But Not in My Backyard

A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll gives us a dose hope and helping of pessimism about the prospect that anytime soon we’ll move past the anti-Muslim hysteria and into an era of respect and acceptance of people of all faiths.

The poll conducted earlier this month finds that most Americans (69 percent) are “OK” with having a mosque in their community. The poll also finds that more Americans have a favorable view of Muslims than what was the case in 2002, not long after the 9/11 attacks.

That’s the upside. And now for the downside.

Those acceptance numbers dip considerably in the American South (maybe they polled folks supporting Texas state Rep. Leo Berman’s anti-Muslim legislation?) and in rural communities.

This begs the question: If you don’t want mosques or Muslims in your neighborhood, and you call yourself a believer in the rights and freedoms this country affords us, why aren’t you uncomfortable essentially advocating for Constitution-free zones?

The poll was conducted ahead of the airing of a CNN special on the controversy surrounding plans to build a mosque in Murfreesboro, Tenn. In a preview for the show, the downside of the poll results is summed up perfectly when an unidentified man is seen saying in reference to Muslims, “I didn’t say to hate ’em. I just said we don’t need them here.”