What’s wrong with people today? Mass protests nationwide, no, WORLDWIDE, against a simple attempt by our president to spread a little Western culture and light-hearted entertainment to the diversion-deprived people of the Middle East. I just don’t get it. What’s wrong with a little fun? Living in the third world is no picnic, and Lord knows these folks are starving for a chance to take their mind off of their problems, if only for a short time. Are we that damned selfish???
The problem, however, goes well beyond our feelings on the Middle East. Take a moment to think about the young men and women - now deployed thousands of miles from home - that make up these various dance companies, puppet theaters, and improv groups. These are brave people who risk their personal reputations every day, fearlessly defending our natural-born right to wear leotards and slippers in public. And we’re practically spitting on them! They didn’t ask to go over there, but they did it all the same out of a sense of patriotism and pride. In this age of bad sketch comedy and poorly-attended dance recitals, morale among the troupes is low enough. They’re already having enough things thrown at them in Iraq. They don’t need to think they’ll be returning home to a tomato-throwing public, as well.
So quit it with the sour grapes, folks. Trade those protest signs for flags and get behind our artistic community. Go see a play or a gay chorus or something! Get with it, people!