Bizarre, Media, Politics, Society

“Hamilton” Performance Interrupted By Boos Directed At Pence Followed By Statement From The Cast

playbill_from_the_original_broadway_production_of_hamiltonVice President Mike Pence decided to take a break from the work on the transition to attend the award-winning musical “Hamilton.” In a remarkably classless and rude demonstration, audience members booed the Vice President-elect both upon his arrival and then at various points in the performance. The cast then read a statement to Pence about fears over the expected policies of the Trump Administration.

The booing of the incoming Vice President was, in my view, uncivil and uncalled for at a performance on Broadway. I would have felt the same way if this was the treatment given Hillary Clinton. Adults in a civil society should demonstrate a level of respect and self-restraint. This was not an appropriate forum for such conduct.

I also have objections to the statement read to Pence by the cast. Cast members had already come out in support of Clinton. That is well known (here and here). The audience, particularly Pence, did not pay to attend the performance to receive a political statement — a statement loaded with implied criticism for someone who was effectively a captive audience.

Cast member Brandon Victor Dixon stated:

Vice President-elect Pence, welcome. Thank you for joining us at Hamilton: An American Musical. We are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights. We hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of all of us. Thank you.

I do not view the otherwise respectful statement as outrageous and I entirely understand the concerns that led to the content.  (Ironically, we previously discussed the controversy over the musical barring non-white performers from the cast).

However, I do not believe it is appropriate or fair to Pence in this context. Moreover, the performance speaks for itself. It is, if anything, reduced in its poignancy for Pence by converting it into a type of public lecture — particularly after the rude booing from the audience. The question is what such a statement accomplished beyond a cathartic moment for the cast or audience. It was certain to have an adverse impact on Pence after his treatment during the performance.

President-Elect Trump responded with one of his signature tweets, condemning the demonstration.  Dixon responded by saying “Conversation is not harassment, sir.”   Of course, it is not much of a conversation when you are reading a statement (in front of an overtly hostile crowd) to someone who simply came to watch your show.

220px-alexander_hamilton_portrait_by_john_trumbull_1806Of course, Hamilton saw such tendencies in his time:

“Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals, for the most part governed by the impulse of passion.”

What do you think?

Update:  Pence had a classy response to the demonstration from the audience.  He said “Hamilton is just an incredible production and incredibly talented people. It was a real joy to be there.”  He also said that, when they were met by booing, “I nudged my kids and reminded them, that’s what freedom sounds like.” He said that there was no need for an apology over the incident.

 

461 thoughts on ““Hamilton” Performance Interrupted By Boos Directed At Pence Followed By Statement From The Cast”

  1. I have mixed feelings about this.

    On the one hand, I do think the audience was rude to Pence by booing him just because he dared set foot in the door.

    On the other hand, I do not think the prepared statement by the cast member was rude, though it may have felt like salt in the wound following the audience’s rude behavior.

    Getting the President or vice president’s attention is difficult. They do not read their own mail, so, yes, he was a captive audience, and it was a public statement. But, it seems to me it was only embarrassing because of the audience’s behavior.

    I recognize that Trump wanted to defend Pence, but it would have been better to focus on the audience instead of the cast.

    1. Radical Reasoning specifically states when all else fails use a four letter word. Repeat it three times and if no one calls you on it use your own mmmmm odor as a reference.

  3. These people are treading on a step too far, and true Americans are getting fed up.

    1. Booing comes under the heading of free speech. What are the “true” Americans going to do do? Take away the first amendement.

      1. Lesson in grammatical language. Boo is not spelled Boo Hoo, As for the other sentance. Now that we’ve taken it back I think we’ll keep it.

        1. Yes, if you could take the young people who are the most partisan SJW type Democrats, and move them back in time 150 years, they would be in seminaries learning about Transubstantiation. But today, they are just into Transgenderism.

          Squeeky Fromm
          Girl Reporter

    1. All of our lives are impacted by politics. It’s best to be aware of what’s going on in our country…and to speak out when we feel our leaders/leaders-to-be may not represent the welfare of all the people.

