Missouri rodeo clown in Obama mask

During a recent eulogy, the speaker remarked that as a minister he’d learned to “understand people in their context.”  The point he was making was that it is important to understand the circumstances in which a particular event occurs.   The situation or setting of an activity can suggest or inform its meaning.  In other words, context matters!

The fate of the rodeo clown, who donned an Obama mask during a bull riding skit and proceeded to . . . well, practice his trade – namely entertain the crowd – is a blow to personal liberty.  The importance of the protection of free speech in securing our natural rights is paramount, as indicated by its ordering in the Bill of Rights:  The FIRST Amendment.   Reflection and choice are central to the democratic process.  Reflection has many forms and faces, occurring in private and public places  (where’s Dr. Seuss when you need him?!)  Political satire is an American tradition.  And who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh now and then?  Weren’t we taught as children to learn to laugh at ourselves?!

Certainly a credible – or perhaps any – threat to the life of the President is necessarily serious and unlawful.  But should we not consider the circumstances in which the offending activity occurred . . . the context?  I recall a movie that featured armed, bank robbers,  donning masks of some U.S. Presidents,  committing murder during the commencement of their crimes.  Were there calls for any of the participating actors, director or studio executives to be permanently banned from their professions?  (As an interesting side note, check out the party affiliations of the offending Presidents in the movie.)  Character counts and context matters.