials
Moody approached for help — individuals who had sworn to uphold and
defend the Constitution — did not seem to find it disturbing.
For
example, when Moody contacted U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole’s Raleigh office,
he said a staffer gave him the brush-off, responding “So what?”
after he voiced his concerns. Dan Gurley, U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger’s
chief of staff, wasn’t much help either. According to Moody, Ballenger
refused to get involved, insisting that it was a matter for the courts.
That’s
when The Rutherford Institute became involved, filing suit in federal court
against the U.S. Postmaster General in defense of Moody’s rights to
freedom of speech, free exercise of religion and equal protection under the
law.
After all, the First Amendment of the Constitution
is clear about the free exercise of religion — this includes safeguarding
a father’s right to send out religious materials and a son’s right
to receive them. It states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
This
First Amendment provision also prohibits our government from establishing
a religion by favoring one over another. By stating that no material can be
mailed if it is contrary to the Islamic religion, the U.S. Post Office has
clearly shown deference to Islam above all other religions — and this
definitely violates our Constitution. Coupled with recent reports of troops
stationed overseas being ordered not to wear religious jewelry or other outward
symbols of their faith, this seems to indicate a willingness on the part of
American government officials to subjugate American freedoms for the sake
of possibly not offending someone in the Middle East. Surely our troops should
not be denied a Bible, a Star of David or other religious materials for fear
of offending some intolerant despot.
At
a time when members of our armed forces are risking their lives as part of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, it is inconceivable that their own freedoms and those
of their parents would be curtailed in an effort to impose political correctness
on our armed forces.
Fortunately
for the rest of us-and unfortunately for government officials and civil leaders
— this inclination toward political correctness keeps running afoul
of the First Amendment. But thankfully people like Jack Moody are unwilling
to sacrifice the very freedoms America’s sons and daughters have fought
and died for through the years.
And
for those who insist that the anti-Islamic postal code restrictions only serve
to keep the peace while our troops are stationed abroad, I would remind them
of what Benjamin Franklin, appointed the first Postmaster General by the Continental
Congress in 1775, said: “Even peace may be purchased at too high a price.”