tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9902716.post8037127593118854798..comments2024-02-22T01:36:48.427-08:00Comments on On Theatre and Politics - Matthew Freeman: QuestionFreemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01183078884824734105noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9902716.post-20872377333258221812008-11-20T10:51:00.000-08:002008-11-20T10:51:00.000-08:00This whole sad episode leaves me with a decidedly ...This whole sad episode leaves me with a decidedly icky feeling.<BR/><BR/>I am troubled a bit by the idea that someone can contribute money to a cause, no matter how bass-ackwards that cause may be, and as a result be run out of his/her job.<BR/><BR/>I am also troubled that this guy thought it was a-OK to publicly and with his name attached bankroll a campaign to discriminate against his own employees (dude works in Musical Theatre, for the love of Mike) and then act all offended and persecuted when news "gets out" (of course it did, sunshine - you put your name on it!) and cry out that his rights of free expression are being violated when the employees he just spent a grand to take a dump on start publicly wondering whether in fact they want to work with the guy anymore.<BR/><BR/>I think that McCarthyite comparisons are a bit overblown. That was about a small group of people crushing opposition by invoking fear of a bogeyman. Peaple are pissed at Scott Eckern for something he clearly and publicly did with his money.<BR/><BR/>Now, if Eckern had not made a donation, and people were pissed at the Mormon Church for bankrolling Prop 8, and someone said, "Hey, Eckern is a Mormon. He shouldn't be allowed to work on musicals!" and then the board demanded Eckern renounce his Mormonism or be fired, that would be McCarthyism.<BR/><BR/>Again, I'm a bit bothered by the way this shook out, because at the end of the day it comes down to support a proposition = lose your private-sector job. But honestly, what other result did Eckern think was coming? Did he really think the no doubt dozens of gay men and women he works with every day were gonna say, "Gee, I'm sorry you don't think I'm worthy of equal protection under the law, but heck, I respect your personal beliefs!"? <BR/><BR/>Man I need a shower...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com