Going into the Democratic National Convention, who would have thought that the speech we’d all remember this week would belong to Khazir Khan, the father of a Muslim-American soldier who died fighting for the United States in Iraq? Khan’s rebuke of Donald Trump’s divisive presidential campaign was stinging, and it came capped with these lines:
Donald Trump, you are asking Americans to trust you with our future. Let me ask you: Have you even read the U.S. Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words “liberty” and “equal protection of law.”
Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of the brave patriots who died defending America — you will see all faiths, genders, and ethnicities.
You have sacrificed nothing and no one.
This private citizen succeeded in doing what Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, President Obama, Joe Biden and maybe even Michael Bloomberg could not. In his own modest, understated way, he put Trump on the defensive. And when Trump lashed out, you could finally hear the whispers: Have you no sense of decency, Donald, at long last?
Khizr Khan may be to Donald Trump what Joseph Welch was to Joe McCarthy. That would be one positive outcome of Khan’s speech. The other is that sales of the U.S. Constitution (as Electric Literature noted) have gone through the roof. The U.S. Constitution is currently #2 on Amazon’s list of bestselling books, right behind the new Harry Potter book. Fathom that.
You, too, can buy a pocket edition of the Constitution. But why not get it for free? Through November 8, the ACLU is running a promotion which will let you snag a free pocket-sized Constitution–one that can fit in your backpack, glove compartment, or back pocket. It measures 3/12” x 5.5” and features “the full text of the Constitution, the Amendments, including the Bill of Rights, as well as a Know Your Rights series: What to do if you’re stopped by the police.”
Head to this page, and use the coupon code POCKETRIGHTS.
If you would like to sign up for Open Culture’s free email newsletter, please find it here. It’s a great way to see our new posts, all bundled in one email, each day.
If you would like to support the mission of Open Culture, consider making a donation to our site. It’s hard to rely 100% on ads, and your contributions will help us continue providing the best free cultural and educational materials to learners everywhere. You can contribute through PayPal, Patreon, and Venmo (@openculture). Thanks!
Related Content:
R Crumb, the Father of Underground Comix, Takes Down Donald Trump in a NSFW 1989 Cartoon
J.K. Rowling Defends Donald Trump’s Right to Be “Offensive and Bigoted”
Noam Chomsky on Whether the Rise of Trump Resembles the Rise of Fascism in 1930s Germany
Please don’t link to that pocket Constitution. That particular one, the one that’s going like hotcakes on Amazon, is annotated with the rantings of right-wing ideologue Cleon Skousen.
https://theintercept.com/2016/08/01/ultra-right-annotated-edition-of-pocket-constitution-tops-amazon-charts-after-khizr-khans-dnc-speech/
Thanks for the post and the link. I swore an oath to protect that document from all enemies. One of the politicians chose to introduce the sympathy act to their play; another chose to tastelessly, and seemingly without a deeper understanding of the cost, critique the play. One must understand that choosing to stand upon that stage and hold the microphone means that all is “fair play.”
The soldier knew this, and “filled the unforgiving minute
with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run.”
Honor him by supporting our constitution.
God bliss
Despite the small form factor, it seems to be a very effective shield to hide behind, when pretending your ideology isn’t what it says it is.
You, the ACLU, and Amazon made a huge mistake. Cleon Skousen. Really? I will throw it out the moment it arrives. Unfortunately, I will now be spammed by every right wing organization in the country. Thanks a lot.…
I see in someone’s post that DJT has sacrificed nothing. We’ve all heard that there is a time and place for everything. Now is DJT’s time. It’s his time to put everything he’s worked for his entire life on the table to defend our constitution and bill of rights. At 70 yrs. old he will be wearing the uniform of a marine, a soldier, our navy and air force, our coast guard, national guard, our border patrol and our police officers and he ask for nothing but America’s support. On 11/09/16 when DJT has been elected President of our great nation, our country and our constitution will be safe, and not continued to be walked on by the current admin.
I would like a pocket size book of the U.S.Constitution. Thankyou.
I would like a copy of the constitution.
Thank You
I would like a pocket size book of the U.S.Constitution.2 COPIES ONE FOR MY SON AND ONE FOR ME PLEASE MAKE TO P.O. BOX 555 SMYRNA DELAWARE 19977 Thankyou.
Please send me the constitution pamphlet
DON LAVOIE
20 LYON
NEWPORT COAST CA 92657
I would like a free copy of the US Constitution for my granddaughter, please.
This is the fourth time I have requested two free copies of The US Constiution, since 2017 to no avail. WILL YOU PLEASE expain why my request has not been honored. ALSO WHAT I NEED TO DO or who I can go to to have my quest honored. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDTION ON THIS MATTER.
My address is
1542 Alta Glen Drive Apt 36
San Jose, CA 95125
Would you please send me 2 copies of the pocket constitution. Thank you very much.
I would like a pocket edition of the constitution please