      1. Damn EDM I thought you would never figure out and ‘fess up but that’s the best description of exactly how responsibile citizens feel. Did you notice. WE did speak out. I’m amazed but as an apology it’s not quite good enough. Eat a little crow for a while. And don’t forget to say Please,

        1. Damn, Michael, I guess you feel that more than half of the voting public who voted for someone other than Trump didn’t speak out??? I don’t need to eat crow for expressing my opinion of Donald Trump…or my concern about his being the leader of this country for four years. I think it was incumbent on citizens to speak out about a sexual predator, misogynist, and unscrupulous businessman who has made bigoted and racist statement during the course of his presidential campaign.

          2. Probably come a time when these folks think we should be locked up for speaking out.

            1. Actually that time came around 2008 plus with threats of concentrations camps. Your right to speak out though was and is guaranteed by people who uphold their oaths of offices.

              Second riposte to the throat of the matter. Second time in 16 years and you all STILL haven’t read the RULE BOOK? And did NOTHING about it then.

              Her’s the deal. Trumps side is going to put a Constiutional Amendment proposal to Congress to make Term Limits legal. Which will get passed first? That one or one dissolving the Electoral College? Boxer is lame ducking the effort to get it started.

              That paragraph may sound strange to people who are ignorant of and just ignore the law as their solution.

              I call it lazy.

        2. “As of Saturday, November 19, Clinton’s total popular vote count came to 63,541,056, with Trump’s total coming to 61,864,015, meaning that the former Secretary of State had increased her lead to 1.67 million votes. According to nonpartisan Cook Political Report, Clinton now has 48 percent of the popular vote, as compared to Trump’s 46.7 percent.”

          http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/hillary-clinton-won-popular-vote-over-donald-trump-but-by-how-much-w451352

          1. So? Didn’t you read the rules before getting all hyper? I would think that after 2000 there would be a lesson in realpolitik. Put your nose in the corner after writing I will not play stupid with the teacher 500 times and prepare an oral report on How President’s Are Elected and Why.

            What a waste of education..

            1. Michael,

              Please calm yourself down. Don’t get so agitated when someone expresses opinions different from yours. I know perfectly well how presidents get elected. Just because someone gets elected president–it doesn’t mean he has a mandate or the majority vote. One can only hope that Trump will come to realize that well more than half the voting public didn’t want him as their president…and that he will keep in mind that he’ll serve as president for ALL the people, including religious minorities and ethnic and racial minorities.

          2. More pain that comes attached to this fact that the popular, democratic vote went to Clinton but we have the world’s most consummate liar and con artist as President is that as the world’s most consummate liar Trump will remind us using the words, “The people have spoken.” At least with Bush we didn’t find out what a putz he was until several years in. Today, going in, we know that Trump is unmitigated shame and disaster. Even at two million less votes that is simply too many idiots. That’s the real shame and disaster.

        3. Yes, Michael, you and the other Trump supporters did speak out. And you won an electoral college vote. And yes, this is the rule that sometimes makes the final choice. So Trump/Pence won the electoral vote. But it is an indisputable fact that of there was another voice that also spoke out on election day, a collective voice that represented a substantially larger number of individual voices. So while it is probably true that a constitutional amendment to abolish the electoral college is less likely to be passed than one mandating term limits, this does nothing to change the indisputable fact that your voice was not part of the majority voice. It is an indisputable fact that my voice and edm’s voice were part of the majority voice.

          1. dogfight,

            Don’t go upsetting Michael again. He may demand an apology from you for speaking the truth…and then ask you to eat crow.

            1. More than one. A sizable portion of the latino community including all the Cuban Americans, A good chunk of the African American Community, the Bernies and Kleins and Libs by staying home, the rust belt by not staying home, Most of which were not particularly pro Trump but very much anti Clinton, anti Socialist and anti secular Progressive and better yet Pro Constitution.

