It’s Friday, time for the last Open Forum of the month, and my infected leg is much better, thanks, so EA should be returning to normal soon.
Probably not quite to normal, because from now until mid-September all of my nights and weekends will be occupied as I return to my theatrical side, in mothballs for a decade, to direct and write a musical revue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Georgetown Law Center Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the only student-run theatrical organization at an grad school in the country. Alums will be flying in from all over; the show itself is going to have a student-alumni cast of more than 70, and it promises to quite an adventure.
I’m overseeing the show because I unwittingly started the tradition with a guerilla production of “Trial by Jury” when I was a first year student, directed the next six yearly shows after that, and have returned to the scene of my former triumphs (that’s a Gilbert quote: which show?) for the 20th, 30th, 40th and now 50th anniversary blow-outs (actually this is the 52nd anniversary because of two postponements.)
That’s a cast photo from the 1977 production of “H.M.S Pinafore” that I directed in GULC’s Hart Moot Courtroom above. (Can you spot me?)
The lesson of this saga is that you never know what the things you do in life will prove to be most significant. That organization has launched successful show business careers, sparked romances, marriages, and lifetime friendships, changed the culture of the school, and made many thousands of people laugh and cheer over the course of over 150 productions including the G&S canon, Broadway musicals, dramas, comedies, Shakespeare, and a production of “Twelve Angry Men” (my first) that is credited with starting the process of turning the classic movie into a successful stage show.
Me, I was just trying to address my boredom with law school and had no idea what I was starting. Yet if I get squished by a piece of space junk tomorrow, I’m pretty sure that theater organization will be my most lasting legacy.
Go figure.
But that’s enough about me. Time to write about ethics…
Ethics Alarms 
I am curious about what the EA commentariat thinks about the reporting on the school shooting in Minneapolis, plus the messaging of Major Frey, Jen Psaki, and others.
Major Frey lectured the nation by saying we shouldn’t blame the transgender community, promoted gun control, and talked about the insufficiency of prayer. My impression is that especially his remarks about prayer are tone-deaf just after two children have been killed during prayer.
The mainstream news media tried to hide the fact that the shooter was transgender.
Grief about the shooting took a backseat to political talking points and narratives.
As soon as I saw the photo of the shooter, I thought he was likely transgender. Then I heard he had had his name changed to Robin. I figured he hated the Catholic Church. I also correctly assumed the public would immediately be scolded for paying any attention whatsoever to this aspect of the story. And that the gun stuff started. Right on time.
I saw something about how in his manifesto he was angry about having been transitioned. THAT will get buried. It’s the Memphis shooter all over again.
Jack! This is so exciting for you! I’m thrilled that you’re going to be such an integral part of this 50th anniversary production. I think it will be wonderfully cathartic for you, not only to write and direct a show again, but to get out of the house for something fun (for a change!) and make new connections with people who share the same passion for great theatre. Brian & I will make sure to see the show and send good vibes from the audience. Big hugs and broken legs in advance!Love,McCall ❤️🎵😀P.S. Grace would be so proud of you.
McCall & Brian DoyleDoyleHaven 5659 Lower Mill Court Broad Run, VA 20137703-835-7915 (c)540-935-2534 (h)
Jack, are you the fourth from the left in the bottom row? It’s a fuzzy photo.
No. I’m in a much more prominent position than that!
Middle, top row.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, KCB: A pompous naval commander with absolutely no seagoing experience, Sir Joseph is the first lord of the admiralty. He explains exactly how he came to his position in his song “When I Was a Lad.”
Glad to see you getting to do something you really enjoy, just for the fun of it. Best of luck on your production!
Second.
Third….
PWS
Gavin Newsome is running around pointing out the fact that of the top 20 most dangerous cities, 13 are in red states.
https://www.newsweek.com/mike-johnson-reacts-gavin-newsom-criticizing-louisiana-crime-rates-2121583
He’s conveniently ignoring the fact that ALL of these cities are democrat run, where the police and prosecution are very soft on crime. That does lead me to ask, however, if the red states should address this problem at the state level? The federal government grants sovereignty to the states, not directly to local government. State governments have the full authority to remove local power as their laws and constitution dictate. Florida has been in the news for removing local officials for failure to follow state law. Should the states with those 13 high crime rates use that authority to remove local officials who won’t fight crime? I’d argue yes.
Several powers would likely be required. One, the ability to force the appropriation of the money necessary. That police, prosecution, indigent defense and incarceration costs are mandatory to meet certain goals. That police departments failing criteria can be taken over by a governor appointed commission until rates fall. That the state attorney general can take over either departments or cases from local district attorneys. Maybe even making juries statewide if getting convictions through panels of only liberal jurisdictions are a problem.
Obviously state law and / or state constitutional requirements changes required before these could be implemented. But go ahead and give Newsome what he wants, the removal of sovereignty from blue cities in red states.