I rushed into the office at 8 a.m. this morning, hoping to catch The Texas Tribune‘s interview with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, because I knew they’d ask about his recent decision to issue a press release calling for the cancellation of a gay-themed play at Tarleton State University. As it turns out, The Tribune doesn’t broadcast its live chats live, but they have now posted Dewhurst’s response to the question on YouTube. Above is the video, and below is my transcript.
Dewhurst: First of all if that particular play had been in any other venue, a private school, some theater, none of my business. None of my business. I exercised my First Amendment right to say something when a lot of people were calling all around the state of Texas saying, “What in the world is going on at a state school that receives state money?” That was the only reason I said something. There were two elements. One, it was at a state school that was receiving state money. Two, it was ridiculing, in my judgment, you may not agree, but ridiculing one religion. It doesn’t make any difference to me — on this, and I want to use this word carefully, I’m agnostic on this — it doesn’t make any difference, in my judgment: If a play ridiculed anybody’s religion, I would have reacted the same way.
TT: So a play about gay Buddha would have received the same press release?
Dewhurst: Yes, it would have, because I don’t believe it’s right to denigrate anybody’s religion.
I guess he has the wrong idea about what higher education is for. It is for the exchange of ideas. I went to the Univ of NC. It is a state school. But there were plenty of events, sponsored by groups that receive student fees etc, that hosted people who would be called offensive by many, on both sides of the political spectrum. I listened to both Armstrong Williams and Alan Keyes on campus. I had a preacher stand in “The Pit” and tell us we were going to hell for being fornicators. I even listened to a lecture by a guy involved in the paranormal. So a play about a gay Jesus should be no different. It is just something else to learn about and if it offends someone, too bad. Stand outside and protest. It is your right of “free speech”. Stifling free speech is anything but.
Obviously the good Lt Dewhurst doesnt’ have a basic understanding of what “separation of church and state” means……….
’nuff said…………….
I think we should challenge his thinking and have John Otte produce his next school project about a gay Buddha or Krishna. If he really wants to push the envelope, a gay Mohammed and wait for the calls to start flooding in from Dew-hurt-us and Slick Rick.
I will be sooooooo glad to see these demagogs voted out of office.