              The campaign management was superb going after 50% plus one the only goal that mattered, the Media and polls cooperated by playing stupid and doing so openly winning more votes did the list ever end? Oh yes and the amateur fake balloting There were a lot of supporters.

              But the biggest proponent that helped Trump was Clinton herself. She opened her mouth, Trump got more votes.

              Now there are 31 more up in the air awaiting final approval.

              Best part is the left hasn’t learned anything.

              So we have a lot of good responsible citizens who contributed. And a brilliantly run campaign that went for the only votes that count. 50% plus one. And that left enough money to go after Florida and the Rust Belt.

              A special thanks to the media who didn’t know when to quit faking, the polls who didn’t know who to poll, and the DNC but most of all to Hillary Rodham Clinton. No coat tails and special interest favors to smooth the way and on her own….she failed and did all our work for us. Best campaigner the Reublic ever had.

    1. Squeeky,
      –I think it was Zell Miller? who expressed the same sentiment about dueling, when he got pissed at Chris Matthews during an interview about 10 yeats ago.

    3. First I suggest we wait for a very contrite and acceptable apology. Then a “Please?” Until then they don’t get no steeeeeenkin’ cookies For what? Whining didn’t work and now you want to ‘inclusive’ AKA Bi-Partisanship? Reframing and re-defining doesn’t work.. You want to be included? Earn it, apologize and say Please.

  8. After the election of this uncivil “showman” and you have the nerve to criticize a retort. It appears that some patriates are willing to fight those who are alleging their desire to rollback rights and set policies to promote the wealthy. Exactly WHAT did you expect?

      1. I am absolutely certain the left has no claim on any portion of virtue but it’s antonym fits perfectly.

    2. No one prevented him from giving a response and I submit that had he gone up to the stage and asked for the opportunity to respond they would have given him the stage.

  10. Oh, and personally, I think this Hamilton quote is more appropriate:

    “There are seasons in every country when noise and impudence pass current for worth; and in popular commotions especially, the clamors of interested and factious men are often mistaken for patriotism.”

    ~Alexander Hamilton

  11. “I would have felt the same way if this was the treatment given Hillary Clinton.”

    Your support for Trump and derision of Clinton over the past campaign, on this blog leads one to believe that you would twist your response if Clinton was booed, using your weapons of legal jargon that is essentially for hire and inherently biased.

    Given the atrocious behavior of the world’s consummate liar and bigot of the moment, Donald Trump, with his penultimate crescendo of disgusting and unrelenting statements, applauded by yourself and your followers on this blog, it would seem that Pence got not only what he deserved for supporting this disaster but got off lightly as well. Trump, Pence, and the rest of the crew, over the past many months, have made the speech by the actor worthy of the founding fathers. Our founding fathers would probably not restrained themselves.

    Trump set down the rules of engagement and more than half of America should and must deliver an unrelenting barrage until he is run out of office. Thus far he has proven that his bite may be worse than his bark. This is a sad and shameful day for America. At least with Bush it was not realized what a shameful loser he was until after he had shown America and the world just how dangerous he was. Those that voted in Trump have no excuse this time around. Trump has adequately illustrated how dangerous he is. Unfortunately there seems to be little ‘check and balance’ at this time. We need as many people to speak out as often as possible and with sufficient force to keep this at the front of the stage. After all Trump the entertainer should understand this. So, entertain us with more hypocrisy.

    1. “Trump set down the rules of engagement and more than half of America should and must deliver an unrelenting barrage until he is run out of office.”
      ******************
      Liked this better when Trotsky said it.

    2. issac,

      Can’t speak ill of The Donald on this blog. His fans here abide no criticism of this “man of the people.”

      1. edm:
        Oh you can speak ill of The Donald freely. You just can’t advocate the disruption or overthrow of the duly elected government of the United States without some objection here. You know the “deliver an unrelenting barrage until he is run out of office,” kind of madness.

