[U] John Hinderaker (That Dainty Shrinking Violet) Thinks It An “Outrage”: How DARE The “Little People” Try To Speak To Any VP-Elect, About Matters Of Substantial Concern?!

I get it. This guy — John Hinderaker, was apparently never — and is not now made of very stern stuff.

He thinks it an “outrage” that cast members of “Hamilton” — in a curtain call, dared speak to the Vice President to be, about their concerns, in a loving but public way. Doubling the hilarity of the entire Hard Right’s fainting vapors, we saw Mr. Trump hissself tweet a hissy fit about it — this morning.

In the last post (at another blog), I included an actual clip of the speech by Brandon Victor Dixon (playing VP Aaron Burr), as well as the text — so that the world might see and know that the cast was both respectful, and loving, in expressing their concerns to the VP-Elect. [The cast even asked the audience to refrain from booing “don’t boo” — as the cast clearly believes that ideas — even controversial ones (Trump/Pence ideas) — are to be heard, and evaluated, in the theater.]

In my view (and that of almost all constitutional scholars), the theater has long been a core First Amendment Zone — free expression shall reign. [At the theater, ideas wear the crown of royalty — not any one person, any longer, here in America.] Here is the purported “offense” (apparently against the Crown) — in full (preposterous!):

. . . .“We, sir — 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 truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us”. . . .

Mr. Hinderaker would do well to remember here also that Mr. Pence chose to come to the theater (no one forced him to be there) — to see a musical (in part) about political revolutions, and incendiary ideas — ideas that form the core of this nation’s birth. He chose to go see a play about people the British would have called “traitors to the crown.” [It should give him hope — not fear, that our citizenry is so engaged in their own DEMOCRACY. But whatever — it is a political play. The VP cannot live in a bubble, any more than the President can.]

If he recognized himself (as Mr. Trump plainly has this morning, by Tweet), in the role of the 18^th Century Crown — not the patriot. . . and felt a little uncomfortable about that — well, that is the whole point (in my view).

The completely daft notion — that Mr. Trump thinks an apology is warranted — where Mr. Pence stepped into the theater, and paid money, specifically to see an exchange of (what some might think of as) “incendiary” political ideas — ideas he might disagree with. . . is stupefying.

Mr. Trump ought to grow up, and read a little First Amendment history. And he ought to get used to being booed, as well. He no longer can exclusively run “invite only” private rallies/appearances — he’s accountable to ALL of us, now — 24/7.

And it will be a long four years for John and Donald if each  can’t/won’t grow some thicker skin than this. Here it is again, for the record:

Finally, I don’t recall Mr. Trump (or Mr. Hinderaker) asking for an apology — when more than a few sitting GOP Senators (not just simple theater folk!) booed Mr. Obama, when he started to give his State of the Union address a few years ago.

UPDATED — Sunday Night At 8 PM EST: In what the patron must have decided was retaliation — for the events at the New York show on Friday night (described above) — here in Chicago, on Saturday night, an inebriated Trump supporter heckled the cast through two numbers — beginning his profanity laced rant at the line “Immigrants — we get the job done.” Will Mr. Trump and Mr. Hinderaker demand an apology from this drunken supporter? Don’t hold your breath, here. . . [“The theater must always be a safe place. . .” — Donald Trump. Heh.]

Here is the Trib’s account of the moment: “. . .According to audience member Brea Hayes of Batavia, who was at the performance, an audience member seated in the front of the balcony shouted profanities and election-related political statements after the cast sang the line, “Immigrants / We get the job done,” which is part of the show’s “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” number. . . .”

[End, updated portion.]

I guess they just don’t understand what they’ve signed up for — Trump & Pence. Welcome to the Bigs, Mr. Trump. That’s called a shave and a haircut — God save you — if the Infinite deems you worthy.

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