Mike smash

My friend Mike Daisey was performing a monologue in Cambridge this week when an organized group of seven-dozen-plus up and walked out on him. One of them got onstage and poured water on the notes Mike had for the show, ruining them.

Affronted doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt when I read about this in Mike’s blog. Having your trust betrayed, in front of a paying audience, is a violation of both mind and soul. I’ve seen the show, and I can’t figure what they were protesting – it seems their action was calculated to humiliate. There’s no good that can come of that. None. The fact that he can take the high road and refuse to hate is a strong testimony to his inner core. I don’t know how he found the courage to continue the show, but if anyone can do it, he can.

I know Mike reads this (he’s posted a few YouTube clips on his blog shortly after they appeared on mine), so Mike, as that Barry Manifold fella says, this one’s for you, wherever you are. May the lyrics continue to resonate.