        1. mespo,

          I wasn’t aware that the Hamilton actors were advocating for the overthrow of the duly elected government. I thought they were expressing their concerns about the incoming Trump administration;

          ***

          “Vice President-elect Pence, welcome. Thank you for joining us at Hamilton: An American Musical. We are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights. We hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of all of us. Thank you.”

          Wow…what a radical statement! Those actors sound like real revolutionaries.

          1. Inalienable means things that can be changed usually rights granted by man. Unalienable means natural rights which cannot be changed, abrogated or taken away. Trust the PC crowd to use one of it’s wacko versions.

            This is 2016 Up until I left secondary/high school in the sixties booing would cause referees to call a game and award it to the other side and teachers to give a student a three day vacation and a one point grade average drop. I saw it in a basket ball game once when the crowd threw pennies on the gym floor. I never saw it from students. But then in those days schools had and enforced standards. Now schools are something to be booed. or more accurately booted.

            Question Since all public schools K-12 and all univerisites or colleges except two do people waste their money on local school tax levies? Government wants the responsibility let the government pay. No funding no mandate and it makes a nice tax cut they can do nothing about….so far.

        2. edm

          Not madness but the same unrelenting barrage of lies and slander that Trump laid on Clinton. In America everyday is election year. Trump will start getting himself re-elected as of yesterday. Trump will lay the groundwork for some fast bucks followed by a bankruptcy, kind of like how he runs his businesses. The only successful businesses Trump runs cater to the uber rich. When it walks like a pile of trump and talks like a pile of trump, it very well might be a pile of trump.

          Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. But Trump sells the illusion, not the reality. He said that in his book. It’s all sizzle and no steak.

        3. Oh Yes we can. For example he called Clinton good people and backed off on the investigations etc. BUT to be fair he didn’t say he would intentionally impede investigations. Add a new Attorney General and FBI Director one can always hope what he didn’t say will hold sway. We don’t need another Warren Court investigation as with Kennedy.

    3. If you hate Jonathan’s writing so much, it is beyond me why you would bother coming here, only to become upset, leaving acrimonious comments. Perhaps for your own sanity it would be more advantageous to locate an alternative legal or political blog (perhaps with a more left-leaning bent) at which you can park your browser without making yourself so exasperated? Or is there some other reason to torture yourself, of which I am not aware?

      1. Now why would he do that: so that by his departure this blog could get just that much closer to becoming become an echo chamber. Where is the fun in that. I am a liberal and read plenty of blogs written by liberals. But I also read blogs that lean conservative or are conservative. It is more intellectually fun to engage with people with whom i disagree than to spend all my time conversing only with those with whom I agree. I think it would be healthy if we all do what we can to bust up echo-chambers and/or keep sites from becoming an echo chamber. If JT is serious about what he has posted in the section about posting rules, I should think he too does not want an echo chamber, particularly if he is the free speech advocate he claims to be and I think him to be.

        1. Define liberal – honestly. Hmmmmm oxymoron is built right in. I’m sure you cannot do it. No more than you can define conservative.

          On the other hand if you fail I’ll use real definitions instead of P(olitical) C( Rap).

          Be sure to date time stamp it so we know what version is being used

    4. “I would have felt the same way if this was the treatment given Hillary Clinton.”

      I agree with this sentiment.

  12. Classless performers putting a guy on the spot for publicity and clearly implying he’s a bigot. “Oh, judge we defendants are afraid you won’t be fair. Promise us you will, pretty please.”
    A “respectful” tantrum is still a tantrum.

    1. “Clearly implying he’s a bigot.”?

      Just what part of the statement are you claiming does this? I read the statement and I saw no such implication in it.

  13. IT wasn’t deleted Capitalize the letter T in The. It wasn’t the last battle but it was a continuation of an old old debt.

  14. An absolutely deserved and brilliant, if too civilized, encore.

    Do any of the gullibly/proud Texans realize that if Alaska is divided Texas is 3rd in size?????

    1. High School Humor! An Alaskan and a Texan were arguing about that same subject and the Texan got pretty obnoxious with his claims. An Oregonian (none left this was before the Californians drove them out) said look You have to admit without water you are zilch. But we can fix that. He winked at the Alaskan. We’ll run a garden hose from Oregon to Texas and give you all the water you want.

      Are you nuts. Water won’t run through a hose that small for that far?

      No problem if you can suck as good as you can blow Texas will be greener than Vermont.

      That was back in the old days before PC turned a four letter word and expression into ordinary every day language. Alaska is still greener. The Oregonians left after renaming it Appalachia West and Texas is still dryer than Chihuahua.

      Now you know how to turn a four letter word into acceptable language. Do like the story said and filter it through California or the DNC Election Committee.

  15. Pence is a public figure with abhorrent views. If he wants privacy while out in public he can return to civilian life.

    And if his precious psyche was hurt by booing, I’m sure he knows plenty of conversion therapists in whom he can confide.

    1. Dave , it is obvious that you are of low degree and ultra common. You are devoid of common courtesy and are classless.
      .

      1. Dave is classless–but a man who boasts about grabbing women by their pu**ies is the height of respectability because he was elected president????? Pence advocates for conversion therapy for gays–which is a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Sad to say these two men will be the leaders of this country for four years.

        ***

        Elections Matter: Why Pence Is A Scary Option For Women And Public Health
        http://www.forbes.com/sites/judystone/2016/10/09/elections-matter-why-pence-is-a-scary-option-for-women-and-public-health/#43a5c3b26e25

        HIV

        I’ve written before how Pence’s personal beliefs trumped public health recommendations and led to an outbreak of HIV and hepatitis in Scott County, Indiana, fueled by his hatred of Planned Parenthood (which was closed in 2013, although it provided the county’s HIV testing and referral) and his puritanical prohibition on needle exchanges. The epidemic of ~180 new HIV cases forced Pence to allow needle exchanges–but only temporarily, and not statewide. (A similar needle exchange program in D.C. prevented 120 new cases of HIV infection and saved an estimated $44 million over just a two-year period⁠.)…

        Health insurance/Medicaid

        While opposed to the Affordable Care Act, Pence ultimately accepted a form of Medicaid expansion (and the considerable federal monies that came with it) with the stipulation that recipients pay a monthly contribution. Pence opposed the emergency funding for Zika.

        Governor Pence cut Indiana’s funding for public health departments. Indiana spends $12.40 per person on public health, compared to $220 for West Virginia.

        Pence has a history of voting against public health funding, including the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. While Pence professes belief in “the sanctity of life,” this appears to end at birth.

        Smoking

        Demonstrating unbelievable denialism, in 2001, Pence wrote an op-ed declaring that “smoking doesn’t kill.” He ignored smoking’s impact on heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pregnancy outcomes.

        FiveThirtyEight shows how costly Pence’s stance is to his state: In Indiana, “23% of adults are smokers, the sixth-highest statewide rate in the United States. Fifteen percent of pregnant women smoke, nearly double the national average, and the state spent $2.93 billion in 2014 on health costs caused by cigarette smoking—more per capita than 31 other states, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Still, Indiana has a cigarette tax of just 99 cents, lower than 35 other states, despite a wealth of evidence showing that increasing taxes on tobacco reduces smoking rates.”

        Rape

        Pence co-sponsored a bill to redefine rape–to “forcible rape,” or what Todd Akin called “legitimate rape,” to further restrict abortion access…

        LGBTQ

        …In 2015, as governor of Indiana, he signed a bill allowing businesses to refuse services based on claims of their religious beliefs.

        1. Ahhhh. Ahem… ‘scuse me. Election is over? I thought only Obama ran a campaign for eight years non stop. But in case you weren’t told. Better sit down. This may be hard on your ticker? First. Any heart problems?

          1. Seriously, you are advising him to sit down and not oppose Pence? Sure, the election is over and Pence was part of the winning team as far as the electoral college vote. But there is no way in hell that those of us who opposed Trump/Pence and did not vote for that ticket are going to sit down and just let Trump/Pence screw up the nation. Now I know you probably don’t think he is going to. But there are many tens of millions of us who don’t share your view and we most certainly are not going to remain silent nor inactive during the next four years. I suspect that if circumstances were reversed and HRC had won the electoral college you likely would not sit quietly for the next four years. I also question whether you would think very kindly of one of us giving you the same advice if HRC were about to become the 45th president.

            1. dogfight,

              These folks whine even when their candidate wins! They want our fealty to their lord and master.

              1. Didn’t you mean Lady and Mistress? Hmmmmm Strike that she’s definitely no Lady. How about Royalty Person and …..hmmmmmm another difficult one. Sounds too Kinky.

                I see your port Hillary as Lordperson and Masterperson will have to do.

                I’m glad i stayed with pre Political Crap dictionaries.

            2. Shhhh you know the election is over. I know the election is over. He doesn’t know the election is over.

            3. There are those who did vote Trump/Pence (I did not, but know some) who will not sit by while he tramps on the Constitution as others have done before him.

                1. He may. I am very concerned about his stance on “security”. He has commented that Snowden ought to be executed. That would be a continuation of prosecuting whistleblowers, supporting the actions of the NSA, and the consequent violation of the 4th and 10th amendments; the NSA’s actions risk the First Amendment, as well.

                  1. Prairie Rose – if Snowden had stayed at his initial post and downloaded information and then become a whistleblower, I would agree with you. However, he then transferred to Hawaii, were the security was not as high and downloaded even more. I do want him tried for treason. I do not think we shoot traitors. We do/did shoot spys.

                    1. No we just nominate them for President or Secretary of State………

                      59 posts since yesterday anyone with a new subject?

                      If not the horse is dead beat on beat on

                2. And, it remains to be seen whether he violates the balance of powers as President Obama has with the signing of executive orders.

                  1. In Wilkes County NC where I was first wed my father in law said much the same of county sheriffs. No incumbent at that point had ever won re-election. The reason? They knew the current sheriff was dirty but didn’t know about the next one. Considering the voting problems in NC the more things change the more the stay the same but …….it remains to be seen……is a wise bit of advice. Also Hope springs eternal. Sometime you dodge a known bullet and become a target for another but……shrug…..as Atlas said!

    2. Dave-
      You are correct, classy, and wise.
      Something has filled Mike Pence with hate and hostility for anyone who doesn’t think the way he thinks.

    3. In that case he or better the cast should contact the Clinton Foundation. They have plenty of experience in servicing curious psyche and come to think of it four investigations still in progress. Inclusive. No It don’t think so. That will have to be earned.

  16. Obviously they didn’t know anything about the character the play or production was intended to present – or – it isn’t being presented in a manner making it worth seeing or presumably later on buying the DVD.

    But I think the proper way to answer that particular sort of protest is economically. Don’t enable them. Pity them but give back your money to more worthy recipients such as VA Veterans or perhaps a statute facing the Capitol Building with an inscription something like this.

    “The fat lady has yet to sing.
    Gold Medal yet to be won.
    There’s still one battle left to fight,
    By grandfathers, fathers, and sons.

    We join our husbands and our fathers
    No baby factories no cannon fodder
    Will we provide to senseless slaughter
    We grandmothers, mothers and daughters.”

    It wasn’t the results of Nov 8th was fought on the right battle ground. Paybacks are a …….

    /s/ the deplorable Veterans

    that would be a national monument worth visiting.

  17. If diversity is the issue, why in the casting call for this show only non-whites encouraged and requested. This is an oblivious violation of the varied Civil Rights Laws and legislation. As typical of Progressives,saying they believe in diversity and practicing it is not the same.. ,

    The hypocrisy of the Left never fails to amaze me..

    1. The hypocrisy of the Right never fails to amaze you? There is hypocrisy everywhere along the political spectrum. But just because some on the left and some on the right and some in the center are hypocrites some of the time on some issues, does not mean that all those on the left or all those on the right on hypocrites, nor does it mean that people who are hypocrites on this or that issue are hypocrites on every issue. Assuming so reveals very sloppy thinking.

  18. For a liberal culture that has suddenly embraced the need for “safe space”, the same liberals find it acceptable to violate what is generally expected to be a safe, non politcal environment when it suits their needs.

    2. Which liberals specifically are you talking about? How do you know that the liberals who argue for safe spaces are all the same ones that “violated what is generally expected to be a safe space”? Did you go there and interview each of the attendees to confirm this? You seem to be assuming that all liberals support the idea of safe spaces. This simply is not true, as you would find out if you bothered to bust out of your self-imposed bubble and examine what is being said by a larger sampling of liberals than you seem to be familiar with. I am a liberal and I do not support safe spaces. The blogger Jerry Coyne is a liberal and he has repeatedly been critical of safe spaces on his blog. I’m sure you’d find more examples if you’d bother to look. Stop lumping all liberals into the same basket. It wasn’t correct when HRC did it with Trump supporters. And it isn’t accurate when you and others here do the same with liberals.

  20. I find myself wondering about what we have become, and exactly what it is these strange people want. One thing is apparent: we see the world in totally different perspectives, and I shiver to think what a political party so proud of people like Keith Ellison might have done to my country.

        1. You are of course correct. It does belong to all of us. So I hope you will accept my disagreement with Ron with the same level of tolerance you offer to Ron. Where he shiver’s about the prospects for our country based on a “political party so proud of people like Keith Ellison,” I am greatly optimistic about the prospects for our country because of a “political party so proud of people like Keith Ellison”, and am as deeply troubled as Ron is about the prospects for our country. But my concern stems from a political party that supports people like Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Mitch McConnell, and so many others whom I won’t list because this comment would become far too long.

      2. Ron is entirely correct, as is Professor Turley. While you could argue whether a theatre stage is “a public forum” for the unexpected and off-program expression of political speech,– at a minimum, the Hamilton cast was rude and lacking in basic civilities, especially for isolating a particular member of the audience. The “alarm” and “anxious[ness]” expressed by Mr. Dixon are more the products of pro-Clinton media machinatiplan than perceived Trump policy.

    2. I am appalled at the treatment given to Pence and his companion(s) at a supposedly civilized gathering of people to enjoy a play. Where has courtesy gone? What happened to manners? These were things I was taught as a child, now people seem to flaunt their lack thereof as progress in the right direction. I think we need to resurrect our manners, remember that courtesy never worsens a situation
      and can actually make it endurable.

      1. I think The Donald kicked Courtesy out the window.

        “As yee give, so shall you receive.”

        1. Pence did not dish it out.

          But even if he did, my mama always told me to take the high road. Don’t return evil with evil.

          1. I agree with you in general. It generally is better to take the higher road, as Clinton repeatedly said we should do, and Trump seldom took. But I am a bit troubled by your description of this event as a case of returning evil for evil. I don’t think Pence to be evil, though I am deeply troubled by his political views, and I don’t think those who booed are evil nor was the acting of booing him an evil act.

            1. Are you blind, deaf, dumb or just playing stupid. WHEN did Clinton ever take the high road in her entire life? Only if the high road was subterranean. Did you actually write that with a straight face? Are you joking us? I thought radical reasoning was bad but that puts it clearly in second place.

              What shameful people your are. The name fits keep it.

            2. ” I don’t think those who booed are evil nor was the acting of booing him an evil act.”

              I did not say they were evil.

              My comment is another way of say “tit for tat”. They are essentially engaging in “tit for tat” behavior. Don’t do wrong to others because they did wrong to you.

              I did not intend to diminish the horror that should surround such a word. There is an ounce of viciousness in deliberate rudeness, though, like glancing down the path of the “banality of evil”.

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